This seemed as appropriate to post here as anywhere else..


One of the morning shows just did a piece with a reporter who has naturally curly hair but straightens it.

When they showed her with the two different hairstyles to a group of men, they all rated her higher with the straight hair.

When they showed the pictures to 22 kids and asked them to stand by their favorite, 20 stood by the straight hair photo.

When they had her do job interviews with two different groups of three interviewers, almost nobody commented on her hair when it was straight. EVERYBODY did when it was curly ("I find big hair distracting in meetings", etc.)

But here's the twist - they also thought she was smarter and more self-assured with curly hair. Which, it turns out, is viewed more positively these days in the workplace (women with straight hair are considered self-absorbed, apparently).

There's more than a little that's dismaying in all this. But for actors, it's yet another translation exercise in what image "says".

Interesting. I have wavy* hair, so sometimes I wear it naturally wavy, sometimes I wear it straight. For my most recent headshots, I chose to have a straight-hair look.

I like my wavy hair sometimes, but when it's blown out smooth and straight, I think it looks a little more modern, a little trendier, sexier, and a little younger too. (I always get told I look young, and I think even more so with the straight hair)

I do think there are some curly-haired women who are very distinctive-looking, and I think the memorable factor works for them. But you don't see it (curly hair in the industry) as much.



*not curly - it's more of what they call the "S" shaped wave.

Justine, I have the same hair type as you. My wavy hair is quite frizzy, as well. I definitely look more professional with my hair straight (thought, unlike you, I look younger when I leave it natural).

I think naturally curly hair is really pretty and it's nearly impossible to make unnaturally curly hair look like that.

I never concern myself with, "what is the current fashion" or "what is everybody else doing?"

This is not only counterproductive, but virtually guarantees that you will never be satisfied or content with your appearance. My only concern is what is most flattering and attractive for the specific actor -- and therefore what will make them the most castable. That has nothing at all to do with whether your hair is curly or straight, only what is best for YOU.

The subject of personal appearance, be it hair styles or anything else, is totally subjective and unrelated to what is considered to be "the norm," because in reality there is no "norm," only what is appropriate to the individual. And that can only be determined on a personal, case-by-case basis, not by submitting to some sort of predetermined, "one size fits all" approach.

“Whatever works.”

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I have curly hair and straightened it for YEARS. My headshots were with straight hair, and I never went to an audition without straightening.

Eventually, I got tired of it. (Not to mention it was a losing battle in rain or summer humidity). I decided I was never going to straighten my hair again. Got new headshots taken with curly hair and started presenting myself that way.

And I started booking more. I don't think it was because suddenly curly hair was in, I think it was that I was presenting myself more honestly - I felt that I was going in with a stronger "this is who I am."

I think my hair, while some might think it wild or messy, makes me stand out. Which is never a bad thing at an audition.

I'm currently wondering which style to use for my first headshots. I've been wearing my hair straight lately, because for some reason, it hasn't been coming out right when i wear it curly. Do any photographers give you the opportunity to do both styles within a shoot? i would really like to be able to have headshots of both looks.

Just for some opinons, i will go ahead and show both looks to you guys. Keep in mind that I was about 20 lbs lighter in the curly headed shot (i know, i know, i'm working on losing it!) And the straight hair shot i'm in such an odd position for some reason.

Also answer me this... since i am truly working on shedding the pounds, should i be waiting until i shed them to do my headshots?

second pic

I honestly Can't remember the last girl I shot with curly hair. I don't think any this year and I think there have been well over 100. Yeah curly hair is not in, in LA. I like it though. I think curly haired girls look like they are having more fun.

Can only see the first picture, which I can tell is not a pro shot as it's cut around the sides to remove the rest of the pic.

So...The curly hair in pic one looks too "baby young" -- it reminds me of a style little girls up to age 8 can wear without any problem. Once females get older, though, they have to update the look.

Also, I've seen curlier hair -- this looks like it was put together with a curling iron to "look" curly, which is entirely different. I'd say your hair is really "wavy" which is not exactly straight and not exactly curly but has body and thus can hold a curl when need be.

Too bad I can't see the second pic so I can't comment on that.

by the way, I love curly hair, especially on those who have accepted their hair, are proud of it and work it well and take good care of it. Let's face it, some people look better with curly hair than with straight (and vice versa) and some people take better care of their hair than others.

my hair is sorta wavy, though those curls were not made with a curling iron but through twirling it with my fingers. don't know why you can't see the second pic? none of these are pro shots, they are just snaps