Crown Prince Sado's Biological Sister's Cosmetics Reborn with Modern Style

Produced with cosmetic ingredients excavated from Princess Hwakhyeop's tomb
"Product named 'Princess Hwakhyeop' to be launched by the end of this year"

Professor Jeong Yongjae from Chonbuk National University introducing cosmetics (left)

Hwahyeop Ongju (1733?1752) was a daughter of King Yeongjo of Joseon and the paternal aunt of Crown Prince Sado. She was granted the title of Ongju in the 19th year of Yeongjo's reign (1743) and married Shin Gwang-su, the Yeongseongwi, in the same year. She was said to have exceptional beauty but died of measles at the age of nineteen.

The Cultural Heritage Administration and the Goryeo Cultural Heritage Research Institute conducted an excavation from 2015 to 2017 at Hwahyeop Ongju’s tomb in Sampae-dong, Namyangju, Gyeonggi Province. They discovered cosmetic tools such as combs, mirrors, and eyebrow ink that Hwahyeop Ongju likely used during her lifetime, along with small-scale ceramics. Fifty-five items out of ninety-three were preserved and analyzed to identify their materials and components. Eight cosmetic contents were also studied, including brown solid creams (containing beeswax), red powder (cinnabar), white powder (lead carbonate and talc), and liquids (with ants confirmed). These findings were revealed at an international academic conference and a special exhibition last year.

Artifacts Excavated from the Third Stone Chamber

The National Palace Museum, Korea National University of Cultural Heritage, and cosmetics manufacturer COSMAX unveiled modern cosmetics created based on these results on the 22nd. They also signed a business agreement for the "Reproduction of Traditional Cosmetics and Development of Traditional Cosmetic Culture Content." They plan to widely promote the value of these cosmetics and encourage their use.

The cosmetics, reborn after about 270 years, include three types: foundation, moisturizing hand cream, and lip balm. They contain traditional ingredients confirmed through artifact analysis and literature research, such as beeswax and safflower petals. An official explained, "We excluded harmful substances and included ingredients found in the excavated cosmetics. To improve performance and extend shelf life, we used modern pigments and materials to create prototypes." They added, "The products are scheduled to be released under the brand name 'Princess Hwahyup' by the end of this year."

Cosmax official explaining

At the unveiling event, ten modernized cosmetic containers inspired by the blue-and-white porcelain cosmetic containers excavated from Hwahyeop Ongju’s tomb were also revealed. An official explained, "We modified the size and shape and simplified the patterns to enhance practicality." They added, "This is a recreation of traditional values and is expected to contribute not only to the revitalization of K-beauty but also to the promotion of the cultural heritage industry."

This content was produced with the assistance of AI translation services.