Medieval Hairstyles For Women

Simple braids were very popular throughout the Middle Ages.

The Medieval era has been depicted in various ways through literature, film and art. The picture you imagine of a woman from this period varies greatly on what interpretations you have been exposed to. One thing constructors of medieval images seem to forget, is the low level of hygiene and religious fervor during these times. Many of the hairstyles of this period were the result of those two circumstances. Women needed to wear their hair in the most efficient way possible without succumbing to vanity or frivolity.

Braiding

Hair braiding was an easy and effective way to keep dirty hair off the face. Braids were used in an artistic and elaborate manner with complex and intricate patterns and shapes. Symmetry was achieved by parting the hair down the middle. Women would then braid each side of the head identically and tie the braids up at each ear. Braids were shaped using wires and were sometimes adorned with hair ornaments. Braiding allowed women to keep a certain hairstyle for a considerable amount of time without the need to freshen up, as bathing was highly uncommon during these times.

Hair Accessories

At the beginning of the Middle Ages women were freer about showing their hair. Hair was worn long, flowing, visible and smooth. As time went on, women began wearing their hair covered with a headdress called the wimple. It was a convention--and at one point law--that married women covered their hair. Women parted their hair down the middle and allowed a portion at the forehead to be shown. In addition to wimples, women would tie gold balls and ribbons in their hair. In keeping with ideas of the day about vanity, women would wear these hair accessories under a bonnet or wimple. In Asia, hairpins made of jade and ivory with various designs, such as dragons were used. Hairpins ranged from Japanese one-prong, stick-like pins to Chinese horizontal combs.

Hair Dye and Wigs

Women used many different recipes in order to dye their hair. Henna, eggs, saffron and calf livers were all employed to achieve the desired effect, usually of blonde or light brown hair shades. Like today, women were concerned with the little gray hairs that came with aging and attempted to hide these as well through dye. Royalty and nobility often wore wigs of radiant colors. Elizabeth I made red wigs and white powder, which was unfortunately full of fatal toxins, all the rage. The queen owned more than 80 wigs herself. Later in her life she transitioned from red-haired to blonde.

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