An aura of mystery

With her research, she aims to reveal the details behind everyday objects, recount the lifestyles of ancient people and bring to life the richness of Chinese civilization.

It took Meng four years to write the book, selecting items from ancient records and fiction, giving museum artifacts a historical context and understanding the lifestyle of ancient upper-class women.

The book, with its seven chapters, delves into the diverse aspects of the women's lives, from their makeup, attire and accessories, to their festive practices, everyday lifestyle and socializing traditions.

According to the book, the making of a beauty in ancient China was not only about makeup, dressing and fragrance, it was also about the women's mannerisms and their ability to leave room for imagination.

"From a female perspective, I want the reader to understand Chinese culture. These accounts may not be educational or informative, but from them we can see the wisdom, artistry and poetry of ancient people," Meng says.

Born in 1968, Meng majored in art history at the Central Academy of Fine Arts from 1987 to 1990, then studied in France for three years before taking a job at the Beijing Art Museum where she cultivated an interest in ancient artifacts and started her research.

She says her research process is like reading a detective novel, a favorite pastime of hers.

From time to time, she notices tiny details in a classic novel or an artwork, but it could take years, requiring patience and serendipity, for her to piece together the tiny bits of information and restore the full story.