Rainbow Wigs as a Proxy for Freedom

One of the main pillars that upholds the societal beauty expectations of women is hair.

Hair that is natural, long, shiny and growing out of your head — a classic symbol of femininity.

Recently, the topic of society’s obsession with blondeness, as well as the subconscious connotation of blondeness with purity and privilege, has reentered the public sphere of conversation about beauty standards and expectations. This conversation about blondeness, coupled with our newer obsession over things like “hair theory,” cemented hair as a core part of the beauty standard. History often expects girls to present themselves as upholding this ideal of natural femininity, which is rooted in domesticity and purity. Despite society’s obsession with a “natural” woman, any girl or feminine-presenting person understands that a lot of cosmetic work goes into obtaining and sustaining this “natural beauty” expectation — “no makeup-makeup,” lash tints and tanning regimes even throughout the months of winter — the list goes on.

And sometimes, it is so much more freeing to do something crazy.

Rainbow Wigs Attack Natural Beauty Expectations

We first became obsessed with the thought of rainbow wigs as a proxy for freedom when witnessing the birthday trend of hitting the bars with a gaggle of your girl friends, everyone donning rainbow wigs (specifically bobs) in celebration of the birthday girl.

Something about wearing rainbow wigs on birthdays feels special, because your birthday might actually be the one day of the year that you feel the least like yourself. It is the greatest marker of change and age throughout the year, and we have all experienced (we assume) the looming feeling of birthday depression at least once, whether it stems from the reminder of our own mortality through aging, or even self-reflection of how we have grown (or seemingly not grown) since this time last year.

A rainbow wig does not care how you feel, because it is too busy having fun. It is messy, exciting and freeing by nature. Artificial and synthetic — an alien that feels at home on top of your head. It is the maximalist approach to self-expression, and an absolute antithesis to society’s obsession with natural beauty.

In this way, rainbow wigs act as a proxy to freedom; a metaphorical way to break free from society’s obsession with and expectations for a girl to possess “natural” beauty in the most exciting way possible. It might seem silly at first, but every phenomenon has its own social implications.

The Pink Bob and Its Predecessors

Possibly the most contemporary and most culturally relevant example of rainbow wigs seen on celebrities today is Addison Rae. In Rae’s case, the use of rainbow wigs is not simply for the sake of a selfie, but actually a part of her signature visual aesthetic.

The most common iteration of the rainbow wig worn in this way is the cotton candy hot-pink bob. This is also Rae’s rainbow wig of choice and it seems to have its referential ties to Britney Spears’ pink bob wig, one of her biggest musical and aesthetic inspirations. Rae feels like a spiritual predecessor to Spears in this wholesome way.

Wearing rainbow wigs has become such a huge phenomenon now and in the history of female celebrities because not only does it go against every natural beauty expectation for women, but it is also a vocal expression of authentic hyper-femininity. It is loud and unapologetic. There is a sort of mystique that comes with wearing a rainbow wig — a feeling of showcasing your true self, but under the comfortable veil of adopting a sort of ‘alter ego.’ Natalie Portman’s alter ego wears a pink bob in the 2004 film “Closer.”

Maybe this fostering of an ‘alter ego’ is why some female celebrities adopt wigs as a part of their quintessential aesthetic. They are fun and freeing, while also offering a level of protection from the outside world. This might also be why the history of pop culture is so stacked with women who have been historically scrutinized by the public for wearing fun wigs — Lady Gaga and Nicki Minaj come to mind. Kylie Jenner’s most infamous era is defined by her signature blue sea-foam green wigs — her King Kylie era.

Have you participated in the rainbow wigs birthday trend? Let us know @VALLEYmag on Instagram!

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