The first hair cut done in space was in 2013 aboard the International Space Station. That unique record belongs to astronaut Christopher Cassidy.
Many people don’t think much of hair (I used to be among them) but it is a dynamic part of our history. It has evolved over the ages following along our progress like a crown sitting atop us.
Braids
Changing hair arose from a practical use. Long hair covering eyes was a distraction from the meaningful work, and so from that came the idea of braiding hair, perhaps inspired by the way straws were made.
Braids were of many kind: Fishtail braid seen in ancient Egyptian paintings, corn braid in Africa, twisted braid popular in 18th century Europe, French braid during the Italian Rennaissance.
In African culture hairstyles carried a vital role conveying identity. When during 18th century in America the enslaved Africans were given day off on Sunday, the first thing to occupy them was styling their hair. Even lacking the usual tools they made do with their ingenuity using substances such as wax, butter and more.
Curls
Curls fall on the face, sharpening and enhancing the looks. The oldest tool to curl hair was found in Ancient Egypt.
The Assyrians had uniform curl in their hair and beard, achieved using a method that remained in use for 1,000 years. It spread through Asia and Europe.
Marcel Grateau invented the Marcel Wave. This came to be adopted by Hollywood hairdressers.
Loose hair
Loose hair is, well, free. In modern times it might seem odd to some hair. How is that a hairstyle?
For women, hair has been long considered along with seduction and eroticism. In many cultures in past hair was unveiled only during the intimate moments. During Renaissance even painting of women with loose hair was sometimes called taboo.
The noblewomen of Japan, abandoning the Chinese traditions, wore long, loose hair during the Heian era. Preferably it would grow so long it would reach the ground. Naturally that would take a lot of maintenance.
Blond hair
The ancient Egyptians, Greeks and Persians desired the colour of gods. They held the colour of sun and gold as an element of the gods. That’s only nature: we will long for things we don’t have. Different skin colour, different eye colour, different hair colour.
In the path to go blond, people took many measures during 15th century. After coating their hair in a repulsive mix of ingredients, women bared their heads as if a sacrifice under the scorching sun. The mixtures wouldn’t be touched for days until it acquired a reddish-gold shade. The effects of sunstroke didn’t matter.
In Hollywood too blond quickly became very popular since the 1950s. Few can forget Marilyn Monroe.
Mohawk
Mohawks came to be seen as a sign of rebellion. Perhaps it was only natural because it resembled the hair of animal. It is a crest of hair standing from front to back.
Despite its North American name, this style has been found in many cultures, on more than one continent.
In Ireland the body of Clonycavan man, dating back 2300 years ago, was discovered wearing a Mohawk hairstyle.
Chigon
For almost my whole life I never knew a ponytail and chigon were connected. A ponytail is the simplest form of chigon, a style where hair is drawn up to leave the neck bare.
Asian women excel in this style.
In 5th century Rome, women donned the most sophisticated styles to get the attention of men while in a competition with each other.
Wigs
I never considered wigs to have a connection to hair style. Now I feel foolish due to that laziness of mind.
Ancient Egyptians used wigs for many purposes: protect from sun, hide physical imperfection, change look or color of one’s hair, mark status.
Roman women wished to change the wigs as much as 3 times a day. I wouldn’t desire to change 3 times a month even.
Women always had to suffer for reaching beauty. Like the Nihongami hairstyle of Japan, which is so elaborate the women needed neck support merely to support. Now though, instead of styling the hair many simply use a wig.
Short hair
Short hair is seen commonly as symbol of masculinity even in today’s world. My family believes all the boys bearing long hair as ‘children who were raised wrong at some point’. A rather stupid point but that’s an indication of reality for many.
Since the 1960s it started to became more accepted for women, though many places still abhor the idea.
During the Edo period the middle class women of Japan cut their hair short to save time and money. But unfortunately banned it in 1872 because it was “masculine”.
To End:
There are much more to hair styles than I know or could cover. It is an art, after all. Ever evolving there will be even more.