I get asked frequently about the hair portrayed in my clothing pictures... all ladies enjoying living in period sims know how hard it is to find good natural hair that resembles the period one is role playing in, almost as hard as it is to squeeze it underneath those lovely hats!
So here it is, a short list (in no particular order) of various designers I use frequently and their creations, even though most of them are not purposely antique in style I think they can work well... sometimes with a tiny bit of modifying... my apologies to the designers :)
1. "Missi" Darks and "Nicky" Black by Zero Stlyle. Non-flexi but they do have a beautiful shine, i have used "Missi" with 16th century gowns and it works very well, if you add a little bit of jewellery like a small crown or some pearls it really adds the feel of an antique hairdo. "Nicky" works well with Victorian dresses, it feels a bit more modern but it looks great with small front tilted hats that let the back of the hairdo exposed.
2. Aura "Princess Hair" by Aura & SG. Princess hair what else can I add...works well with big style of gowns, think crinoline lady and American Civil War, after all you need to add some weight to the skirts to compensate ;) I have however worn it with my Edwardian Ballgown and although it may not be the most accurate hair style for the time it looked very smart. ( A confession... not shown in the picture, but for my own use I have moved the fringe to one side...Victorians weren't that big on fringes)
3. Double Pigtails Braids by Curio. I particularly find the braids look really nice with some of my more "modern" Victorian clothing, from the natural period (think Renoir and Monet paintings). But it probably works just as well with the crinoline skirts. I have also used it with my Victorian Bathing suit, so sweet with the braids showing under the bathing cap. (ehem...confession again... I have a modified version where I took away the fringe...maybe it's just my personal obsession)
4. Trully and purposedly Victorian is "Cathy" by Curl up & Dye Salon. Too elaborate for some of my favourite simple day dresses but it works divinely with ball gowns and bigger skirts. It really looks the part, nothing to modify on this one ;) ... only perhaps I wished the curls were flexi.
5. On the left "Victorian Beehive DK" by M. Discovolante, a Victorian extravaganza, lovely and very different, almost impossible to hide under a hat though...On the right "b-Isabella Wig" by Arundel Design, all the curls are flexi and it really was a bargain! I find it works really well with 17th century clothing, it has a very similar look to some of the hairdos portrayed in the 1660's, but it could equally work with some Victorian gowns.
6. Kaori Brown by H2L...not really period I know but sometimes you do want to let your hair down and "Kaori" is very flattering and hasflexi elements in it so it doesn't feel completely stiff over the shoulder.
I do believe there are lots of wonderful hair designers out there and although sometimes it seems like a bit of a struggle to find a suitable hairdo for certain periods (Elizabethan is a really hard one, at least so that it looks nice...) I would say all you have to do is try and dress it up with antique accessories, the combination of items will make the hair look more authentic. Now go and have a lovely hair day :)
*UPDATE ...where to find these hairdos:
Some new gowns for the those ladies out there that move in the antique courts... Two court gowns: one in Gold with sculpted ribbons in red velvet for those very special occasions and high protocol royal events, and an everyday gown in Red with gold thread details including a little matching hat for those more relaxed days. And if you really want to take things down a level a more simple country look in our Romani gown in green silk. You can find these gowns exclusively in our shop in Ravenheart, in the attic at the Embassy building. (correction! not exclusively sold at Ravenheart anymore)