The Arts of Beauty/Chapter 27

The habit of frequently shampooing the hair, or washing it with soap and water, is destructive to its beauty. Soap, if often used, will be likely to change the color of the hair to a faded yellowish hue, even if it does not produce a greater misfortune. The best way to remove dust, or the effects of an indiscreet use of oils or pomades from the hair is to give it a thorough brushing. Or a small quantity of white soap may be disolved in spirits of wine, and used without deleterious effects. But, by all means, shun strong soap, and such alkaline lyes as are used in shampooing; for these lyes are capable of dissolving the hair if long left in them, and their use is invariably deleterious. As a general thing, set down all the patent nostrums puffed in newspapers as useless, if they are not positively hurtful. Even if we were sure that they are scientifically compounded, we may be certain that they are made of the poorest and cheapest qualities of materials. But since we know that they are almost invariably mixed by quacks and imposters, it seems strange that any lady will trust so great and indispensable a charm as that ​of her hair to the mercies of irresponsible ignorance and avarice.

Washing the hair even with cold water and leaving it to dry in curls, as is the custom of some, after the example of Lord Byron, renders it harsh and coarse. Whenever the hair is washed it should be thoroughly dried with towels, and then be well brushed.