Guest Post: The Media and Frizzy Hair

By Guest Blogger: Moderne Meid


Starting at about 1.40min, Barbie, the (supposed) epitome of perfection with unattainable physical characteristics, appears out of the water with hair that bounces back to its original style.

Poor Raquel (who is also trying to win the affection of Ken) gets out of the water and her hair blows up into an afro (a fierce looking afro at that). That wasn't enough though; a fish appeared out of her afro.

Ken then says 'Raquel, you get the prize for wackiest hair'.

This (subtle) jab at naturally curly hair is not uncommon but a rather regular occurrence in entertainment and media. It's not just black women who are natural who have to endure this ridicule; women and men of other races who have naturally curly hair have to endure this too.

We live in a straight-haired world where straight hair is always associated with beauty and elegance... it's hair that appears to be taken care of.

Many commercials represent everyday women and celebrities, that are struggling with their frizzy hair and they always find the solution. But the solution is in the form of straightened hair that appears smooth, shiny and healthy. These days the solution also takes the form of a perfect curl.

The TV commercials, which advertise products for curly hair, advertise near perfect curls, which are always achieved through some form of manipulation using curl rollers and curling irons. Perfect and uniform curls are hard to find on an individual. Most people have more than one type of curl or hair types. Besides, unless you have a type of curling technique down to the T, you won't really get any of the results many of the TV commercials present. Moreover, professional hair stylists achieve those results; it's hard to believe everyone has one in their home.

Hair companies should ideally promote people maintaining their own hair in its natural state and not promote people maintaining a temporary or an even permanent style, which can cause damage to your hair.

Many hair companies have TV commercials, which also offer temporary solutions for 'damaged hair'. This is hair that is damaged because of heat, hair dye or chemicals. These companies also claim that your hair will look healthy; what's the point of having hair that isn't even healthy?

You can't repair split ends. Every time I see a commercial claiming that a certain serum or shampoo will repair split ends, I'm hoping that someone won't buy it. You're better off cutting off all of the split ends. Hair companies are profiting off of this idea that split ends can be repaired. Many mainstream hair companies aren't even offering permanent solutions to temporary problems. They have to make money and they need people to keep buying so it's no surprise.

The John Frieda's Frizz-Ease range is notorious for commercials showing ladies with big curly hair or frizzy hair who appear to be unhappy and/or uncomfortable with it. They find the solution to this and their hair is made smooth, shiny and straight or perfectly curly. The individuals appear happy and more confident.

Exhibit One - A John Frieda Frizz-Ease commercial.




Exhibit Two - A John Frieda Frizz-Ease commercial


'Transform dull hair to into sleeker and shinier hair'. 

To many, frizzy hair is synonymous with curly hair. This is offensive to many people because there is a clear difference between frizzy and curly hair. It is true that curly hair is prone to becoming frizzy because of humidity issues or dryness and damage, but curly hair is not frizzy hair and frizzy hair is not curly hair. 

Companies are promoting frizzy hair solutions in the form of a perfectly curly, wavy or straight hair and not the natural hair type. Can I see a commercial where a person with frizzy hair has used an anti-frizz potion of some type and just kept their natural hair pattern? Does hair always need to be styled?

I suppose I have to keep in mind that hair companies are trying to sell their products. Their products need to appeal to the consumer and the results need to be desirable. Their products may not work for you. Their ingredients may also be incomprehensible and during commercials, the fine print sometimes says they're wearing extensions. The photos and/or videos of the commercials are Photoshopped and taken at an angle with a lot of professional lighting; keep in mind that your hair may not look that shiny, silky or smooth.

By Guest Blogger Modern Meid
http://modernemeid.blogspot.co.uk/

4 comments

hair building fibres uk said...

curly hair is not frizzy hair, i totally agree

short wigs said...

This is a good one. Very well written and presented. Thank you so much for sharing.

Tyler Jones said...

Wow, amazing makeovers. Good job with the whole post.

Hair Care UK said...

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