It is evident that over the course of time fashion preferences change, with each new era, new ‘hip’ hairstyles and clothing are established. The idealistic man and woman is not a modern concept, the ‘perfect’ individual has been sought after for centuries and continues to be. In Victorian London the present day ‘rugged, lumberjack’ facial hair was in fashion. After Albert Smith returned from a trip after visiting the Nile with a full ‘flowing, beastly’ beard. All is well right? Wrong, clean shaved faces were a sign of wealth and class and Albert was a candidate for The Garrick Club, which was exclusive. The present members insisted he shave is beard and be a gentlemen. Upon Alberts refusal the “Beard Movement” was born. Facial hair began to increase in popularity, ‘mutton-chop’ whiskers became ‘de riguer’ or the regular. However not all facial hair was considered fashionable, mustaches were frowned upon. Mustaches were only socially accepted on men of war, dance and or preforming arts, otherwise you were labeled a ‘snob.’  Cartoon illustrations were created to stress why mustaches were troublesome. In one advertisement a man and woman are depicted, both appearing startled because the woman’s face is bleeding due to the sharpness of the gentleman’s ‘unruly’ mustache. The fair lady states “What a tiresome great awkward boy you are! Just see how you have scratched my chin!!” This humorous presentation warns men, if you want to get a lady, a mustache will not do the job. Though society today is no longer against mustaches, the article ‘Beards and Mustaches’  shows that similar tactics are used to portray messages on what is ‘in’ and what is not in the present day. Women did not have to worry about facial hair in the Victorian Era but they did in fact need to stress over their hands. ‘White and delicate’ or otherwise described as ‘lily like’ hands were high fashion and a symbol of femininity. ‘Etiquette and Advice’ a manual, contains an entire article on what and what not to do in order to have perfect hands. The author believed that even the working woman could have delicate hands if she devoted time and effort into caring for her digits. Recommendations on how to attain perfect hands included limiting the use of ones hands, avoiding lifting objects that are too heavy and never clenching ones fist. Also the use of nail brushes, pumice stone, white sand and lemon juice will preserve softness and cleanliness. It is for this reason I blame Victorian woman for all the money I spend at the nail salon. Research has me wondering, how much do the times really change?