Powdering: “The act of reducing to powder, the act of sprinkling with powder, the powder applied by sprinkling.” [12]

For a more defined texture, apply the powder to your palms, and work it into your hair to create the style you want. J. Ash, The New and Complete Dictionary of the English Language v. 2 (London: Edward and Charles Dilly in the Poultry; and R. Baldwin in Pater-Noster Row, 1775) Hairdressers curling one person and using hair powder on another. By Charles Catton in 1780s. Public domain.If any maker of hair-powder, or dealer in hair-powder, shall mix any powder of alabaster, plaister of Paris, or other materials (rice made into starch, and sweet scents excepted) with any starch or powder for hair-power, and shall make any hair-powder with any other materials, and sue use, or offer to fell any hair-powder so mixed, he shall forfeit all the hair-powder so mixed, and 20 l.” [15] Wigs and hair powder might have remained in fashion even with England’s tax if it were not for a couple of other reasons: wheat scarcity, revolution, and France being a fashion leader. In France, during the revolution, bread was scarce, and people were starving. There was also a bread crisis in the 1790s in England. With all the shortages and starving people flouring one’s head became “politically incorrect” and people began to abandon the practice. An Abstract of the Hair Powder Act, Containing Full Particulars of Every Clause, Respecting the Duty, Comissioners, Surveyors, Clerks, Ofices, Exemption … Etc. with the Manner of Collecting the Duty, and Levying the Fines (London: Allen and West, 1795), p. 3. Unfortunately, despite this claim, it seems that that origination of hair powder did not involve ballad singers. Earlier reports note that Marguerite de Navarre, who was born in France’s commune of Angoulême on 11 April 1492 and who married Henry II of Navarre, wore hair powder in the 1500s. Another claim about hair powder and its popularity seems to also refute the idea that French ballad singers popularized hair powder:

For those willing to pay the tax, such as barristers or physicians, the Whigs began calling them “guinea pigs” because of the guinea that was assessed for the hair powder. This name calling in turn resulted in the London Times satirizing the closely cropped Whigs. In England, during George II’s time there were numerous public statutes passed about hair powder to prevent fraud, including excise fraud. One publication in 1737 provided a section called “Starch and Hair-powder” that included all the statutes, with one of these stating: Use the tips of your fingers to apply our Hair Powder rather than your palms; this will help you create a more natural look and let you build more volume.’’ - Sam Bentham, Creative Director. The British Mercury Or Annals of History, Politics, Manners, Literature, Arts Etc. of the British Empire v. 10, nos. 27-39 (Hamburgh: Hoffmann, 1789), p. 49.Powder-bag: This term was used in a 1789 document in the following manner. “Unfortunately the hair-dresser’s wife had applied a cast-off powder-bag of her husband’s to the use of holding flower for her puddings and pies.” [8] This print by James Gillray shows the wig being applied and is titled “Progress of the Toilet. – The Wig. – Plate 2.” Courtesy of the British Museum. Top tip: the powder can also be used once hair is styled to fix it in place for a long lasting natural looking hold. When you are ready for a change, just wash your hair and you can start again. Notice the powder-blower on the floor that is used to apply hair powder. “The Boarding School Hair-Dresser.” Courtesy of Lewis Walpole Library.

However, the light, powdery hair volumizing powder still boasts many impressive capabilities. “Unlike a dry shampoo, the volume it provides lasts all day — you’d need to literally wash this product out to not feel it in your hair anymore,” notes Yates. Finishing Touches,” by C.E. Perugini that shows a powdering closet with the hairdresser applying hair powder as only the woman’s face protrudes from a curtain, thereby protecting her dress. Author’s collection. Powder-blower or powder machine: “An instrument for blowing powder into the hair” [9] was the definition give in the 1830s, but twenty-first century Professor John Barrell described it more thoroughly: “This was a conical instrument about a foot long, made of silk or soft leather and strong wires: it was something between a concertina and a balloon-pump, but with a fine sieve at the business end to scatter the powder in ‘a regular smoke.’” [10] Shows a man inspecting his hair powder license. Titled “A Guinea-Pig,” published by Bowles & Carver after Robert Dighton and dated between 1790-1799. Courtesy of British Museum.

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Americans similarly embraced the fad. Although no royalty roamed the streets, upper class and middle class people were all powdered. This was mentioned in The American Monthly Magazine related to dress and hair fashions in 1792: Leaving off powder, or A frugal family saving the guinea,” by James Gillray in 1795. Courtesy of Lewis Walpole Library. After testing this hair texture powder, Yates notes it would be the perfect addition to your routine when you sport an updo. “Because I wear my hair down, I felt like I had to fuss with this product a lot more to get the effect I wanted,” she says.