What Made Joseon-Era Bridal Beauty So Distinctive?
Joseon beauty ideals prized pale, flawless skin as a sign of nobility and virtue—no sun exposure for upper-class women. Makeup emphasized purity, youth, and protection from evil. Red accents symbolized good fortune, warding off spirits, and vitality. Brides wore yeonji (red spots) on cheeks and sometimes lips, created with safflower-derived pigment or paper stickers in … Read more