Portrayal of Queen Elizabeth in films -

Film: Elizabeth - 
a general overview on the use of Tudor cosmetics - including the dangers - 

Queen Elizabeth had many scars covering her face due to small pox. She then had to wear a pale face to cover up these scars. The formula for this was by using ceruse - a mixture of white lead and vinegar onto the face which unfortunately was poisonous.  Authors warned the population against it as it turned the skin grey and shrivelled and to use formuas such as egg white or flour like the poor for the base. Once the whiteness had been applied many women would create false veins onto the skin usin facepaint however in the Elizabethan time was named fucus. Fucus came in a variety of reds and was mostly used onto the lips and cheeks. Fucus was created by using madder, cochineal and orchre based compounds to create the redness however vermilion was the most popular. This makeup was applied thickly to make a smoother face. However this also was poisonous and caused the skin to damage seriously. Plucking of the eyebrows was also applied to create the lift. Although this was not harmful or poisonous the removal was very painful.


http://www.elizabethancostume.net/makeup.html