The Act stated that everyone wishing to use hair powder must, from 5 May 1795, visit a stamp office to enter their name and pay for an annual certificate costing 1 guinea (equivalent to £100 in 2020).

[2][3] Certain exemptions were included: the Royal Family and their servants; clergymen with an income of under £100 a year; and members of the armed forces who were privates in the army, artillery soldiers, mariners, engineers, non-commissioned officers, subalterns, officers in the navy below commander, yeomanry, militia, fencibles, and volunteers.

A father with more than two unmarried daughters could buy two certificates that would be valid for any number he stated at the stamp office.

Substantial fines could be imposed on those brought before the courts.At the quarter sessions of the peace held at Bourne, in Lincolnshire on Tuesday se'nnight, the Rev.

Francis Barstow, of Aslackby, was convicted in the penalty of twenty pounds, for wearing hair powder without having previously taken out a licence.