Human’s age-old obsession with beauty has seen the invention and refinement of make-up through to fashion. Why should hair be any different? In countless cultures, hair is seen as a traditional symbol of health and beauty. One of (wo)man’s earliest beauty accessories, luscious locks have always been desirable. And what comes hand-in-hand with great hair? Great hair extensions and wigs. The history of wigs and hair extensions is a path less trodden, so let’s delve into the past and discover where the secrets to great hair originated. Hint: it’s a VERY long time ago.
INDEX
- The Secrets Of Ancient Egyptian Hair
- African Hair Braiding
- Ancient Greek, Assyrian, Phoenician And Roman Hair
- The Rise Of Elizabethan And Victorian Hair
- 1950s Hair Pieces
- Modern Hair Extensions: 1960s Hair Styles
- Hair Extensions of Today

Rewind to 3400 BC, the reign of the Pharaohs. Ancient Egyptian hair represented a hierarchy of status, and the beautification process was treasured in the upper-class communities. Ancient Egyptians braided wigs manufactured from human hair and sheep’s wool. Think Cleopatra’s famous jet-black braided bob. Wigs were adorned with hair beads and tassels, intricately braided, and often held with beeswax (Ancient Egypt’s take on hairspray.) Dyed vivid colours and embellished with precious gems, ancient Egyptian wigs would be splashes of primary colour against the sands of the desert landscape.
Subsequently, the only individuals who could afford these luxuries were members of the higher classes, excluding male Pharaohs who usually sported cropped hair styles and favoured elaborate headpieces instead. Despite the unattainable luxuries of wigs, working class Egyptians took additional measures to ensure this standard of beauty was upheld. A female body from a working-class grave dated around 3500 BC had evidence of hair dye (henna was used to colour grey hair) and hair weaving (locks of human hair were tied to natural objects to produce an elaborate beehive hairdo).