These Past Hygiene Practices Will Shock You

Portrait of Marie Antoinette — PHOTO: WIKIMEDIA.ORG

Animal Fat As Hair Gel

Sure, modern hairspray may make you cough for a few seconds, but it used to be far worse. The elegant styles found on wigs worn by Marie Antoinette and other women in that era were often held in place with animal fat. Not only did the animal fat have a strong odor, but it was also highly flammable— in a time where people relied on candles for light, no less.