hair-powder

hair-powder

A woman gently applies hair-powder to her styled hair.

Definition
  1. Noun (countable/uncountable):
    • A fine, scented powder, typically white or gray, used historically to powder the hair or wig, especially in the 18th and early 19th centuries.
    • Hair-powder is applied to absorb oil, add texture, or provide a fashionable color to hair.
Usage Examples
  • (Application of the powder for grooming.)
  • (Historical context of the product.)
  • (Modern use for a historical reenactment.)
Advanced Usage

  • "to be in the hair-powder": to be in a state of formal or elaborate grooming, often implying a social occasion.

    • He arrived at the ball already in the hair-powder, ready for the evening. (He had already applied the powder.)

  • "hair-powder box": a container specifically designed for storing and applying hair-powder.

    • The antique hair-powder box was made of porcelain and decorated with flowers. (A collector's item.)
Variants and Related Words

  • Hair-powdered (adj): having hair or wig treated with hair-powder.

    • The hair-powdered look was essential for court appearances. (Describing a person's appearance.)

  • Hair-powder puff (n): a soft pad used to apply hair-powder.

    • She used a hair-powder puff to dust the powder evenly. (Tool for application.)
Synonyms
  • Pomade: a scented oil or cream for the hair (similar in purpose but not a powder).
  • Orris powder: a type of vegetable powder sometimes used as a base for hair-powder.
  • Wig powder: a synonym specifically for powdering wigs.
Idioms and Fixed Phrases

  • "Powder and paint": a phrase referring to cosmetic application, often including hair-powder.

    • She spent an hour on her powder and paint, including her hair-powder. (A routine of grooming.)

  • "To powder one's hair": to apply hair-powder as part of a hairstyle.

    • He would powder his hair every morning before going to court. (A daily habit.)
Historical and Cultural Note
  • Hair-powder was commonly made from starch (e.g., wheat or rice flour) mixed with scents like lavender or rose. It fell out of fashion after the French Revolution, when powdering hair was associated with the aristocracy.