According to archaeological studies, early Egyptians used to wear their natural hair in tight braids. It all changed when wigs were discovered.
This gave way for cutting the hair short or shaving it. Young boys still kept their hair but those who could afford the wigs wore them mostly on special occasions. Specialists came up with elaborate headdresses adorned with jewels and expensive add-ons with a douse of perfumes and oils.
The Mesopotamian civilizations had a natural tendency towards heavier beards and long hair. At Knossos, Cretan women wore very well crafted coiffures with golden hairpins and plenty of makeup. As usual, kings and elite were differentiated from commoners with various codes.