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How Have Hair Extensions Changed Throughout Human History?

It is very rare for hair extensions to go out of fashion, and any hairdresser who learns how to expertly fit hair extensions will provide a vital selling point for their business.

Whilst many hairstyles will go in and out of fashion, long hair will always have a place, and this has been true for thousands of years, even if the techniques and materials have changed tremendously.

The earliest examples of hair weaves were found in Ancient Egypt, which was likely a consequence of their approach to cleanliness.

Body hair was frowned upon for reasons of hygiene, but long thick heads of hair were seen as a highly desirable status symbol. Along with wigs, hair extensions were also worn, most commonly made from a mix of human hair and wool to boost thickness and allow for vibrant colours through dyes.

Whilst hair extensions were occasionally seen after this, the concept was revived during the Elizabethan era, when the eponymous Queen Elizabeth I became famous for her ornately styled hairpieces, also made from dyed sheep’s wool.

This would also be seen in Pre-Revolutionary France, particularly during the reign of King Louis XIII. Starting in 1624 and continuing up until 1790, hair extensions and wigs were a common sight, often augmented with brightly coloured powder dyes.

Whilst initially worn by King Louis due to insecurity, it began a trend that would spread throughout French and European nobility for centuries.

During this period, hair extensions would no longer attempt to represent real albeit lengthened hair and started to reach outlandish proportions, with huge beehive hairstyles strengthened with frames that were weaved into a natural hairstyle.

Following the French Revolution and a dramatic downsizing of hairstyles, it would take until the 1950s before clip-in hair extensions became more popular, only growing in popularity, sophistication and comfort in the decades since.

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