Health and beauty were interlinked in the Victorian mind: One could not hope to be attractive if one were unhealthy, or living an unhealthy lifestyle! While this section offers a number of recipes for cosmetics and beauty treatments (which we are not suggesting that you try at home!), the general focus of most articles on this topic is that fresh air, exercise, a good diet and a positive mindset are the greatest keys to an attractive appearance. Sounds like good advice!

The Toilet: The Hair (Peterson's, 1856)

Beautiful for Ever (Cassell's Family Magazine, 1876)

How Can I Look My Best? by "Medicus"* (Girl's Own Paper, 1880)

How to Be Healthy, Happy and Beautiful, by "Medicus"* (Girl's Own Paper, 1881)

Beauty, by "Medicus"* (Girl's Own Paper, 1888)

About Personal Appearance, by "Medicus"* (Girl's Own Paper, 1890)

Health, Strength and Beauty, by "Medicus"* (Girl's Own Paper, 1890)

Is Beauty Evanescent? by "Medicus"* (Girl's Own Paper, 1890)

How to Look Nice, by Phyllis Browne (Cassell's Family Magazine, 1892)

How to Look Well in the Morning, by "Medicus"* (Girl's Own Paper, 1892)

Rational Toilet, by "Medicus"* (Girl's Own Paper, 1892)

Some Special Points of Female Beauty, by "Medicus"* (Girl's Own Paper, 1895)

A Bundle of Hints on Beauty, by "Medicus"* (Girl's Own Paper, 1897)

Beauty: A Duty, by "Medicus"* (Girl's Own Paper, 1898)

Beauty in Woman: From a Man's Point of View, by "Medicus"* (Girl's Own Paper, 1899)

The Beauty of Health: A Paper in Pars, by "Medicus"* (Girl's Own Paper, 1901)

Natural Beauty and How to Obtain It, by "Medicus"* (Girl's Own Paper, 1901)

Beauty Hints, by "Medicus"* (Girl's Own Paper, 1902)

Home Truths About Beauty, by "Medicus"* (Girl's Own Paper, 1902)

Mind the Measure of True Beauty, by "Medicus"* (Girl's Own Paper, 1902)

Health - Beauty - Power, by Dr. Mara L. Pratt-Chadwick (Drapers' Self-Culture, 1913)

Every young woman desires to be beautiful, but to have beauty one must have health - and when one has beauty and health, one has power!

*"Medicus" was the pen-name of Gordon Stables, M.D., R.N., health columnist for The Girl's Own Paper. Read the complete collection of Medicus Columns from 1881-1902 in chronological order.

See also

• Hair & Skin Care

• Caring for the Hands & Feet

• Beauty Products