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Mannequin Heads!  When I began my journey into the history of cosmetology, I discovered that my local library did not produce anything about the origin of the field of cosmetology or hair history. The internet, on the other hand has numerous sites that will take you back through the eons of time to discover the history of cosmetology and hair history. It has been jokingly said that Cosmetologists are the 2nd oldest profession in the world because someone had to take care of those in the oldest profession. Though it is probably true that ancient beauticians probably did take care of ‘the oldest professionals’ I am certain that the earliest uses of cosmetics and hair design are linked to Royalty, and members of high society and many times religious ceremony. Eventually through time it became a part of all of our lives in one way or another. Everyone can use a hairdresser; men, women, girls and boys. And though spa treatments are popping up all over the world like never before - Spas are nothing new. Egyptians, Romans and Greeks are well known for their use of essential oils and bathing systems.  ‘The earliest use of cosmetics has been traced to the ancient Egyptian, who invented a number of cosmetic, herbal, and fragrance preparations for use in their personal grooming regimens as well as in religious ceremonies and burial rites. The Egyptians were the first to develop methods for extracting herbal and flower essences through distillation, which is still the preferred method of extracting essential oils today. The Egyptians believed in cleanliness and built elaborate systems for bathing that were later adopted by the Greeks and Romans.’ Quote taken from Milady’s Standard Fundamentals for Estheticians ninth edition, page 5. This book also gives a brief history on the cosmetic and hair grooming practices of the Hebrews, Greeks, Romans, Asians, Africans, The Middle Ages, The Renaissance, The Victorian Age and the 20th century. |
Egyptian hairstyles varied with age, gender and social status. Children’s heads were shaved off or cut short except for a long lock of hair left on the side of the head, this s-shaped lock was depicted by the hieroglyphic symbol of a child or youth. Both girls and boys wore this style until the onset of puberty. Older boys often shaved their heads, while girls had ponytails hanging down the center of the back. Egyptian men had short hair, leaving their ears visible. Another hairstyle for men was distinctive short curls covering the ears shaping a bend from temple to nape. Women's hairstyles were more unique than those of men. Women generally preferred a smooth, close coiffure, a natural wave and long curl. Women in the Old Kingdom preferred to have short cuts or chin length bobs. However in the New Kingdom they had long hair or touted a wig. Women tied and decorated their head with flowers and linen ribbons. A stylized golden lotus blossom was the preferred adornment. Poor people used more simple and inexpensive ornaments of petals and berries. Children decorated their heads with amulets of small fish to protect from the dangers of the Nile. Children sometimes used rings or clasps, ancient Egyptians wore headbands around their heads or held their hair in place with ivory and metal hairpins. Wigs were very popular and worn by men, women and children. They were adorned both inside and outside of the house. Egyptians put on a new wig each day and wigs were greatly varied in styles. The primary function of the wig was as a headdress for special occasions, such as ceremonies and banquets. Wigs were curled or sometimes made with a succession of plaits. Only queens or noble ladies could wear wigs of long hair separated into three parts, the so-called goddress.  Check out www.abc.net.au/foreign/stories/s957804.htm for the article about the opening of a Beauty School in Afghanistan where I obtained most of the following information. There is currently a zero unemployment rate in the field of cosmetology, and probably always has been. Even during the ‘Great Depression’ in the U.S. there were no job shortages for anyone who could provide hair services. Consider the fact that before the year 2003, Kabul, Afghanistan was a city raped of beauty during the ruthless years of the Taliban regime. Now, beauty salons have cropped up all over the city. Finally women openly work at what they'd been doing in secret under the Taliban. Afghanistan is a country where 60 percent of the women are widows and most of those in this class are the bread winners of the family. Beauty is still a luxury for the Afghan woman, one wedding makeover can earn them the comparable earnings of a tradesman's monthly wage. An Afghan beautician earns a lot more than a physician. Doctors charge 30 afghanis for a visit – a beautician charges 300 afghanis for hairstyling. Being a beautician means a much better income than being a doctor in Kabul. During the Taliban time if an Afghan woman bared her face in public she could face the horror of having acid thrown in her face scarring her for life among many other horrible fates. Yet Afghan women risked everything for the sake of looking beautiful. It was an act of boldness that allowed them a scrap of control in a life controlled by others. Knowing this about the women in Afghanistan, I believe there will always be a demand for cosmetology services around the world. Even if women must give and receive these services underground. It seems that when times are rough, even destitute, that is when people have the strongest desire to feel good about themselves. It is up to you to provide them with that look and that feeling of well being. If you have, or will develop the people skills to build a clientele, then you should be a success! |
Believe it or not HAIR EXTENSIONS are nothing new. Many colonial women in America would save the hair that came out of their own head every day in a little jar known as a 'hair tidy'. Hair pieces were made from the lost hair - which of course perfectly matched. They would form large 'rats' from the fallen hair - just a big ball of ratted hair which they could then place strategically within their hairstyle to create that big hair look you could see on 'Miss Kitty' of 'Gun Smoke', or Miss Scarlett in 'Gone With The Wind'. You probably never thought of those as hair extensions, but that is exactly what they were. Of course, modern day hair extensions are made of human and synthetic hair in a wide variety of colors and textures - but they can still provide that big hair look - just a bit more sexy for the modern woman. The National Accrediting Commission of Cosmetology Arts and Sciences (NACCAS) recently commissioned a new 2003 study of cosmetology job demand within professional salons and salon chains. According to that survey the average income for a salon professional in America is $30,000.00 to $50,000.00 per year. www.naccas.org  When describing cosmetology practices in the Dark Ages of Britain it is an act of educated speculation which you can find at the following web page: www.ironcrown.com/forums/topic.asp?ARCHIVE=true&TOPIC_ID=891 They (the Brits) probably used chalk to whiten neck and forehead, red ochre for lips and cheeks, ashes to darken eyebrows. Hot tongs to curl hair. Hair was always long and parted in the middle. Just look at any of the aged works of art during that time, and it would be a matter of deduction. It is known that public baths with heated floors were a major form of entertainment. Men and women undressed in different rooms, and walked through a series of five rooms, which got hotter and hotter until the sweat dripped off them, which they then scraped off with a sickle-like knife, and oiled themselves with light oil before immersing themselves in the bath-proper. The baths had restaurants, meeting rooms, and exercise rooms. Everyone wore tunics. Women could have pleats. Women wore mantles; men, togas. The mantles and togas were kept in place with a shoulder broach, or nothing. Sometimes the men belted their togas with pants or loincloth beneath. In winter they would wear two or three tunics for warmth. Rich and poor alike wore the same tunic to bed as they wore during the day.  In ancient China beautiful nails were a prominent part of a person’s image. In Japan the art of the Geisha and her makeup is centuries old, probably originating after 1600 A.D. The classic vision of the Geisha is her white face, red lips, dark eyes and ornate hair. |
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PERMANENT MAKE-UP also known as micropigmentation is fast becoming a popular remedy for smudging eyeliner, bleeding lipstick, and uncontrollable eyebrows. But what most people don't realize is that permanent makeup is a wonderful cosmetic procedure for cancer patients who have lost their hair. For them, very natural looking eyebrows and eyelash enhancers are a God-send. For those with Breast reconstruction - just having color implanted for an areola is incredibly uplifting. FAMOUS FOR THEIR HAIR Super celebrity Ophra Winfrey - of course. "it's all about the hair" she's been heard to say on her show while tossing that lucious black mane in motion like a super model. Jennifer Anniston, who is known for her hairstyles even more than her acting ability. Billy Ray Cyrus, who made the now out-dated mullet famous. The worst hair of course, goes to David Spade, Courtney Love, and Don King. You MUST go into the cosmetology profession and help these people! |
www.wigswebs.com/historywig/ www.queensnewyork.com/history/hair.html www.costumegallery.com/hairstyles.htm inventors.about.com/library/inventors/blbeauty.htm?once=true& www.depilatory.com/ages.htm www.beautyworlds.com/ |
This is a wonderful site that gives you - finally what you need - regarding cosmetology history, hair history, and skin care history. Find out the current average cosmetologist salary. There is also a spot about a new Afghanistan beauty school. Lots of information about ancient hairstyles including ancient egyptian hairstyles. Check out - people famous for their hair, and see who has the worst hair - david spade, courtney love, and don king. Of course Ophra is famous for her hair along with many others. Also find out about permanent makeup also known as micropigmentation by clicking on the touch-of-magic link. The following links are not related to cosmetololgy, but can also be found on this site: Books by Annalee Skarin Info and books about Trans Ams |