fond women love to buy Adulterate complexion

[GoodTaste]

I guess that "fond women" is no more used these days. Today we use "lovely women". Am I on the right track?


==============================
show one's true colors, to
To reveal oneself frankly; to admit one’s genuine opinions or character. This term, the converse of sail under false colors, similarly alludes to the practice of deceiving the enemy by flying a friendly flag. However, it also was applied to cosmetics used to conceal or enhance a complexion. Thus Thomas Dekker wrote (A Description of a Lady by Her Lover, ca. 1632), “The reason why fond women love to buy Adulterate complexion: here ’tis read,—False colours last after the true be dead.” The metaphor was used for one’s genuine character by numerous writers, Dickens among them: “He didn’t venture to come out in his true colours” (The Old Curiosity Shop, 1840).

Source: Free Dictionary

 

[Tdol]

I guess that "fond women" is no more used these days.

It could be, but it would have a very different meaning from your quote.

 

[GoodTaste]

What is the definition for "complexion" here? Random House Unabridged Dictionary of American English has five definitions for noun and I find none very suitable here:

1. the natural color, texture, and appearance of the skin, esp. of the face:a clear, smooth, rosy complexion.
2. appearance;
   aspect;
   character:His confession put a different complexion on things.
3. viewpoint, attitude, or conviction:one's political complexion.
4. Physiology(in old physiology) constitution or nature of body and mind, regarded as the result of certain combined qualities.
5. [Obs.]​
   nature;
   disposition;
   temperament.

 

[GoesStation]

Without more context, number one is the most likely.

 

[GoodTaste]

Without more context, number one is the most likely.

Buy (fake) color of the skin? What is that? Sounds as if people got skinned to make the color.

I guess that is man-made color from natural substances.

 

[PeterCW]

Buy (fake) color of the skin? What is that? Sounds as if people got skinned to make the color.

I guess that is man-made color from natural substances.

To a native speaker, despite the archaic language, it is clearly a reference to cosmetics.

 

[GoesStation]

Buy (fake) color of the skin? What is that? Sounds as if people got skinned to make the color.

I guess that is man-made color from natural substances.

Women used the cosmetic to lighten their skin coloring. In other words, they bought a new, fairer, complexion.

 

[Tdol]

And many use fake tans to look darker.