Whether it's getting bangs after a break-up or going blonde to debut the 'new' you, we have long changed up our hair to get through trauma. As people cope with self-isolation in their own ways, we explore the insights behind why many are turning to DIY 'dos as a form of self-expression and a reaction to COVID-19-related angst and boredom.
Memes and videos of people cutting their own hair are taking TikTok by storm during the COVID-19 crisis. Being in isolation is freeing people from societal expectations and it's giving them the time and courage to experiment. Some have chosen to dye their hair pink and cut their bangs, going viral on social media by playing with their looks. Even if the cuts don’t end up looking the best, this small act of rebellion is offering some much-needed joy to viewers and snippers alike.
“There have always been memes about the danger of break-up haircuts, but when it feels like you’re broken up with the whole world, there’s really never been a better time to try questionable hair,” writes Rebecca Jennings for Vox.
It’s natural to turn to beauty in traumatic moments in life, as anyone who has had a break-up cut can attest. In fact, the psychology behind this behaviour suggests that people cut their hair to reclaim some control over their lives in times of stress. And while they're in lockdown, people are enjoying experimenting and testing out new looks knowing that extreme isolation means that mistakes can be 'risk-free'.
Nearly a third (27%) of Americans get their hair cut every two to three months and a further 18% get a trim every month, but lockdown measures nationwide mean that many are being left to their own devices. And as people deal with the collective loss of normality, they're exhibiting some of the behaviours that come with grief. More extreme looks are on the up as people take on DIY beauty challenges, but this form of self-expression was rising even before the outbreak. Depixym, which sells multi-purpose creams in bright colours, champions creativity through beauty, and these kinds of products are offering a form of catharsis during the pandemic.
Isabel Evans is a junior behavioural analyst at Canvas8. Fascinated by how and why people do things, she has an MSc in cognitive and decision sciences from UCL. You can often find her drinking endless coffees, running around Regent’s Park, or delving into a book.
