What Is The History Of Hair Extensions?

You wouldn’t be alone in thinking that hair extensions are a recent phenomenon as they didn’t really gain mass appeal till the 2000’s, however as far back as Egyptian times both men and women have worn wigs or hair pieces to improve the way they looked. Even the Egyptians were slaves to fashion and there is documented proof that hair extensions and wigs were used as far back as 3400BC. And it seems that some things never change as back in these times as it is today, the prices and quality of extensions varied greatly. The highest quality being made of 100% human hair with the lowest quality extensions being made out of anything that the people could get their hands on, including vegetable fibres and sheep wool. Of course, the Egyptians did not have the luxury of the technically advanced methods of application that we now enjoy and it is thought that a full head of hair extensions would have taken 15 hours of intricate weaves and knots.

Wigs, hair extensions and hair pieces have come in and out of fashion in nearly every century and in Georgian times high false wigs were in vogue in both men and women. These wigs were elaborate, intricate and exquisitely beautiful. However, following the Georgian fashion and as we stepped in to the 1800’s extensions, wigs and hair pieces actually became frowned upon. Men wouldn’t be seen dead in a wig during this time and women chose to wear their hair in a more natural and neat style. However, the appeal of fake hair swung into fashion again in the Romantic era. This era saw the elaborate Apollo knots becoming very much the fashion and the more elaborate the better.

False hair saw a dip in popularity after the Romantic era only to be dragged back in to fashion by the mid Victorian era. The Victorians favoured elaborate hair styles that could only be achieved by false hair. In fact hair extensions, hair pieces and wigs were so popular that the Victorian era saw 102 tonnes of hair sold in France in 1873 alone.

False hair became in vogue again for the early 20th century Edwardian women. They wore false hair additions to create the popular Pompadour hairstyle that was thought to make a woman look like she was wearing a teapot on her head!

Stepping into the 1920’s and women abandoned their hair pieces for a look that was natural with many women sporting much shorter looks than ever before. Women were living in a time when almost everything luxurious was rationed and they tended to favour practicality over style in this period.

The 1950’s saw women enjoying shorter bob styles and more youthful styles such as the ponytail, no need for extensions here. By the turn of the century the simple ponytail was transformed into complicated elegant French plaits and chignons. The 1960’s sparked a revisit to the world of big hair and with this came hair a demand for hair pieces and wigs. The 1960’s and 70’s was a great time to reinvent yourself and many people used hair pieces and wigs to create different identities and styles from day to day.

By the 1980’s the interest in hair pieces and wigs had worn off and people were turning to more natural styles with only performers and celebrities still using false hair for big impact on the stage. During the majority of the 1900’s hair extensions weren’t popular as the cost of the hair was massive and they were seen as a luxury that only the rich and famous could afford to indulge in. However, over the last few years the hair extensions industry has boomed. The cost is now a lot more affordable for the public to try out and the extensive range of application methods really do mean that there is something for everyone. Nowadays, hair extensions are not just a luxury that celebrities can afford as more and more of us are deciding to invest our hard earned cash in a new, versatile look and are loving the results.

If you are interested in having hair extensions fitted then you must ensure that you visit a professional for the best possible results. The professionals at Inanch salon in London will be able to advise you on the best method of application for your personal needs. Click here to visit the Inanch website.

.