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Episode 112

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Published on:

18th Sep 2025

EP - 112 - Toxic Tudor Secrets: Elizabeth I’s Deadly Mask of Youth

Elizabeth I may have been one of the most powerful rulers in history, but behind her glittering portraits was a deadly secret. To maintain her iconic "Mask of Youth," she relied on toxic cosmetics that slowly poisoned her body.

In this episode, I peel back the layers of her beauty routine, explore how her image became a weapon of power, and reveal the impossible double standards women have always faced.

From court gossip to ambassadorial shade, discover how beauty, politics, and poison shaped the Virgin Queen.

Are. You. Ready?

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Sources & References:

Bertolet, Anna Riehl. The Face of Queenship: Early Modern Representations of Elizabeth I. Palgrave Macmillan, 2010.

Whitelock, Anna. Elizabeth’s Bedfellows: An Intimate History of the Queen’s Court. Bloomsbury, 2013.

Whitelock, Anna. Elizabeth I. Penguin Monarchs Series, 2016.

Ribeiro, Aileen. Facing Beauty: Painted Women and Cosmetic Art. Yale University Press, 2011.

Fleming, Juliet. Graffiti and the Writing Arts of Early Modern England. Reaktion Books, 2001.

Venetian and Spanish ambassadorial reports (Calendar of State Papers, Venetian; Calendar of State Papers, Spanish).

Sir Francis Bacon, Apophthegms New and Old, 1625.

Doran, Susan. Elizabeth I and Her Circle. Oxford University Press, 2015.

Levin, Carole. The Heart and Stomach of a King: Elizabeth I and the Politics of Sex and Power. University of Pennsylvania Press, 1994.

Accounts from André Hurault de Maisse, Journal of Jean de Maisse: A Journal of All

that Was Accomplished by Monsieur de Maisse, Ambassador in England from King

Henri IV to Queen Elizabeth, Anno Domini 1597, ed. G.B. Harrison, 1931.

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Intro/Outro Music:

Music by Savvier from Fugue FAME INC

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About the Podcast

Beauty Unlocked the podcast
Buckle up and get ready as I delve into a variety of topics regarding physical beauty.

We'll take a look at our society's obsession with physical beauty and the consequences these impossible beauty standards have had on us.
Let's face it; this fascination regarding physical beauty and body image isn't a recent phenomenon; it has been around for centuries, crossing borders, and has affected men and women alike.
The realization of this podcast has come about by my own experiences having to deal with society's perverse notion of physical "perfection" and researching an array of topics that have intrigued me over the years.
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About your host

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Carissa Vikis

Hey there!
I'm Carissa, host, content creator, and producer of the indie podcast Beauty Unlocked.
Growing up, I was frequently compared and criticized for my looks and weight. This started the vicious cycle of being self-critical and loathing my body. I knew I wasn't the only one suffering from society's ridiculous notion of what "we should look like." I started digging deeper and researching various topics, and the rest is h(er)story!
Beauty Unlocked The Podcast aims to educate and bring awareness of our society's obsession with physical beauty and the emotional consequences these impossible beauty standards have. Beauty Unlocked's social media platform showcases not only my work but that of other artists, illustrators, and fellow podcasters that I admire and that share a similar message of inspiration, empowerment, positivity, and raising awareness on a variety of social issues.