I will be recreating The Governess for my timed assessment from 'The Turn of The Screw'. As I mentioned before in my previous blog posts, she is 20 years of age, comes from a poor background, single and works in a country home in Essex, looking after two kids, Miles and Flora.
There is no specific description of The Governess in the book nor online therefore I had to make up in my mind what I imagined she'd look like. The book was set in the very early Victorian era, about 1840. During this decade (1840-1850) only prostitutes and actresses, who many people thought were the same profession wore excessive makeup and showy jewellery. Limited makeup was the rule for most women of the Victorian period as this era was highly influenced by strict codes of morality and religion. Women who did wear makeup were often referred to as 'promiscuous' or a 'slut'.
At about 1849 women were adopting more subtle, natural applications and started wearing adornments. Pale skin, similar to the Elizabethan era, was still popular (not as white) as it symbolised class and wealth. To achieve this, women used a popular product called 'Creme Celeste'. This was a mixture of white wax (made from an organ inside of a whale's sperm), almond oil and rosewater. This tended to hide their blemishes, moisture their skin and provide a pale complexion. Into about the next decade, it developed into a cosmetic remover known as 'Cold Cream'.
Women also used to wear a gentle amount of powder just to keep shine away from their face. Eye shadow and lipsticks weren't popular at all, however if worn it'd be extremely nude. Women, in particular the young invested more into their skin with products such as face masks and anti-age creams rather than cosmetics. Makeup wasn't really something to worry about. In fact women were more worried about giving the wrong impression about themselves to the public more than anything, therefore decided to play it safe and wear nothing at all. I personally think it's the same in today's society also. There's always negative comments about women, in particular celebrities who wear a lot of makeup. It's often seen as 'tacky and people much rather prefer to go for the 'no makeup look' (bare in mind this requires just as many products as an extreme makeup look would!).
It wasn't popular to be tanned or have a dark complexion as then you'd be considered poor/low class due to having to work outdoors. To prevent getting a tan, women used to cover their hands with gloves and use umbrellas outdoors.
Which scene am I re-creating?
As this isn't a contemporary assessment, I have to stick by the Victorian rules and portray my character exactly how she would've looked during the era. I know I can't go too over the top with the makeup however I'm planning to use a lot of products to make it look as if my model is wearing none. Now I know this will be quite difficult for me as usually I like to go OTT. Even when working on myself, I just can't stick to natural makeup. I'd rather wear absolutely nothing, than apply little product so I know it'll be challenging.
The Governess is very much in love with the uncle of the children, Miles and Flora. She's only met him twice, yet loves him as if she's known him forever. The scene I want to re-create is the first time the Governess is meeting the uncle at Harley Street for her job interview which happens at the beginning of the novel. I know she would've made an effort with her appearance to go see him as she desperately needed the job. She had many siblings and an unwealthy father whom was a parson, therefore she was required to fund herself.
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