Ancient Romans dyed their hair blonde using bird droppings and ashes
Roman women achieved the era's highly coveted blonde hair through a pungent mixture of pigeon droppings, vinegar, and wood ashes to lighten their natural dark locks.
Ancient Romans used corrosive mixtures of pigeon droppings, vinegar, and beechwood ashes to bleach their hair. This chemical reaction created a caustic paste that stripped natural pigment to mimic the golden hair of captured Germanic and Gaulish prisoners.
There's more to this story — open the app to keep reading.
Continue Reading in App
2 more paragraphs · plus a 2-question quiz