So what was beauty?

Being on a make-up course the first thing we would look at is the beauty ideals of the era, from my understanding Victorians wore little to no make-up as it was more common to have a full face of make-up on when you was a prostitute or actress.

Just like the Elizabethans it was still very common to have pale skin but different methods were used.  Instead of using thick toxic mixtures to add to the skin; the Victorian's used a combination of vinegar and lemon juice to lighten the skin, either applied directly or consumed. The Victorians focused on enhancing natural beauty and was also the era that brunettes were seen as beautiful. No eye shadows or lipsticks were used but various lip tints were used to show a natural red or pink.


http://vintagemakeupguide.com/victorian-look/

Queen Victoria

by Lady Julia Abercromby, after Heinrich von Angeli
watercolour, 1883 (1875)
57 3/8 in. x 38 1/2 in. (1457 mm x 978 mm)
Given by Lady Julia Abercromby, 1883
NPG 708

http://www.npg.org.uk/collections/search/portraitLarge/mw06517/Queen-Victoria?search=sp&sText=queen+victoria&wPage=1&rNo=23

As you can see in the painting of Queen Victoria Her face is very flawless and no make up is to be seen.