HIGHLIGHTS

Last week saw the release of Lady GaGa and Beyoncé’s new music video for “Telephone;” and as with any GaGa video came a burst of fashion, color and crazy hair styles.  She sported a ‘do tinted with bright yellow dye.  This isn’t the first time “GaGaloo” has shocked the world with a confident burst of outrageous color and style.  In fact, in every single video, Lady GaGa brings something new to the world of hair and high fashion.

But her latest color palate got me thinking about hair color and what’s considered natural, unnatural, risky and just plain out-of-this-world.  ”Natural” or acceptable colors seem to be limited to about four colors: blonde, brown, black and red.  There are, of course, shade variations that are acceptable–for example, blonde could refer to a darker, “dirty blonde” look or a platinum shade.  But what about other colors?  GaGa’s bright yellow hue, for instance, isn’t considered a “natural” variation of blonde.  The real question that I keep trying to decipher is why, though.  Why is a bold color that is so often used in paintings, graphic designs, even children’s artwork, not okay to show off on your head?

I agree, I’m sometimes taken back by extremely bold hair colors–bright purple has jolted me, and hot pink definitely catches my eye.  But they’re just colors.  We wear them on our bodies every single day.  We paint our nails extraordinary shades and our purses come in the craziest colors.  However, when it comes to our hair,  there are just some boundaries that aren’t socially acceptable to cross.  Wouldn’t it be great to walk down the street, see a bold hair color and admire it instead of being taken by surprise that someone had the audacity to alter their hair in such an unconventional fashion?  Wouldn’t it be nice to ignore social constructions of beauty, fashion, acceptability even and adopt, with content, our hearts desires?  Shouldn’t “personal expression” be just that: a personal, self-decided way to portray yourself or your emotions?

I would love to see a society built around individuality, independence and the freedom to do what you choose with your style and body; and I want to see a bold, innovative hair color and not be taken by surprise or wonder what comments that woman has received about her hair.  And maybe that’s where creative and risky new artists come in.  Maybe, in addition to making music, art and innovative new way to express themselves, they are paving the way for personal styles to shine through and creating a more accepting and tolerant environment in which women feel comfortable breaking social norms and following their own paths.

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