Previously published: London : Profile Books : Wellcome Collection, 2023

Introduction -- Part one: Beauty ideals -- 1. Venus and the fruit seller -- 2. What is a (Renaissance) woman? -- 3. Sprezzatura and the natural look -- Part two: Judgement -- 4. Was Renaissance beauty culture oppressive or empowering? -- 5. Beauty tips for brides -- 6. Whiteface -- Part three: Renaissance bodywork -- 7. Getting in shape -- 8. Breast bags, nose jobs and labiaplasty -- 9. Witch hunts and body hair -- Part four: Power (un)dressing -- 10. Beauty's dangerous paths -- 11. Nakedness and the power of the gaze -- 12. Rebellious hair -- Part five: Communities of knowledge -- 13. Poison and the patriarchy -- 14. What Renaissance women knew -- 15. How to be a Renaissance woman: the recipes

"Plunge into the intimate history of cosmetics, and discover how, for centuries, women have turned to make-up as a rich source of creativity, community and resistance. The Renaissance was an era obsessed with appearances. And beauty culture from the time has left traces that give us a window into an overlooked realm of history - revealing everything from 16th-century women's body anxieties to their sophisticated botanical and chemical knowledge. 'How to be a Renaissance Woman' allows us to glimpse the world of the female artists, artisans and businesswomen carving out space for themselves, as well as those who gained power and influence in the cut-throat world of the court. In a vivid exploration women's lives, Professor Jill Burke invites us to rediscover historical cosmetic recipes and unpack the origins of the beauty ideals that are still with us today."--