Reflective Essay: The Power Of Hair

Throughout the years of my childhood, I had always thought of hair as a just an aspect of someone’s outer appearance. Hair was just something that I would look at, but never ask myself why someone had their hair that way, or the reason behind it. Since I was so narrow-minded about what hair could do, I grew up thinking that hair was a gender, or an age, not something that could reflect you as a person. I never understood the power that hair could have, or even how a haircut could make someone feel like they had power.

Growing up I always restricted myself to what I could do with my hair, because of the fear of being different, or not fitting in. For the longest time I had long hair, because to me that was what beauty was for a female. I remember

thinking that maybe with long hair it would hide the the aspects of my appearance that I did not particularly enjoy, and help me fit in. Instead the style hid me and my personality, and showed others someone that I would not identify as myself. Even though the style did not represnt me, I kept it, always having it down, never out of my face. And I now realize I kept it long, because I felt as if it protected me in a way, it told other people that I did not want them talking to me, even if I did. My hair was a barrier for me that blocked people out, and once I noticed this I knew it had to change.

Eventually, after the end of eighth grade, I decided to cut and dye my hair.

So, at the beginning of the summer I went to The New Look, a hair salon, and cut my hair four inches, so that my hair was shoulder length. Along with the cut, I got my hair dyed a dark brown with a blue undertone. For the next four weeks, my new hair helped me hold myself with more confidence, and showed me the importance of expressing yourself . Except, when the dye finally washed out, I still felt the need for change. To fulfill the need of change I decided to get a short, above the ear, style. After the cut, I was ecstatic, I felt as if it truly put myself out in the world, it made me feel as if a was a stronger, more powerful female.

Changing hair can give someone a whole new outlook on themselves, or even make other people see them differently . Which is why change is such an important part of life, even if the it is just cutting or dying your hair.Adjustment to your hair can make you realize that people will treat you different for the color or the style.The reason behind this is that everybody has opinions on what is socially acceptable for hair, and if you break those rules you will either be praised, or

condemned.