How to

Get a baroque
hairstyle

Wear your hair in a hairstyle that makes everyone look at you, like it-girls in Versailles

I

he 18th century was more than that. Extravagance was the guiding principle in art, music, architecture and of course fashion. Rarely have hairstyles been as fabulous and breathtaking as in the Baroque era.
Ladies across Europe wanted to imitate the elaborate styles of the French court, which drew inspiration from everything from political alliances to major life events.
While the likes of Madam de Pompadour used a team of servants to create her giant hairstyles, beauty blogger Lucy Kyselica explains how you can do it yourself. For more of her historic style tips, visit loepsie.com.

What do you
do you need...

Pomade

Apply a pomade
Prepare a mixture of beef marrow or lard, hazelnut oil and a few drops of lemon essence to set the hair.

Style scaffolding
Use wool, tow, steel wire or any other voluminous material you think is appropriate to enlarge the hairstyle.

Ask for help
To reach the maximum height, ask for help from a professional and give them a stool for better access.

The powder machine
Use this bellows-like device to blow an even amount of powder into your hair for a fashionable look.

Powder

Turkey

Curling iron

Accessories

1

2

Curl and roll divide the hair into two sections at the front and back by parting it parallel to the face, about 5 cm in and down just behind the ears. Divide the front hair into five-centimeter-long sections and smear each of them with a good amount of pomade, then apply powder. Curl the section with a heated curling iron, roll it up and secure it over the hairline. Repeat with the entire front hair.

Curl the hair divide the remaining hair in half. Tie the back section away. Again in two-inch sections, frizz the front hair by coating it with sufficient pomade and powder, and comb it backwards. Hold the hair well away from the head and press the comb against the head so that the hair forms a mat and stands upright.

How to get a baroque hairstyle

How to not å... maintain
personal hygiene

In 1768, a letter was published in The London Magazine in which a young man expressed his concern for women's health after witnessing his elderly aunt having her hair done. When the hairdresser "opened her head", as he called it, the man was greeted by an incredible stench caused by layers of pomade, powder and sweat, which had been trapped in the hairstyle for nine weeks. The smell was bad enough, but there was more.
As the hair was being combed out, swarms of tiny insects could be seen running frantically in different directions. The hairdresser assured the gentleman that the insects could not spread to other parts of the body, as they were unable to break through the barrier of powder and pomade.
The very upset gentleman published this graphic description in an attempt to restore the ladies' former purity - to no avail.

4 FAMous Parisian hairstyles

à la belle poule
Paris, 18th century
The victorious French battleship La Belle Poule was honored with a (rather large) miniature in her hair.

3

Pin cushion place an arrowhead-shaped pillow in the middle of the frizzy hair. Now you can pin the frizzy hair to the pincushion from all sides, giving the hairstyle the desired shape. Make sure the pillow is well covered and disappears into the hairstyle - it will help support a hat or accessory later.

4

Style the hair strands start above the ear and loosen a curl. Smear it with pomade and powder and frizz it thoroughly. Smooth the outside of the curl and roll it towards the scalp so that it forms a small egg. Repeat to form three curls on each side. Scrunch the remaining hair, attach it to the pillow on top and smooth down the front.

5

6

braid to finish loosen the back hair, comb it well and coat it with pomade and powder. Create a curl on the side of the neck, which will hang gracefully down over the shoulder. Braid the rest of your hair before pulling it up and securing it to the pillow. Spread out the braid by gently pulling the sides to make it wider.

Accessories We're almost there! Protect your face with a powder cone and ask someone to blow powder onto your hair using the powder machine. Make sure you get an even and fine layer. If necessary, fill in any gaps with a powdered swan puff. Finally, decorate your hairstyle with pearls, ribbons, feathers, silk flowers or an evening hat. Et voilà, you're done!

at the pompadour
Paris, 18th century
Madame de Pompadour, mistress of King Louis XV and fashion icon of the time, was the first to introduce the iconic pouf.

4 FAMous ..  Parisian hairstyles

sheep's head
Paris, 18th century
the "sheep's head" was a popular mid-century French hairstyle, with a series of defined curls along the front of the hair.

to inoculation
Paris, 18th century
When vaccines proved successful against smallpox, the ladies celebrated - naturally - with an allegorical hairstyle.

alamy