In the era of the Gallant century fashion for toilets and hairstyles of the aristocracy was changing every decade.
If in 1730-ies hair was combed to the top and hanging down curls, in 1770-m ladies wore on the head the incredible height of the structure. In the Russian Empire these creations had a very funny name: “cornucopia”, “Shishak Minervin”, “Dragunsky”.
Despite the fact that many women complained about the discomfort associated with the manufacture and wearing of high hair, fashion dictated the rules. To create hairstyles were spent several hours. Women were mounted on the head frame, her hair up and smeared with fat to keep. For decoration used anything from jewels to feathers. In conclusion, the lady wound up in a special Cabinet where her head fell on top of flour or special powder.
By the way, the powder color was very different. Every shade had its own name: the colors of “goose droppings”, “Paris dirt”, “flea abdomen”, “color thigh frightened nymph”. Hair was done thoroughly, for a long period of time. Many of lice, and some mouse.
It often happened that after many painful fees to the ball, the lady could not go into the room, because the ceilings were too low. A case where a certain fashionista came to the prom with hair so high that it grazed the hair of the candles on the chandelier, the hair ignited, and the fire happened.
Come down to the fact that in 1782 by Empress Catherine II issued a decree to regulate the height of women’s hairstyles “the hat ladies, with the arrival to the court.” Ladies were not allowed to wear the head of hair above two inches from the forehead. If the Empress noticed a lady laying was higher than hers, “hussy” was escorted from the hall.
