Re-creating Elizabethan Hair Designs

Experimenting in Elizabethan Hair

In this hair lesson the aim was to start planning out and re-creating our own Elizabethan looks with all the techniques we had learnt so far, it had to include a bun or a plait and still look like a period hairstyle. We were practicing more of these element so we really had a clear understanding and idea of all the different looks and techniques of the 16th century hair pieces in this era. I decided that I wanted to have crimping in my look as this type of texture was seen a lot in many paintings and portraits in this era and I really felt it was the best technique to create a Elizabethan style.

I started this look by sectioning off certain parts of the hair, I left the front sections of the hair to create a ban of a french plait. Even though if I was to recreate this again I would have re-done this part of the look as it is more of an contemporary style then period. Then using the second section of the hair I split it into two section further down the middle parting. Using the same technique that was used to create the Elizabethan heart shape bun I created this look again. I took both sections and crimped both sides of the hair which as I mentioned would give the look texture and also more volume, I then went on this backcomb each section, starting from the bottom of the head working the way up. This then gave the hair more structure and strength therefore meaning, using a hair prop I could roll it down the hair creating each part of the heart shape.   

When the front sections of the hair was complete I finish off the hair design with the back section of hair. The aim was to either create a bun or a plait as this was the main two looks of the era. I decided to go with french braiding as in my opinion I think looks very neat but also relates very well to the time period. I started by sectioning the back of the head into two and french braided each side (shown in the far left hand image). When having completed this I took the end of each plait and rapped it around the opposite side therefore creating a milkmaid braid. (far right image shows) The final outcome of this look which I believed I achieved quite well but as I already mentioned I would adapt the front section of the hair maybe to rick-racking as this is more of a period style then a simple french braid.  

By Amelia Richmond-Knight