Everyone’s hair is different and often seems to have a life of its own. But as society has taught us, we tend to try to manage our hair. As the seasons change, so does our hair. It has become a trend to say that the fall and winter are straight hair months, and the spring and summer are curly/wavy hair months. What does all of this mean? And how does it affect our hair on a daily basis?
The Standards
In U.S. culture, the beauty standards set on hair is that straight hair with a natural flow and looks soft is considered “good hair.” It is viewed to be manageable, which in turn makes it look perfect. From the start, people with textured hair are set to have the mentality that their hair is not considered to be as beautiful.
Granted, beauty standards vary by different cultures and generations. In other cultures, and through different generations, textured hair is seen as pretty. However, it has been categorized as a different and wild hair type. We should think about how these stereotypes affect a person’s self-esteem and the lengths they are willing to go to meet them.
We Want What We Can’t Have
At the end of the day, it comes down to people wanting what they can’t have. The straight hair girlies want curly hair and the curly hair girlies want straight hair. This could in part be from the social standards that are engraved in our minds, but also from influencers and all the online content we consume. From curling wands to straighteners and perms to keratin treatments, people do the impossible to attain the hairstyle they want. Sometimes, we just have to accept that our hair is unique, and we should embrace its challenges.
Seasonal Hair Is Real
During fall and winter, one could straighten their hair or get a blow out and the hairstyle generally stays throughout the day. However, due to the humidity that spring and summer have, those hairstyles don’t last as long, or they start to get frizzy quickly. The key takeaway from this generalization is that during the colder and dryer months, hairdos are more manageable than in the warmer and humid months.
The Damage Has Been Done
Hair is extremely sensitive, so exposing it to high heat frequently is a recipe for disaster. Heat damage is real and it causes hair to look dry, dull, rough and frizzy. Those are all the characteristics we try to avoid throughout our hair journey. That is not to say to never blow dry, straighten or curl your hair, it is just very important that when you do, it is done correctly.
Quick Fixes
VALLEY has created a quick how-to to avoid heat damage and the remedies to get your hair back to a perfect form.
- Condition in the shower first.
- Lightly dry hair with a microfiber towel first, then introduce the blow dryer.
- Use a heat protectant!
- Use a lower heat setting.
- Trim off dead and damaged ends.
Do you prefer your natural hair or do you style it frequently? Let us know on X @VALLEYmag!
