History of wigs
- Contrary to popular belief, women in the 18th century did not wear wigs, but wore a coiffure that we nowadays would call hair extensions. Powdered wigs (men) and powdered natural hair with extensions (women) became an essential for full dress occasions and continued in use until almost the end of the 18th century. Powdering wigs and extensions was messy and inconvenient and the development of the naturally white or off-white powderless wig (made of horsehair) for men is no doubt what has made the retention of wigs in everyday court dress a practical possibility. These combed-up hair extensions were often very heavy, weighted down with pomades, powders, and other ornamentation. Hair extensions also come with snappy combs. The length of the hair extensions is entirely up to the individual as hair extensions can be cut for length and style. The average head requires four or five hair extensions to create the richly, lush and natural look. Everyone likes a new look and hair extensions give a wonderfully natural and glamorous effect.
Natural
The best examples were made from natural human hair. The top of their natural hair was being enriched by fake hair, or hair not of their own. Powdered wigs (men) and powdered natural hair with extensions (women) became an essential for full dress occasions and continued in use until almost the end of the 18th century. Powdering wigs and extensions was messy and inconvenient and the development of the naturally white or off-white powderless wig (made of horsehair) for men is no doubt what has made the retention of wigs in everyday court dress a practical possibility. They also served a practical purpose: the unhygienic conditions of the time meant that hair attracted head lice, a problem that could be much reduced if natural hair were shaved and replaced with a more easily de-loused artificial hairpiece. By the 1780s, young men were setting a fashion trend by lightly powdering their natural hair, like women already did from the 1770s onwards. Marie Antionette wearing the distinctive pouf style coiffure: her own natural hair is being extended on the top by fake hair. Natural hair, either human or from an animal such as a goat or yak, must be carefully sorted so that the direction of growth is maintained, root to root, and point to point.
Ladies
After 1790, both wigs and powder were reserved for older more conservative men, and were in use by ladies being presented at court. They were often worn by old ladies who had lost their hair. Instantaneously a beautiful ladies wig makes the wearer feel great.
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