If ever there is a time to embrace your true self and shine with confidence, it is on International Women’s Day. This year, on 8th March, individuals will be working to create workplaces where women thrive, elevate the visibility of women creatives, empower women’s choices in health, celebrate women forging change and forge women’s empowerment in the tech sector and more generally around the globe.
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Time To Break The Bias
The theme of International Women’s Day 2022 is breaking bias. And what better place to start with breaking bias than for individual women to embrace the style of their choice, rather than one that society dictates?
According to All Things Hair, 65% of women see their hair color as a form of self-expression that represents their personality. The same percentage also consider hair to be a strong part of their identity.
Despite this, many of us wear a hairstyle and/or hair color that conforms to societal expectations, rather than being a true representation of personality. We see this most notably when it comes to the question of wearing hair naturally (hence the rise of the natural hair movement in recent years) and so far as it relates to hair color.
Hair Color And Your True Self
If your hair color was to truly represent your personality, what color would it be? Would it be a fiery, post-box red? Would you tint the ends a lush shade of purple? Would you dye it all a beautiful mermaid-esque mix of blues and greens?
These days, the range of hair colors that you can choose is phenomenal. Your local salon can also use a range of techniques to help you achieve the color of your choice. Lowlights, highlights, balayage, ombre, full head color… the style you want is entirely up to you.
What Holds Women Back From Choosing Bold, Bright Hair Colors?
Many women report that coloring their hair a bright color makes them feel empowered and confident. However, many other women are also nervous about making such a move.
Workplace attitudes are a key consideration here. Though equality varies from country to country, as a planet we are still a very, very long way from achieving women’s equality in the workplace – hence creating workplaces where women thrive being one of the key focuses of International Women’s Day this year. In an environment where women are already unequal, will many feel confident to walk into the workplace sporting a hair color that diverges from the expected norm? Unlikely.
The views of society as a whole also come into play. When did you last see a shampoo or conditioner advert featuring a woman with bright pink hair?
A Bold Future Ahead
Thankfully, there are signs of change. The bold, colorful hairstyles of many contemporary female celebrities are playing their part here, as are the styles of individual women who have the courage to ignore societal norms and embrace their true self when it comes to their hair color. The more that these women lead by example, the greater the impact is likely to be, with more and more women stepping up to embrace the hair color that truly represents them.
