Ancient Egyptian hair dressing

Form the very early ages the appearance has been an important issue for the people. It is believed that the appearance of a person is the reflection of his personality. And our hair is the most integral part to build up our appearance. Often the personality of a character is reflected in a person’s hairstyle.

In the ancient times the Egyptians had a lot of concern about their hairstyles. And their hairstyles varied with their age. While it is seen in the ancient Egypt the children had their head shaved except for a long lock of hair on the side of the hair. This lock was called the side-lock of the youth. In the hieroglyphic symbols this s-shaped lock were found and were both boys and girls wore these locks until their puberty. The young boys often found to have shaved heads where as young girls had plaits or even used ponytails. The edge of the ponytails was either naturally curled or was done so.

Now comes the styling of the Egyptian men. They usually had short hair but the ears were left visible. They also used distinctive short curls covering the ears shaping a bend from temple to nape. But this hairstyle is thought not to be natural, rather the result of an occasionally done process of hair curling. Egyptian women also had their unique style statement. They naturally preferred long, smooth curly and wavy hair. While the women in the old kingdom had short cuts or chin length bobs, the women in the new kingdom had long hairs or used wigs. Egyptians were very fond of using wigs. Women used to decorate their hair with flowers and ribbons. They also used gold ornaments on their hair. But the common women who could not afford the luxury of using gold used ornaments of petals and berries to hold their hair at the back. Children often used amulets of small fish to decorate their hair. Headbands and hairpins made of metal or ivory were used in that age to hold the hair in place. And even beads were used to attach wigs.

While the Egyptians were very much cautious about their hairstyle, the slaves and servants were not allowed the same hairstyle as the nobility. In that case they used to tie the hair in kind of loop at the back of their head. There was also another hairstyle common to them, which was done by tying the hair in 8-9 long plaits at the back of the head and dangled together at one side of the neck and face.

As stated earlier wigs were very popular to the Egyptians. Men, women and even children used to wear wigs. Often they used to shave their hair bald replacing the natural hair with wigs. They used a great variety of wigs and they used a new wig each day. This was the primary headdress for special occasions like ceremonies and banquets.

The Egyptians had a great care for their hair. They washed their hair regularly. They also used a material called henna for taking care of their hair. They also had great care for their wigs, as it was the most inevitable part of their hair dressing.