When I first watched Aladdin, all that I could think about for the next few days was not the bold Princess or the handsome 'street-rat' but Princess Jasmine's long, fine black hair. The importance of fine hair was later reiterated by Rapunzel, who depended on her fair mane to escape from the enchantress who held her captive.
I watched in awe as Disney princesses came one after another and they all seemed to have perfect hair. Everyone, from Princesses of the sea to a girl who was named after her golden locks, seemed to have the ability to flaunt their voluminous waves.
I looked down at my entwining curls and sighed. Everyone that is, except myself, of course.
Very few of us will admit it but hair (and the unanswerable questions that accompany it) is one of the “demons” we face nearly every single day. Should it be worn up or let loose? Should it be highlighted with light streaks or left au naturale? And of course, who could forget the perennial dilemma curly or straight?
For a significant amount of time in the fashion world, straight hair was considered to be the “be all and end all” and the fairy tales having established the necessity of fine hair, it hardly came as a surprise when a recent survey showed that nearly half a million women classed their hair straighteners as one of the greatest modern inventions. While straighteners were once seen as a luxury item, they are now must-buys, along with lip-gloss, small bottles of mineral water and liquid soap.
This trend is surprising, to say the least, considering that stick-straight hair is no longer "in fashion". Fashion seems to be leaning towards muse-like curls and subtle tresses these days; think Penelope Cruz's seductive waves instead of Jennifer Anniston's sleek and straight hair. Still, women continue to covet straight hair and straighteners seem to be here to stay.
This begs the all-important question of “Why?”
Why do women think it's okay to be married to their flat irons?
The finger can be pointed to the opposite sex.
A trichologist says that there is a vital link between female hair and male attraction. According to him, “men prefer straighter, shinier, longer hair."
Is that really the opinion of the “real” man?
One admits that he likes a woman with straight, long hair. “She looks classy and pretty with straight hair.” His friend though says he prefers women to go au naturale and acknowledges that the look varies not only from woman to woman but also the style in which they are dressed. “When a woman is wearing a sari, for example,” he said, “long, silky, straight, black hair complements that look the best.”
Despite the differing opinions, both concurred that the texture of a woman's hair is hardly the “be all and end all” women seem to think it is. They agree that other things are more important -- like her personality and her smile.
With that in mind, I think it's safe to stop splurging on the latest flat irons and concentrate instead on straightening out your inner beauty.
The results, I hear, are priceless.
Source: thedailystar.net
