I'm Obsessed with Hair Videos

It started as research, I swear

Welcome curious new subscribers! A hearty hello to those who have landed here from The Tattered Page book group and my recent library events in Woburn, Mass, and Falls Church, Va. I hope you’ll stick around and see what’s new in my corner of the internet.

Me at the Woburn Library next to largest poster of my face that I’ve ever seen. This was an AMAZING event. I can’t wait to go back! It’s also a beautiful building.

I’m a bit behind on my newsletter writing, not for lack of content. I’m in the thick of drafting my next “I hope” book and ideas are coming at me like spring pollen.

And so today, I want to share my latest research (let’s call it research) obsession Hair Transformation Videos. Stick with me on this!

My newest project involves a woman ( a TV meteorologist) who is desperate to be “seen” by her family, her boyfriend, and the public. It also involves Tarot cards, but that’s another newsletter.

Part of the “seeing” has to do with her image and her hair. Writers often rely on hair colors and styles to describe characters. And while people tell me how cute I am (a fellow writer once said I was fun sized) hair has never been my vanity point.

Down the Video Rabbit Hole

I’m always seeking fresh physical descriptions, and I like to write about contemporary trends. As I was reading about hairstyles, fades, and baby lights, I had no idea what these looked like. Enter the video.

OMG people, there are thousands of hair transformation videos and creators. I guess I’ve been living under a rock. Now I can’t look away and they show up on all my feeds.

A Little History

Makeovers and transformations have always been part of story telling. Cinderella is transformed by her Fairy Godmother and off she goes to the ball. And then there are variations such as the George Bernard Shaw play Pygmalion (based on a Greek myth) that became the movie My Fair Lady. And about a dozen other movies and TV shows that feature this trope.

This link takes you to Project Guttenberg where you can read a free copy!

The Ugly Duckling becomes the Swan. In the extreme sense, there is reality TV. There was a show called “The Swan” where a group of women agreed to plastic surgery, and then compete in a beauty competition. And remember the extremely popular “Biggest Loser” where contestants lose half their size right before our eyes.

Check out these catnippy articles about The Swan

• I went under the knife on The Swan

• The Swan, where are they now

• How the most bizarre and controversial TV show got made

  And we love this, and by we I mean viewers and ratings.

  Why? For me I’m interested in a few elements.

Choices

• The choices people make to allow themselves to grow out their hair like Sasquatch - seriously you should see some of the men.

• The decision that drives people to seek professional help. Is it a girlfriend/wife? Some life rejection? A death? Another dramatic change like a weight loss or injury? What is their personal tipping point?

• The sales cycle? Whose chair do they sit in? One of my favorite is a Portuguese stylist who is stunning in her own right and provides therapy in the chair. Then there are the Tik Tok barber bros as I think of them who cut hair for men: see previous Sasquatch comment.

• Why would you allow yourself to be filmed? Does it make it more serious to you? Vanity? Your 15 minutes of fame?

Ready to Watch with Me?

Below is a 20-minute video of hair transformations. You don’t have to watch it all, but it’s has a variety of people and ages. Watch their faces! as the process starts and then decide at the end if you think they look better, or at least happier.

Transformation, makeovers, call it what you want have a psychological component. This article from Johns Hopkins talks about the success element of these changes. We see change as success. Returning to the Cinderella story, she is successful in meeting the prince. These people are investing in themselves, pulling themselves up. They are winners and we love winners.

I stumbled on this interesting blog from a salon that talks about hair transformations. Women on average make a snap decision to “do something” with their hair about three times a year. The article sites other statistics but annoying for me, there were no links to the source material.

The pandemic spurred significant hair changes with some women cutting their hair short for ease or choosing bold colors for creativity. From my own video watching, I’ve heard that a lot of men began growing their hair out during the pandemic and now, 5-years later, they are ready for a change.

One of my favorite - yes, I have favorites - is Alec the Barber who has this lazy but confident Southern drawl.

Another feature of these transformation is the lengths (pun intended) people will travel to get their hair done by these stylists. Almost like traveling to see a medical specialist. The promised one who will cure you. Even if your ailment is split ends.

I’ve learned a lot watching these videos. My characters have a new range of styles, gestures, and facial expression. I’ve learned that I am not immune to the time sucking allure of video shorts, and I’m a voyeur. Well… as a long time easedropper writer, that ain’t news.

I also came across scholarly articles on hair and image. I am excusing my obsession as learning more about the transformation trope.

Your Turn!

Do you watch these or similar transformation videos? Why are you attracted to them?

Book Giveaways

I’ve promised some book giveaways and they are coming soon! Stay tuned, I’m now connecting with those authors for the story and the research behind the stories.

Thanks for reading and for your continued support of The Pelican Tide. My recent Earth Day talks were a huge hit. I’ve met some great people through my book and I can’t wait to see what happens next.