| Wigs have been known and used for many centuries. | | | | century where men sported long hair, not because |
| Many noblemen have tried this great headpiece. Even | | | | they grew their hairs but because they had their heads |
| in the ancient Egyptian civilization, wigs were already | | | | shaved and they soon started wearing periwigs. |
| into good use. Most ancient Egyptians wore wigs to | | | | Anyone who had a significant social rank back in the |
| protect their shaved heads from the heat of the sun. | | | | 1600s wore a wig. |
| Other ancient civilizations who wore wigs are the | | | | It was in the 18th century that men and women's wigs |
| Phoenicians, Assyrians, Greeks, and the Romans. This | | | | started to be powdered. Wig powder comprises of |
| headpiece traces back its roots to the ancient | | | | starch, lavender and orris root. The powder was |
| Western civilizations. | | | | scented with orange flower. Sometimes, colorful wigs |
| The Royals and Other Important People who Wore | | | | were also worn such as the violet ones, the pink, blue |
| Wigs | | | | and yellow versions. |
| When the Roman Empire fell, the use of wigs was | | | | During the 18th and 19th centuries, wigs were worn |
| also forgotten and it was only during the 16th century | | | | mainly to hide baldness among old women. This is why |
| that people started to revive them. During this era, | | | | not too many people viewed wearing wig as |
| wigs were already worn as a way to improve one's | | | | fashionable during these centuries. |
| appearance and also to cover baldness. The | | | | Modern Uses for Wigs |
| conditions during that time was also quite unhygienic, | | | | Nowadays, wigs are practically worn by people from |
| hence, people shaved their heads and started using | | | | all walks of life and for different reasons. There are |
| wigs. It was much easier to remove lice from artificial | | | | many reasons why modern people choose to wear |
| hair than to get rid of them the natural way. | | | | wigs instead of a natural hairstyle: |
| The many royals who used wigs made great | | | | Chemotherapy and radiation can cause hair loss |
| contribution to their revival. The famous red wig of | | | | among cancer patients and there are now |
| Queen Elizabeth I of England was styled in Roman | | | | custom-made wigs for people like these. |
| curls. France's King Louis XIII and King Louis XIV were | | | | To hide baldness especially among women |
| the first two men to wear wigs in the 16th century. | | | | Famous celebrities like Cher and Dolly Parton have |
| King Louis XIV (also known as the Sun King) was a | | | | popularized wigs to show versatility. |
| dictator who told men of his time how they should | | | | During Halloween, there are rubber wigs that can |
| dress and what their taste should be. He was an | | | | be worn that can be used together with scary |
| extremely fashion-conscious king who revered | | | | costumes. There are also wigs for specific holidays |
| extravagance and elaborate styles. | | | | and festivities. |
| It was during Charles II's time that periwigs were | | | | Some actors use wigs to portray roles in films or |
| introduced to the English-speaking civilizations. The | | | | theatrical plays. |
| wigs that were then in use were long (starting from | | | | There are many other practical uses to wigs and |
| shoulder length to longer styles). The 1600s was a | | | | these can be indispensable to some people. |
