The American Duchess Guide to 18th Century Beauty: 40 Projects for Period-Accurate Hairstyles, Makeup and Accessories

Introduction, Includes, why the book was written, how to use the book, historic stitches and how to sew them, hair textures and types. All in all there are about 13 stitches presented. I'm torn about the stitching section because I am not a fan of illustrations and feel someone not versed on these stitches will not be able to understand them correctly here, on the flip side I believe the book is geared towards people who are not novices and at sewing.. I liked the presentation of the intro, why the book was written, how to use the book and the hair sections. I think all of this sets the foundation for later chapters. Kudos to these ladies for being inclusive of hair types and textures!!Part 1: Preparing your toilette: This was a weird section for me as I’m not sure what it is for except to dispel myths about unclean hair in the time era. I kind of feel this could have been left out but also thought it was interesting. What the heck is Pomatum? Common Recipes how to make and store. This was a to the point well written section. Hair powder-The original dry shampoo: How to make the powders and hair paper for curling. How to Pomade and powder your hair included step by step photos with instructions. In this section you also make what we would call a hair dressers cape to not get so messy when doing your hair. Wigs, Hair pieces and women: Extensions-Chignon,toupee, and Buckles. I think the information presented is enough to get you started the photos are clear but as usual you will need practice on making extensions. De-Clowing Eighteenth-Century Make-up: How to make rouge, and Red lip Salve, the authors also go over a bit about Make-up of the time era explaining that lead was not something that was highly recommended.The patterns used are to be scaled up per usual. All the patterns included comes with photos as well as written step by step instructions. The photos are not really step by step per se but they are enough for someone to complete the projects. I am a fan of including Photos instead of illustrations!!!! I also really like the fact that a lot of historical notes and information was given for instance the section on African Americain hair under the Coiffure Friseur section.Part Two: UP, UP and Away is a short introduction on hair of the time era! 1750-1770 Coiffure Francaise: I think that would be a cute modern day hairstyle made a little sleeker and minus the powder. I’m getting victory rolls vibes from this. This time era also includes a pattern for a cap with instructions and Lace Lappets.1765-1772 Coiffure Banane: goes over how to make the hair cushions, With a pattern and sewing instructions for a head piece, and trimmed Bergere straw hat. 1772-1775 Coiffure Beignet: includes pattern for a donut hair cushion, a French night cap, and a bonnet., 1776-1779 Coiffure Ski Alpin: patterns included are cushion, a 17790’s head piece, and DIY Feathers to go into your headpiece Early 1780s Coiffure Chenille: Includes patterns for a hair cushion, a cap and a hood. Every Style comes with written instruction as well as Step by Step photos of how to style the hair and items needed to style.Part Three: Let’s Get Frizzical, Frassical! Which Frizz is right for you, 1780-1783 Coiffure Friseur : This includes patterns for a hair cushion, a cap, and a bonnet.1785-1790 Coiffure Américaine Duchesse: Includes patterns for a roller hair cushion, and a cap. Further instruction for creating bows and refashioning a cap are included as well. Coiffure Révolution 1790-1794: included how to Papillote curl your hair. Patterns included are the Chiffonet, which is pretty much a scarf,Epilogue : Post 1795..The End Of Hair Powder, How to get styling aids out of your hair.Endnotes Art works cited Bibliography Supplier List and Models in order of appearance. Biographies: Very happy they have included the biographies and even happier to see Cheyney McKnight, who does excellent work. Acknowledgments Index Newsletter sign up Contents: It felt a bit weird having the table of contents at the end of the book but easy enough as I received the kindle edition. Copyright.There is not to much bad to say about the book. Is It Worth It? For Moi Yes!! I bought the kindle edition of this book for $12.00 the patterns alone are worth that and the historical information and easy reading style made it all the better. Of Course I won't use everything in the book, I came for the Bonnets, Hats and hairstyles. I will leave the powder and make-up alone for now.

I have been a hairdresser in the entertainment industry for over 30 years. I’ve done stage and screen work and a vast amount of period work. I’m not easily impressed BUT this book is one of the most well done books on the subject. These ladies have a true eye for detail. The instructions are crystal clear. The light hearted fun approach in the text will take intimidation out of this complex era. There is no way one can fail by using the techniques in this book. The addition of recipes, sewing patterns, and well executed examples bring the entire subject to an easily achieved possibility. I cannot stress enough how much this book will help hairdressers of all levels.

I've always been interested in costuming of the past but this was something different as it focuses on the hairstyles and head coverings, which are extremely intricate and involved. Most of the hairstyles would be of interest to those in the film industry where they are filming whole scenes from beginning to end, maybe not as useful to those working on hair styles for the stage, maybe for wigs. Some of the styles are meant to stay "put" for a couple of weeks, they are quite involved and take a lot of time to create and then maintaine I would imagine that would get a little itchy! I thought it was very interesting that one of the authors did one of the styles on her own head and kept it up for a couple of weeks with the use of powder and pomade, much like our own "dry shampoo". I kept thinking though how nice it must have been to finally "undo" the creation and get some good conditioner on the hair, with all the backcombing, pomade, powder the person wearing it was really just "shaping and moulding" the hair into place, kind of like my generation was doing in the 60's when we all thought the Beehive was so cool, I never knew we were really 250 years behind the times! I thoroughly enjoyed the book and felt that I learned a bit of history and I thank the author for writing it and providing such wonderful illustrations.

This book was a lot of fun to read and educational too.

Fans of all those Regency romances will have a great time trying out the styles of their favorite heroines. Cosplayers will take their look to the next level. And fans of Abby Cox and Lauren Stowell from their adventures on Youtube will have the pleasure of seeing their personal brand of humor and personality come through in the text (and the images of them modelling hair styles.)As a brand, American Duchess does everything with quality and period accuracy in mind and this book is no different. Definitely worth a read!

Good information on historical beauty tips.

Has 40 projects to keep you busy, I just wish hey would've put a bit more history in there. A 2 page spread on natural hair? C'mon there's more than that! Still a worthy read.

This is such a cool book. I especially like the history of the hairstyles. They are too fun and there's a style for almost every decade. It's a very nice compliment to the 18th Century dress book. I've really enjoyed it.

The media could not be loaded.  Conseils intéressants mais j'aurais aimé plus de conseil pour adapter les techniques d'inspiration historiques avec des produits modernes plus facilement accessibles à tous !

Nach Grundrezepten für die wichtigsten Schönheitshelferchen im 18. Jahrhundert (bei dem in anderen Rezensionen kritisierten Färbemittel handelt es sich um die Schminktwurz, deren roter Farbstoff auch bei Lebensmitteln eingesetzt werden darf), wird erklärt, wie man mit Pomade und Puder umgeht.Es folgt ein Exkurs über Haarteile im 18. Jh. inklusive Anleitungen, wie man diese herstellt.Im dritten Teil werden verschiedene Beispielfrisuren für verschiedene Jahrzehnte vorgestellt. Dazu die Schnittmuster für die jeweiligen Polsterkissen und eine passende Haube bzw. ein passender Hut.Dieses Buch gibt einem alles Material, das man braucht, um die Frisuren auf diversen Gemälden nachzustylen, weil alle notwendigen Techniken und Methoden exemplarisch vorgestellt werden.

So detailed wonderfully and humorously written. For new historical costumers they provide great detailed information to get started and to understand what these terms mean.

I bought this book to aid with a research paper and I couldn't be more pleased. It's well written and informed. It's a fun book with good tutorials.

The host of valuable information in the form of recipes and patterns with clear instructions makes this book worth it on that merit alone; however the well put together, personable, and enlightening presentation, round it out to an overall excellent package.