Remember that girl in high school who had the incredibly beautiful Farrah Fawcett haircut, complete with feathers and blonde highlights? You coveted her look every day of the week. Now, isn’t it funny how, at your 20-year reunion, you were able to pick her out of the crowd because her hairstyle hadn’t changed a bit? It made her look dated and old. And what about the popular boy you went to high school with—the first guy brave enough to get the mullet? If he’s still rocking the Joe Dirt, Billy Ray Cyrus look, chances are he isn’t as popular now as he was back then.
Let’s face it, people: at some point, modernizing your haircut is an important step to take in keeping up with your personal appearance. Just like styles of clothing and shoes change from year to year and decade to decade, so do hairstyles. Many people (both men and women) get so stuck on a particular hairstyle that they become anxious about the mere thought of changing it. So, each time they go to a hairdresser, they stick with the same simple cut and trim, which does little to update their look and sense of personal style.
The Importance of Change
One of the most common fears among women is the fear of changing their hair. Hairstyling experts from Lifetime Television recommend that women consider hair changes—both in style and color—about once every two years in order to stay up-to-date and keep their appearance fresh. Yet, for many people, the thought of cutting off long locks or straying from what they’ve deemed “comfortable” causes an irrational sense of fear. In the show What Not to Wear, stylists face this challenge with people in nearly every episode. Despite the fact that many of the women on the show have outdated, unhealthy, and essentially unattractive hair, they cling to the color or style. In a survey conducted by the hit show, it was estimated that around 83% of all makeover participants went back to their original hairstyle within one year after the show. This is despite the fact that friends and family (as well as millions of television viewers) agreed they looked better in their “after” photos.
Some of the reasons people are afraid to change their hair include the comfort they’ve developed with their current hairstyle. Remember your Farrah Fawcett look-alike high school friend? Chances are, for many years, she was complimented because of her hair and shiny frock. With so much acceptance coming from so many directions, the hairstyle became part of her identity. So, changing it, in her eyes, would diminish her sense of self-confidence and beauty.
Hair experts also suggest that many people are afraid of modernizing their hairstyles because they have an irrational belief that the haircut would be irreversible. Even though we all know hair grows back, the thought that we might not like what we see in the mirror is enough to keep people clinging to their dated looks. Of course, another reason people hesitate to update their hair is the desire for approval from others. They worry that once their hair is transformed, they won’t receive the same level of praise. There have been millions of women who have sat in salon chairs and said, “My husband will kill me if I cut my hair!” The fear that he will no longer find her attractive after a haircut is enough to keep her look stuck in a time capsule.
What many people fail to realize is that changing your hair is one of the easiest and most transformational ways to change your overall appearance. Sometimes, a hint of color, some highlights, or a fresher look can not only make your hair healthier but also make you look younger. The key to changing your hairstyle—especially if you’re hesitant—is to make small changes little by little. If you’ve always had long, Marilyn Monroe blonde hair, start with cutting a few inches off the back or adding some layers. This allows you to adjust to a new style that’s not too drastic from what you had before. Experts do not recommend drastic changes for those who are anxious about altering their hair right away. Additionally, use some of the software available online or at many beauty salons, which allows you to upload a picture of yourself and try out new hairstyles virtually before taking the plunge.
Hair stylists encourage their clients to bring in pictures of haircuts they like. However, they also warn clients that not every hairstyle works for every face shape and hair type. While you may love the look of one celebrity’s hair, that same cut may not enhance your natural beauty. Too many people walk into beauty shops with unreasonable expectations. Bottom line: if you didn’t look like Demi Moore beforehand, a haircut isn’t going to turn you into her twin sister afterward.
A bad hairstyle can make you look dated—and old. Remember when the trend in women’s makeup was to wear blue eyeshadow and blue eyeliner, no matter what color your eyes were? Today, that trend (while popular on the runway) is reserved for cross-dressing drag queens. Don’t be afraid to take a leap forward and make a personal change with your hairstyle or color. You never know—the new you might be more well-received and more attractive than the old you.
