A Hair Extension History Lesson: A Quick Hair History

I am writing this in the hopes to educate you in what you are actually getting when it comes to hair extensions. I am a person who once thought I knew what my hair was and where it was coming from, but I was shown that not everyone knows everything. Follow me as we enter

the Hair Weave Rabbit Hole… (cues ominous music, lighting, and thunderous villain laugh). On a serious note though, once you discover the truth about hair extensions you will feel enlightened to say the least.

This will be the first post or article that is going to be in a series that will talk all about hair extensions from their origins to current trends in the beauty industry regarding new styles for your locks. I want my clients and customers to get the WHOLE picture when it comes to hair extensions, because it’s bigger than “Mother Earth” by David Auberg. This so much information that it can be overwhelming to say the least.

That is why each article is going to mainly focus on one particular point or subject. I am going to elaborate on each subject as much as I can. So, hold onto your seat we’re about to take a ride.

Firstly, let’s start with some of a brief history on hair extensions in their various forms over history. People have been wearing hair extensions for thousands of years, starting most notably in Africa.

More specifically in Egypt where those mainly of aristocratic status would wear wigs made of shaved hair because it was so hot. So what they would do is shave their heads to relieve themselves of the heat and when it came to meetings or grand events they would grab a wig with dreadlocks and other adornments. More of the wealthy population would use different plants to make their wigs smell more pleasant. Cleopatra was noted to wear peacock feathers in her wigs, how luxurious is that?

Here is an example of the type of wigs that ancient African Royalty would have worn. They would also use sticky materials or substances to keep the wigs on most notably beeswax and resins, like those used in mummification. Hair extensions were also popular in Asia (Japan, China, and Korea) in ancient times as well in the Mediterranean area (Greeks, Romans, Assyrians, Phoenicians). As time went on people would graduate to powdered wigs because the health standards of the time were horrendous to say the least and because of that would have to shave their heads and only the rich and well to do would be able to afford wigs to cover their hair loss.

This practice went for men and women from the 1600’s up until the Victorian Era, they were again used as a symbol of status and power the longer and higher the wig the more clout that you had. Eventually, with wigs that are elaborate and heavy they ran their course and wig wearing had fallen out of fashion generally and it was also again extremely expensive.

By the 1920’s wigs had fallen out of favor unless you were really well off and had the extra funds. Most men had stopped wearing wigs in the Victorian era and women had opted for shorter hair after WWI. Women were sporting short wavy hair once the flapper was around, it was seen by women as liberating a way to show their independence and defiance of modern beauty standards. And with more women in the workforce there was no longer a need for long hair which could make factory jobs more dangerous and long hair is higher maintenance.

Now we are at the 60’s and 70’s and extensions are gaining mainstream popularity again mainly because of the disco era and the trend was big style and even bigger hair. Think of the Motown Era, The Supremes were known for their wigs with women like Donna Summer were divas in the disco, setting beauty trends around the world, everyone wanted to be them.

Women looked to women like The Boss, Ms. Diana Ross who would change their looks more then their many people the oil in their car. Many women more often, it was African American women that had bought wigs back in full force as a style of protection. While, there was also a natural hair movement with women like Angela Davis for example as the unofficial face of the time.

We are at our last stop on hair history tour the 1990’s through today. I can say personally that I have seen so much change in the hair industry, from when FUBU was selling pack hair at the local beauty supply ( who remembers that, hands, hands?) to now you can buy “Brazilian Virgin Hair” in a “Body Wave” or “Kiny Curly”. Needless, to say hair extensions have come a long way from in 2,500 years. I’m glad you could take the time out to come along with me on this journey.

As I write more posts I will go more in depth with the information that I am giving you so you can have a broader understanding of what hair extensions.

Be sure to keep an eye out for our next blog post on is “Brazilian Hair Really From Brazil?”

Thank you again, so much for your time and giving me the opportunity to educate you on the history of hair extensions so that you can have a better understanding of the hair industry.

http://fashion-history.lovetoknow.com/fashion-history-eras/history-wigs All photos were used under their respective licences.

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