Sarah Jane Downing: Beauty and Cosmetics in the Time of Jane Austen (Non-Fiction)

Beauty and Cosmetics in the Time of Jane Austen by Sarah Jane Downing
Published by Amberley Publishing Limited on September 15, 2025
Genres: Health & Fitness / Beauty & Grooming / General, History / Modern / 19th Century, History / Modern / General, History / Social History
Pages: 96
Format: ARC
Source: The Author
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After the success of Pastimes and Pleasures in the Time of Jane Austen, Sarah Jane Downing turns her attention to the hair and beauty styles of Jane Austen’s era. In Beauty and Cosmetics in the Time of Jane Austen, she examines the beauty ideals of the Regency period to shed light on the transition from the baroque high hair and formal doll-like faces of the court of King George III to the fresh complexions and glossy, bouncy ringlets of the Regency. She also dispels the myth that cosmetics and beauty aids disappeared during the period. Published to coincide with the 250th anniversary of Jane Austen’s birth, this book will be an invaluable resource for the legions of ‘Janeites’ who don Regency dress each year for the Jane Austen Festival in Bath and increasing number of Jane Austen-themed events around the world.

I received this book for free from The Author in exchange for an honest review. This does not affect my opinion of the book or the content of my review.

During the annual survey this year, a Regency Reader asked for more non-fiction reviews.  What a good excuse for me to start up something I have been meaning to do, especially when author Sarah Jane Downing reached out and asked me to review her recent release.

With beautiful images, and great stories of Georgian and Regency fashion influencers, Beauty and Cosmetics in the Time of Jane Austen is an easy to read resource that gives insight to beauty trends of the eras.  Helpful chapters like “A Tax on Beauty or Attacks on Beauty” offer historical context for changing hairstyles, demonstrating how beauty is political. Downing digs into some of the popular products, including those doused with mercury, and the marketing behind them to meet the demands of  beauty standards like creamy white skin or gothically kohl black eyes. Regency Readers who have consumed for years our sprinkling of cosmetic and beauty products in Regency Advertisements or Regency Beauty will recognize some of the names like Atkinson’s vegetable dye or the superflous hair removers.

The Jane Austen devotee will be happy to find many excerpts from her novels and letters showcasing her perspective on beauty. Downing pulls out mentions of products or beauty elements from fan favorites to highlight throughout the book. There is also some thoughtful analysis of body types, including Jane Austen’s emphasis on a wide array of body types in her characters.

The references alone are worthwhile for writers and historians who need a quick reference, and I certainly will use it in the future with Regency Reader Questions about beauty and cosmetics. That being said, it’s a slim volume with lots of images so easily accessible for most readers even if they are new to the Georgian and Regency eras.

From dental care to bathing, Downing explores common beauty rituals and recommendations alongside a myriad of drawings and plates from the 18th and 19th century, bringing the subject to life. This is a quick and handy resource for readers, writers, and Jane Austen lovers — as well as beauty influencers who want to try historical looks.