Embedded Files
This is taken from the old Gawth Pallor site which used to be at Geocities, here copied courtesy of the Wayback Machine. This was the inspiration behind Fair of Flesh, so it seemed relevant to include.
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don't resemble the moon or cold marble, but want to? compilation of paling recipes, freckle and tan removal mixtures, and hints on keeping it that way!
before i say anything else, let me say this: i have been flamed in the past for not making it completely clear that being pale is NOT a prerequisite to being goth. Goths of Colour are just as lovely, and im hoping someone will put up a web page all about make-up and such for goths of colour (hint hint!) that i can link to. the reason i have chosen to do this page here on pale skin is simple. i have pale skin. i like my pale skin. i have the heritage of some of the palest damn people in the world. and as a kid, i tried the tanning thing to fit in. not so bad up in Washington state, but when i came to Malibu, California at the tender age of 12, and had the... er.. privilage of attending Malibu High School, where your tan is somewhat indicative of your social status, my white butt left me even more outcast than i already was. so i did try tanning. but it always felt a bit.. off. i knew my skin wasnt naturally that colour. i had nothing against those born into colour. but like i said, i was pale! after seeing enough old art, reading enough old poetry, i realised how silly my tanning attempts had been. lots of good things can come out of being pale. avoiding the sun = less likely to die of skin cancer! i learned that other people, like classical artists, poets, and goths, found pallor appealing. i read about all the things women used to do to lighten the skin. crazy things. things they died for. so, i set about to reclaim my pallor, safely. and hence, this page. i'd also like to include a section on history, so if you've any information on historical remedy or reason, please fill in the form. also, if you have any paling tips or pallor upkeep notes, do drop me a line through the above form link. the "source" listed for these recipes comes from where the contributer says they found it. the contributer is the person who gave it to me, either saying "hey gothfaeri, here's this!" or when i did searches, the author of the post mentioning it. if anything here came from you, and you feel you're due credit, by all means, just smack that little spooky mail box at the bottom of the page and politely correct me. if you try any of the recipes, please email me with your results, including your original skin colour, the problems/joys of the process, and the results. im trying em all one by one, but they all react differently with different people. i intend to put up everyone's comments as well.
Getting There
Tan Removers/Paling
- simple tan remover 1
- Pomade de Seville
- Madame Vestris' Paste
- Skin Bleach
- Venetian Water
- herbal paling cream
- the more complex light-skin bleaching cream
- simple skin-lightening and tightening mask
- Lemon Lightening Pack
- Skin Bleaching Tonic
- "ingredientally challanged" concoction to lighten, by Gabriella
- Lemon Milk (skin bleach)
- A water to whiten the skin and take away sunburn.
simple tan remover 1
source:
contributed by: Nitewyvern@aol.com
¥ou need:
- ½ pint new milk
- ¼ oz. lemon juice
- ½ oz. white brandy
Mix all of these together. Boil the whole and skim it. Apply to the face, neck, and bosom night and morning.
Pomade de Seville
source:
contributed by: Nitewyvern@aol.com
¥ou need:
- 1 part lemon juice
- 1 part egg whites
Mix lemon juice and egg whites. Beat it together and set it over a slow fire [a low heat]. stir it with a wooden spoon until it acquires the consistancy of asoft pomatum. Use to bleach the skin of the shoulders, face, neck, and hands. [this is strong stuff. it stings. and in my experience it didnt do that much...]
Madame Vestris' Paste (a mask for tightening and lightening)
source:
contributed by: Nitewyvern@aol.com
¥ou need:
- 4 egg whites
- rose water
- ½ oz alum
- ½ oz sweet almond oil
boil the whites in the rose water. take the whites, the alum, the oil of sweet almonds and beat the whole together til it assumes the consistance of a paste. The above, spread on a silk or muslin mask, and worn at night, will not only keep back wrinkles and preserve the complexion of the fair, but it is a great remedy where the skin becomes too loosely attatched to the muscles as it gives firmness to these parts.
Skin Bleach
source:
contributed by: Nitewyvern@aol.com
¥ou need:
- 1 tb. lemon juice
- 1 tb. peroxide
- 1 tb. glycerine
Mix all together. Note from someone: probably should keep this one away from your hair!
Venetian Water (paling and tan removal)
source:
contributed by: Nitewyvern@aol.com
¥ou need:
- 1 pint cow's milk (in this instance, 1 pint = 20 oz.)
- 8 lemons, sliced
- 4 oranges, sliced
- 2 oz. sugar candy, pulverized (easy alternate: plain sugar)
- ½ oz. borax
- 4 narcissus roots, pounded to a paste
Distill this slowly in a water bath. Note: probably can be simmered together for about an hour, cooled, and strained. Keep in a refrigerator! [if all you happen to have around is ½ and ½ rabbit and yak milk, i dont think it would be a big problem. ;} ]
herbal paling cream
source: http://www.bright.net/~catsuit/pale.html
contributed by: Nitewyvern@aol.com
¥ou need:
- Elder flowers (/Sanbuncus canadensis/)
- Linden flowers (/Tilia cordata)
- Lady's Mantle leaves (/Alchemilla vulgaris/)
- Parsley leaves (/Petroselenium crispum/)
- Unscented cold cream
- 1-2 drops essential oil (optional)
Note: herbal materials can be fresh or dried.
herbs: 3-4 tbsp fresh *or* 2 tbsp dried each
flowers: 1-2 cups fresh
First, a decoction of flowers and leaves must be made. Sort herbs, picking out stems, packaging, etc. Snip away as much as Elder flower stem as possible. add all plant material to 6 cups of water, soak in a pot of warm water for about ten minutes, then turn on the heat and bring it to a simmer on the stove for fifteen minutes. Turn off the heat and let it stand for about half an hour. Strain out the plant material. The resulting water is now a decoction in which the plants' essences has been infused. The cold cream must now be prepared by placing the jar in a pan of simmering water and warming it gently. remove the jar from the heat and whip together with decoction. If a scented cream is desired, a drop or two of a favorite essential oil can be added. The cream should be kept in an airtight container, and preferably refrigerated. A patch test for allergies is recommended, and daily use provides best results.
the more complex light-skin bleaching cream
source:_Cheaper & Better_ by Nancy Birnes
contributed by: Gabriella Vervaine (synner@intergate.bc.ca)
¥ou need:
- ~¼ cup mineral oil
- ~1 tablespoon beeswax or paraffin
- ~¼ cup lemon juice
- ~½ cup whey
- a double boiler and 3 small glass bowls
- OR use two double boilers
- OR one pot filled with water with another pot that can fit on top of it holding the ingredient
First place the mineral oil and paraffin or beeswax in bowls and then in the top of the double boiler. Watch until the wax is nearly melted and then add a bowl with the lemon juice and the whey. Pour the melted wax into a glass bowl and stir in the warm oil, mixing vigorously. Keep mixing and add the warm lemon juice and whey. Cover and refrigerate for 2 hours or until the cream has set. Remove the mixture from the fridge and whip it with an electric hand mixer or with a wire whisk until light and creamy. You may add a drop of perfume (or essential oil) at this step, if desired. Store cream in the fridge during summer and use up within 4 to 6 weeks.
simple skin-lightening and tightening mask
source:_Cheaper & Better_ by Nancy Birnes
contributed by: Gabriella Vervaine (synner@intergate.bc.ca)
¥ou need:
- ~2 tablespoons fuller's earth (get this at health food stores, etc.) [or kaolin clay, because fullers earth is banned...
- ~1 tablespoon witch hazel
- ~1 teaspoon honey
- ~1 teaspoon ground cloves
Mix all ingredients into a paste and apply to the skin in upwards strokes. Sit back with your face and feet up for 20 minutes, rinse with the skin bleaching tonic.
Lemon Lightening Pack
source:_Cheaper & Better_ by Nancy Birnes
contributed by: Gabriella Vervaine (synner@intergate.bc.ca)
¥ou need:
- ~2 tablespoon's fuller's earth or kaolin clay... fullers earth is banned
- ~1 teaspoon lemon juice
- ~1 teaspoon buttermilk
Mix all ingredients into a paste and apply to the skin in upwards strokes. Sit back with your face and feet up for 20 minutes, rinse with the skin bleaching tonic.
Skin Bleaching Tonic
source:_Cheaper & Better_ by Nancy Birnes
contributed by: Gabriella Vervaine (synner@intergate.bc.ca)
¥ou need:
- ~1 lemon, sliced
- ~1 cup white wine
- ~1 tablespoon sugar
place lemon slices and wine in an enamel or glass pot and bring to a boil over medium heat. Boil for one minute. Remove from heat, stir in the sugar, and let cool. Strain the mixture and store in a tightly capped bottle. Use as a skin refresher and after one of the masks.
"ingredientally challanged" concoction to lighten, by Gabriella
source: Gabriella Vervaine (synner@intergate.bc.ca)
contributed by: Gabriella Vervaine (synner@intergate.bc.ca)
¥ou need:
- whey
- yogurt
- lemon juice
- honey
- ground cloves
mix it up. put it on tan place. let sit ~20 minutes. this mask is called that because when gabriella suggested it, that is what she called herself. im only passing it on ;}
Lemon Milk (skin bleach)
source: Jeanne Rose's Herbal Body Book
contributed by: Gabriella Vervaine (synner@intergate.bc.ca)
¥ou need:
- a couple of lemon slices
- 1 cup of milk
- yogurt
- flower water (optional)
Soak slices of lemon in milk for some hours. Strain out the lemon and add yogurt to thicken. Apply this cream to your face and body for some hours so that the bleaching action can take effect. Rinse off with a flower water such as Fennel or Elder.
A water to whiten the skin and take away sunburn.
source: _The Accomplisht Lady's Delight in Preserving, Physick, Beautifying, and Cookery_
contributed by: blakiris (foley@virtu.sar.usf.edu)
Take of Rain Water, the juice of unripe Grapes, each a like quantity, boyl them together till one half be consumed, then whilst it boyls, add so much juice of lemons as was boyled away before' when it is boyled take it off, and add four whites of eggs after it is cold, and keep it for your use. (email me if you need a translation! ;} )
Freckle Balm
source:
contributed by: Nitewyvern@aol.com
¥ou need:
- 8 oz. pure, strained honey
- 2 oz. glycerine
- 2 oz. alcohol
- 6 drams citric acid
- 15 drops essence of ambergris (perfume, not essential)
Dissolve the acid and ambergris in the alcohol, and add the glycerine and honey. Apply this at night and wash off in the morning.
Freckle Mask
source:
contributed by: Nitewyvern@aol.com
¥ou need:
- 4 tb. buttermilk
- 1 t. grated horseradish
- 1 tb. finely ground oatmeal
Mix to form a paste. Apply to affected areas and leave on for thirty minutes. Rinse off. Note: try not to get in eyes!
Freckle Remover 1
source:
contributed by: Nitewyvern@aol.com
¥ou need:
- 1 oz. Venetian soaps (alternate: plain, unperfumed white soap)
- ½ oz. lemon juice
- ¼ oz. oil of bitter almonds (hard to find.. poisonous! alternate: sweet almond oil)
- ¼ oz. deliquidated oil of tartar (hard to find... alternate: cream of tartar - used in cooking)
- 3 drops oil of rhodium (perfume, not essential)
Dissolve the soap in the lemon juice. Add the two oils and place the whole in the sun until it acqures the consistance of an ointment. Add the oil of rhodium. Anoint the face at night with this unction, then wash off in the morning with pure water.
Freckle Remover 1.. variation
source:
contributed by: Nitewyvern@aol.com
¥ou need:
- 1 oz. grated castile soap
- 3 tb. distilled water
- 3 t. lemon juice
- ¼ oz. oil of almond
- ¼ t. cream of tartar
- 4 drops olive oil
Put the soap and water in a doible boiler and melt over low heat. When all the water has evaporated, mix in remaining ingredients. Rub onto freckles, leave on for thirty minutes. rinse with pure water.
Freckle remover 2
source:
contributed by: Nitewyvern@aol.com
¥ou need:
- 1 dram citric acid
- 1 oz. glycerine
Mix. Apply to freckles three to four times a day.
freckle remover 3
source:
contributed by: Nitewyvern@aol.com
¥ou need:
- 1 dram tincture of benzion
- ½ dram of tincture of tolu
- 2 drops oil of rosemary
- 4 oz. rosewater
Mix and apply to freckles.
freckle remover 4
source:
contributed by: Nitewyvern@aol.com
¥ou need:
- 4 oz. rosewater
- 2 drams powdered alum
- 2 drams lemon juice
mix and apply to freckles.
"what is this crap and where do i get it?"
how much is a dram anyway?
(1 dram = 1/8 oz.)
tincture of benzion
available at pharmacies, homepathic pharmacies, and some drug stores
tincture of tolu
also may be available at pharmacies, homepathic pharmacies, and some drug stores
alum
usually a powder, it comes from alum root. it is best known as a mordant for fabric dying, de-foaming agent in food canning, and to clot blood, like in a styptic stick, for shaving cuts. you can get it at any grocery or drug store, in the spice racks. i also use it if i clip my bunny's nails to short, and hit the quick.
rosewater
basically pure distilled water and rose essence. available at new age/ occult stores and grocery stores in areas with high latino populations.
essential oils
at health food stores, massage shoppes, or homeopathic stores.
glycerin (glycerine)
in the first aid section of the pharmacy area in your drug store. skin softener.
citric acid
dissolve either cheapy (100% citric acid) vitamin C or vitamin C powder in a little water. you can buy the stuff straight at a pharmacy possibly.
cream of tartar
spice rack at the grocery... used in baking to stabalize egg whites.
whey
the liquid stuff in cottage cheese. press it through cheesecloth to extract. it may be sold alone in specialty or health food stores.
witch hazel
drug store, near the rubbing alcohol stuff. good for drying the skin gently.
paraffin wax
look in the canning section of your supermarket. one or two bucks a pound. make a candle while you're at it.
borax
drug store, right by the glycerin and stuff, or in the housewares/cleaners section of a hardware store.
narcissus roots
check an herbal supply house. you may also find good places that do mail order over the internet. there is a company recommended for getting all the herbs noted in the herbal palijng cream, but ive completely forgotten who.. anyone?
peroxide
you know what it is! look in the first aid section of your drug store
Care and Maintenance
exfoliate
use something gentle on the face, but for body, a loofa is super. slough off the dead stuff and let in the living. if you're naturally pale but dealing with getting rid of a tan, this is very important. much enjoyed by pale goths is St. Ives' Apricot Scrub.
hair removal
also if you are naturally fair and trying to get rid of a tan, the method in which you shave (legs and whatnot) can affect it. shaving and using those nifty little sanding-mitt things will help the pallor, while threading, waxing, and nair will likely do nothing.
sunscreen
(anyone want to recommend some good ones, press the little spooky mail button at the bottom of the screen.) i like Banana Boat Faces, spf 45 i believe. not too greasy for use on face, but best for arms and throat. also,a really yummy citrus smelling one is Ocean Potion Total Sunblock 30.. it's everything-proof and everything-free. it goes on shiny looking, but it soaks in and loses the shine quickly, and doesnt have to be re-applied all the time.
hats
floppy straw hats seem to be the favourite. they do come in black, and one could decorate with evil feathers, dark ribbons, black silk flowers, beads, etc. (maybe this belongs under gawthkrafte!)
parasols
very fashionable. dont worry about being made fun of, most often parasol-carrying goths get compliments, and the sort of class that goes along with wearing gloves, or a corset... that out-of-place, but still beautiful stuff... they start at about 3 or 4 bucks for rice paper parasols in china town. import stores often carry them in assorted colours and shapes. for a higher price, you can find them in lace, or other nifty fabrics... im looking for places that do them custom... (anyone?)
long sleeves!
i know it's hard, but think about it... hot desert cultures use layers of loose fitting clothes to keep in the cool... eh eh eh? the less of you that sees the sun, the less of you that has to absorb it!
Pallor in the Past
nothing here yet, but feel free to contribute!
GawthKrafte Web / ©1998 Féerique Creations, All Rights Reserved / GothFaeri@aol.com kicks ass / most graphics magically (poof!) from sparky / revised `round early june-ish, 98
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