/I am my hair, I am my hair, I am my hair/
/It’s all the glory that I bear/
Gaga couldn’t have said it any better.
Hair. For some girls it is an extension of themselves, and for others they can’t tie it up or cut it off fast enough. Even the writers here at Her Campus U Ottawa have different views on the love they have for their locks. Some people couldn’t imagine chopping their hair off on a whim, or dying it unnatural colors, but others cringe at the thought of having the same style for too long.
We all have the friends that make drastic hair changes and regret them immediately, or the girls that go daringly different and don’t even blink an eye. Some people’s moms cut their hair, others bravely walk into hair salons where every stylist has a ‘do rivaling that of a rock-star.
/Sometimes I want some raccoon or red highlights/
/Just because I want my friends to think I’m dynamite/
Over the last little while, we’ve seen some of the most extreme styles become trends, from bright and colorful hair colours, to the asymmetrical cut. What does this mean for hair, and the trends to follow, with drastic changes becoming common and more prevalent than ever before? Is it just a trend, ‘it’s only hair’… or is it making way for a new normal, in essence a; ‘colored hair isn’t just for punks, and short hair isn’t just for the alternative’ mentality?
Who knows, your stance is as subjective as your personal hair preferences. In saying this, it would be fair to add that not everyone has jumped on this bandwagon. There seems to be a divide, with both sides not understanding each other. The girls with long, natural locks couldn’t imagine making such big changes, while the brave babes cringe at the thought of being tied-down to the same style.
So here are some thoughts on both sides of current trend debates:
Colour vs. Au-Natural
Au-natural – Now that is commitment, loving the same look long enough to keep it around. If you are lucky enough to be blessed with a stellar natural colour, celebrate it, because you’ll never have a bad dye-job, or have to worry about your roots. Natural hair colour is classic and simple; it compliments you and allows for versatility in many other ways.
Coloured- ‘Ombre is out’, ‘Coloured ombre is in’ … colour in general is cool and will always be ‘in’. Allowing self-expression and creativity, coloured hair tells a story. The possibilities are endless: from enhanced-natural tones, to crazy vibrant colours. Colour can be done in so many forms, whether it’s highlights, lowlights, a full head of colour, dip-dyed, ombre, or even just a peek-a-boo- piece. Try it, after all it is only hair… you can dye it back.
Asymmetrical vs. Long and Un-layered
Asymmetrical- ‘That’s going to be a nightmare to grow out!’ … is something many girls with an asymmetrical ‘do have heard, or have experienced first hand. This may be true, but for now it represents what they are about and the fact that hair can do that is pretty rad. Like adding colour to your hair, cutting it with some asymmetry has so many possibilities. Long, short, or in-between; (some girls can’t pick a side, and that’s A-ok!) you can shape it to fit your personality and there are options to flatter every face. Although it may be a pain to attempt to grow out eventually, by then there will probably be enough half-shaved heads growing out that it will become a trend of its own!
Long and Un-layered- Like a security blanket, you can hide behind it when feeling coy or embarrassed, or sport an outrageous up-do. With long hair you can do a lot and if you’re one of the girls who likes to keep it simple, and doesn’t want to mess with a good thing, then you know this all too well. Some girls think cutting your hair is limiting, others just think long hair looks better. Not every girl has to follow the latest trends, or take notes from the new normal; it is brave enough in itself, to stand by your Rapunzel roots.
/I just wanna be myself and I want you to know/
/I’m as free as my hair/
/I am my hair/
There really is no right answer to what hairstyles are ‘in’ or ‘out’… each person’s hair and the identity they attach to that is unique. Dare to be different, or don’t…
Bottom line, it’s your hair… do what makes you feel good. If you can rock it, and love it on its off days then that is great, because confidence is always fashionable.
Photo credits:
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