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historical costume projects & resources

New Research Article: 18th Century Hair & Makeup

So, I do tons of research.  All the time.  And I realized that I don’t tend to post too much of it anymore!  In an effort to rectify that, I’m going to take some of my teaching materials and put them together into articles & get them online.

My first effort:  Women’s Hairstyles & Cosmetics of the 18th Century:  France & England, 1750-1790.  This discusses both what they did in the period, and the general looks of the era to aim for in reproduction.  I’m contemplating adding an image gallery with more examples of hair &  makeup looks from the period — let me know if anyone is interested.

Edited to add:  I found it particularly fascinating to find that women in the 18th century DIDN’T usually wear full wigs, as that’s what I’d always assumed, and in fact been told by Those Who Should Know.  Which explains why you don’t see obvious wig line in portraiture.  And will make me stop feeling non-period when I incorporate my own hair into my wigs!  I’m not giving up on the convenience of wigs, tho — they make getting ready for an event SO much easier.

If this seems useful, let me know and I’ll put up more!  Other things I could pull together easily are:  Venetian Renaissance (probably not needed, given the fabulous Realm of Venus site), and an overview of 1830s fashions.  I’d also like to do more research on 17th & 18th c. beauty patches and 18th c. court dress.  There’s lots more percolating in my brain/on my hard drive, but it’ll take a bit more time to pull those off!

8 thoughts on “New Research Article: 18th Century Hair & Makeup

  1. Thank you! I’ve been meaning to step up my impressions across the board, and hair and cosmetics are one of the things I’m having the most trouble adding…

  2. Really excellent article! Thank you so much for posting! Really interesting about hair pieces not full wigs being worn by women. I’ve always prefered the look when one’s natural hair is incorporated rather than just plunking a wig on one’s head – nice to know I’ve been doing it right all along without knowing it! :> I can’t wait to hear what you dig up on the name “hedgehog”… Please keep the articles coming!

  3. What a well-researched and written article, on a subject it’s not easy to find information about and least without access to university databases.

    The Diderot plate was fascinating;the weight of a long chignon, attached to a giant comb, would have made tough to keep in place, to which I can attest b y experience, so I was interested to see the other piece parts that went along. Now I am wondering if rows of what would be later called frizettes and rolls might be used to create the late 1780s and 1790s curly effects.

    Would deeply appreciate a gallery, and any other articles you might choose to post.

    Many thanks,
    Natalie

  4. Thank you Kendra for this wonderfull article!
    I used to say the same thing as you since a very long time, but with always the same answer!
    I will share your page on my blog on my next post, as I am preparing posts on “how can I make my gowns more accurate”… 🙂

  5. Loved the article and a big thank you for sharing! I would love to read anything else you would care to share! And why not share your findings? That’s what you do with research, isn’t it? 😀

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