Victorian hair - the early years

By the Victorian era, hair was washed more often than in previous eras. Early Victorian hair (1830s) included sausage curls to frame the face, with centre partings. Hair was always symmetrical, and never much longer than jaw-length.  

After the civil war, twisted or plaited sections at the sides that covered or looped under the ears along with plaited buns at the back were fashionable. Apollo knots were also worn during the earlier years, which consisted of a high, braided bun, and often tight curls on either side of the head. Sometimes snoods or bonnets were worn. 

Buns seemed to get lower over time, however braids and curls remained fashionable. Very tight curls were made with the use of hot, thin tongs, although around the 1840s, some wore looser, more relaxed curls, as pictured. 

For men, side partings were fashionable throughout the Victorian era. Hair was often curly for men as well; and was always carefully styled, sometimes with coconut or almond oils. Top hats and facial hair were favoured by men as well. 

(1839)

http://bartoscollection.com/vehairstylesbyera.html

I had a go at Victorian hair styling myself. First I tried twisting the side sections, however this made them quite volumised, and not very flat to the head, which is how Victorian women often wore it. Next I plaited the sections, and thought this version looked much better and in theme with the period. However I could have started the plaits slightly lower, leaving more hair lying flat at the top of the head. Also, my doll's hair had recently been frizzed, so was not a suitable texture for this period of hair. I made a low bun at the back by splitting a ponytail into two plaits and wrapping them around the hair elastic and pinning them in to place. I thought that this part looked quite Victorian. 
I was happy with my outcome. Next time I will need to make sure my doll's hair is straight and has less volume. I would also like to try an apollo knot.