Sweet Cosmetics
In the current era, the German Chemical Society held a leading position in the world.
When the German chemical academic journal was published, people across Europe, even Americans, would receive and read the content.
One day, a paper related to the harmfulness of cosmetics was published in the "Berichte der Deutschen Chemischen Gesellschaft" published by the German Chemical Society.
“Did it contain lead, mercury, and arsenic?”
In fact, people in this era were aware to some extent of the harmfulness of lead, mercury, and arsenic.
“Did they not know?”
Right after the German academic journal mentioned the harmfulness of cosmetics, the Royal Friedrich Wilhelm University, one of Germany’s top universities, publicly proposed to verify the harmfulness of cosmetics.
“Yes, we must verify this kind of thing. It might really be fine.”
Women hoped that there were no problems with the cosmetics.
Soon, the Friedrich Wilhelm University side began a public experiment that cost a huge amount of money.
The cost was sponsored by all the wealthy nobles who had a lot of money.
“Then, let’s begin the experiment.”
Under the supervision of the renowned senior chemist, Professor August Wilhelm von Hofmann, young chemists began applying cosmetics from various countries to the skin of animals.
At first, the mice showed no reaction.
People thought that the chemists were making a fuss over this.
But after a day passed and then two days, the nature of the problem completely changed.
“Why are they like that?”
People began to see the problem and were greatly shocked.
The mice that had cosmetics applied to them soon began to deteriorate rapidly in health.
Especially the mice that used white powder and whitening cream were the worst.
Some of the ones that used large amounts even died.
“My God. So the French cosmetics were this dangerous.”
“My daughter has only used French cosmetics since she was little. What do I do?”
People felt fear at the experimental results.
At this point, voices of doubt began to emerge, saying that we can’t trust the cosmetics.
“Hah. This is just a false alarm by the Germans who envy our French cosmetics industry!”
The French press pointed out the reliability of this experiment and claimed that the Germans were talking nonsense.
“What nonsense! The mice died!”
As this controversy heated up, the French chemical community also joined in.
“The German experiment has exaggerated aspects. They overlooked the fact that even if there is a slight toxicity, there is a big difference between what small animals and humans can tolerate.”
The French chemical community claimed that such side effects were not a problem.
If that were the case, they said, we should ban alcohol, tobacco, and opium as well.
Anyway, the French chemical community’s active support for their own cosmetics industry was not just out of patriotism.
“Ah, those are the clients who put research funds and development requests on us!”
And the French chemists had not said anything particularly wrong.
“They must be crazy. They know how dangerous lead and mercury are and still do that?”
The French cosmetics industry first stated its position on lead, mercury, and arsenic, which have confirmed harmfulness.
“From now on, we will definitely remove lead, mercury, and arsenic from the products.”
But they said nothing about things like belladonna.
“Then, shall we believe them one more time?”
Just as people were thinking whether to believe the French again, Waldemar appeared.
“I cannot believe in the conscience of those who willingly apply lead, mercury, arsenic, and belladonna to human skin.”
Waldemar shouted firmly at the newspapers.
People responded to Waldemar’s reaction with “That’s right, that’s right.”
For the prince who was completely smitten with his fiancée, the cosmetics issue was never someone else’s problem.
It was a problem that his fiancée might have suffered from.
“Then, instead of believing those people, I will personally make cosmetics for my fiancée.”
Everyone’s eyes widened at this kind of self-sufficiency declaration.
“The prince is making cosmetics himself?”
“For the sake of Princess Alix, of course.”
“Then, since it’s for Princess Alix’s product, safety is guaranteed.”
People began to show interest in the suddenly appeared Waldemar brand cosmetics.
After a while, Waldemar announced that he had acquired Penhaligon's and Zaebom to produce cosmetics, and that he would produce clean powder and whitening cream from lead, mercury, belladonna, etc.
Upon hearing that, upper-class women immediately reacted.
“As long as it’s not other things, I can trust the Emperor’s love for Princess Alix. He wouldn’t give her harmful things, would he?”
As soon as the first product was shipped from Penhaligon's and Zaebom, orders poured in from department stores and shops in Britain and Germany like a tidal wave.
“Waldemar Prince’s cosmetics set.”
“If that’s the case, it’s out of stock.”
“Ah.”
Waldemar was not surprised by the momentary sales.
If he just crushed the French cosmetics industry, he could earn several times more now.
“Prepare a large additional factory in Germany.”
“Understood. Then, when will the second attack begin?”
“Let’s start slowly.”
Waldemar had calmly prepared for the second attack after seeing that the French cosmetics industry had endured the shock of the animal experiment.
The second attack was,
“Let’s see if you can say brazen words even after seeing the victims’ faces.”
Waldemar mobilized the press and interviewed upper-class women victims in Europe whose faces had rotted from cosmetics, and took photos of them.
And on the day when the French cosmetics industry released a prototype without lead and mercury, he launched the attack.
“Cosmetics saturated with lead, mercury, and arsenic. Exposing their ugly reality!”
Not only the French yellow press, but numerous newspapers from Britain, Germany, Italy, and Russia published interviews and photos of the cosmetics victims.
“I used to trust them and use cosmetics. But then, my skin rotted, and it started to necrotize. In the end, I became a person who can’t live without a mask.”
“If you use their cosmetics once, you can’t stop. Even knowing that your skin is rotting to maintain a white face, you have to keep using it.”
The photos of the victims’ necrotic faces were enough to drive the point home.
“It is really disgusting. Humans shouldn’t do this.”
“They ruined the lives of beautiful young ladies.”
The cosmetics industry immediately issued an apology.
Not only that, but it hinted that they would provide compensation for victim relief.
But the reaction was lukewarm.
The cold reaction of the market and the public was reflected in the falling stock prices.
“This is going to make us bankrupt.”
In fact, it was.
People did not look at a product that had once ruined its image twice.
French cosmetics, which had once been a symbol of luxury, had now become a monster that rots the skin.
“No, we didn’t use anything like that.”
Many felt aggrieved about this, but in the situation where the overall image of the cosmetics industry was falling into the abyss, defending themselves was almost impossible.
The companies that could laugh at this situation were the German companies that simply handled perfumes and soaps.
These companies, taking advantage of their free stance on issues like lead and mercury, actually profited greatly.
Of course, these German companies did not profit as much as Penhaligon's and Zaebom in Britain.
“The door to the cosmetics market that the French had monopolized is now wide open.”
Penhaligon's and Zaebom not only ran their British factory three shifts around the clock, but also prepared a large new factory in Germany.
“If this continues, we believe we can fully digest the rose essence we have secured so far. However, if production continues to increase, we will need to pay attention to securing the rose essence.”
“If it’s that problem, let’s negotiate with the Bulgarian side.”
Waldemar read the sales report as well.
In the European cosmetics market, estimated at around 56 million marks in total, Penhaligon's and Zaebom’s share was rapidly increasing.
Penhaligon's predicted in the report that by this time next year, when the new factory is running, they could occupy 30% of the market.
Expected sales were 18 million marks.
Compared to Waldemar’s asset size, it was a ridiculous amount, but considering the scale of the cosmetics industry, it was a huge sum.
“Ah, and Your Highness.”
John Connor handed over the items brought from Britain.
“These are the prototype powders and whitening creams you requested.”
“Has it come out already?”
“Because I didn’t spare any expense.”
Waldemar carefully kept the prototypes he received from John Connor.
After the meeting, Waldemar went to find Alix with a new cosmetics set.
Since Alix had received a cosmetics set from Penhaligon's and Zaebom not long ago, she showed curiosity when Waldemar brought something else.
“Is this my gift?”
“It’s the whitening cream and powder you’ll use.”
“Really?”
Alix was quite moved that Waldemar had brought the cosmetics he had promised her for herself.
She immediately jumped into Waldemar’s arms.
Waldemar could smell a faint violet scent from her.
“This is a good thing, so you can use it with peace of mind.”
Waldemar seriously introduced the cosmetics to Alix.
Alix did not know how to thank the prince who took such small things into consideration for her.
“So I want to convey my heart even more.”
Alix’s blue eyes looked up at him with deep affection.
The girl’s gaze begged for something from the prince.
Her face came a little closer to Waldemar.
“But it’s embarrassing.”
Alix could not muster the courage there and hesitated for a moment.
“What to do.”
Waldemar saw his fiancée’s cute hesitation and noticed her thoughts.
He responded to her wish by slightly lifting her chin.
“Um.”
Without giving Alix time to react, he lightly kissed her small lips with a faint red glow.
“Sweeter than I thought.”
Alix unconsciously closed her eyes tightly.
She trembled her eyebrows with the prince’s soft breath.
There was no word, but deep emotions passed back and forth.
A sweet time passed between them for a while.
After a long time, when Waldemar pulled his lips away, Alix lowered her head deeply.
Alix’s white face had turned bright red from the groom’s bold action.
“I know your heart too, Alix. Without saying it.”
Alix nodded shyly.
Waldemar smiled unconsciously while looking at his happy fiancée in his arms.