We’ve all had them! Bad hair days never arrive when you have no meetings or social events on the calendar. Instead, they rear their ugly heads on the morning of your best friend’s wedding, or prom day, or that job interview you’ve just got to ace. Your hair can go from being one of your biggest assets to being your worst enemy overnight. So, what causes that untamable mane of tangles and frizz? And, more importantly, what are you supposed to do about it? Read on to find out.
The Psychology of a Bad Hair Day
What, exactly, is a bad hair day? The term refers to any day when your hair is unmanageable, but it can also mean a day when everything goes sideways. That's how important your hair can be to how your day goes. We all know people who say that hair doesn’t matter - they’re usually the same people who roll out of bed every morning with perfect curls. Unfortunately, for many of us, it does matter, and a bad hair day is not just a flip expression that we can shrug off. The fact is that looking good helps us feel good and when we feel good, we tend to perform better.
A Yale Study on the effects of a bad hair day divided volunteers into three groups; one questioned about bad hair days, one told to think about leaky packaging to put them into a negative mindset, and a third that kept things positive. Participants were then given psychological tests, which concluded that the group who were questioned about bad hair days showed lower self-confidence and an increase in self-criticism, both of which can lead to a decrease in performance at work and overall mental health.
It’s important to remember that having a bad hair day doesn't have to give you a bad day. We all have them from time to time. We’re also the center of our own universe, so we tend to think a lot more people are noticing our wayward strands than actually are. A study into ‘The Spotlight Effect’ showed that people overestimate how much others notice their appearance. So, if you really can’t fix it, you don't have to run to the nearest salon. Just keep calm and carry on. You do you, girl.
How the World Reacts to a Bad Hair Day
From blind dates to business meetings, your hair makes a big first impression. Whether you like it or not, it’s one of the first things people notice about you, and always has been. Healthy hair has long been a sign of overall health and was once considered a key factor in finding a mate. Luscious locks have also been a way to show status. Thick, curly wigs were worn to show wealth during Greek and Roman times, and are still worn by judges in modern day courthouses. The hairy truth is that we’re wired to notice other people’s hair.
The negative effects of a bad hair day are even more likely to occur for women with curly hair. Unfortunately, curly hair is seen by some members of the workforce as unprofessional. An insightful study conducted by Duke University’s Fuqua School of Business found a bias against black women with natural hairstyles in job recruitment compared with black women with straightened hair and white women with curly or straight hair. So, if you’re already worrying about being judged for your natural look, imagine how low your self-esteem can go when your hair isn’t cooperating.
Every parent with a daughter also knows that bad hair days affect kids and teens just as much as adults. A number of kids books have been written about bad hair days. It was even the subject of a Disney Channel Original Movie starring Laura Marano and Leigh-Allyn Baker. The story is about a 16-year-old named Monica Reeves, who is running for Prom Queen at her high school. Then she wakes up with a case of crazy hair after experimenting with a bunch of different products (more on that in a bit), and mayhem ensues, involving a diamond necklace and a jewel thief. When there's a Disney movie about a hair problem, you know it's something that girls of all ages have to deal with!
How Lu Can Help Combat a Bad Hair Day
While some bad hair days seem to strike out of the blue, many of them are self-inflicted. If you brush wet hair, wash it too much, or use products that don’t work with your hair, it’s going to rebel and result in an episode or two of unruly hair. Using the wrong hair treatment can even cause lasting damage. That’s why Lu's shampoos, conditioners, and styling creams are formulated with plant-based oils to calmly return your hair to its amazing best.
Another leading cause of bad hair days is the weather. Low humidity leads to water exiting the hair, whereas high humidity builds absorption. Adding water like this breaks down the hydrogen bonds in the hair, changes its shape, and locks the style into place. So, how do you beat a bad hair day caused by nature itself? One way is by unlocking the power of Impossible Keratin by Lu. A key ingredient in every Lu product, Impossible Keratin improves moisture retention that reduces frizz caused by humidity. Our patented formulation helps to form a thermal barrier that leads to less breakage, split ends, and more. In other words, less bad hair days. Our Control Collection was even designed to lock in the look you want, taming frizz and eliminating flyaways.
The Good News About Bad Hair Days
Bad hair day isn't just a popular term coined by Buffy the Vampire Slayer (fun fact). It's something that can ruin your best laid plans, dampen your spirits, affect your self esteem, and even alter how others perceive you. The good news? Lu can help your hair (and you) feel healthy, shiny, strong, and in complete control. But don’t take our word for it: read the 5-star Amazon reviews of our Rescue, Freedom, and Control bundles to learn how Lu has helped fight dreaded bad hair days around the world!
