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History of Cosmetology

A well-rounded education is important to your professional career and your confidence in your skills. ImageWorks Cosmetology course includes learning about the history of cosmetology.

History of Cosmetology - A Primer

Hairdressing is known as the art of arranging hair or changing the look of its natural state. Almost all people in history have done some kind of arrangement with their hair.

Egyptians, for the purpose of the heat, clipped their hair to their heads for everyday wear. As for ceremonial occasions, many wore heavy, curly black wigs. Women's wigs were long and braided with some ornaments and hairpins. Beards were not very popular with the Egyptians as few wore them.

In Greece women wore their hair long and pulled back into a chignon. Many used henna and/or gold powder. Some women wore jewelry such as tiaras or fresh flowers in their hair for admiration. Men had short hair and occasionally a male would have their head shaved.

In Rome only the richer upper class people would have the opportunity to use curling irons and gold powder. Women dyed their hair blonde or wore wigs. Hairdressing was only popular in the upper class and many slaves had to attend to them.

There was not much of a variety for the Muslim community. Men wore a turban and women hid their hair under a veil.

In Africa, there were many tribal customs and hair signified their status. Masai warriors tied hair back into braids, while hair was waist length. Non-warriors and women shaved their heads. While many other tribes dyed hair red and sometimes were known to use animal dung to stiffen hair.

In other countries such as Japan, men shaved only the front of there hair and kept the back pulled tight into a ponytail. Women's hair was long and later on jewelry and pins decorated and adorned their hair.

Native American Indians often had their whole heads shaved, except for a ridge of hair along the crown. Although some Indians wore their hair in long braids with feathers among the hair. The Incas had their hair in short bobs and wore head bands.

In the 16th century Queen Elizabeth was the main icon in the fashion of hairdressing. By the 18th century more people wore wigs highly curled and piled very high upon the head. "Big" hair was very popular for both the men and the women. Men wore their hair pulled back with a black bow, while bows, garlands and feathers were the decorations the women chose.

In the early 19th century, Sarah Breedlove, also known as Madam C.J. Walker, built up a beauty empire which included the sale and manufacture of hair care products, because of this she became the first female self-made millionaire. She built the first cosmetology school and trained hundreds of people. Madam C.J. Walker raised awareness nation-wide of the cosmetology career.

In the 1920's hair changed dramatically from the constraints of the Victorian life. Also known as the roaring twenties, people wanted short, bobbed, and waved styles. It showed new independence, and being free-spirited. Mens hair was slicked back and parted.

In the 1940's women continued to have the softer more romantic look, with curls, that were longer and more natural looking. Tanning started to become more popular because of the "Hollywood" look. Towards the time the war began, shampoo became hard to come by. With women working in factories and earning the money, many women wore there hair in a simple roll around the nape and over the ears. Rollers became a big part of women's styling and women often wore headscarves.

By the 1950's the war was at its end and the more glamorous look was popular. Women finally were able to resume their house keeping, and they were to do so looking very good. Perming, teasing, sculpting, and a lot of make-up started to become very important. Men then started to look up to their idols, such as Elvis, and so greased back hair and sideburns became very popular.

In the 1960's short and backcombed started to become more idealistic. Women were starting to get back into the work force and need something easier and less difficult. Blonde hair was the "in" thing and darker hair often was given highlights. The era was labeled the all American girl-next-door look. In 1962 "The Hairdressers Act of Nova Scotia" was born. Before this time, people just did hair as a hobby, some did it for just a part time job. But for the most part people were just known to be handy with hair. Members had to pay $10 to be able to call themselves a hairdresser.

Tanned skin, big hair, soft partings, glossy lips and long bangs quickly became the 1970's look. Men also got the feathered cuts with many soft layers. Later in that decade spiked hair and more of a "punk" look became desirable for some people. Although that look too also faded away and choppy off-colored hair rised in the 1980's.

During the 1990's cosmetics were changing rapidly. A huge style was called the "Rachel" cut which was the cut Jennifer Aniston's character in the hit show "Friends". Also, blonde hair with multi-toned highlights became a look almost the entire world had gone to. Men took the easy way out, and in the 90's many men had shaved heads.

Today cosmetology has grown into a professional career. New styles allow cosmetologists to learn new techniques, and how to use new products. The prices rise often due to new changes and more extravagant work on hair. Cosmetology has a wide-set constant demand; there is no limit to what you can do working as a cosmetologist.

Cited from Wikispaces

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