Traditional Indian and Egyptian Hairstyles for Women

How you style your hair can have an impact on your overall appearance; no wonder women are so obsessed with hair. The beauty of hairstyles for women is that they can be used to represent the culture and traditions of different regions and areas from all over the globe. Today, we will explore hairstyles used by women in India and Egypt for different occasions.

Indian Hairstyles
Women’s hairstyles in India are based on practical considerations and aesthetic preferences. Indian women typically have thick, dark, and glossy hair. Hairstyles for special occasions are aimed to leave the neck bare and pull hair away from the face. Twists and knots are also involved in most informal hairstyles. While a number of modern hairstyles followed in India are inspired by celebrities in different countries, there are some traditional techniques and styles that have gained popularity everywhere. Some of them are:

. Indian Bun
Buns are a common hairstyle that can be used for both formal and informal occasions. A smooth sphere is formed by wrapping all the hair that’s pinned to the back of the head. Burns are either worn higher on the head or low against the nape of the neck. The classic style is a representation of elegance and smoothness, but it can also be quite practical on different occasions. A bun also keeps the hair away from the neck so you can display your pendants, statements, or other neck jewelry.

. Indian Braids
Three sections of hair are woven into a single and patterned knot in an Indian braid, which is secured at the bottom. These are considered to be the most efficient way of keeping thick, long hair orderly and neat. Colorful accessories and clips and even ribbons can be used for decorating the braid on different occasions.

. French Knots of Twists
Indian culture was influenced in terms of hairstyles and dressing because of the French colonization of India. French twists or French knots are common in which the hair is coiled into an inverted and smooth cone and then pinned in one place. The front hair is smoothed back.

. Adornments
Using flowers for decorating hair is quite common for several hairstyles. A jasmine sprig is the most common accessory used in India as a floral accessory for hair. However, other flowers can also be used such as baby’s breath, carnations, and even crowns. Flowers can be cascaded down the length of a braid or pinned around a bun. Brightly colored ribbons or jeweled clips can be used as hair accessories as well.

Though long hair is the preference of most Indian women, short hair is also becoming common, especially because celebrities opt for them. A shoulder-grazing bob is used by busy career women who are looking for a feminine yet sophisticated hairstyle that requires minimal effort and care. A shag or mid-length bob is also a popular choice these days. An evenly cut bob can be used for a classy look that has slightly longer strands at the front. A choppy shag with plenty of uneven layers in front and back can give a trendy look as they provide hair with movement and textures.

These hairstyles are great for Indian women and also those from different cultures who want to mix things up or are attending a cultural event.

Egyptian Hairstyles
The characteristic hairstyles of Egypt are most commonly associated by people with the stylized hairdos that had been sported by ancient Egyptian royalty and nobles. As a matter of fact, movies that feature the lives of different pharaohs have used such hairstyles for making them popular. There are some unique Egyptian hairstyles that have become very popular amongst women in Egypt and elsewhere. Read on to find out some great hairstyles of Egypt:

. Bob
A shoulder-length, straight-cut bob with thick bangs was a common hairstyle amongst the noble ancient Egyptian women of the Old Kingdom. Numerous movies about ancient Egypt have replicated this hairstyle and such a do is also sported in theatrical plays of Queen Cleopatra. Thick, straight tresses and sharp, clean lines characterize this hairstyle. This hairstyle of ancient Egyptians is popularly recreated in today’s times.

. Braids
Wearing hair in braids was also common in Egypt. Eight or nine braids would be hanging down the necks of commoners whereas hundreds of tiny braids could be seen on the heads of nobility, including bangs. Beads would be used for weighing down the braids, especially lapis lazuli.

. Coin Head Cap
A later Egyptian hairstyle, the coin head cap is mostly associated with belly dancers. The hair is parted straight in the middle, the bangs are smoothed down and the coin cap is placed carefully over the top of the head. Hanging coins would be featured around the circumference of the cap in most cases, which would hang just above the eye line. A light jingling sound would be made by the coins for accompanying the rhythm of the belly dancer.

. Long with Decorative Circlet
Hair would be worn straight and long, along with thick bangs, by noble Egyptian women of the new kingdom. A thick circlet was also added to this hairstyle, which would go around the head. This circlet was usually placed on top of the bangs and above the eye line.

. Royal Three Part
Queens and noblewomen were the only ones that were permitted to wear this particular hairstyle, which was also called the ‘goddess’ hairstyle. A wig was usually used for making it. The hair would be parted in the middle and down the sides of the head and also behind the ears. Three sections of hair would be created in this way. The two sections would hang on the sides of the faces while one would hang at the back. Sometimes a small diadem or circlet would be used with this hairstyle.

Some of these hairstyles may require a stylist’s assistance whereas some you can do yourself without needing an expert. The maintenance required for each hairstyle can also vary, depending on the length and type of hair.

Faxily

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