In the past, wealthy women, including royalty, pursued beauty through dangerous means. They often used toxic substances like borax, sulfur, and lead to achieve a lighter skin tone, believing it would enhance their attractiveness. These harmful compounds served as a testament to the lengths some were willing to go in the pursuit of beauty standards during that time.

The practice highlights a concerning aspect of historical beauty norms, where health was compromised for aesthetic ideals. Bill Bryson’s book, "Shakespeare: The World as Stage," sheds light on this phenomenon, emphasizing how societal pressures influenced personal choices, even among the elite.