Are you having "a good hair
day"? Seems like a simple, even silly, question coming from a psychologist
whose work is about getting underneath the surface. But in all
honesty—superficial or not—I have to say I'm familiar with that feeling. And
having recently been asked to consult for a company about their new line of
hair care products, I began thinking about the psychology behind "a good
hair day."
Most of us accept that looks matter.
We know that our appearance impacts our personal, social and professional
lives. We also know that how we feel influences how we look and vice versa—a
phenomenon I call beauty self-esteem. Although we'd like to believe "what
is inside counts most," scientific evidence, as well as common sense,
tells us that an appealing appearance, good health and hygiene positively impact
our lives. No wonder, Hair And Beauty Products are one of
the most sold FMCG goods worldwide.
So, what role does hair plays in our
self-esteem? To answer this question, I approach it from several different
perspectives.
1) Historically—Keep in mind that the role hair has played in people's
self-image goes way back to ancient history. As long ago as Greek and Roman
times, elaborate wigs were signs of status and wealth. Beautiful hair was
associated with royalty, worn like a crown. Cleopatra was famous for her thick,
black locks. Samson's long hair symbolized supernatural strength. During
American Colonial times, upper class men and women wore white, curly wigs.
Political figures and judges also adorned them as a sign of wisdom and
sophistication. With decorative, attractive hair being highly valued throughout
history, it's likely it will continue to impact how we view ourselves today.
2)
Developmentally—Another
way to understand the psychology behind hair is to note its role biologically.
For example, we instinctively view babies born with thick hair as heartier than
those are with little or none. As children grow, we continue to see hair growth
as a signal of good health. For adolescent boys, early facial hair is
associated with virility, and on teen girls with signs of fecundity. Luscious
thick hair is often equated with female sensuality and sexuality. Likewise, as
we enter midlife, thinning or losing hair is associated with aging, loss of
health, decreased fertility and virility.
3)
Aesthetically—Hair
frames the face, the feature considered most important in terms of first
impressions. Faces generally are viewed as playing a greater role than bodies
when it comes to attraction between people. Following a person's smile, eyes
and skin, their hair is often the next feature people notice on first
encounters. It is among the top three features—along with height and
weight—used when describing others and one of the feature most often recalled
after a social interaction occurs.
4)
Self-Esteem—Our
sense of attractiveness is strongly connected to confidence and positive
self-esteem. Many men and women associate confidence with feeling in control,
and hair is one way most of us can be in charge. For example, hair can be
altered through cutting, coloring and highlighting, but controlled through
straightening, curling and styling. Styled, well-kept hair gives us the
external appearance of being well managed and it can contribute to feeling that
way internally. Some people say that a manicure or pedicure creates a similar
sense of feeling in control. In today’s internet connected world, one of the
most visited blogs and websites are those that cater to Hair And Beauty
Products Online.
5)
Beauty for the Ages—As
people get older, they inevitably feel loss in a number of ways—decrease in
strength, flexibility, height, cognition and acuity. Even people in very good
health are faced with dealing with changes that are inevitable. Although hair
loss, thinning and graying are natural consequences for most aging people, a
lot can be done, without too much time, effort or money to enhance hair style.
Unlike surgical and cosmetic interventions that are used to update other
physical features (e.g., lasers, face lifts, tummy tucks, teeth implants),
enhancements to our hair are much less radical, and yet they can make a huge
difference in how we feel about our aging appearance.
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