Throughout human history, hairstyles have been a significant part of fashion, identity, and social status. From Japanese hairstyles to the iconic bobs of the swinging sixties, the evolution of hair trends reflects the cultural and historical shifts of each era.

This article delves into the history of popular hairstyles and preferences and explores their modern revivals.

Women’s Hair: What Hairstyles Women Wore Through History

1. The Middle Ages: Symbolism and Status of Long Hair

In the Middle Ages, women’s hairstyles were often elaborate, symbolizing marital status and social rank. Most women had their hair long and flowing, with the upper classes displaying intricate braids and headpieces.

For example, married women often cover their hair with veils or wimples, while unmarried women flaunt their loose hair as a sign of their availability.

2. The Late Victorian Era Hairstyle: Elegance and Restraint

The Victorian era saw women adopting more restrained and elegant styled hair. Hair long and styled into buns, chignons, and intricate updos were popular among upper-class women. The trend reflected the period’s emphasis on modesty and sophistication.

Elegant women often used wigs and hairpieces to achieve these elaborate looks, enhancing their natural style with curls.

3. The Roaring Twenties: Short and Chic

The 1920s brought a dramatic shift in women’s hairstyles with the rise of shorter hairstyles. The iconic short hair became a symbol of the flapper movement, representing women’s newfound independence and modernity.

This era’s style marked the first significant departure from long-flowing hair, as women embraced shorter, more practical fashion.

4. The Swinging Sixties Hairstyle: Bold and Revolutionary

The swinging sixties were characterized by bold experimentation and revolutionary styles. Women’s hairstyles during this decade varied widely, from short pixie cuts to long hairstyles.

The afro became a powerful symbol of black identity and pride, while the mod look popularized geometric cuts and bobs.

5. Traditional Japanese Hairstyles: Timeless Elegance

Japanese hairstyles have a rich history, like the shimada and nihongami reflecting cultural and social significance. These elaborate updos, often adorned with hairpins and combs, were worn by women during special occasions and symbolized elegance.

Today, the style is often revived for cultural festivals and ceremonies, showcasing their timeless appeal.

6. West African Hairstyles: Cultural Identity

In Africa, hairstyles have always played a significant role in cultural identity and social status. Braids, twists, and intricate patterns have been used to signify various aspects of life, such as age, marital status, and tribal affiliation. Women styled their dark hair in ways that not only reflected their beauty but also conveyed their social standing and personal history.

Throughout this age, black people wore their hair in a natural look, emphasizing the curls and the significance of braids. These styles were worn with pride on their head, representing a deep connection to African heritage and identity.

Historical trends show that headwear and hairstyles were often styled to create unique and meaningful looks, contributing to the rich tapestry of West African hair. For them, it’s a form of art, including how a haircut is done. 

In the modern era, these traditional styles have seen a resurgence. Contemporary trends embrace the natural curly hair and intricate ponytail, with many people wearing these styles as a form of cultural expression and pride. This revival highlights the timeless appeal of West African woman’s hairstyles and their importance in the history of fashion.

Women’s Hairstyles Blending Past and Present

Today’s hair trends often draw inspiration from historical styles, blending the past with contemporary fashion. Long flowing hair remains a classic choice, while the revival of bobs and pixie cuts continues to dominate the fashion scene.

Natural styles, such as loose curls, emphasize the beauty of natural texture. The popularity of traditional hairstyles, like head gears and afros, highlights a growing appreciation for cultural heritage and diversity.

Embracing Collection of Heritage and Innovation

Hairstyles have always been more than just a fashion statement. They are an art and cultural expression. The modern revival of hairstyles reflects a deep appreciation for the past while embracing the innovation and creativity of the present. Whether it’s the elegant updos of the Victorian era or the bold afros of the sixties, these continue to inspire and influence hair fashion today.

For example, the bob haircut, once a rebellious statement in the 1920s decade, remains a fashionable choice today. Modern collections often include wigs and headbands to recreate vintage styles, allowing individuals to wear historical looks with a contemporary twist.

Decades of hair fashion serve as a symbol of cultural evolution, from the elaborate braids of West Africa to the sleek, shaved looks popularized in recent years. A hairstyle not only reflects the clothing and dress of their time but also captures the essence of each decade’s unique identity and trends.

By celebrating these diverse and rich histories, we honor the artistry and cultural significance that hairstyles represent across eras and regions.

Do you ever wear your hair down at the beginning of the day, only to end up wearing it in a ponytail? Kind of inevitable when you live in a country that’s always so humid.

Even though you feel much more comfortable with your hair up, ponytails are actually pretty damaging to your hair and scalp.

We’re not saying avoid tying your hair up all together. That’s crazy, considering the climate we’re living in. Nah. We just want you to do right by your locks, styling them properly so that your hair is as healthy as it can be.

Here are the rules for hair care when it comes to ponytails:

DO NOT: Wear a ponytail every day

High and tight ponytails are the most damaging styles for your hair, causing a lot of breakage, hair loss, and maybe even leading to bald patches. Give your roots a break by mixing up your hairstyles, maybe going for a low bun or ponytail, braids or simple pins. Whatever you do, just try to limit the number of times you wear your hair in a high ponytail.

DO: Wear your hair down when you sleep

A lot of us put our hair in a bun when we sleep since our tresses can be irritating as we toss and turn in the night. But with night being the time that your skin recovers and regenerates, it’s best to leave your hair down, or at least loose to give your scalp some downtime. For the best results, silk and satin pillowcases prevent your strands from getting pulled throughout the night.

DO NOT: Tie your hair too tightly

You already know the damages that a tight ponytail can cause to your hair, but did you know that too much stress on your hair follicles can lead to headaches and hair loss? The chances of those happening increase when you have dry or damaged hair. When a hair tie is stretched out, replace it with a new one rather than knotting it around your hair one too many times.

Also, be careful with the strands around your hairline. You’re best leaving them loose since they’re way more prone to breakage than the rest of your tresses.

DO: Use fabric hair ties

Elastic bands and hair bands with metal fasteners are the worst things you can use for ponytails, as they can dent and snag your hair. Rubber hair ties with threaded fabric are no good either, since your hair can still get caught on the rubber band and result in tangling or hair loss. Instead, go for fabric scrunches or bands, as they’re gentle on your locks and don’t leave any kinks after wearing your ponytail for a period of time.

DO NOT: Tie your hair when wet

Your hair is most vulnerable when it’s wet, so why damage it further by tying it up? Doing so will stretch your hair, causing it to be frail and brittle. Weak strands mean high chances of breakage. Dents and snags are much worse with wet hair. Plus, you’ll get more knots in your hair if you don’t let it dry before putting it up.

DO: Use a serum before tying your hair

In addition to letting your hair dry beforehand, applying a serum will help your hair band glide over without snagging your hair. It also offers a nice bit of shine as a finishing touch.

DO NOT: Pull your hair tie all in one go

Have you ever noticed the amount of strands you pull when undoing your ponytail? The reason why this happens is because you’re yanking the hair tie out in one go, and even if you pull it slow enough, it still seems to be so painful. Instead of adding onto the stress, unravel the hair tie while it’s still in your hair, so that you don’t risk pulling off any extra strands.

DO: A weekly hair and scalp treatment

All that tugging can do some serious damage to your roots and scalp. To restore hair strength and promote hair growth, do a weekly hair mask. The BioWoman Detox Treatment Mask is a great way to rehabilitate your locks, nourishing them with repairing and strengthening ingredients, such as Argan oil, keratin and natural plant extracts.

No matter how healthy your locks are or what hair texture you’ve got, we all experience bad hair days, maybe some more than others. Sometimes, they’re so bad that we don’t even want to leave the house and affect our mood for the entire day, but when you’ve got places to be, there’s not much you can do except deal with the nest on top of your head.

But with Manila traffic, who really has the time to give themselves a blowout before they head off to work? Instead of spending half an hour heat-styling your hair, why not try these super simple heatless hairstyles instead? They’re easy and quick to recreate, and no one will even realize you’re having a bad hair day.

Here are our remedies for ugly hair days:

1. Do an easy side braid

If your hair is frizzier than normal, or if the it’s a rainy or extra humid day and need a hairstyle that will keep your tresses in place, then go with a side braid. Braids are an easy solution to most hair troubles, regardless if you’ve got limp, straight hair or crazy curls. Obviously, there are a number of different braids that you can experiment with, but the side braid as shown above takes very little skill to execute. Leave short hairs loose, or pin them down for a cleaner look.

When you’re ready to upgrade the classic side braid, try out other styles, such as French, Dutch and Fishtail Braids. You could also go for two instead of the single side braid.

2. Add some hair accessories

When your hair is looking lifeless, switch things up with a hair accessory. Whether that may be a headband, a scrunchie or 1990’s inspired hair clips, accessories add some much needed pizzazz on your not-so-good hair days.

For ladies with longer locks, opt for thicker headbands. Feel free to use bandannas or scarfs to style your hair. Thinner headbands work best on shorter hairdo’s.

And if you don’t have headbands, play with bobby pins or hair clips! They’re great for holding down unruly curls and out-of-control baby hairs. Remember to choose fun colors and designs in order to distract everyone from your imperfect hair.

3. Change your side part

It’s crazy to think that one little change, like the placement of your hair parting, can make such a huge difference in your appearance. On days your hair is not cooperating with you, change your side part. Thus, if you normally have it on your left, switch it to the right, and vice versa. If you normally have it in the middle, move it to a side, or create an uneven line to see how your hair falls, which looks especially good on wavy hair types. Just keep in mind that a parting in the middle tends to flatten the top of your hair, while a side parting adds more volume; middle parts tend to give off a more youthful vibe, while side parts tend to be slightly more seductive in appearance.

4. Wear your hair in a sleek bun

Too lazy to wash your hair? Don’t let anyone know that you’re due for a shampoo by sporting a very sleek bun. With the help with some hair products, combined with your natural oils, you can slick your hair back into bun, pinning any strays and flyaway’s with neutral colored bobby pins. You can choose to do an elegant low bun, or a ballerina-like high bun.

One thing that you do need to take note of is the amount of time it takes to create this look. Although it doesn’t have to be perfect, nor does it take as long as curling, straightening or even blowdrying your hair, this may be time-consuming for those that aren’t too good at creating neat buns.

5. Put it in a messy top knot

So if the previous style doesn’t work for you, or you need a last-minute hairdo that you can execute on your commute over or in the office bathroom, go with the messy top knot. And if you haven’t washed your hair, don’t worry. The oil is actually better for style your top knot, and keeps your strands from falling out of the bun.

When was the last time you had a haircut?

And no, I’m not talking about your last appointment for trimming your split ends. I want to know when was the last time you chopped off you long locks.

With all the beautiful, long-haired celebrities working as brand ambassadors Pantene and Cream Silk, not to mention Rejoice’s ever so catchy “Haba ng hair” commercials, Philippine media seemingly celebrates long hair, leaving lots of Pinay attached to their luscious locks. This makes it hard for many to do something as dramatic as a short hairdo, but if there’s one thing you should know, hair doesn’t define your beauty.

If there was ever a good time to get a chop, it’s now, just in time for the blazing summer heat. A major haircut also a great way to finally get rid of all those split ends, but of course, there is more to maintaining healthy hair than just chopping the ends off. There are other things you can do for hair care, such as strengthening those locks and protecting them from sun damage with the Dexe Argan Oil Shampoo for the silkiest, smoothest hair possible.

Before you head to the salon and request to have everything cut off, you need to find out what shoulder or chin-length hairstyle is suited for you. No two bobs are the same, after all.

If you need a little inspiration or want to to know what face shapes match certain styles, check out our guide below!

Style #1: The Angular Bob

Remember when Rihanna debuted her famous A-line bob, along with her song Umbrella, a decade ago? She was definitely the trendsetter of that style, and even though it’s been 10 years since she last had that hair, people are still loving the look. This type of angled bob looks best on oval-shaped faces, as the softer facial features allow for them to wear a more dramatic hairdo. Go for a side part to create more angles your face. Also, let the longest bits of your hair extend below the chin.

Style #2: The Layered Bob

If you have a heart-shaped, square or round face, you want to go for that chopped, layered look as seen on a bunch of famous faces and Instagram influencers.

To really up the tres chic factor of this ‘do, ask your stylist for side bangs that break once they hit your eye, or at least cut your hair in a way that you have a side part. It’ll give more dimension to a round face. For heat-shaped faces, the bangs or side part create a balance between the forehead and prominent features that are your cheeks and chin. The choppy layers softens the jawline of a square face and draws more attention to the center of the face.

Style #3: The Lob with Bangs

Another cut for round faces is the lob with bangs. Bangs tend to make faces appear more angular, which is perfect with a round face that want a more pronounce jawline. It’s most effective when the bangs are cut straight across so it serves as sort of a baseline for the angles in your face.

As for the rest of your bob, you can either have it blunt or layered.

Style #4: The Blunt Bob

Another option for the long, oval face shaped woman is the blunt bob. Whether that may be a long or short bob, the one thing to remember is to add some minimal layers so the haircut frames your face. It’s pretty difficult pulling off the straight cut bob, thus if you’re new to the above-shoulder length, make sure your stylist adds some subtle layers.

Hi all! Hope everyone had a very merry Christmas and ate non stop for Noche Buena.

Although Christmas might be over, the parties aren’t. We’ve still got New Year’s, as well as the festivities with family and friends in between, so we want to make sure you’re always party ready, and for today’s post, it’s all about the holiday hairstyles.

But it’s not about those fancy hairdos that require specific hair tools and skills of a professional stylist. No. With how crazy humid it is in Manila, we wanted to create a list of hairstyles that were accessible, meaning you don’t have to be great at styling or need a lot of accessories. Plus, every single one of these can be executed WITHOUT a hairdryer, flat iron and curling iron! Your hair has suffered enough from heat damage.

Easy Heatless Holiday Hairstyles

1. Half-up High Ponytail

If you don’t quite have long luscious locks like Ariana Grande, there’s always the half-up high pony. It’s just as cute, and it’s a fun hairstyle for family events.

First things first, make sure your hair is properly brushed so that your tresses are free from tangles. Spray a comb with hairspray and comb half of your hair to the top of your head, then secure the hair with an elastic if you have thin hair or a fabric hair band if you have thicker hair. If you have any flyaways or bangs that don’t reach, you can use hairspray, pomade or hair gel to make sure the hairs stay in place, then secure with bobby pins.

Feel free to make adjustments as you please, whether they be the use of a scrunchie for a 90’s vibe, or going full pony. Tip: do your hair upside down to make the full ponytail ‘do to avoid aching shoulders, and finish with hairspray.

2. Effortless Waves

Regardless if you’ve got a bob, lob or long longs, there’s a heatless hair curling method for you. The key to making the curls last is by having damp hair before applying the curling technique, and then letting it dry overnight.

For long hair, there are several options. For beach waves, French, Dutch, and simple plait will work. For bigger, slightly more defined curls, use rollers or curl formers in your hair. Ladies with medium length hair can also use these methods.

Women with short hair won’t be able to braid their tresses, but they can use rollers and curl formers. There’s also pin curling and the headband method, so there’s no need to fret if your hair isn’t long enough for overnight plaits.

3. Slicked Back Hair

Here’s one that’s great for straight hair of all hair lengths. Either spritz hairspray or evenly apply hair gel on your comb, and then start combing your roots away from your face to create some volume, then finish with hairspray to hold the look together. This hairstyle is pretty sleek and a great look to ring in 2019.

4. Classic Topknot

The topknot is useful in any and every situation, whether you want a simple way to clean up your look or just need to get your hair out of your face. Obviously, the messy topknot isn’t really suited for this season’s festivities, so make sure that you brush your hair thoroughly to avoid any knots when putting your hair up into a bun. Clean up your topknot with hairspray and bobby pins.

5. Braided Hairstyle

For anybody that loves braids, there are tons of styles you can experiment with this holiday season. There’s the French braid or the slightly more complex Dutch braid (which is pretty much a reverse French braid), and you could do a single plait or two. If you do two, you can either leave it down or pin it to make it into a braided updo.

If you prefer a side braid, you can try the fishtail braid, or go with the classic and style it with accessories or flowers.

Remember to secure any loose hairs with bobby pins.

In case you aren’t quite sure how to do any of these braids, you can always check out hair braiding tutorials on YouTube.

What’s the craziest color you’ve ever died your hair?

At one point in your life, you might have considered something like purple or gray as pretty insane. For one, purple isn’t considered a “natural” hair color, and no one wants to really go gray in their prime.

But times have changed. Gray hair ombre styles proved popular last year, and mythical creatures like mermaids and unicorns are now a thing of inspiration for dye jobs. Pastel hair has been trending for quite some time now, with more and more people ditching the safe route with browns and stepping out of their comfort zone with soft, millennial pinks and aquamarine balayage. Thus, if you were ever curious about incorporating pastels into your hair, now’s a great time to experiment.

But to get that Insta-worthy look, you can’t just get a gorgeous rose gold dye job without rethinking your everyday style choices.

When it comes to any significant change in your hairstyle, regardless if it’s a haircut or new color, you have to consider adjusting your wardrobe to suit it. Not saying you need to change your style completely, but it’s more about making some variations that will give your new hairdo justice.

So, what exactly would you need to do to make sure your hair doesn’t clash with your outfit? Check out these tips:

P a s t e l  H a i r  S t y l e  G u i d e

You can never go wrong with neutrals

Whether you’ve got multi-colored mermaid streaks or going through some other crazy hair color phase, basic hues such as black, white, gray and beige will always be there to support your your style. They serve as the perfect foundation for something as colorful as pastel hair, so if you’re ever at a loss for an outfit that won’t clash with your new ‘do, you can rely on those neutrals. Navy and most blue denim washes are also included in the mix.

An example of a dress that would work well as a backdrop for your pastel hair is this simple, office appropriate Bow Sleeve Dress.

Be stingy with the pastel

Although pastel color blocking is totally cute, it’s not entirely recommended for anyone with pastel hair. Unless you want to dress like cotton candy from top to bottom, limit pastels to just one clothing item in your ensemble. Thus, if you’re going to wear something along the lines of a Poplyn Shirt with Tie Front, make sure everything else are in neutrals, unless you feel like matching your shoes or a handbag to the top.

But even having just that one article of clothing might be too much pastel for some. What you can do instead is leave the soft muted hues on your accessories so they would work together with your hair to streamline your entire look.

Be careful with matching your top with your hair color

While neutrals are best for your new unicorn hair, it’s still totally possible to incorporate other colors into your outfits. You do have to be slightly more wary where you place your colors, as the wrong colored top could drag down your final look.

If you’ve got purple hair, not all purple tops will work for your look. You can do the monochromatic looks with your clothes, but your hair should never be a factor in it. Your locks just end up looking like a wig, and your entire outfit just ends up appearing like a costume. So if you’re going to wear purple, save it for your bottoms, shoes or purses.

What you can do, as mentioned previously, is wear a top in the same pastel shade as your hair, and of course, making sure that the rest of your clothes aren’t pastel or within the same color family.

Leave prints on your bottoms

If your hair looks more or less like it’s just one pastel hue, this tip is not really relevant. This definitely focuses on those that have a couple or more pastel shades in their hair.

Subtle prints like tiny polka dots or pinstripes aren’t too much of a bother, but loud patterns like plaid and florals will look better when they’re left on your bottoms and not on your top half. The print with your multi-colored hair can make it seem like way too much is happening on top, which can be really distracting. With something like a Woven Elora Rouched Maxi Skirt, a basic white tank will keep the balance between your hair and the floral print.

The rain seems to be never-ending.

By now, we should be experts on how to stay warm and dry during a downpour, as we have shared many a post about not letting the rain get the best of our fashion sense. Although it may take you longer to pick out an appropriate outfit for the weather, choosing your rainy OOTD is not the hardest part of getting ready. It’s figuring out what to do with your hair.

If your hair is anything like mine, tresses let loose in the wind and rain spell disaster. Even if you have a Waterproof sports raincoat or a Cyber waterproof raincoat, the humidity alone is enough to make your hair frizzier and crazier than it is on a normal given day.

If hoods and umbrellas aren’t enough to keep your mane under control, do not fret. While you always have the option of wearing your hair in a regular ponytail, I thought it would be better to give you options to prove you can still have some fun with your rainy day hairdo’s.

The Imperfect Bun

A sleek sock bun is no match for the wind. Even the strongest hairspray will pull some hairs out of a perfect bun, so why bother keeping your hairstyle so clean and smooth when you can go for that messy bun? It’s low maintenance, easy to execute, and doesn’t require an insane amount of hair product, or extra pins to keep short or baby hairs in place. To wear your hair like this, create a bun as you normally would on your head, then slightly tug on some hairs to make the bun looser (without pulling the hair out of the bun). Let your baby hairs and sideburns hang rather than pinning them down.

The Messy Ponytail

The perfect ponytail takes a lot of effort, which can be a nightmare for perfectionists, as one little stray can ruin the entire hairdo, leading them to start all over again. There’s also the regular ponytail that you normally wear when you’re about to work out or when you need your hair up while cooking, but it’s not necessarily the hairstyle you want to have when dressing up to go out of the house. If you don’t have the patience for the sleek ponytail, try a messy one instead. You can tease your hair at the top for more lift, or you can section off your hair so that you tie just the back half of your hair, leaving the sides out so that you can pin them to the sides. Let your bangs and shorter strands fall out.

The Adorable Pigtails

Why did we stop wearing pigtails? They might have been more popular during childhood days, but that’s not a reason why you can’t still wear them as an adult. Pigtails work for shoulder-length do’s and longer, on thin and thick textures. When it comes to pigtails, you want to keep the braids tight, otherwise the whole ‘do will look frizzy.

Basic braids are best for shoulder hair lengths, but you can try out Dutch or French braids if you wish. From there, you can leave your braids as is, or pin it up so it’s more of a braided updo.

The Sleek Ponytail

If you hate the thought of your baby hair and any shorter pieces in your mane getting in your face, try the sleek high ponytail. It’s a much more polished look for the office, in case you’ve got an important meeting and need to look your best. To keep the strays in tact, rub some pomade or hair gel into your hands, so you can rub the product in while doing your ponytail. Feel free to do it upside down if that makes it easier for you. And of course, secure any stubborn hairs with bobby pins.

The great thing about the sleek ponytail is that you can keep it as is, or you can braid your hair. If you have lots of elastics, you can also create a “bubble” ponytail, tying an elastic band to section off your hair.

The Messy Side Braid

Maybe the two braids are too childish for your liking. In that case, a side braid might be more your style. While normally a braid on the side is better on those with straight haircuts instead of layered, a messy braid could do with varying lengths of hair. Start off with a tight braid, then lightly tug at some sections to make the braid appear thicker. Another style of braids that you can experiment with is a fishtail braid, which also looks better on layered tresses.

The Top Knot

If you have extremely long hair, this one’s for you. Similar to the imperfect bun, the top knot is more about bringing all of your hair higher onto your head. To create this look, make the high ponytail first, then twist your hair. The twist doesn’t have too be tight, since you’ll be wrapping your hair around and around until you make a big top knot. Lastly, secure the bun with another hair tie, and leave any strays hanging for the messy bun look.

The Beanie Trick

If your hair is controlled for the most part but need a way to control the frizz on top, you always have the option to just throw a beanie on. Not a fan of the beanie? Turn your silk scarf into a head wrap or a hairband that you wrap around your forehead and the back of your head.

How do you like to wear your hair on a rainy day?