Frizzy Is The New Fabulous

Anna Wintour may have single-handedly brought back the bob, but I'm pretty sure it's time to declare that natural is the new style - when it comes to hair, that is.

[Side note: Did you know that '"x" is the new "y" was one of the most used phrases of 2007? It feels wonderful to be a part of that. Jail Is The New Pregnant, Tan Is The New Tacky, Natural Is The New Style - I'm getting more creative with each (over) use!]

But hair: such a polarizing and sensitive subject. Time was when it'd take a miracle to find a blonde to admit she wasn't natural, a curly brunette that didn't straighten, or even (and unfortunately) a male without freshly frosted locks. But times are a-changin' and natural is making a comeback.

The fashion world has always been one of extremes. It's either pencil skirts or slouchy trousers, saffron yellow or chocolate brown, or, to put it simply, as Heidi says, you're either in, or you're out. And for every Rihanna, Katie, or Victoria, there are women out there who are embracing, or at least attempting, a more natural look.

I say: it's about time! As someone who has long eschewed the importance of a daily shower, let alone the time it takes to wash, condition, brush, style and blow-dry one's hair, I've been way ahead of the trend. My poor hairdresser, Brandon (at Mudhoney, tell him I sent you!), is saddled with the daunting task of giving me a stylish and playful cut that I don't have to tame with product, stressfully blow-dry, or even brush, and let me tell you, he succeeds winningly. And it's easier than it looks.

Embrace your texture. If you're curly, you're the envy of all flat-locked ladies, and be thankful! Leave the gel in the cabinet, the flat iron in the drawer, and let your curls live free. I have yet to see a curly-mop that looked better strangled by fists of gel or, worse yet, decimated into scraggly, broken strands by an over-used flat iron. If you must, work in some taming mousse, top with a quick blast of the diffuser, and be on your way.

If you're wavy or straight, consider yourself lucky! No stiff-armed wrestling with a paddle brush and a blow dryer, no slathering your hair in slippery serums. A couple spritzes of volumizer, some careful tousling of the roots, and off you go!

And as for those of you that I can already hear crying out, "But what about the frizz?!", I say, "Well, what about the frizz?" There is nothing wrong with a little fuzz, and if anything, a softly fuzzy 'do is one of the prettiest styles there is. The Spring '08 shows saw plenty of models stomping the runways with artfully-undone hair, and from BCBG to Betsey Johnson, the style was pretty, feminine, and utterly natural.

Look, why wouldn't you want to save yourself 40 minutes in the morning and years of therapy? Let's say no to the uber-coiffed, time-consuming, wallet draining, and unattainable standards of beauty. It's time to give it up, ladies, fight back, and start working with what your momma gave you.

Comments

[poppyharlow]

I've ALWAYS wanted curly hair--you've inspired me to get a perm.

[jennylens]

I grew up w/Cher, Jean Shrimpton and Twiggy too: straight hair 60's. I purchased the book, "Curly Girl," last May. Lorraine Massey asserts we need moisture and conditioners, not shampoo. I've been "shampooing" with conditioners, and leaving them on, since May.

My hair has never looked better and NO FRIZZIES!

Spend $10 and buy this book! Will save you a ton of money on other products. The author lists ingredients to avoid, plus remedies you can make. However, an Amazon reviewer objects to some of her remedies. I just stick to conditioners, varying them quite often.

I live a few miles from the beach and love to walk in the recently damp evenings. NO frizzies, except the few times I blew dry my hair cos I wanted it dried before I went out into colder air.

I rarely rave about any beauty items, but I can't believe my hair. It never grew past my shoulders, and now it's growing down my shoulders.

My curls are shiny, soft, and adorable. My crowning glory makes me feel sexier. My only regret is not knowing this many years ago.

My hair was fried because I dyed it bright magenta, not paying attention to how long I dyed it, plus dyed every couple weeks to keep it bright. I started to dye it back to my darker natural color just before I found the book (but monthly, not biweekly).

My hair looks better than when I used same drugstore / grocery store brands we see advertised everywhere (previous to the magenta episodes). I had shampooed every day, and dried out my hair, but washed out color (color stays better in conditioned hair). I often re-dyed just to condition my hair and have decent color.

My hair is healthiest ever, even w/my continual dyeing.

About to switch to dyes from local health food store; I am concerned about chemicals. I wanted something with a magenta cast, and I think I finally found it!

GET "CURLY GIRL," for tight, loose, African-American, blond, brunette, dyed, not dyed curls. She covers us all!

[abbbaby]

Wait a sec Verena von Pfetten you show a beautiful picture of regina spektor and you don't come full circle, no mention of her in your blog. Why ? Is it a case of bad a bad editor ? Did you get to proof it ?

[acty]

no tans and now frizzy hair....oh god! Whats next Miss von Pfetten....cant wait to see!!!

[Milash]

Thank goodness I'm finally fashionable.

[Trollstakeyourmeds]

Well, Ms. Hanks....I'm one of the "frizz" brigade who grew up in the time of "Cher Hair". To top it off, both of my younger sisters had/have stick straight, thick beautiful hair. My mom used to tell me constantly, (as I rolled it on orange juice cans and ironed in with a regular iron, "One day you'll appreciate all of that body and curl". Uh....I'm 53 and still waiting. But, this makes me feel somewhat better. Can you release this info on a national news show somewhere so for once, I'll be fashionable?

[Bocababs]

This is great news to those of us who wanted to grow our hair a little, but did not want to deal with irons and straighteners. It's about time the 1980's are coming back.

[CFSM]

Frizzy is probably appropriate at the moment - the global financial system is out of control, why shouldn't hair be.