If ever there’s a much more colorful history than human history, it would be the wig. Just as man has struggled so much time and again, so has the wig has struggled to keep its place (no pun intended).
Today wigs come as either human hair or synthetic. However, there was a time when horse hair was the popular material used for wigs. The earliest known use of wigs is during ancient Egyptian times. Egyptians then would shave their heads in order to keep away from lice. Unfortunately, this also meant that their heads are exposed to the hot desert sun. Thus, the wig was born. Wigs then were made from palm fibers and animal hair. Gold and silver were used to decorate the wig making it a status symbol.
Since ancient Egyptian women preferred their hair to be thick, human hair as well as sheep wool fiber were used to come up with the wig. These wigs were dyed and decorated to make them look lush and clean.
Unfortunately, wigs human hair or not, were not as popular in other parts of the world as they were in Egypt. It was not until the 16th century that wigs became stylish. This time, it was made stylish by the Europeans who made use of periwigs. Just like before, these wigs not only posed as a cover for bald heads but also were seen as status symbols since only royalties and high ranking officials were allowed to use them. Aside from adorning them with jewelries, they were also powdered in order to keep their immaculate white appearance.
Another blow to the wig industry came in the latter part of the 18th century when the English government passed a law taxing the powder being used for wigs. By then, women’s wigs are only worn by older ladies who needed to attend formal gatherings. In France, it did not help that people related the wig to the royalties that they abhor.
Today, although the wig is no longer seen as a status symbol, it has held its place as a solution for people who would like to cover up balding areas. Women’s wigs particularly have also grown to become a fashion statement for those who would like to spot different hairstyles without bothering to wait for months for their hair to grow back.
Today wigs come as either human hair or synthetic. However, there was a time when horse hair was the popular material used for wigs. The earliest known use of wigs is during ancient Egyptian times. Egyptians then would shave their heads in order to keep away from lice. Unfortunately, this also meant that their heads are exposed to the hot desert sun. Thus, the wig was born. Wigs then were made from palm fibers and animal hair. Gold and silver were used to decorate the wig making it a status symbol.
Since ancient Egyptian women preferred their hair to be thick, human hair as well as sheep wool fiber were used to come up with the wig. These wigs were dyed and decorated to make them look lush and clean.
Unfortunately, wigs human hair or not, were not as popular in other parts of the world as they were in Egypt. It was not until the 16th century that wigs became stylish. This time, it was made stylish by the Europeans who made use of periwigs. Just like before, these wigs not only posed as a cover for bald heads but also were seen as status symbols since only royalties and high ranking officials were allowed to use them. Aside from adorning them with jewelries, they were also powdered in order to keep their immaculate white appearance.
Another blow to the wig industry came in the latter part of the 18th century when the English government passed a law taxing the powder being used for wigs. By then, women’s wigs are only worn by older ladies who needed to attend formal gatherings. In France, it did not help that people related the wig to the royalties that they abhor.
Today, although the wig is no longer seen as a status symbol, it has held its place as a solution for people who would like to cover up balding areas. Women’s wigs particularly have also grown to become a fashion statement for those who would like to spot different hairstyles without bothering to wait for months for their hair to grow back.