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subscribe to beauty blog via RSSVapour’s Royal Flush
March 30, 2011 10:33 am
From Mary Boleyn to Mata Hari, there have been a great many courtesans who have, since the word first started appearing in the popular vernacular in the early fourteenth century, become legendary in their own right. But if we had to choose just one to highlight, it would undoubtedly be Madame de Pompadour. Yes, our preference does owe a bit to beauty favoritism—this is the woman, after all, for whom the pompadour coif was named! But the chief mistress of France’s Louis XV was revered not only for her appearance, but also for her wit and intelligence. Pompadour hung out with Voltaire; was well versed in art,
literature, and Rococo design; helped to create Sevres porcelain; and, unlike Louis’ former lovers, made it a point to befriend his wife, the queen. When Vapour Organic’s latest Courtesan shade of its (very NARS Multiple-esque) Aura Multi-Use stick landed on my desk, I was reminded immediately of Pompadour, and specifically of a portrait of her by François Boucher that hangs in London’s Victoria & Albert Museum. In it, she’s pictured lounging among lush greenery, a book open on the lap of her lavish cream-colored gown, her skin a ghostly white, save for the bright pink spheres of rouge on her cheeks—the same rosy hue of Vapour’s latest stick. Double up on pink, dabbing the creamy formula on lips and cheeks, or take inspiration from Pompadour herself and swipe it on an otherwise bare (or nearly bare; we like to add a coat of mascara) face for cheeks that really pop.
$28, at www.spiritbeautylounge.com.
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I love Madam Pompadour - and the mini history lesson!
By Citygirlinred on 03/30/11 at 11:54 amMary Boleyn was a royal mistress, yes, but in no way a courtesan (neither was her sister, Anne Boleyn, with whom I think you have her confused). A little more research next time…
By missminerva on 04/3/11 at 11:23 am