There are some girls who just love dyeing their hair wild colors. We all know or have seen someone like this. This is the artistic girl, the one who catches your eye with her unique style and vibrant colors. Perhaps her hair color is contrasted with dark clothes. Maybe it is accompanied by a variety of tattoos or piercings. Some individuals will label this girl as “emo” or “scene.” Some think she wants attention, while others admire her for her blatant style and creative ingenuity.
I personally enjoy experimenting with color. One morning, when I came downstairs with bright purple bangs, my dad made a curious statement. “Why do you do that to your hair? You are beautiful just the way you are.” What I want people to recognize is that I do not color my hair because I don’t think I am beautiful. Many people, including myself, see this as a way of expressing themselves. I see it as more than just cosmetics.
My appreciation for art and beauty is part of who I am. It is important to note, however, that there is a distinction between a beautiful hair color and my overall beauty as a person. Consider clothing, for instance. While people often look for clothes that flatter them, they do not necessarily wear cute clothes to change themselves or think they are not beautiful without them. People wear certain clothes simply because they like them. They like the style and the color, and it allows them to express themselves. In the same way, my hair color allows me to express myself and to show people who I am. I don’t think having purple hair will make me look prettier per se, but I like the color purple. After a while, I may decide to change it to pink or red. I might grow out my hair, then decide to cut it all off one day. I like to change it up with a variety of colors and styles. I am not trying to change myself or make myself look pretty, nor am I trying to gain a bunch of attention or approval from others. This is simply who I am.
Though I am the creative type and generally consider myself accepting of others, I, too, am guilty of judgment. Sometimes I see a girl with an eccentric style that is too obscure even for me. It may evoke a negative response or lead me to an ignorant assumption about her. That is too weird, I think to myself. There is something seriously wrong with that girl. I must remind myself that she is no more or less human than I am. Who am I to judge her based solely on her clothes or her hair? Who am I to draw conclusions about a perfect stranger? Who am I to scrutinize a girl for the way she chooses to express herself?
Some girls are very attached to their hair and prefer not to color it. Some people don’t like change, and there is absolutely nothing wrong with that. On the other hand, you may come across a girl who wants to pierce her nose, get a tattoo, dye her hair blue or shave the side of her head. This is the girl who likes change. This is the girl with a passion for creativity. This is the girl who isn't afraid to stand out. This is the girl who changes her hair color as frequently as her clothes. There is nothing wrong with her either.
