From Girls Own Paper and Woman's magazine, 1911.

Arcana · 10-27-2008, 11:56 AM

I was looking at Regency hairstyles online (I have an interest in costuming and hairstyles from all sorts of time periods) and I came across this page. It is interesting to read in general, but this piece in particular struck me because it made me think what a crazy circle we're going in with our hair care ideas, and what we perceive as being good for our hair.

To Keep Your Hair Clean.
Granted happy and contented thoughts mean health, and that health is the key to beauty, start to work from the inside out, instead of with lotions and tonics from the outside in; and in the care of your hair remember that cleanliness is of vital importance. This does not mean you should wash your hair too often, for there are other ways of keeping your hair clean, and never should the hair be washed oftener than once in three weeks. This is best for both dry and oily hair.
To wash the hair first comb it out thoroughly, then rub the scalp with the fingers until it is aglow and the scalp loose. If there is a quantity of dandruff a soap solution of pure soap and warm water, the consistency of cream, may be rubbed in with a toothbrush. Then wash the hair in warm water and the soap solution, rubbing the scalp thoroughly until all particles of dirt and dandruff are removed.
The real secret, however, in washing the hair well is in the rinsing. The trouble usually is that the soap is not thoroughly removed, and it is injurious to leave any soap in the hair. It makes the hair sticky, and gradually rots and breaks it. To rinse the hair, start first with warm water, and keep changing until cold water is used. A bath spray is excellent to get out all the soap. Do not ring and twist the hair- this breaks it., and do not mop it up and down so that it becomes hopelessly tangled. Squeeze the ends in a towel, then start and work the scalp with the finger-tips, lifting strands of hair and shaking out the water and the tangles. The hair should be combed, then brushed dry. Do not employ artificial heat.

Anyway, just thought I'd share because it struck me as oddly CG ish.

By the way, this is the link to the articles: http://frazzledfrau.tripod.com/titanic/hair.htm

tattooedmommie · 10-27-2008, 12:50 PM

That's really pretty interesting!
So when did all of this shampooing and twisting and stuff take over?

jeepcurlygurl · 10-27-2008, 12:59 PM

I'm not sure I want to scrub my head with a toothbrush. That would take some time.
And I'm glad I don't use soap since it makes hair ROT! : )

Fun and interesting article tho. Much of it is quite good advice!

Ryanne · 10-27-2008, 01:02 PM

Pretty interesting.

jillipoo · 10-27-2008, 01:06 PM

So interesting, Arcana! The parallels with CG are rather striking, aren't they?

I always forget exactly when shampoo first came out. Wasn't it some time in the 1930s or '40s? Can't remember but it certainly spelled death to healthy hair!