The Science of Beauty

Exploring the intersection of cosmetic practices and social norms, this cultural history delves into the beauty ideals in Germany from the late Enlightenment to the early National Socialist era. It examines how the cosmetic modifications of middle-class women and the medical repair of war-injured men reflect broader societal conversations about beauty, health, and identity. The book also connects the emergence of the New Woman during the Weimar Republic with the development of social medicine, highlighting the influence of scientific knowledge on these evolving standards.