historical hair care

[Abacus]

I was really excited about this video when I saw it a few days ago, because I realized I have independently started doing a lot of the things she talks about. I've been doing mostly WO but my washes are getting stretched further and further apart. I'm not really paying attention or planning, it's all by feel and by gut instinct about what's working for my hair. I also started doing that dry finger-detangling process, and I thought I made it up! Like kind of taking my hair strand by strand and isolating the little clumps. So it was nice to see another curly-haired person doing those things that just felt intuitive, and to see what was also working for her.

The thing I like about this video going viral is that the aesthetics of her hair are different from a lot of mainstream hair aesthetics -- and what I mean by that is her hair is pretty oily. I like that people are celebrating kind of oily healthy hair. That shot that she shows of the back of her hair over and over again -- it looks kind of webby because it's so covered in sebum, and her curls are beautiful but not light and bouncy. I'm finding that my hair looks like that these days and seems very happy. So it was affirming to watch! Her hair definitely looks happier and thicker than when she was doing curly girl method, and I'm finding the same is true for me.

It's making me think about the whole controversy with Deva Curl products, and how people who have used them for a long time are having some negative experiences with their hair. She specifies that she wasn't using Deva Curl products, but she does mention how she thinks the long term use of the curly girl method gave the facade of healthy hair but didn't really benefit her as she grew her hair to greater lengths. And maybe that's the thing, maybe they work great for shorter lengths but don't give enough benefit over many years of use as the hair gets longer and older. Who knows, but it made me wonder.

[Amiraaa]

I was really excited about this video when I saw it a few days ago, because I realized I have independently started doing a lot of the things she talks about. I've been doing mostly WO but my washes are getting stretched further and further apart. I'm not really paying attention or planning, it's all by feel and by gut instinct about what's working for my hair. I also started doing that dry finger-detangling process, and I thought I made it up! Like kind of taking my hair strand by strand and isolating the little clumps. So it was nice to see another curly-haired person doing those things that just felt intuitive, and to see what was also working for her.

The thing I like about this video going viral is that the aesthetics of her hair are different from a lot of mainstream hair aesthetics -- and what I mean by that is her hair is pretty oily. I like that people are celebrating kind of oily healthy hair. That shot that she shows of the back of her hair over and over again -- it looks kind of webby because it's so covered in sebum, and her curls are beautiful but not light and bouncy. I'm finding that my hair looks like that these days and seems very happy. So it was affirming to watch! Her hair definitely looks happier and thicker than when she was doing curly girl method, and I'm finding the same is true for me.

It's making me think about the whole controversy with Deva Curl products, and how people who have used them for a long time are having some negative experiences with their hair. She specifies that she wasn't using Deva Curl products, but she does mention how she thinks the long term use of the curly girl method gave the facade of healthy hair but didn't really benefit her as she grew her hair to greater lengths. And maybe that's the thing, maybe they work great for shorter lengths but don't give enough benefit over many years of use as the hair gets longer and older. Who knows, but it made me wonder.

i have curly hair too and i am so happy that someone talked about the CGM not working for everyone. while my hair was still growing following cgm, it actually reached my butt. i still noticed so much breakage and had clumps of hair fall every time i showered.

[shelomit]

Good to have you back, Amiraaa!

The thing I like about this video going viral is that the aesthetics of her hair are different from a lot of mainstream hair aesthetics -- and what I mean by that is her hair is pretty oily. I like that people are celebrating kind of oily healthy hair. That shot that she shows of the back of her hair over and over again -- it looks kind of webby because it's so covered in sebum, and her curls are beautiful but not light and bouncy. I'm finding that my hair looks like that these days and seems very happy. So it was affirming to watch! Her hair definitely looks happier and thicker than when she was doing curly girl method, and I'm finding the same is true for me.

I didn't have time to watch the full video, but I also like that look on other people's hair and the feel on my own.

Slightly off topic to the original question but I just can't figure out how she does her silk wrap. I've slowed this down and rewatched it a bunch and tried to do the same movements and I cannot for the life of me get it to look the same. Anyone who knows that style of wrapping care to point me to a tutorial?

She's taken a square scarf and folded it in half into a rectangle, put the folded edge at the nape of her neck and the loose edges towards her hairline, tied the ends together in a single overhand knot at the top center of the head, then pulled the ends back together at the nape of the neck and tied them in a second overhand knot. I know from headscarves ; D

[Happymaman]

She's taken a square scarf and folded it in half into a rectangle, put the folded edge at the nape of her neck and the loose edges towards her hairline, tied the ends together in a single overhand knot at the top center of the head, then pulled the ends back together at the nape of the neck and tied them in a second overhand knot. I know from headscarves ; D

Thank you so much!! I will try this right away even though my only square scarf is a little weird.

[Fethenwen]

I am actually really intrigued by this, especially since I found this video!

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=l7fGbyTOCTI&t=401s

I actually went so far that I bought a wooden fine tooth comb for trying out this method. I have been trying various no-poo methods before, and really liked the way my hair feels until there starts to develop some waxy build-up overtime. This method of combing and brushing could take care of that problem. I love love love the idea of using my own natural sebum to coat the hair. I already own a BB brush, so that I could use as well.

I watched this video the other week, I was fascinated by it. Bought some of that clay, ACV and jojoba oil to try it.

The clay wash was actually really good. Can't say my hair enjoyed the jojoba oil and I have no idea what the ACV did if anything.

My hair became static as anything, couldn't brush through with my wooden comb without static. Missed my conditioner. Went back to it.

All in all I liked the clay wash but I'd only use it with leave in conditioner afterwards personally.

Yeah, washing my hair with clay also makes my hair full of static. Have tried it a couple of times, but it happens every time.

Rye flour washes is more moisturizing, that has worked pretty good so far.

Keeping my thumbs up that this works! I also like the idea of extending my washes to once a week instead of twice a week.

I will try to remember to keep you posted on how this goes

[Hairy-Fairy]

I am actually really intrigued by this, especially since I found this video!

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=l7fGbyTOCTI&t=401s

I actually went so far that I bought a wooden fine tooth comb for trying out this method. I have been trying various no-poo methods before, and really liked the way my hair feels until there starts to develop some waxy build-up overtime. This method of combing and brushing could take care of that problem. I love love love the idea of using my own natural sebum to coat the hair. I already own a BB brush, so that I could use as well.


Yeah, washing my hair with clay also makes my hair full of static. Have tried it a couple of times, but it happens every time.

Rye flour washes is more moisturizing, that has worked pretty good so far.

Keeping my thumbs up that this works! I also like the idea of extending my washes to once a week instead of twice a week.

I will try to remember to keep you posted on how this goes

That's so funny how different things work for different people. I love that waxy build up on my hair. It clumps my hair to prevent tangles, it protects my hair from drying out, and it adds slip when I detangle under the water (along with my homemade conditioner). I can't use shampoo because it mats my hair together and tangles it horribly but I used clay washes for awhile. People always seemed to recommend only using them for a month before clarifying but since shampoo wreaks havoc on my hair I decided to see what happened if I didn't do that.

I'm fascinated by historical haircare but specifically afro-textured hair. I have found very little helpful information on the subject though.

[TatsuOni]

I haven't watched more than the first minute yet.

But a few thoughts.

There truly isn't one routine that fits all.

And chin to hip lenght isn't really that impressive... Don't get me wrong. Her hair looks healthy and it's clearly longer while stretched. But I've seen many people grown to hip and beyond even with bleach, heat styling and damaged hair. Many people can grow hair that long.

As for historical hair care. As mentioned there has been many different ways to care and wash your hair during different times, places and people of different social status and so on. And while people tend to romanticise past eras such as the Victorian. thinking that every woman had long lucious hair. That's not the truth. The pictures we see are of models chosen for their hair. Just like today. Who's seen in fashion magasines is rarely your average working woman. People then, like now had different lenghts' thicknes and hair health. And most certeinly, not everyone had a lot of time to spend on their hair.

With that said. I take a lot of inspiration from historical hair care, from many eras, cultures and countries. My routine is hardly that of the average modern western woman today.

[TatsuOni]

Alright. I'm going to write down more thoughts as I watch the video.

* It's great that it works for her.

* As mentioned earlier. Not every woman had that long hair. Those were chosen to model for pictures and paintings. It isn't just hair care. But it's also about genetics.

* She sais that a text section is from 1910 and that people didn't often use shampoo. Shampoo wasn't actually invented until 1920... So I doubt her source.

* Heat styling isn't good for hair. Absolutely not. But it's not a new invention. It's been around for thousands of years. Even some of the "long haired" victorians used it. So yes it's damaging, but it's not impossible to reach certain lenghts even with heatstyling. Just want to mention it.

* Historical people? If she's talking about people during the Victorian era in Great Brittain, she should say so. Because what she's describing is not at all accurate for every era or country. So I find it a bit missleading. For example, the vikings and medieaval people didn't use bristle brushes. They used combs for the same thing.

* Once again. "They all had very, very long hair." No! You can't base this information just on some pictures.

* Yes fingers are great for detangling. But to say that one can't feel tangles with a comb or brush? Of course you feel it of you're careful. This is when I put the comb down, detangle it with my fingers and then keep on combing.

* Yes methods such as eggs were used. But there are also recipes that used really harsh and drying ingredients...

* It's great that rhassoul clay works for her! It didn't for me when I tried it. It just dried my hair out badly.

* Oils on the scalp works great for some people. For others it can cause both irritation and hair loss.

* Heavy hair oiling works for some people. For others it just leaves the hair tangled and more dry.

* You can easily make a bun without putting any strain on the front sections of your hair. You don't have to add that hair later.

* "This is a common feature you see in most historical womens updos". Not really... The part of something happening in the front has been in fashion in some places during some periods.

* Bobby pins was a hair killer for me personally and could not really hold up a bun. I prefer U-pins.

Summary. It's great that she's found something that works for her! But it's absolutely not for everyone. She generalises a bit too much with her "historical women". I get that she isn't a professional hair historian and neither am I, but she could have checked some facts a bit more, before trying to "sell them". My problem with videos like this is mainly that there's a bit of a "this is the way" attitude.

[BVU]

Alright. I'm going to write down more thoughts as I watch the video.

* It's great that it works for her.

* As mentioned earlier. Not every woman had that long hair. Those were chosen to model for pictures and paintings. It isn't just hair care. But it's also about genetics.

* She sais that a text section is from 1910 and that people didn't often use shampoo. Shampoo wasn't actually invented until 1920... So I doubt her source.

* Heat styling isn't good for hair. Absolutely not. But it's not a new invention. It's been around for thousands of years. Even some of the "long haired" victorians used it. So yes it's damaging, but it's not impossible to reach certain lenghts even with heatstyling. Just want to mention it.

* Historical people? If she's talking about people during the Victorian era in Great Brittain, she should say so. Because what she's describing is not at all accurate for every era or country. So I find it a bit missleading. For example, the vikings and medieaval people didn't use bristle brushes. They used combs for the same thing.

* Once again. "They all had very, very long hair." No! You can't base this information just on some pictures.

* Yes fingers are great for detangling. But to say that one can't feel tangles with a comb or brush? Of course you feel it of you're careful. This is when I put the comb down, detangle it with my fingers and then keep on combing.

* Yes methods such as eggs were used. But there are also recipes that used really harsh and drying ingredients...

* It's great that rhassoul clay works for her! It didn't for me when I tried it. It just dried my hair out badly.

* Oils on the scalp works great for some people. For others it can cause both irritation and hair loss.

* Heavy hair oiling works for some people. For others it just leaves the hair tangled and more dry.

* You can easily make a bun without putting any strain on the front sections of your hair. You don't have to add that hair later.

* "This is a common feature you see in most historical womens updos". Not really... The part of something happening in the front has been in fashion in some places during some periods.

* Bobby pins was a hair killer for me personally and could not really hold up a bun. I prefer U-pins.

Summary. It's great that she's found something that works for her! But it's absolutely not for everyone. She generalises a bit too much with her "historical women". I get that she isn't a professional hair historian and neither am I, but she could have checked some facts a bit more, before trying to "sell them". My problem with videos like this is mainly that there's a bit of a "this is the way" attitude.

Exactly this! Its becoming more common on YT to see "historical haircare" people bashing eachother over methods, over-generalising, doing things wrong, and pulling info from god knows where. It's going to give a false impression to new people with different hairtypes that theres only 1 or 2 ways of historical haircare being from Europe or Asia, when in reality there's thousands of historical routines. I personally don't know much about curly haircare routines but that doesnt mean they magically didn't exist lmfao. While yes, some women had long hair (mostly in eastern europe), they often didn't take good care of it, in most lower classes trimming wasnt even a thing. Wealthy women in France around the 1600s would often hide sharp objects in their hair incase men got personal, which would often break many hairstrands, along with messing up their mullets. Even women in the victorian era often had shorter hair (about hip length) so when floor lengthers like the Seven Sutherland Sisters popped up, people were amazed, and even only 3 of the 7 sisters had floor length hair, while the others were hip, calf, and knee length.

PS: I believe the shampoo she's talking about is Kasey Heber's Canthrox, which was a powder inside a can or box, it was released in 1909 and later mass released in 1914, credited to be the first "shampoo". Aline Vallandri speaks briefly about it in her interview with "Every Woman's Enclopaedia" that was released in 1912.

[Kat]

I mean, it's something I would maybe consider trying... but, with having to buy stuff (probably online), if I didn't like it I'd then be stuck with the stuff... and since I don't have any problems with my current routine (with those evil, evil sulfates and washing-- gasp-- every week), there's probably no reason for me to trade a sure thing for spending money and time on something that might not even work. (I'm learning to not fall prey to "this looks interesting" when I don't actually need a change...)

My problem with videos like this is mainly that there's a bit of a "this is the way" attitude.

Yes! Exactly what I was trying to say, but better. I think people sometimes get excited about a method or product, and want to share it... and when you stack that on top of "they maybe don't consider that not everyone has the same hair/hair genes that they do," then things start to sound a bit absolute.