Hair & Hair Styles -- Status Symbol of the Late 1700s "The High Roll"

The hairstyle could be very tall and make the wearer's head seem twice as high. First, the woman's hair would be combed. Then the woman or her hairdresser would add pomatum to the hair so it could be shaped. The pomatum would have treated fat, oil and perfumes or spices in it. This would add a pleasant scent, kill head lice, and help hold the hair in place. Women would add extra hair collected from cows, horses, other people, or their own collected hair from their hairbrushes for extra volume. Women and hairdressers would place pillows or wire frames inside the hair to hold it up.  The hair would be placed in curlers and left overnight. Some women would make curls along the sides or neck with curlers. The hair was held in place with pins. The hair could be natural color or colored gray, brown or white with powder. The hairstyle could be as high as 2 feet (0.61 meters).