Most people, when they wake up, don't have to wonder whether they'll have straight, curly, or wavy hair that day. Guess who does?
After two months of research and experimenting (yeah, I'm vain, I know), I can quite confidently say that my hair is not the follicle equivalent of Satan, it is only the follicle equivalent of diversity gone horribly wrong. I can pick out three locks of hair right next to each other, and one will be a tight ringlet, one will be wavy, and the third will be straight as an X-axis on a Cartesian plane. What's more, the curly hair varies between curly or wavy at random, and the wavy hair will be wavy, curly or straight on any given day.
Fortunately, a bit of Internet research goes a long way, so that for the first time since fourth grade my hair is actually looking great again. I didn't even know I had curly hair until I tried experimenting with my routine a bit. I've also finally found a couple hairstyles that go well with my hair and with my personality. Finally, I've learned to work with my hair instead of fight it (I once claimed it had formed an independent state, the "Commune of Hairis"), and in return, it's not giving me as much trouble as it used to.
In analogy notation, My hair :: me :::: I am :: authority.
In other news, curly and wavy hair is more complicated to care for properly than straight hair. For ideal results, you actually have to learn what silicones, humectants, and sulphates are and how they affect hair. You have to actually read and understand the ingredients labels on your hair products. And there are very specific points about daily routine that can affect how your hair looks and how manageable it is. Straight-haired people have it easy.
(Tip: A good website to learn about curly and wavy hair, and the maintenance thereof, is NaturallyCurly.com.)
However, all the daily time and effort required total are way less than the time many women spend on make-up every day. I can't stand wearing make-up, especially around the eyes, so it's fortunate most of my features are nicely visible without it. I can't imagine having to put on lipstick, lip liner, lip gloss, eyeshadow, eyeliner, mascara, blush, foundation, hair gel, hairspray, perfume, and nail polish on, only to remove it in a few hours. No wonder women are notorious for taking a long time to prepare for dates! If a guy finds me attractive enough to ask me out, then clearly he thinks I'm cute anyways, and there's no need to smear weird chemicals all over my face. I'd make sure I look presentable, certainly, but I am not going to hide my natural pretty features under a pound of who-knows-what.
The make-up industry wants us to think we women will look like the Wicked Witch of the West if we don't blow half our salaries on stuff to "fix" problems that aren't there. Nuh uh. Chill out and stop chaining yourself to the mirror. If you buy it just for fun or something, fine, but you never need it to look good.
[Now for the obligatory philosophy part you knew was coming.]
I think it's interesting how, even when someone is quite self-confident already, discovering they look great can wonderfully boost their mood for the day. That mental feeling when you look in the mirror of "Wow, I look really...hot." will make even the most un-sex-inclined person feel just a little bit better when they go on with their day. We all take pride in looking nice (yes, guys too, don't deny it), and while a bad hair day might not destroy your chances of having a good day, a good hair day is welcomed by everyone.
We all take pride in excellence, whether that be in appearance, intelligence, athletics, finances, or any specific skills. No wonder (subtle) flattery is so effective as a manipulative tactic, and no wonder most advertisements only use very beautiful models for whatever they're selling.
[End of philosophy part.]
Anyway, screw the media.
