It’s safe to assume that for all of us, we have had at least one traumatic event happen to us unexpectedly. And when we are coping with the aftermath, it can be difficult to handle in more ways than one. Going no contact, struggling in classes, feeling unmotivated to change anything about it …
Instead of spending a couple hundred bucks on therapy, go to your local Target and grab some box dye.
The Adrenaline
If you are familiar with girlhood (whether you identify as a woman or simply know one), this solution really isn’t brand new. If anything, we have all had a moment of impulsivity with our appearance: getting your nails done, a haircut, a tattoo, a piercing.
Hair dye might be the most typical method of impulsive appearance change, and it certainly has grown attention on social media. TikToks circulate of women dying their hair a new color because they got ghosted. Girls hard launch their new hair on Instagram to show off to those friends they just cut off.
It’s exciting, it’s convenient. You can feel like a brand new person, even if it’s for a few days.
Look Good, Feel Good
When we look our best, we feel our best. As repetitive as this phrase is, it’s actually a fact backed by science.
According to multiple studies, working on our appearance and feeling “pretty” can literally make us feel like a million bucks. Exercise, getting nails or hair done and wearing cute clothes will make any situation ten times more enjoyable.
When it comes to hair dye, as mentioned previously, it’s easy. And cheap. We’re college students, possibly working part-time jobs and maintaining a social life on top of somewhat decent grades. “Easy” and “cheap” are like mating calls for us, and even if we love our natural hair, sometimes a change is needed in our lives.
First Look in The Mirror
There is something almost poetic about diving head-first into a completely new look. Maybe it’s the impulsivity, maybe it’s the end result. But it definitely is something that can bring you stress relief, even if it’s fleeting.
It’s that first look in the mirror. It’s your friend’s eyes widening as she exclaims, “Did you dye your hair?” It’s the realization that you have free will to cut, trim, dye or shave your hair in any way or any color.
It’s the smell of bleach in your bathroom and the confidence you get, knowing no matter what, hair grows out and life goes on.
Have you dyed your hair recently? Post on Instagram and tag us at @VALLEYmag!