The pursuit of beauty among wealthy women, including royalty, often involved dangerous practices such as using toxic substances to achieve a paler complexion. Compounds like borax, sulfur, and lead were employed in the belief that light skin was a mark of ultimate attractiveness, despite the health risks these compounds posed.

This context adds depth to the characterization of the "dark lady" in Shakespeare's sonnets, highlighting her exotic nature in stark contrast to the societal standards of beauty prevalent at the time. She represents a divergence from the norm, bringing attention to the complexities of beauty ideals in Elizabethan society.