The traditional Chinese hairstyle has had many iterations, but many still appreciate its classic look. While most of them are often harder to follow compared to other modern hairstyles, the accomplishment of their aesthetic can be appreciated.
If you’re curious about some of the most popular traditional Chinese hairstyles, check out this article to learn more. Get a better idea of ancient Chinese hairstyles and find the one you like best.
Ancient Chinese hairstyles
The ancient Chinese hairstyle often included holding most of the hair over one’s head. It was usually topped off with flowers, ornaments, or jewelry and was a great way to display elegance and tradition.
Although this style can be found among Chinese women, they are often seen as wealthy royale women because of how hard they are to create. The creation of this hairstyle sometimes takes more than one stylist.
This hairstyle has many variations, and people are free to mix and match the hairstyle with the accompanying ornaments. It’s also advised to match the ornaments with a good pair of earrings when having this hairstyle.
Another key to pulling off the hairstyle is having a clean neck with most of the hair above the head unless there are little details that go past the collar, which are very rare. Most hair is held upward, with little to no hair touching the shoulders or back.
Braided bun
The braided bun has evolved over the years with many modern iterations. While the ancient Chinese hairstyle held the hair with a puff above the head, the braided bun would tie the long hair into a bun at the back, which can also be decorated with other ornaments.
One way this hairstyle is carried out is with the help of chopsticks holding the bun at the back. Those wanting to make the style look more Chinese can add ornaments, flowers, or other decorations and match them with earrings.
The braided bun can also be used in celebrations like weddings or other occasions. The hairstyle is still trendy today, especially among celebrities, since it can also highlight the person’s face, allowing people to see their beauty from every angle.
The fairytale princess
Most legends or traditional Chinese stories describe princesses or fairytale characters as having long, majestic hair. As often described in these legends, the fairy princess had long, straight hair, often reaching her waist or, in some instances, even her feet.
Aside from the long hair, there was often an intricate bun on the wearer’s head, decorated with ornaments and held above her head. The hairstyle was designed to give an appearance of grace and beauty as it dropped down around the wearer’s face, ensuring it was visible.
While the original approach to this hairstyle might have looked unkept, the more modern version involves a more unkempt aesthetic, transforming the hairstyle from a careless look to a more modern, graceful hairstyle.
The good thing about this hairstyle is that it’s often easier to accomplish since the most important thing is long hair. One important thing to ensure is that the long hair doesn’t get in the way of one’s face.
Side buns
Baby buns or side buns are often referred to as the most popular Chinese hairstyles involving two buns on opposite sides of one’s head. While the complexity of these buns varies, with the more accessible version being baby buns, some of these more complex versions are called maiden buns and have to be pulled off at the right length to create the perfect look.
The good thing about this hairstyle is that it sticks in place and can be very mobile, depending on the bun’s size. This makes it very flexible since it can be held in place while still looking good, and you can decorate it with ornaments.
This traditional hairstyle is often a favorite for many people, and one way to take it to the next level is by adding bangs. Some people like to keep the backs of their heads clean and tie them as part of the buns, but others might want to let it go straight down.
Another cool thing this hairstyle lets you do is match the ornaments in your buns to your earrings. This is also a great hairstyle to add flowers to the buns and across one’s head.
In summary
When choosing a traditional Chinese hairstyle, looking for one that’s feasible and comfortable is essential. However, although these styles might take a while to get used to, they provide a unique look that’s sure to stand out among others.
