Hairstyles have always changed over time in tandem with technological advancements and changes in human culture. Hair has always been a major factor in determining one’s social standing and means of self-expression, from the utilitarian, basic appearance of prehistoric people to the ornate, expressive styles of today.
Numerous elements have shaped hairstyles throughout history, such as societal conventions, cultural traditions, and the accessibility of styling supplies and equipment. From the elaborately braided hairstyles of ancient civilizations to the colossal wigs of the 18th century, every era has introduced its own fashion trends.
Examining the development of hairstyles, we can observe how they reflect shifts in fashion, society, and even self-perception. This historical voyage provides an intriguing window into the evolution of beauty and individuality.
- Stone Age
- Ancient world
- Ancient Egypt
- Ancient Rome
- Renaissance
- Victorian era
- 20th century
- Fashion of the 2000s
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- History of hairstyles. From ancient times to the present day.
Stone Age
The Ancient World, including Rome, Egypt, and Greece, is where the earliest comprehensible drawings of hairstyles originated. Naturally, hairstyles have existed since earlier times, even in the era of the Primitive People. However, in the traditional sense of the word, Primitive Man looks like this:
The media portrays primitive man as shaggy and with matted hair. The fact that people in earlier times lacked artistic ability and that all of the drawings are extremely schematic and basic—that is, devoid of details like hairstyles—complicates the situation.
It is still feasible to locate stylistic cues, though. For instance, the archaeologist Zoya Aleksandrovna Abramova gathered numerous rock paintings for her book "The Most Ancient Image of Man," some of which amply illustrate how the prehistoric image of uncivilized savages that has been imposed is somewhat exaggerated.
The illustration depicts the subject’s tidy haircut, which has a distinct border and resembles a contemporary pot. It’s hard to tell if this hairstyle is male or female because early humans didn’t often leave clues about their sexual preferences.
However, based on the rock paintings, it appears that there were also a lot of "slobs" during the Stone Age; individuals with long, unruly hair are frequently shown in these artworks.
Ancient world
Hairstyles can be traced back more reliably to the Ancient world because people there already paid more attention to the accuracy of the drawings.
Ancient Egypt
One could argue that the modern hairstyle originated in ancient Egypt. It is well known that the Egyptians’ preferred hairstyle was loose hair, frequently in the form of shoulder-length or slightly longer wigs. It’s safe to argue that the modern bob originated with the Egyptian hairstyle.
Little pigtails were created by braiding the front strands of hair. Numerous movies about the stunning Cleopatra attest to the fact that her hairstyle was exactly like this, as does the Nofret sculpture housed in the Cairo Museum.
Wigs were affordable for all free citizens; slaves, on the other hand, were not respected despite their skill at styling and popularity among the nobility. Black or dark brown wigs could be made by dying them with henna.
The first chemical perm was invented by the ancient Egyptians, who fixed hair with mud and wound it around sticks. The hair was twisted into tiny curls as the mud layer dried and peeled off. Additionally, they were the first to accessorize hair with colored ribbons or hairpins.
Ancient Rome
Given that ancient Rome was a more modern civilization than ancient Egypt, Roman hairstyles reflected this. Roman women were very conscious of their own attractiveness, including their hair.
Women favored a low bun with a straight parting or "nodus," which is a roller of hair gathered above the forehead, during the Republic era, which lasted until 27 AD.
The history of hairstyles took a new turn when hairframe structures emerged during the Empire’s rule over the Republic. Wire was used to braid and arrange curls in multiple tiers. "Tutulus," a variation of the frame hairstyle featuring curls gathered high above the head, is another option.
Ancient Rome introduced the world to a wide variety of hairstyles; women there frequently changed their hairstyles throughout the day as fashion changed swiftly.
Among the Roman fashions that were popular were:
- Hairstyle of Empress Agrippina the Younger – slightly curled bangs, combined with voluminous sides. Long curled strands descended along the back of the neck;
- Hairstyle "Octavia" – wavy temples, a voluminous forelock above the forehead, turning into a braid, and then into several braids, coiled;
- Hedgehog haircut.
Renaissance
The Middle Ages occurred between the Ancient World and the Renaissance, but it was marked by no particular innovations. Instead, people used the accomplishments of their ancient ancestors, curling their hair and shaving the top of their heads, and in China, shaving almost all of their hair and leaving only ponytails and braids.
Another thing is the Renaissance, which was the era from the fourteenth to the seventeenth century. It was a welcome diversion from the gloomy times, allowing people to unwind and begin anew in every way.
Currently, hairstyles are one area where creativity is on display. The royal family was the fashion trendsetter of that era, establishing the standard for everything from pants to hairstyles.
All of the hairstyle innovations at the start of the era originated in Florence; there, light hair and a high forehead were popular. In an attempt to make their foreheads appear larger, some women even shaved the hair above them.
Women were literally forced to make sacrifices to follow the trend toward lighter hair; they had to use inferior bleaching agents or sit in the hot sun until their hair burned out.
The intricacy of Renaissance hairstyles can be followed through paintings created by artists from that era. One of Sandro Botticelli’s paintings featuring Simonetta Vespucci, the main beauty of that era, demonstrates the intricate and deliberate hairstyles.
These decorations include ribbons, curls, braids, and pearl beads. When the forehead is open at the same moment, it was a true trend.
Victorian era
The Victorian era, which spanned 1837 to 1901, featured once more intricate hairstyles. The most fashionable look is a bun with curls tucked in at the temples.
A second, equally popular style is two braids wound around the ears. In her younger years, Queen Victoria adored this hairstyle, but regular women also enjoyed wearing this unusual fashion.
The Pompadour hairstyle, which features hair gathered in big buns on the crown, became popular by the end of the 19th century. Charles Gibson’s definition of beauty is linked to this trend. The "Gibson Girls" illustrations introduced straightforward yet feminine styling options into the fashion world.
20th century
The first significant breakthroughs in the field of hairdressing happened in tandem with Gibson’s fashion, which continued to have an influence on women’s hairstyles.
Hans Schwarzkopf first introduced the first shampoo in 1903, and a new technique for curling hair debuted in 1905.
- A special soda composition was applied to the strands;
- Soaked hair was curled on curlers;
- Curlers heated the hair with an electric current for 6 hours.
However, the development’s creator, Karl Nessler, burned his assistant’s hair twice because the method did not catch on.
However, it should be noted that Karl’s invention would not have been adopted in the first place because, in 1914, girls wore short hairstyles and joined the military as nurses. However, there was no time to lament the disappearance of the braid because short hair swiftly gained popularity.
Although women were no longer required to cut their hair in 1920, short haircuts proved to be so practical that they could not be abandoned. Rather, stylish hairstyles like the "Marseille wave," or what’s now known as Hollywood waves, started to emerge. The Marseille wave was originally called after the hairstylist Marcel Grato, but it was later given a new name because Hollywood celebrities loved this hairstyle.
The Marseille wave was influenced by Marcel Grato’s invention of special tongs in 1880, which were an analogue of contemporary curling irons. Girls had no time for this before 1920 – first the Gibson fashion, then the war – but as soon as the difficulties were over, the invention and the ensuing hairstyle became well-known.
In addition to the fashionable looks, the well-known short bob haircut made an appearance. Its name is connected to the dancer Irene Bob, who was compelled by illness to cut her long hair. The girl took great care to conceal her haircut, but one day she appeared in high society and introduced a new hairstyle that became popular.
The next phase of hairstyle history starts in the 1930s and ends in the 1950s, when short blond hair became popular. Although Marilyn Monroe is typically credited with starting this trend, actress Jean Harlow actually did so much earlier.
Blond hair, which Marilyn now pushed, and buns, which Audrey Hepburn set as the standard for, coexisted side by side in the 1950s and 60s. Even so, at the time, fashion was carefree; various styling techniques and loose curls were acceptable. The most important thing is to demonstrate life enjoyment and freedom from war.
The voluminous roller hairstyle, known as the "babette" hairstyle, gained popularity in 1959 following the premiere of Brigitte Bardot’s film "Babette Goes to War," which starred Bardot in the lead role.
And so new hairstyles started to appear one after the other in fashion:
- Afro-braids and dreadlocks – thanks to Bob Marley;
- Mullet – it was set by the then popular singer Cher. Later, this style was changed and became more calm, and in the original it was a short -haired crown, literally creating a lion"s mane, and long hair flowing on the back.
- Cascade – the TV series “Friends” and Rachel with her voluminous, multi-level haircut tried their best here.
Fashion of the 2000s
Lastly, a few early 21st-century trends that evoke nostalgia. Firstly, short hair is so last century. Long curls are in this season. These curls were often worn loose rather than in hairstyles. A girl was deemed a true fashionista if her hair color was light.
Highlighting is the primary dream of girls who were unlucky to be blonde. Even though the method was still fairly rudimentary at the time, the lighter stripes were noticeable and prominent, especially on dark hair.
Elastic curls in a variety of sizes became popular closer to 2008. The better the curl, the more defined it is. Every respectable fashionista owned the 00s must-have accessories: large velvet-covered elastic bands and crab hairpins.
The experiences that hair has had throughout human history have shaped modern hairstyles. Which historical period, in your opinion, had the biggest influence on the development of hairstyles? Post your thoughts in the comments section!
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Hairstyles have always been more than just a way to wear hair; from the straightforward and utilitarian prehistoric styles to the intricate and expressive trends of today, they represent the social, cultural, and technological advancements of their respective eras and demonstrate how our perceptions of identity and beauty have changed over time.
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| Era | Hairstyle |
| Prehistoric | Simple, practical styles often tied back or left loose. |
| Ancient Egypt | Elaborate braids and wigs made from human hair. |
| Ancient Greece | Curly hair styled in updos or left to flow naturally. |
| Renaissance | High, intricate updos with ribbons and jewels. |
| Victorian | Tight curls and buns, often adorned with accessories. |
| 1920s | Short bob cuts, straight and sleek. |
| 1960s | Voluminous beehives and sleek pixie cuts. |
| 2000s | Layered, textured cuts with a focus on versatility. |
Hairstyles have never been limited to how you wear your hair. They narrate tales about our origins, identities, and the evolution of our societies. Hair has always been a potent symbol of identity, from the straightforward braids of ancient cultures to the striking, expressive styles of the present.
Hair has historically been used as a gauge of social standing, cultural values, and even political movements. Every era’s hairstyle provides an insight into the ideals and fashions of its day, whether it be the ornate wigs of the 18th century or the rebellious cuts of the 20th century.
Looking back, it’s evident that hairstyles will always change in response to the dynamic environment we live in. The role that hair plays in self-expression—in defining our individual styles and helping us connect to our past—remains constant.
