A Whole New Look?

Today, more young women have begun dyeing their hair various unconventional colors. One new interesting style that I have been noticing lately in salons and on social media is the "granny hair" trend, or purposefully coloring your hair to be grey/silver. Although some people love this style, others do not feel the same way. I've experienced this because not too long ago I considered altering my hairstyle to silver. I was bored of my ordinary hair and wanted something really different and unique. I've had black hair all my life and wanted to step out of my comfort zone. Also I really loved the color, because come on.. whats not to love?

However, my traditional parents, aunts, uncles, and grandparents obviously did not feel the same way. They couldn't find any sense in what I wanted to do. My dad laughed and offered me some of the grey hairs off his head. My mom looked at me like I was out of my mind. My grandma thought it was a joke that was directed towards her.

 "You're so young, why would you want to look so old?!"

"Grey? People actually pay to get grey hairs?"

While silver locks were beautiful in my eyes, I began to imagine what people would think about me upon first glace, before they even knew me... and what kind of person they would envision me to be. I thought about the jokes my family would make. The things my friends and coworkers would say. Above everything else, I thought about what my bosses at work would think, and if they'd make me change it back because it could be potentially considered unprofessional.

Ultimately, I guess I wasn't ready for this big of a change. All of the worrying was enough to make me back out and settle with my safe, "normal" hair. But who knows, maybe I'll have the courage some other day.

This image shows a stereotype that brunettes are the most trustworthy, implying that hair color and trustworthiness have a connection. However, I find faulty logic in that. What does hair color have to do with being able to keep a secret? I believe this stereotype arises from another stereotype, "blondes are dumb" - therefore blondes cannot keep things to themselves. Brunettes and blondes are constantly contrasted, so if blondes are dumb and unable to be trusted, then brunettes would be smarter and more trustworthy. What does this imply about other hair colors, such as red hair?

Blonde-Haired Vs. Red/Dark-Haired

http://www.dangerdolan.tv/50-incredible-facts-about-hair/
"Blonde-haired heads have more strands of hair than red- or dark-haired heads. Blondes have approximately 140,000 hairs, while their darker-haired counterparts have only 108,000."

What's the Motivation?

Now, there are many posts on the Internet that share what the author of the article thinks to be incredibly awful, heinous, or any adjective or synonym someone might use for an otherwise bad haircut. The picture above is but one example of one of those terrible photos. Every time one of these articles happens to pop up, and we find ourselves looking through these photos, our first reaction would most likely be "Oh God, that's hilarious! It's so bad" or any other derivative of it. However, whenever I see these photos, I can't help but think to myself: "What exactly were these people thinking?"

I can understand the freedom of expression through one's hair, however, when it comes to such extremes as the one above, I can't help but be amazed at whatever thought process these said individuals may have had to convince themselves that these were good ideas. Again, to the photo provided above, it's definitely different, and you probably, most definitely actually, won't see this haircut on anyone else in your lifetime. Sometimes, different isn't always a good thing, or provide you with the results that you desire. The one advantage I see at this given moment, is that it gets you talking about it, and actually having an in-depth discussion with your peers about what this statement this may potentially be making, which is the whole point of the discussion of hair in class.

Discussing the importance of hair in our class, and be able to interpret the importance of expression, emotion, and individuality through hair provides a new form of debate that we otherwise wouldn't consider. It is through this class that some of us, even if you won't admit it yet, have come to recognize how much we really emphasize the appearance of, not only our own hair, but what is considered normal for other groups of people.

But what do you guys think? Please put your thoughts in the comment section below so we can discuss this further. Thanks

Major League Baseball and Celebrities having an impact on a Beards?

Having a beard is soo common for men now days. Everywhere you go you are bound to see a guy with a beard. But the question is why are there soo many? One of the biggest reasons why I think beards are soo popular right now is because of how they are portrayed on TV. Actors such as Johnny Depp, Jake Gyllenhal, and Adam Levine are a few of many that rock beards right now. Baseball however, is by far the biggest in the beard industry. Just take a look next time you watch a MLB game. Beards in baseball symbolize a sense of superstition. Tentatively players start growing their beards in April when the season starts. As the season progresses their beard will convey a sense of toughness and dedication on their journey for a World Series title in October. Dodgers MVP/ Cy Young pitcher Clayton Kershaw said, "Having a beard portrays more intimidation because I look so young without a beard," he says. "I don't want people thinking they're facing a 12-year-old out there." (LA Times) With such an iconic baseball player like Clayton Kershaw growing a beard, his image is portrayed to millions of people across the country which is why I believe beards in baseball has set such a strong impact for facial hair growth.  

Going Against the Rules

 

I chose to post a picture of Ariel brushing Rapunzel’s hair with a fork because it relates to the idea of hair color and length defining a character. They both have hairstyles that aren’t considered your average hairstyle.  They go against the norm. Ariel’s bright red, long hair can make us think of how Ariel is a girl that goes against the rules, similarly to Rapunzel. Ariel does not use a brush, but a fork. She doesn’t show up to her singing performance at the beginning of the movie. She disobeys her father by not staying away from the humans. She makes a deal with the sea witch. She falls for a human, knowing that they can be dangerous. She takes a big risk by becoming a human without even knowing what the human world is all about. She is a lot different than the other mermaids. Rapunzel disobeys her mother and leaves the tower. Rapunzel also makes a deal with someone that doesn’t appear trustworthy. She goes into another world filled with danger, knowing that she is unfamiliar with that world. She ends up falling for this thief that she has made a deal with. Their extravagant hair reveals that they go against the rules and do not let anything stop them from being truly happy even if it is very risky.

Hair Can Be Deceiving

I'm sure many of you are aware of who Kendrick Lamar is. He is a very talented and successful rapper. In the top picture you will notice he has a clean haircut and only little facial hair. This was all before his latest album To Pimp A Butterfly. As he started working on his new album he began to let his hair grow out as well as his facial hair as you can see in the bottom picture. I started to notice comments on youtube such as, "You know a fire album is coming when Kendrick starts to look homeless". Keep in mind these are the same two people, both have an abundance of wealth but what seperates one from being homeless and the other from being a platinum selling rapper. The answer is simple, it's his hair. Growing out his hair as most homeless people do gave fans the perception that he was homeless too. It's funny how something such as hair can give you different perceptions on a person's image.