Victorian · 1910
Dry shampoo in 1910: the powders of the pre-shower era
Before running hot water, clean hair came in a tin. Orris root, cornstarch and a stiff brush did the work.
Era 05 · 1837 – 1910
Victorian: the age of keepsake
Centre partings, hair jewellery and the hair receiver.
Hair was smooth, centre-parted and coiled at the nape. Women saved combings in hair receivers to make padding, and wove the hair of the dead into mourning brooches. Bear's grease and macassar oil were sold in every chemist.
Highlights
- Mourning jewellery
- Macassar oil
- The hair receiver
Cover image: AI-generated period-style interpretation for The History of Hair — not an archival photograph.
Stories from this era
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