| People have been obsessed with hair since the cavemen brushed their chest hair to shiny fullness. Hairstyles have changed over the millennia, often in a cycle of fun.
From the long manes of Scotland to the bald cubes of Africa to the partial-bald heads of the Far Eastern Monks hair comes in all shapes, sizes, colors and textures.
Historically, hairstyles were more of a cultural, or nationalistic, statement than an individualistic statement. Not to say that someone styling their hair in a Mohawk is not trying to identify with a specific group, but today variety in our culture is paramount.
Most of the time when people style their hair they are creating a look that stays within the norms of their groups, while at the same time creating a somewhat unique statement. Some people work on their hair for hours to get that perfect look and some people like it messy while others spend hours to get that “messy hair” look.
People were vain in centuries past so I wonder how they took to getting a receding hairline. Did they do comb-overs? Maybe that’s where the Europeans developed a custom for wigs.
These days there are many techniques and medicines for the hair that refuses to stay on. Radio, TV and newspaper ads are constantly proclaiming the end to baldness. Hair is often seen as a sign of youth and in our age-obsessed culture hair is a standard-bearer.
The cycle of hairstyles is just that; a cycle. What was in style in the fifties came back in the nineties and the hair of the sixties is back with us today. Although, often, it’s done with an “updated” retro look the styles do come back. While looking back on your pictures from the 1980’s might make you cringe, in another 10 years that might be hip (heaven forbid).
During the Grunge Era of the nineties it was considered hip to leave your hair unwashed and unkempt. Now it seems to be hip to keep it washed and unkempt, how far our society has evolved.
With a plethora of hair care products out there you can sometimes get a headache choosing one. Often the cheaper ones are just as a good as the expensive ones, except without the “pain at the pump,” as it were.
The longer one’s hair the more care is needed. I believe a Greek mathematician from ages past created a complex equation to identify the amount of time. It’s beyond the scope of this article to explain it but, needless to say, it requires Matt Damon and a Cray Super Computer.
To condition, or not to condition, have stumped even the vainest of us. Conditioning has value, but how much value is dependent on your type of hair. Some people need conditioner to look decent while others just need some basic shampoo and they look fantastic. I find a great technique is to combine shampoo with a little conditioner and do it at once. The best of both worlds.
Becoming an expert on hair takes many many years so keep plugging away and then you too can be called an Experthairy Person!
Sam Nomer is a writer and likes when he is looking for New Brunswick New Jersey Apartments. You can find out more information at http://www.RaritanCrossing.com/about.htm
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