Egyptians Used Hair Extensions as Early as 3400 B.C.

Who wore the first hair extensions?

Egyptian women, and men, used human hair or sheep’s wool to make hair extensions and wigs at least as early as 3400 B.C., according to Egyptologist Ilene Springer.

Ornate hair extensions were then, as now, a form of artistic self expression.

Even their wigs had extensions because there seems to have been no such thing as too much hair in ancient Egyptian fashion.

Wigs and extensions were made with a variety of clever weaves and knots that were secured into or onto the real hair (or the scalp) with beeswax and resin. Men often wore more elaborate extension styles and fuller wigs than women.

Braids were a favorite form of hair extension, often woven into intricate designs to provide more length and style. Many well-to-do women, and royalty, were buried with a duplicate set of braids. Hey, you never know….

A History of Hair Ornaments

Here’s a fascinating history of hair ornaments and hair styles in Japan. Historically, the longer the hair, the greater the nobility and beauty; and hair ornaments were talismans to protect them from evil. At various times through Japanese history, and today, hair extensions helped to create popular styles.

Just for Fun - Video: Hair Styles Through the Ages

Hair Dress Through the Ages is a tongue-in-cheek video about historic hair styles that makes the point about how silly trying to be trendy can be. Incredibly, it is distributed by the State of Georgia, Department of Education. Citizens’ tax dollars, hard at work. We bring it to you just for laughs, of course. :>)