postiche

Postiche is a term used in costume design and stage makeup to denote an artificial accessory worn to alter a performer’s appearance. As a noun, it most often refers to hairpieces such as wigs, moustaches, beards, or eyebrows; as an adjective it can mean artificial or counterfeit. The word comes from French postiche, meaning artificial, and entered English mainly through theatre usage in the 18th–19th centuries.

In theatre, film and television, postiches are used to create historical or fantastical looks, to disguise an actor, or to enable rapid changes between characters. They may be full or partial wigs, moustache or beard prosthetics, eyelash attachments, or other cosmetic additions applied to the skin or scalp with adhesives.

Construction varies: hair may be natural or synthetic; bases range from fabric caps to skin-like silicone or latex. Postiches are typically fitted to the performer’s head, shaped, dyed or painted to match skin tone, and styled to blend with the costume. In modern practice, some effects are achieved with makeup or digital methods, but traditional postiches remain common for practical effects and period accuracy.

Care and handling are important to extend life: clean after use, store on a stand or within a protective case, avoid heat, and use appropriate adhesive removers.

See also: Wig; Facial hair prosthetics; Prosthetic makeup; Costume design.