Posted on 03/30/2005 4:16:13 PM PST by pissant
Within three seconds of meeting you, people form a first impression about the type of person you are, and it's not your face that gives you away -- it's your hairstyle! A recent study validates that your hairstyle dictates the first impression you make, significantly overpowering the impact of facial features.
We all know how important it is to make a good first impression, whether you're looking for a new job, getting ready for a first date, or meeting the potential in-laws. Your choice of hairstyle might project an image of intelligence and self-assurance, or one of insecurity and conceit, so make your style work for you. If celebrities can change their hairstyles to play a part or make a statement, why can't you?
Dr. Marianne LaFrance, director of the study First Impressions and Hair Impressions and Professor of Psychology and Professor of Women's and Gender Studies at Yale University, asserts that until now there has been no investigation of the unique effect hairstyle has on first impressions. "We wanted to learn whether the frame around the face -- the hairstyle -- can significantly alter how a person is seen," says Dr. LaFrance. "We found that different hairstyles quickly lead others to 'see' different kinds of people." First Impressions and Hair Impressions was commissioned by the team for Physique(R), a styling-based haircare line.
So what does your hairstyle say about you? Dr. LaFrance's study confirms that no style is all good or all bad, and that we do, in fact, judge a book by its cover. The following key findings demonstrate that different hairstyles are linked to perceived personality traits. Those range from positive qualities to the not so flattering:
KEY STUDY FINDINGS FOR WOMEN'S HAIRSTYLES
* Can women have it all? -- It appears that this is not the case, as the study showed that any hairstyle (relative to base) increases a woman's perceived sexiness, but decreases a woman's perceived intelligence. We wonder how stereotypes start.
* Short tresses = successes -- Women wearing short, tousled hairstyles (think Meg Ryan and Charlize Theron) are seen as the most confident and outgoing, an asset when meeting new people or starting a career.
* Does length matter? -- It is no surprise that women with long, straight, blond hairstyles, like Gwyneth Paltrow and Christina Aguilera, are perceived as the sexiest and most affluent. By contrast, women with medium-length, casual-looking hairstyles, like Liv Tyler or Sandra Bullock, are viewed as more intelligent and good-natured.
KEY FINDINGS FOR MEN'S HAIRSTYLES
* Who's the sexiest of them all? -- Men wearing short, front-flip hairstyles (think Brad Pitt and Matthew LeBlanc) are perceived as most confident and sexy. It is not surprising that men with this hairstyle are also perceived as the most self-centered.
* Why Wall Street men walk tall -- Men with medium-length, side-parted hair are viewed as the most intelligent and affluent -- great for that job interview. However, men with these styles are also seen as the most narrow-minded.
* Fabio ain't so fab after all -- Bad news for long-haired Fabio types. The study validates the myth that men with long hair seem to be all brawn and no brains. They are perceived as least intelligent and most careless. But all is not lost -- they are also seen as the most good-natured.
"Working with Dr. LaFrance and her team last year (An Experimental Investigation into the Effects of 'Bad Hair,' January 2000), we confirmed that hairstyles have a profound psychological impact," says Diana Shaheen, North American Marketing Director for Physique. "This year the Physique team commissioned the study to understand whether your choice of hairstyle impacts your first impression. We now have clear evidence that hairstyle does dramatically affect first impressions and is linked to perceived personality traits. You might even say, projecting the right image depends on creating the hairstyle that's right for you."
Hahaha! Small mercies, I guess! ;-)
Awww, be nice to the Judge. He can't help it he ain't purdy.
Besides, he's trying sooooo hard.
Not commenting on his looks per se. Just that his hairline starts just above his knees!
I'll take you to the beauty supply store and you can have that hairstyle in no time.
When I was in New York you could see I was a thick Irish tourist.
I spent most of my time on the subway staring at the fantastic weaves some of the black girls were wearing. Completely fascinated me.
I've seen some hairstyles just like that one on some local girls. They're usually hair designers though and many win lots of money in styling contests.
Ye know, the whole idea of a weave is kinda bizarre.
It's just not something you see a lot of, over here in Ireland.
I was mesmerised by all the hairpieces etc.
I suppose, these days over here, are the same thing. But these fascinating combos are just, well, jaw dropping.
I don't know how anyone would have the time or inclination to do that daily.
I'm hard set to put the straighteners on my hair - and that takes all of five minutes in the morning, once I've dried it.
Everyone has a weave now, especially the movie stars. One of my sister's friends was a full blooded Irish lass with the most beautiful flaming red hair I've ever seen. She was called 'little orphan Annie' for her tight curls. My mom permed her hair for her and she was thrilled to have straight hair.
She permed her hair straight?
Cool.
I've seen that in magazines, but wondered how it worked.
I used to get a curly perm when I was a teenager. Now that's what you call, easy manageable hair. Wash. Comb through with an afro-comb, and voila - ready to rumble!
Having that said, I've a natural 'kink' in my hair, so a scrunch dry can give me kinda 'shaggy' hair with a lift, when I move away from my normal 'poker straight' image.
Hark at me! *LOL* - you'd swear I was Vidal Sassoon! *LOL*
I heard somewhere that Pam Anderson has $25,000 worth of hair extensions, weaves, etc.
For that price it has to be "real" hair and not the synthetic stuff.
Yup and she was happy. A light perm can take out the frizz. I get one maybe once a year at the beginning of summer because I can't take the heat with big hair.
I don't really know how I'd feel about having someone elses hair weaved into my head!
Having that said, I'm sure it wouldn't look as 'brassy' as synthetic stuff.
Of course, with the volume of peroxide Pam uses, I'm not sure people would know the difference.
Not another one. I still haven't figured out where to put the last one.
Flannel shirts cause short hair?
Hey, did you think that kid who played Eddie Munster wouldn't be typecast? He had to get a real job.
I really needed a good laugh today ;)
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