hair accessories

[Hank Trent]

Re: hair accessories

Barretts are approx 1.375 inches
14 K gold
Stamped inside: Pat'd June 24, '62
Engraved inside: Elizabeth Olive Berry April 25, 1866
Engraved on top: Lizzie

Nope, not for the hair. For sleeves.

Here's the patent issued June 24, 1862: http://www.google.com/patents?id=YD1...s_maxy_is=1862

"Improvement in Sleeve-Fasteners...a new or Improved Sleeve Catch-Up or Fastener...The particular object of a sleeve catch-up is to fasten the sleeves of a child's dress when looped or contracted at the shoudler. It may also be employed as a wristband-fastening."

The patent illustration shows a back that does look like a modern barette. Wonder if this use as a sleeve fastener could also shed any light on the original artifact?

Hank Trent
hanktrent@voyager.net

[xamier]

Re: hair accessories

Another thought that came to mind as I read this, I was about my short brown, highlighted hair. I know that obviously hair was not highlighted back then.

Maybe it was highlighted back then, just not out of a bottle.

When I lived in the desert, (Mojave, CA) I had very pronounced light highlights in my hair.

It was bleached by the sun with no effort on my part. (My hair has never been chemically treated) One streak was over an inch wide and very noticeable. (At that time my natural hair color was a mixture of light brown, dark blond, and a touch of gray. The highlights were very light blond)

I believe that modern highlights may be an effort to copy a natural occurrence on some peoples uncolored hair.

Respectfully, Betty Morgan

[xamier]

Re: hair accessories

Nope, not for the hair. For sleeves.

Here's the patent issued June 24, 1862: http://www.google.com/patents?id=YD1...s_maxy_is=1862

The patent illustration shows a back that does look like a modern barette. Wonder if this use as a sleeve fastener could also shed any light on the original artifact?

Hank Trent
hanktrent@voyager.net

Hi everyone:

What a wonderful discussion. So far it doesn't look like we actually have any documentation of barrette's being used. Too bad, back to combs.

If anyone else has difficulties with combs here are a few tips I have learned:
If you part the front and back of your hair, pin up the back and then do the front, the combs stay in much better.

Make sure that the combs match the shape of your head. I need very flat combs. I use the metal combs and bend them to the shape I need. A curved comb will usually not even go into my hair, let alone stay there.

Tying with a ribbon the same color as one's hair can keep it together while one is trying to get it under control and pinned.

A good way to get oil through one's hair evenly is to put the oil on dry hair, let it soak on for a day and then run water through it. When it dry's again the oil will be evenly distributed.

When oiling one's hair, never put it on the scalp/top of your head. Start at the bottom/ends, then oil the middle, and then wipe your hands on your scalp area. (With just the residue from the oil on your hands)

One can get bone, horn, metal, and shell combs. Ebay is a good source.

Betty Morgan

[cw_girl83]

Re: hair accessories

Thank you all for your advice on my modern highlighted hair. I think my best bet is going to be to invest in a good slat bonnet or something of the sort to conceal my blond!

[iphigenia]

Re: hair accessories

Maybe it was highlighted back then, just not out of a bottle.

When I lived in the desert, (Mojave, CA) I had very pronounced light highlights in my hair.

It was bleached by the sun with no effort on my part. (My hair has never been chemically treated) One streak was over an inch wide and very noticeable. (At that time my natural hair color was a mixture of light brown, dark blond, and a touch of gray. The highlights were very light blond)

I believe that modern highlights may be an effort to copy a natural occurrence on some peoples uncolored hair.

Respectfully, Betty Morgan

Yes, but remember that ladies are wearing sunbonnets/wearing fashionable bonnets and carrying parasols to avoid getting sun on their faces, so the hair would not be exposed to direct sunlight very often. And my gut feeling is that streaked hair (natural or otherwise) was not desirable during the time period.

That said, I do have an amusing picture of myself in period clothing where I'm looking down at a bowl I'm drying, and you can clearly see where my highlilghts were growing out! ;) They're gone now, finally...