18th Century Hair

18th century is an era peculiarly identified with hair and makeup, these became such traits throughout the French Revolution. France and England were the fashion chiefs. In the 18th century only the courtesan or actress wore white powder and painted cheeks. The apothecary chemists would supply cosmetics and wigs beneath the counter. Men and women continued to lighten their faces and applied glaring pink rouge. This was applied heavily in circular or triangular shapes to the cheeks. The lips were little and rosebud shaped. Women’s eyebrows were plucked, thin and pencilled high. The eyebrow could be whichever colour. The hair was curled, waved or frizzed before styling to give texture. Styling was efficient with combs and hair curlers which were
They would add false hair to their real hair. Padding, powder, and ornaments in a women’s hair were ordinary. Hairstyles of the 1750s were generally small and close to the head. Hair was worn in soft curls or waves, with little to no height. Hair was generally put in small curls, a twist or a pleat. Curling tongs which were metal with wooden or silver handles, were established at this time and would be heated before hair was curled into rows of curls. Red makeups were created of vermilion, vegetable sources for rogue included safflower, woodresin, sandalwood, and Brazil wood. These would be mixed with greases, creams or vinegars to create a paste. Lips could be reddened with distilled alcohol or vinegar. Feathers, ribbons, jewels, vegetables and other fancy ornaments also appeared on top of the head. Hats were popular and very large, made from felt or straw, covered in fabrics, trimmed with lace. Face patches were seen as symbols of political loyalty, depending on which side a patch was worn. Whigs on the right and Tories on the left. A patch that was worn on the corner of the eye indicated passion, the centre of the cheek was gay, the nose was saucy, a patch on the upper lip suggested kisses and the forehead was
At the beginning of the century, a man’s usual clothing consisted of a full-skirted knee-length coat, knee breeches a long waistcoat and a linen shirt with frills. Men wore stockings and leather shoes with stacked heels of short height. As the century moved forward, the male silhouette changed. By the middle of the century the wig was usually tied back. By the end of the century it was no longer a trend. Undergarments and knee breeches did not change very much. Coat skirts moderately became less full. Waistcoats became shorter. Shoes became low-heeled with pointed toes and were secured with detachable buckles. In the early 18th century women wore a dress known as a mantua for formal events. It was an open front silk or fine wool gown, with a trail and petticoat. The bodice had elbow length sleeves and spacious cuffs. A hoop petticoat was worn underneath. A corset was worn beneath. It was made of linen and stiffened with whale bones inserted between lines of stitching. In the 1730s the 'sack back' dress was worn over hooped petticoats. It stayed in fashion until 1780s. The sack back was made from five silk panels, pleated into two box pleats at the centre back of the neck