Hair Care During the Renaissance Era

Let’s time-travel. Not with a machine (though we’re open to it), but with our imaginations. Picture this: the Renaissance era. Art is booming, corsets are cinching, and hair? Hair is serious business. Like, make-or-break-your-social-standing serious. We’re talking elaborate updos, natural oils, a suspicious lack of shampoo, and beauty standards that honestly… were doing the most.

So what was hair care like during the Renaissance? And how did people keep their locks clean (ish), styled, and socially acceptable without dry shampoo, conditioner, or, you know, indoor plumbing? We did the digging so you don’t have to.

First Things First: Clean Hair Wasn’t the Vibe

Okay, so the idea of "squeaky clean" hair didn’t really exist in the 1400s. People weren’t washing their hair every other day (or even weekly), but before you go judging — hear us out. It wasn’t laziness. It was logistics. Running water? Rare. Hot water? A luxury. Soap that didn’t fry your scalp? Not a thing yet.

Instead, people used dry cleaning methods (the OG dry shampoo?) like brushing out oils with combs, applying scented powders, or rubbing in crushed herbs to absorb grease. Rosemary, lavender, rose petals — it’s giving medieval aromatherapy. And yes, sometimes they would rinse with water, but shampoo as we know it today didn’t exist. If anything, they used a vinegar rinse, which… bold.

Natural Oils Were the MVPs

Even without modern conditioner, Renaissance babes knew how to work with what they had. Natural oils were a huge part of hair care — olive oil, almond oil, even castor oil were used to soften hair, tame frizz, and promote shine. The routine? Massage a few drops into the scalp, braid or wrap the hair, and let the oil do its thing. We respect the simplicity.

Oiling also helped protect the hair from damage, especially when it was exposed to the sun or tightly styled. Plus, it gave that soft, healthy sheen that was considered super elegant. The goal wasn't just volume or length — it was shine, smoothness, and control.

Hair Was Symbolic — and Strategic

Hair wasn’t just hair. It was a statement. It could signal your marital status, your class, your modesty, your vanity — basically, it was a whole communication system on your head. Unmarried women often wore their hair down or in loose braids, which symbolised youth and purity. Married women covered theirs with veils or headpieces, and more ornate styles usually meant more wealth (because let’s be honest, no one’s casually waking up and doing an 8-plait twisted crown without some help).

Red hair was especially admired, thanks to Queen Elizabeth I. Women who didn’t have it? Some literally dyed theirs with saffron or henna — which worked, though it wasn’t exactly a Garnier Nutrisse moment. And don’t even get us started on wigs. They were very much a thing, especially for covering up thinning or damaged hair (or, you know, syphilis — the original influencer burnout).

The Role of Hair Accessories (a.k.a. The Drama)

The Renaissance era didn’t do subtle. Hair was dressed up and accessorised like it was attending its own gala. Beads, ribbons, veils, nets, wire frames — the works. If you think your claw clip is high-maintenance, try pinning in a bejewelled caul (a kind of hairnet made of literal gold threads) while wearing 16 layers of skirts.

Hair wasn’t just there to be — it was an outfit in itself. Women coordinated their hairstyles with their gowns, jewellery, and even their husbands' titles. We don’t necessarily miss the patriarchy, but the ✨drama✨ of it all? Iconic.

If you’re loving the aesthetic, we’ve rounded up some renaissance era hairstyle ideas you can try without sacrificing your scalp to the gods of medieval grease.

Hair Tools… Kind Of Existed

Combs were essential, and most people had at least one. Made from wood, bone, or ivory, these combs were used not just to detangle, but to distribute oil evenly through the hair. You might even say they were the original detangling brushes. Heat tools? Nope. Curlers? Kind of — women sometimes used rags to curl their hair overnight. No Dyson Airwrap, but still effective. They also used things like hair taping (wrapping ribbon around braids) to maintain shape, keep hair in place, or just for aesthetic purposes. Honestly, it was all pretty resourceful.

And Yes — Hair Was Always Tied to Fashion

Hair and clothing went hand in hand — they were two halves of the same Renaissance look. Whether it was structured gowns with high collars and tightly wound buns, or flowy dresses with long braids and flower crowns, hair helped complete the whole vibe.

Want to channel the look yourself? You don’t need a time machine (or a plague doctor). Just pair your favourite updo with one of our whimsical outfits for fantasy events and boom — period drama energy achieved.

What Can We Take from Renaissance Hair Care Today?

Honestly? A lot. Less washing, more nourishment. Embrace natural oils. Use accessories to elevate your vibe. Stop obsessing over perfection — because hair in the Renaissance was rarely neat, but it was intentional. Even a messy braid told a story. Even a headscarf had meaning. We think there’s something kind of freeing about that.

Sure, we’ve got better products now. But the Renaissance approach to hair — the drama, the creativity, the symbolism — it’s still very much a mood.