calicovirus asked: I vaguely recall reading somewhere that hair-powdering wasn't done on the young? ie that it tended to be for 20+ rather than kids & teens. Also, that sometimes coloured (pink or blue or whatever) powders were used? As I cannot remember where I read any of this (alas), I was wondering if you could verify this info?

Hello there! I unfortunately have no knowledge about the age of those who powdered their hair, but I do know that colored (and scented!) powders were used. Wigs, however powdered, were most definitely not white, though. The closest shade to that would have been powdered light blonde. Even if wearing wigs (which women did not), you would have been wearing human hair (of white bright white is a scarce color!).

Did you know that, apparently, Charles IV of France started the hair powdering trend when he tried to conceal his greying hair with darker powder? Gotta love it.