Fit for a Queen
At the invitation of The History of Whoo, Elizabeth Lee journeyed to Beijing to uncover the beauty secrets of past empresses
rom the indulgent to the extravagant and sometimes macabre, history tells us that many queens went to great lengths when it came to preserving their youth and beauty. So it comes as no surprise that the beauty secrets passed down from the royal court were often closely guarded. What is interesting though, is that in 2003, the National Government of Korea decided that there was merit in exploring these wellkept secrets and commissioned LG Household & Health Care to create The History of Whoo. Whoo, written as hou in Mandarin, directly translates to empress, and the brand’s philosophy is one that concentrates on combining ancient tradition with modern science. At the heart of The History of Whoo’s DNA is its secret formula known as Gongjinbidan, made with six key ingredients based on oriental medicines the royal family used, including deer antler, wild thyme, angelica gigas and more, which have balancing, calming and brightening properties. Just like SK-II’S Facial Treatment Essence or Sulwhasoo’s First Care Activating Serum EX, the most well-known product from The History of Whoo has got to be the Bichup Self-generating Anti-aging Essence (also known as the Bichup Ja Saeng Essence). Containing Gongjinbidan, cordyceps and a self-generating ingredient known as Chojahabidan, the Bichup range targets lines and wrinkles, and works to improve the firmness and elasticity of skin. One of the things that obviously sets The History of Whoo apart from its competitors is its intricately designed bottles, which are inspired by cultural relics and the Korean royal court. Since 2010, special editions of the Bichup SelfGenerating Anti-aging Essence, created in collaboration with various Korean artists, have been released. For example, the Jeokeui, a royal robe only worn during formal ceremonies, or Daesumeori, a decorative headpiece adorned with red silk, peonies, a gold band and beads, have all been reinterpreted onto the bottles. This year’s edition takes design notes from the Geumbo, which was the royal seal used by Joseon empresses. The anti-ageing essence can be used in tandem with any of The History of Whoo’s ranges, including Gongjinhyang Seol, which encourages brightening, Cheongidan for anti-ageing and Hwan Yu, the brand’s most luxurious, which provides deep nourishment and hydration.