5 Beauty Trends From History That Were Actually Poisonous

Belladonna Eye Drops — The Plant That Blinded You

In Renaissance Italy, women used drops made from belladonna—deadly nightshade—to dilate their pupils. Larger pupils were considered more seductive, and the effect was immediate. The plant’s name literally means “beautiful lady.” The problem? Belladonna is a lethal poison. Side effects included blurred vision, photophobia, and permanent blindness. Women kept using it anyway because, for a few hours, their eyes looked more alluring. Vanity, it turns out, is a powerful anaesthetic.