Vegan Unscented Wheat Starch | 18th Century Hair Powder

Organic Wheat Starch – For Hair Powder
3.5oz refill bag,
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Base Hair Powder

Wheat Starch was one of the highest quality and most superior starches used in Historical Hair Powder. “Charles Lillie, was a famous London Perfumer, who wrote that although rice powder could be used on the hair the best powder was made from wheat meal” which is one reason it was heavily taxed in England in 1795. Wheat starch was needed to help feed the army fighting the French. (1)

Because Wheat Starch was one of the more expensive historical starches, many times other types of fine quality starches we used or in the worst case scenario shops would put lesser quality ingredients in the powders and sell them for the highest quality.

For those of you who prefer to make your own powder but have a hard time finding Wheat Starch- we want to make it easier because we know is hard to find. Perhaps you want to experiment with making your own hair powder. Everyone has a different preference for the type of hair powder they prefer. We wanted to make this option available to you. Perhaps you want to try scenting your own powder with flowers or oils. If you have specific oils in mind- you can always check with us to see if we have them. Chances are we do and we can put together a kit for you with a special order. We do have other historical starches available as well. Many times the best powders are a combination of various starches.

Wheat Starch is one of the most superior starches you could use for Hair Powder:
” Cheap powder is what you should be careful in buying as many heads of hair are burnt off, dried up, or turned gray, by having the respiration stopped, through bad powder…..lime, chalk, or marble… The undeniable proof must be very convincing of the cheats practiced by those cheap gentry… Cheap Powder is always to be avoided… The best powder is distinguished by its clear whiteness, and it’s superior fineness… Powder and pomatum, when mixed properly in the hair, is a great nourisher.” Moore 1780

(1) The British Perfumer 2nd edition 1822
(2) Moore 1780