How Wigs Changed Beauty and the Modern Society

Since the ancient civilization, wigs played a major role in the social scene starting from the Egyptian and Roman times. Wigs were used during daily life of the Egyptian royals and elites and also for major festivals and events. Ancient Egyptian hairstyles and use of wigs varied with social status, gender, and age. But the climate and medical issues also formed a unique influence when it comes to wearing a certain hairstyle or wig. Other ancient cultures, including the Romans, Greeks, Middle Easterns, and Mediterraneans also used wigs as an everyday fashion. Their styles and sizes often indicated religious piety and status in the community.

The use of wigs continued until during the 18th and 19th Century. During the Victorian era, the wearing of wigs as a symbol of social standing was abandoned. Although some women continued to wear wigs, most preferred to look natural. In the court of Queen Victoria, the ladies wore shorter fringes and headpieces with simple designs. Back in the 18th century, men's wigs became smaller and more formal with several professions adopting them as part of their official costumes. This tradition survives in a few legal systems like the ones routinely worn in various countries of the British Empire. 



Notable wearers of wigs during the 19th century were the royals and elites of France as epitomized by Marie Antoinette and other British royals. By this time the wigs were large, elaborate and often themed wigs which were often very heavy, weighted down with pomades, powders, and other ornamentation. Wigs became symbolic of the decadence of the French nobility until before French Revolution in 1789.

In the 20th and 21st Centuries, wigs are not only used for beauty, fun and entertainment, but also to address medical problems like balding problems, thinning hair and for people who are undergoing chemotherapy and radiation treatment. But nowadays, as science and technology progressing wigs are looking and feeling better than ever, and they're now ideal for both cosmetic and medical purposes.

Ladies wigs have been very popular, especially in western cultures. Main consumers are mostly colored women but Human wigs for white women are also becoming a trend especially when Cosplaying became huge and when celebrities and music artists started wearing them without being embarrassed about them. 

Wigs never lost their popularity mainly because they can be very useful in many ways. There are some that use wigs in order to change or improve their look. Sometimes, women who would like to stand out during a special occasion and may use wigs or try wearing a wig for change in looks without having to dye their hair or subject them to damage. Remember when ombre and multi-colored hair became popular among Youtube and Instagram influencers? Almost everyone was sporting ombre lace front wigs and people loved it. 

What’s not to love about wigs? There’s a lot of wide variety of styles to choose from. From short to long wigs, small to large wigs, from black, brunette to blonde lace front wigs and even ridiculous ones. The possibilities are endless. 

At the end of the day, the most important thing is one should always maintain a healthy sense of self, besides having a healthy head of hair and scalp. As long as that primary goal is being accomplished, go ahead and keep changing your hair to match your any mood, outfit or look. 

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