Origin
Fa Zan, or hair chopsticks in Chinese, are traditional hairpins worn by both genders and can come in various designs and decorations; some even boast classic Chinese knots on one end of their stick! Ancient Egyptians utilized Bu Yao hair sticks for female hairstyles and as functional pins; examples can still be found among ancient relics across multiple cultures today. Bu Yao hair sticks often served both decorative and functional purposes – often serving both functions simultaneously. Wearing hair chopsticks in your hair is considered cultural appropriation if it reinforces stereotypes and misrepresents their meaning. Emma Roberts faced this same issue when she wore a Native American headdress to the 2015 Met Gala themed around China – she received backlash and was accused of racism; furthermore, chopsticks designed for eating were never meant to be used as hair sticks!
Function
hair chopsticks are versatile tools for many different hairstyles and provide an exotic, distinctive appearance while being decorative and fun to use. From painting or decorating them with sequins/rhinestones for added effect to drilling small holes and threading sparkly beads for an elegant, modern feel, chopsticks are an indispensable part of haircare routines today.
Make the most of hair chopsticks by creating a chignon. For best results, first brush through and detangle any major knots before placing the pointy end down of each chopstick in your hand. Push the stick diagonally through the twist until there are equal amounts of stick protrusion at both the top and bottom of your twist. Once in, use your hair to wrap around it a few times; how many depends on how tight you want your chignon to be. While it may feel awkward at times while you work this out, the final result will make it worth your while!
Design
Hair chopsticks differ from their kitchen-oriented counterparts in that they’re more decorative, usually featuring elaborate designs or even flowers and metal accents. Though larger than standard wooden chopsticks, hair chopsticks remain light enough to wear without pulling your locks out of place.
To achieve the hair chopstick look, create a chignon or other bun in your hair and then carefully insert a pair of chopsticks through its twist, using their blunt ends as support. Next, move down through your locks until both ends of each stick stick out from each side evenly. Add extra sparkle by embellishing the posts with rhinestones or sequins for an eye-catching effect. If the bars seem likely to come undone, try spritzing on some clear hairspray – though to ensure this style works best, first brush out your locks to remove major tangles!
Safety
When putting chopsticks in your hair, they must be placed safely. Pushing in too hard could damage your locks, while the stick may pull painfully as it starts pulling on them. Also, ensure, that only new, smooth chopsticks are used; wooden ones from restaurants tend to snap apart into splinters that scratch or irritate the scalp.
Wearing chopsticks in your hair is an eye-catching way to add an exciting and stylish accent or as a fashion statement. However, be mindful not to make them too decorative; otherwise, it could be seen as cultural appropriation; this occurs when someone uses elements from another culture without permission or respect and often reinforces stereotypes. A different hairstyle, such as a chignon, may provide more elegance while remaining culturally appropriate.
