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Madeline Martin

Madeline Martin

Heating Up History

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Dyeing for a New ‘Do – a Colorful History

Hair dyeing may seem like a modern thing, but you might be surprised how very ancient it is.

BlondeFor centuries, people have been finding ways to follow the hair color trend of the day and dye their way into popularity (or cover a few gray strands).

First of all, I found it interesting that only 2% of the population today has natural red hair. I think it’s positively gorgeous. Prior to the reign of the red-haired Tudors, however, those with red hair often lived a difficult life. During the witch trials, many perceived red hair to be a sign of witch craft or devil worship and many red heads were put to death either in proving that they weren’t a witch or after having been condemned (doubtless through some barbaric “trial”).

Red heads were diagnosed historically as being highly sanguineous – meaning they had an abundance of blood where the four humors (blood/sanguine being one of those) were supposed to be balanced. The abundance of hot blood meant they were lusty and/or quick to anger.

Red hair was highly sought after during the time of the copper-haired Henry VIII and even more so during the reign of his daughter, Elizabeth I, whose red tresses inspired many a sonnet. During this period in history, women tried to mimic that beautiful, sought-after red through henna concoctions or bathing one’s hair in a warm wash of crushed marigold petals.elizabeth

Blonde hair didn’t have so fortunate a history either. In early Rome, women typically had brown or black hair. As slaves were brought in from more Slavic/Germanic regions, they began to see more and more blondes. Unfortunately, many of the slave women ended up in brothels. At one point, blonde was so synonymous with prostitution that a law was actually passed that any women who worked in a brothel had to have blonde hair to denote herself as such.

Noblewomen in Rome suddenly began dying their tresses a very dark brown so as not to be accidentally mistaken for one. In fact, there was even a hair dye recipe located from 100AD for black hair that, when recreated modern day, was quite effective! All of this came to a crashing halt when it was discovered that some noblewomen donned blonde wigs in the evening and left their homes for a bit of naughty fun. Now that would make an interesting book!!Blonde2

After a while, the rule fell away and blonde hair rose in popularity throughout the noble ranks. Many people found it so beautiful they tried to replicate it or would make wigs of their slaves hair or even powder their styled hair with gold dust. Well, the rich would use gold dust – their less wealthy counterparts would use pollen.

There have been all kinds of ways to dye hair through history – lemon juice and sun on hair pulled through wide-brimmed hats, lye, bleach, henna, roots, nuts, berries, pretty much anything that might stain was applied to the hair. Many times this resulted in a chemical haircut, leading to the popularity of wigs throughout the ages.

I personally have had several crazy hair debacles in my life with the safer chemicals afforded to us today and can’t even imagine what stories I might have had were I to live several centuries ago. (let’s be realistic – I probably would have been one of those to attempt to dye my hair, even then LOL). What about you? Any hair horror stories to share?

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Filed Under: Interesting History

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madelinemmartin

👩🏻‍💻USA Today Bestselling author of #historicalromance, mother of minions, watcher of cat videos, drinker of wine, poster of pics

When the heart on the back of your cat’s neck le When the heart on the back of your cat’s neck lets you know they love you 😻
I’m beyond excited to share my gorgeous new cove I’m beyond excited to share my gorgeous new cover for The Last Bookshop in London - a WWII Historical Fiction

The art team at @hanoversquarepress did such a gorgeous job on this cover! I love it so much!!! 

Inspired by the true World War II history of the few bookshops to survive the Blitz, The Last Bookshop in London is a timeless story of wartime loss, love and the enduring power of literature.

August 1939: London is dismal under the weight of impending war with Germany as Hitler’s forces continue to sweep across Europe. Into this uncertain maelstrom steps Grace Bennett, young and ready for a fresh start in the bustling city streets she’s always dreamed of—and miles away from her troubled past in the countryside.

With aspirations of working at a department store, Grace never imagined she’d wind up employed at Primrose Hill, an offbeat bookshop nestled in the heart of the city—after all, she’s never been much of a reader. Overwhelmed with organizing the cluttered store, she doesn’t have time to read the books she sells. But when one is gifted to her, what starts as an obligation becomes a passion that draws her into the incredible world of literature.

As the Blitz rains down bombs on the city night after night, a devastating attack leaves the libraries and shops of London’s literary center in ruins. Miraculously, Grace’s bookshop survives the firestorm. Through blackouts and air raids, Grace continues running the shop, discovering a newfound comfort in the power of words and storytelling that unites her community in ways she never imagined—a force that triumphs over even the darkest nights of war-torn London.

Link in bio!
Tomorrow is my official cover reveal for The Last Tomorrow is my official cover reveal for The Last Bookshop in London!! I'm so excited!! 😆
How to Tempt a Duke in Italian and Swedish - the l How to Tempt a Duke in Italian and Swedish - the latter just came in the mail! 😆 
I love how Harlequin Historical sends us copies of the translated versions of our books! It’s just such a cool thing to see and hold 🥰
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