18th Century Lemon Pomatum – Hard Pomade for Setting Curls

18th Century
Lemon Flower Pomatum
Historical Label
1oz
Sources:
1739 Smith
1756 Abdeker
1772Toilet De Flora
1779 Edinburgh Newspaper

Have you ever wondered how women were able to get their hair to do such amazing styles throughout history? Here is one of the best kept secrets: Pomatum.

Pomatum is a perfumed ointment used for the hair, face, and skin. It can be a salve made with beeswax and oils (like spermaceti or almond) which produces a more stable compound, particularly in the heat and for traveling. It can also be made from a combination of scented waters, fats, and oils. After trying various recipes, I settled on a general recipe “To Make Pomatum” from 1739. This recipe for pomatum ( pomade) has been used for over 300 years with minor changes. These pomatums are exceptional because they are great for the hair, face, and skin, while also travelling well.

I have used the Toilet de Flora and to craft the variety of scents used for my pomatums.
For example from 1772 – “Another Pomatum for the Hair” lists cloves, lemon and roses. In addition recipes sometimes left the preference up to you as how you want to scent your own pomatums. Toilet de Flora says, “This pomatum is…. sometimes scented by using rofe-water or Orange-flower in the preparation, instead of Spring-water, or with a few drops of any effence.” We took the last option and added a few drops of Lemon essential oil as is listed in the “scented pomatum list” of 1756 Abdeker as well as 1856,1772.
In 1779, W. Raeburn, Ladies hair-dresser and Perfumer made known in Edinburgh Advertiser “.. just now for sale, newly imported from the best foreign markets, the greatest and best assortment of PERFUMERY ARTICLES, all of which may be depended on to be genuine. Amongst the variety…POMATUMS – Pomade a la Duchesse, Orange, Lemon, Jessamin, Rose, Mille Fleurs, Oillet, Bargamot, Cedre, Dauphine, Tuberuse”
1772-Toilet de Flora has a recipe for “Another Pomatum for the Hair” in which you add lemon, rosewater, and cloves.

Toilet de Flora talks about how scented pomatums are good for the hair. “It is a good for almoft any cofmetic Purpofe, but more particularly for the hair, which it nourishes, ftrengthens, preferves, and thickens.”

A little goes a long way. To achieve the curls, I massaged this pomatum through my damp hair and set it in foam curlers overnight. This works well to tame flyaways or to help set your hair. You can achieve wonderfully smooth styles, including the tall Marie Antoinette hair or the romantic hedgehog curls with this amazing pomatum. This leaves your hair very soft and full.