page_title: Victorian-era cosmetics
section_title: Hair
hierarchical_section_title: Victorian-era cosmetics / Hair
caption_attribution_description: Edwards' "Harlene" for the hair: the great hair dressing. Print. London: Edwards' "Harlene" Co., [1890's]. Wellcome Images Keywords: Hair; hair styling; Alopecia; Ephemera; Hair Preparations; edwards'; harlene; Harlene.
context_page_description: Victorian-era cosmetics refers to cosmetic products used during the Victorian age. Victorian cosmetics were often toxic or otherwise damaging. Commonly used products included ingredients such as lead, mercury, arsenic, and ammonia.
  Many cosmetic products were aimed at achieving as pale a complexion as possible, as this would indicate a woman did not have to work outside, and was thus of high status. The two main styles were "natural", which conveyed that a woman was of good morals, and "painted", which was seen as somewhat provocative.
context_section_description: High society Victorian woman went for natural beauty in regards to cosmetics to appear pure and youthful however there was a need for hair treatments and products that sustained intricate hairstyles. For many cultures woman’s hair is an expression of their femininity, and Victorian women were of no exception. Many nineteenth-century photographs show women with extremely long hair. The length of the hair, in particular, was a display of a women's health and was well taken care of. Both men and women used products to promote hair growth. Since the use of cosmetics on societal women was limited, hair was kept well groomed. Victorian women would braid their hair, use hair wigs and apply heat to make tight curls. The Victorian era was a period in which it was more possible for women to focus on personal hygiene than it was in previous generations.
caption: link=File:Edwards'_%22Harlene%22_for_the_hair_Wellcome_L0031645.jpg
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