History of Hair

Elizabethan 1558 – 1603

In the 16th century, after Francis I of France accidentally burned his hair with a torch, men began to wear short hair and grew short beards and mustaches. Of course, Queen Elizabeth was instrumental in setting the female trends for this era (thus the name). Society women copied her naturally pale complexion and red hair, using white powder in great abundance, along with red wigs. The most successful means for re-creating Elizabeth’s pallor, unfortunately, was ceruse, or white lead, which was later discovered to be poisonous. Inspired by Italian women, the Elizabethan lady would also give a healthy glow to her cheeks by using lead-based rouge colored with dye. She’d color in her eyebrows, lips and even blue veins with alabaster pencils. For the final touch, she’d apply a thin glaze of egg-white paste to hold it all together.

Next Month: 18th Century 1700 -1799