Lavolta Press wrote:
For the 19th century at least, the "they got the texture and body by
never washing their hair" is a reenactor's myth. In fact, people were
using the equivalents of modern hair products, whether these came in a
bottle with a label or not.
You're right about that; it's an oversimplification. That's why I didn't say
"never washing" -- I said I don't use *modern* shampoo or conditioner, which
are products that have a very different effect from most of the oils, etc. you
go on to helpfully describe.
Arguments for: "Nothing contributes more to prevent these very
consequences than frequently washing the head with tepid water, that is,
about milk-warm. When the hair is very long, or when much use is made of
hair oils and pomatums, I cannot imagine how the hair can be rendered
comfortable without frequently washing it." And more of same.
That pretty much describes what I do -- warm-water rinses. I often use
rosemary in my rinses, one of the ingredients mentioned in your list. I also
sometimes do sponge-washing as you describe. The key for me is not using a
modern shampoo, which is designed to remove the oils -- which I think is what
most people today would consider "washing."
Most of the products you describe are oils/fats, which are used in a number of
other cultures, not only Victorian England. I think most people today would be
horrified at the thought of adding oil to their hair! In my experience,
though, adding oil does not "render the hair more slippery than most modern
conditioners" -- there's a difference; conditioners make my hair, at least,
very slick, and oils (when I need them) do not. Maybe oils are absorbed more,
or differently, into the hair shaft? Do conditioners include glycerins or
other ingredients that behave differently from oil? I'm not a chemist.
I think I'll skip the potash and alcohol mixes, though ;-)
Another factor worth considering is frequency of cleaning. Today's typical
regimen, for many people, assumes daily washing with shampoo, a phenomenon
that developed within my lifetime. 50 years ago, washing once a week seemed
more the norm. This difference really has an effect on the oil balance in the
hair and scalp. I don't know what frequency of washing/rinsing is recommended
in the Victorian manuals, and I'd be curious to know.
--Robin
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