A woman has shared her incredible “treasure” find – a perfectly preserved makeup palette from the 1910s – but has horrified TikTok users after using it.
Hillary Clark-Mina, 48, a vintage collector, found the untouched “time capsule” and shared a video on TikTok of the stunning piece.
In the clip, she explains this is what refined women in polite society would have used, and is estimated to come from between 1912-1917.
The golden compact, made by American company Evans Clock, includes kohl for the eyes, rouge for the lips, a blush for cheeks, a face powder and a puff to apply the makeup.
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Los Angeles-based Hillary estimated that at the time of purchase it would have cost $25 – equivalent to more than $1,000 today.
Hillary shared a clip of her showing the makeup and swatching it on her hand, which garnered 5.5 million views and 530,000 likes – and left users horrified when she tests out the old cosmetics due to it potentially containing lead.
Lead was used in cosmetics throughout the Victorian era, with reports of usage continuing throughout the 20th century.
Hillary can be seen swatching the kohl, rouge, powder and blush on her hands.
One shocked TikToker said: “I would NOT put any of that on my skin.”
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“It is so beautiful and unique. I wonder if it’s safe to use such an old makeup on the skin?” another said.
Someone else commented: “I cannot believe you swatched it.”
“Beautiful. But I would never put that on my skin. Nope,” said another critic.
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Another viewer added: “I wouldn’t put that on my skin. Could have lead in it or something poisonous.”
“You swatching it hurt my soul a little,” agreed another person.
“This is beautiful, but I couldn’t help but think ‘Lead Red’,” said someone else.
Another user commented: “They used to make paint with lead and soda with coke.
Please investigate further before using lol.”
“Probably has lead in it… You know that right??” another person said.
Someone else warned: “I would be so cautious doing a full look – so many scary chemicals and components in makeup during those times but SO cool to find!!!”
“This is absolutely gorgeous but I highly advise against putting it on your face,” another critic agreed.
However, Hillary was quick to say: “I’m not going to utilise a lot of this because of some of the ingredients in powders back then.”
Hillary is a keen vintage makeup buff, but was particularly stunned by this find.
“This treasure took my breath away,” the makeup artist told NeedToKnow.co.uk.
“I imagine the woman that may have received this as a gift or, given that it was unused, I dream of the person that bought it as a gift that was never presented.
“It is a Titanic-era piece, makeup was beginning to become more mainstream and acceptable which makes it an especially fascinating historical relic.
“This is pre-foundation, when cold cream was used as a ‘primer’ to assist in controlling the coverage and wear of powder on the skin.”
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