What method did women in the Victorian age use to achieve natural color in their cheeks?

During the Victorian era, women often sought a natural and healthy appearance, especially when it came to their complexion. The method of pinching their cheeks and biting their lips was a widely practiced technique to create a flush of color that mimicked the healthy glow of natural blushing. By stimulating blood flow to the skin in these areas, women could achieve a rosy effect without the use of artificial pigments or makeup products that were frowned upon in many social circles at the time.

This practice highlighted not only the desire for a vibrant appearance but also the societal norms surrounding beauty during the Victorian period, which often emphasized modesty and naturalness. The other methods listed, such as painting faces with pigments or using plant extracts, did exist but were less favored compared to the immediate and accessible technique of creating a rosy flush through physical stimulation. Thus, pinching and biting provided an effective and socially acceptable means of enhancing natural color in the cheeks, aligning with the era's standards of beauty.