Blue Blood

The practice of accentuating one’s veins with a blue pencil to create a translucent, almost ethereal look was a trend among French women in the 1700s. Women would use a blue pencil to draw lines along their arms and hands, emphasizing the blueish hue of their veins and making their skin appear almost see-through.

The trend was part of a larger movement in 18th century France towards a more natural, minimalist look. Women wanted to appear delicate and refined, with a complexion that was almost porcelain-like in its translucency. By accentuating their veins, they hoped to create the illusion of skin that was so thin, one could see the veins pulsing just beneath the surface.