Power Hair: The Hair Transformations That Mark A Turning Point
After years of debating with myself over it, I finally took the plunge to bleach my hair blonde in July. Now, I’m no stranger to drastic hair changes. From dying my hair purple, pink, and blue to chin-length bobs and bangs, my coifs have become one of the primary ways I’ve expressed my creativity. But to shift my strands to steely silver was different. For the first time, dying my hair felt like a departure from my past selves in pursuit of someone new. And finally, after days (yes, days) of letting my strands process, I looked in the salon mirror and thought to myself, “This is me.”
Beauty lovers understand how a major hair transformation signifies the beginning of a new chapter, even for those who switch things up on the regular. After all, there’s a reason that the “breakup haircut” has become a cultural phenomenon. And if you’ve ever watched any one of the salon episodes from America’s Next Top Model, then you know that some of the most game-changing makeovers involve a heaping dose of bleach or dye. But what happens after is where it gets interesting.
No matter how dramatic the change may be — whether it’s an unexpected chop or a dye job — it’s bound to grab someone’s attention. And sometimes, it can serve as a turning point in life. More specifically speaking, in the workforce. We see this most often in the creative industries (i.e., fashion, beauty, and entertainment). Fashion model Soo Joo Park, a global ambassador for Chanel, has had platinum blonde hair for nearly all of her career and once told The Cut that she’s “addicted” to the look, which is now her signature. Lucky Blue Smith, who was Teen Vogue’s Model of the Year, experienced a similar trajectory after he also donned a platinum cut at the beginning of his career.
Perhaps one of the most recent examples showcasing a hair transformation’s power is when surfer and skateboarder Evan Mock buzzed his mop and dyed it hot pink at the beginning of 2019. In one year, he appeared in numerous fashion spreads, walked for Louis Vuitton, and starred in campaigns for brands like Calvin Klein, Paco Rabanne, and Jimmy Choo. Now, he has a regular role in the upcoming Gossip Girl reboot—pink hair and all.
“Finally, after days (yes, days) of letting my strands process, I looked in the salon mirror and thought to myself, “This is me.””
It makes sense that these changes would lead to pivotal points for those pursuing careers in fashion and entertainment. After all, these are the details that can make someone stand out. But they’re not the only fields where a bold hair color can make a difference. Soccer star and pay equity advocate Megan Rapinoe has been on the world’s radar for several reasons, not the least of which is her choice in hair color. The athlete debuted what has become her signature shade of pink at a soccer match in 2019, which has only given everyone another reason to love her.
While there’s no doubt that statement-making hair transformations will put someone on the map, the resulting confidence is what keeps them there. Miley Cyrus traded her long brown locks for a bleach blonde pixie cut in 2012, later tweeting, “Never felt more like me in my whole life.” Nearly ten years later, we can see how her cut and color put her firmly outside her Disney roots. I may not have the same stardom as any of these stars, but I do know what it feels like to be your most authentic self inside and out. And for me, that’s more than enough to get to the next level.
Photos courtesy of Instagram
