Hair - A Mirror of Self-Expression

Written by: Monica Lopez

Hair has always been more than just a personal style choice, it’s a statement. Whether bold or subtle, changing hair color has been a way for people to express themselves, challenge norms, and even signal identity. Today, although we view it as a form of self-expression and aesthetics, its significance runs much deeper.

Since ancient times, hair has been a crucial part of our identities and cultures. In the past, it was also for aesthetics and spiritualism. During ancient Egyptian times, they used henna to create red hair. It was desired as red hair was associated with the goddess Isis, symbolizing vitality and life. Similarly, in ancient Greece, they associated certain hair colors with their deities. The Greek Gods, Apollo and Aphrodite, for example, were seen as rich and above others because they were blonde! If you have ever wondered why blondes seem to get higher status in our today’s society; blame the Greeks. The Greeks were also the first to learn how to bleach and lighten hair. They had several methods for bleaching and lightening their hair, many of which relied on the power of the sun. They would use lemon juice, vinegar, and even herbal pastes made from saffron and chamomile to gradually strip their hair of darker pigments. Some even experimented with natron (a type of alkaline salt) and wood ash mixed with goat’s milk to create a natural bleaching effect. The wealthy would also rub their hair with saffron-infused oils or dust it with gold powder to enhance a golden glow.

Now, fast forward 800 years in the future, during medieval times, blonde hair was also worshiped: it was seen as an angelic and pure symbol. Unfortunately, redheads were often hunted down as the color red was seen as the symbol for witches.

In contrast, in the Renaissance era, red hair was adored. It was held in higher regard compared to blond hair. Historians have generally concluded this influence to originate from Italian Renaissance painter Tiziano Vecelli (Titian), who frequently depicted women with this specific red shade of hair (this can be seen in his artwork called “Titan).” Besides the point, during the Renaissance time, people had begun to explore and use their hair as self-expression. Bleach was becoming a modern, more widely-used technique to change one’s hairstyle.

On the other hand, in Asia, hair dye during ancient times was rare. They considered black hair to be a symbol of strength and vitality. This is similar to today’s saying, "If it ain't broke, don't fix it." Modern Japan completely flipped the script. They went all in, creating a whole era and vibe of street-style hair dyeing. And let me tell you, they pushed the limits of hair dye and self-expression. In my opinion, they hit the nail on the head with the concept.

In modern times, many forget that hair can be more than just a cosmetic expression; it can be used as a political expression. Rejecting commercial beauty norms, during the 1970s-80s the punk movement used bright and rebellious colors in their hair to reject mainstream culture. It was a statement of rebellion and non-conformity. They wanted to stand out and publicly display their disregard for traditional expectations. Hair became a way to challenge authority and the status quo. It was not only about self-expression, but about making a statement.

I'm going to quickly brush through the decades and its impacts. In the 1960s the rise of Hollywood glamor, for example, Marilyn Monroe, pushed the trend of bleaching hair blonde, making it a mainstream look and a symbol of beauty. In the 1970s hair color ranged from bleached blonde and golden-toned browns to neons and punk culture hair in the late 70s. The 1990s had a grunge influence and saw a wide array of hair expression (and experimentation) as part of the cultural shifts in fashion and music. The early 2000s were all about boldness, think Lindsay Lohan's iconic blonde hair and the influence of pop stars like Britney Spears and Christina Aguilera on hair trends.

Now, onto the 21st century…our century. Our century has a wide variety of controversy and opinion on hair and its role in self-expression.

Hair’s key form of self-expression, especially with social media, where everyone can showcase their personality through their hair. For example, the LGBTQ+ community embraced bold hair colors to symbolize their individuality and break away from mainstream norms, a vital cultural moment for hair expression similar to the punk movement. It's precious how it feels to have something that truly shows what you are and what you are like once you shape your hair.

For example, The Tufts Daily stated, “the connection between fashion, art and music, when a musician dyes their hair they are really creating a new piece of art, and one that is extremely personal.” And oh boy, I agree! Now I'm not sure who you think of personally when you think of dyed or unnatural hair. I think of music icons like Hayley Williams and Billie Eilish.

Hayley Williams has been well-known for her fiery orange hair which she maintained for most of her life. And in case you didn't know she has rocked the world of hair color (ranging from simple auburn blonde to bright neon orange). She is forever our rock emo queen. On the topic of her hair color, she responded to fans with,

“It’s more than just hair and hair dye. People have so many emotional stories attached to our hair colors.” Williams herself has her own emotional ties to her hair. It’s been a vehicle to display how she's feeling without words, especially when she’s been dealing with things in her personal life that she doesn’t want to share with the public. But with hair colors and styles, she could do, well, something.“We go to something to latch onto to help us feel like we have some control,” Williams muses. “Hair has always been my thing. It's always been a way for me to reflect and show the world without having to say what I'm going through” (People Magazine).

Hayley William’s different hair colors over the years

Billie Eilish has also used her hair for both performances and self-expression. Her hair color choices have been deeply intertwined with her personal identity and artistic expression. Throughout her career, she has used hair color as a medium to reflect her evolving self-perception and artistic phases. Mostly famous is her green and black hair era:

Eilish's neon green roots paired with black hair became iconic in the start of her career, symbolizing her distinctive style and bold persona. This look set her apart in the music industry and resonated with fans who admired her individuality.

Rocking both media and fans alike, “In 2021, Eilish unveiled platinum blonde hair, marking a significant shift in her aesthetic. She expressed that while she was initially excited about this change, it led to feelings of uncertainty about her identity. She reflected, "I completely had no idea who I was. I came up with this whole aesthetic, and I just got swallowed up into it" (PEOPLE.COM). The personal significance of Billie’s hair transformations is more than cosmetic changes; they are manifestations of her personal growth and self-expression. Each color transition mirrors her journey in exploring and asserting her identity, both as an individual and as an artist.

Billie’s hair colors over the years.

Hayley and Billie performing together for Coachella 2022

Self-expression goes beyond just hair, I hope everyone realizes that. It’s about embracing who you are and showing it in a way that feels right to you. Although hair may just be a clump of dead cells on our heads, it holds much power on how we  express ourselves to the world. It allows us to take control of how the world sees us, and no one should be afraid to express themselves, whether that means rocking neon pink hair or just a few subtle highlights.

It doesn’t have to be extreme to be meaningful. If a tiny strand of blonde makes you feel more you, then that’s enough. Your hair, your rules. Go hair! Go self-expression! Have fun! You only live once!

Citations:

https://people.com/hayley-williams-express-emotions-through-hair-good-dye-young-interview-exclusive-7508715

https://people.com/billie-eilish-reveals-the-reason-why-she-ditched-her-blonde-era-8402318