Hair Powder

Hair Powder, a scented white powder, which was sprinkled on the wigs and hair-dresses (q.v.) worn in the 18th century. Notwithstanding a law that it should be made exclusively of starch, flour was much employed in its preparation, and in 1746 a large number of hair-dressers were heavily fined for using adulterated powder. A tax imposed in 1795 was at first a fruitful source of revenue, but it led to the disuse of hair powder and was repealed in 1869. Hair powder is still often worn by footmen, and sometimes forms a part of fancy-dress costume.