More information about the 18th C. Hair & Wig Styling Book, currently open for pre-orders (until Jan. 31):

Some people have asked what’s going on in terms of men’s hair (and wigs) in the book.

First, I’ve considered men’s hair/wigs equally with women’s in terms of the history portion of the book.  So if you’re interested in why men wore wigs and powder, how they styled their hair & wigs, and what styles are appropriate to which era, all of that will be included.

For the step-by-step styles, where I show you exactly how to style hair and wigs into 18th c. appropriate styles, I’ve chosen to do only three men’s styles.  This is for a couple of reasons:

1. I think that the primary market for this book will be women.  Modern women tend to be more interested in hairstyles than men.  We all know that it’s often harder to get boys into historical hairstyles and wigs.
2. While there was a wide variation of men’s hairstyles across the century, it’s the queue styles (wigs/styles with a ponytail) that were overall the most popular in the era — from the 1730s through the 1790s — and those are the styles most modern costumers and reenactors want to wear, and the styles most commonly chosen by theater/film designers.

So what I’ve chosen to do is to focus in on the queue hair/wig styles, showing you:

• Which design elements are appropriate to which era — so if you’re doing a 1740s queue hairstyle or wig, there will be some differences from a 1780s hairstyle or wig.  How do you recognize them, and how do you STYLE them?  All that info will be included.
• Which design variations are available to you — how to mix up the queue style so that you’re not always wearing the same style, or that various men within your unit/production are wearing different styles.  What can you do besides the basic ponytail?  What can you do with the hair on top?  Here’s a hint:  there’s tons of options!

An important note is that in the 18th century, even if a man didn’t wear a wig (and most English and French men did), he still styled his hair exactly the same, design-wise.  So all of this information applies, even if you (or the men you dress) aren’t into wearing wigs!

Down the line, IF this book is successful, I’m thinking I could publish a shorter supplement with more/new hair/wig styles.  In that case, I can show you how to make a full-bottom wig, bob wig, and some of the many other men’s styles of the era.  But for now, the book will focus on the queue (ponytail) wig.

Pre-Order Update

Pre-orders are going well, but I still have a long way to go to be able to afford to print this book!  If you’d like this book to exist, please pre-order now — it will save you some money, and ensure that the book happens!

Reminder: you have until January 31 to pre-order!

For people who are interested in the book I am working on — 18th C. Hair & Wig Styling:  History & Step-by-Step Techniques:

I need your input on a few questions! Could you fill out a quick survey (3 questions!) that will help me determine pricing and binding?

http://www.surveymonkey.com/s/C3LZ6PB

Thanks!

It’s really really happening — the 18th Century Hair & Wig Styling:  History & Step-by-Step Techniques book project is really starting to take shape!  About half of the text is written, all of the historical images have been sourced, and I’m starting to line up models and buy supplies.

Here’s the blurb I’ve written up that summarizes the project:

18th Century Hair & Wig Styling: History & Step-by-Step Techniques is a book that combines meticulous research with easy to follow instructions that will help you create historically accurate hairstyles of the 18th century.  The book includes a detailed history of men’s and women’s hair from 1700 to 1799:  which styles were worn when, as well as how hair and wigs were styled.  It provides practical techniques for styling hair and wigs that will be useful to anyone who wants to learn more about historical hairstyling, from beginners to advanced users.  Step-by-step instructions show how to create 25 individual hairstyles — 22 for women, and 3 for men — that span the century, and suggestions are included for ways to vary the different styles.

The historical overview provides equal, in-depth coverage of men’s and women’s hairstyles and wigs from 1700 to 1799, focusing on France, Great Britain, and the American colonies/United States.  The techniques will similarly be useful for both men’s and women’s styles.  While a good deal of historical styling information is included, the emphasis is on modern methods and products that will achieve a historically accurate look.

This book is perfect for historical costumers and theater/film designers and craftspeople who want to create authentic-looking 18th century hairstyles and wigs.  It will also provide a solid foundation and fun jumping-off point for anyone who wants to create historically-influenced fantasy styles!

I’ll be posting lots of info here, but the best way to keep up to date on the project is to follow the Facebook page and website:

18th Century Hair & Wig Styling — website

18th Century Hair & Wig Styling — Facebook page

Please help me get the word out about the project and share these links!