9 Deadly Fashion Trends That Actually Killed People

7. Belladonna Eyedrops

Those big doe eyes sported by Disney princesses are certainly desirable, and women in the Renaissance went the extra (dangerous) mile to achieve the look. Belladonna, or the slightly less euphemistic Deadly Nightshade, is a type of poisonous plant. Naturally, people thought that the best place for this poisonous plant was in their eyes. The deadly eye drops would act as a muscle relaxant, causing the pupils to dilate.

The pupils dilate naturally when you're aroused and so large pupils are a kind of unconscious indication of sexual availability. Unfortunately, it turns out that putting poison in your eyes is a pretty bad idea, with hallucination, elevated heart rate, damage to the nervous system, permanent blindness and death by accidental poisoning all on the cards. Maybe just invest in a good mascara.