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Our Hair, Our Therapy
Posted July 14, 2010

Can you find the answers to all of life’s little problems inside a bottle of hair color?  Probably not, but a recent survey finds that women change their hairstyles frequently over a lifetime and often times as a way to relieve boredom or get over a bad break-up.  

The survey of 3,000 women, conducted by award-winning British hairdresser Andrew Collinge, was discussed in a recent report from FOX News.  Collinge found that the average woman between the ages of 13 and 65 changes her hairstyle at least twice a year which adds up to over 100 times over a lifespan.  

About a third of the women surveyed admitted that they change their hair after a breakup and half the women said they change their hair when they are bored.  Almost 40 percent of women change their hair as a way to gain confidence.  Collinge says, “With our modern, everyday stresses and hectic lifestyles, often a restyle or a new color is an effective way to boost a woman’s confidence.”

Collinge reports that the most popular cut he gives remains the “Rachel” layered cut that was made popular Jennifer Aniston from the television show “Friends”.  He also says that rather than making dramatic changes, women usually change their hair subtly and often.  

When it comes to color, women usually experiment with an average of 3 different shades over a lifetime while 1 in 4 women will use up to 5 colors.  More than half the women surveyed prefer to color their hair a dark brown tint.  

What do you think of the recent survey revealing women change their hairstyle more than 100 times over a lifetime and often to gain confidence?

What are the reasons that you change your do?

33 Comments
mzberry says: on Jul 14, 2010
I change hairstyles very often, daily if possible. I have gone from all natural, with a "press and curl" to get variety. To a permanant straightener to calm the kinky tresses. I never use perm color but do use hennas, sheers, etc. Currently at the age of 50 I opt for natural dredlocks. And I love my hair again. I feel confident about who I am and am able to showcase my personality with my hairstyles.
Nikole12303 says: on Jul 14, 2010
I am one to change my hair styles often. I change my hair color according to season I go lighter in the summer and darker in the winter. I also change my hairstyle to straight to curly often. I get bored with my hair easily.
atruwalk says: on Jul 14, 2010
I get bored very often with my hair. I went from relaxer to natural in a day. I also do my hair myself. So when I got tired of my hair I just cut it all off myself.
ashdash02 says: on Jul 14, 2010
I love love love changing my hair! I get so bored with my hair so I change the color and constantly color it, I have had all shades except extreme brights! I love getting the compliments on my hair because I always get my hair stylist more customers! I just go in and say lets do whatever you think and it is always greatttttt!
christy_y_jose says: on Jul 14, 2010
Why shouldn't a woman be able to love there selves whether it be change of lip stick to change of hair color? I believe if a $7 box of hair dye can boost your confidence and help give u a fresh start why not do it why not make yourself happy.
paribiotic says: on Jul 14, 2010
i have never colored my hair but i do like to get a new cut whenevr something serious goes wrong and my mood goes sour. it makes me feel better and that since i've changed something about myself, then good karma should come around to make the rest of my day or week--better! if my hair looks good, i feel confident.so if people want to color their hair to make themselves happier, go ahead! 100 times over a lifetime is not that bad. i know people who color more than 2x a year.
sindhupratap says: on Jul 14, 2010
I just do it cos i love change....and it makes us feel so gud abt ourselves..with all the compliments and attention.... :)
Juliolindo says: on Jul 14, 2010
I changed my hair due to boredom. I love coloring at home or getting it done. I've been all 5 colors already and for the past 4 yrs i've stayed as a brunette to keep my hair in a healthier state. But I've cut it, layered it, highlighted, bangs, darkened it etc..
jgibbs05 says: on Jul 14, 2010
I change my hair when im bored. I've colored my hair 4 different shades. And just recently I cut all of the relaxes out of my hair and I LOVE my curly hair. Who knows what I'll do over the next 6 months.
sweetfreestuff says: on Jul 14, 2010
I am about to change my hair color and cut it short. I want a fun short cut, with not too much fuss. I think that this study is interesting. Changing your hair 100 times seems like a lot, but I guess we do have great products these days. After-all, it is just hair and you can always change it again if you aren't satisfied.
snousje says: on Jul 14, 2010
I'm starting a new job next month, so I'm thinking about a hairstyle/color change as well. I still have a few weeks to consider it. We'll see...maybe shorter and darker.
LilyLex says: on Jul 14, 2010
Everyone loves to start fresh. I do! I feel that with a new color or cut it makes u more unique and ready for the challenges that are to come. So go dye your hair and cut and curl and press and straighten, whatever makes u happy. That is all that matters, YOU!
mardel says: on Jul 14, 2010
I love giving myself a haircut! Unfortunately I don't trust a hair dresser anymore after a bad haircut! I have long straight hair! It's my comfort zone and I don'r think I will ever cut it short again. I love dying it often too!
funmamacita says: on Jul 14, 2010
I just changed my hair color for the first time because I needed a new look i have really dark hair and i just wanted something lighter.
Beatrice8674 says: on Jul 15, 2010
I am 35 yrs old with "virgin" hair...n no grays yet. but when they begin to appear I will definately start dying it too!
branflake19141 says: on Jul 15, 2010
Changing your look is fun and one of the fastest ways to do that is a new hairstyle. I like to play with different styles and see the reaction i get from others esp my husband. Also most times the way my hair looks will dictate what I wear so the possibilities are endless!
danidudack says: on Jul 15, 2010
I change my hair every 3months,,,I like red but it fades really quickly and I hate color in a box. I always use paul mitchell color because it is so conditioning it allows me to switch things up a lot with out all the breakage that box color gives you. I do get bored easily but who doesn"t love all those positive comments when you walk thru the doors of your job I know I do.
Aspiringauthor09 says: on Jul 15, 2010
I just got my hair done different today and it was mainly because I twirl my hair when bored and after a while I guess I wanted to stop twirling the same looking stuff. Sounds weird, but the more attention I pay to my hair, the more I want to switch it up. I would probably even die it or streak it if my mom would let me! I just like looking different and changing things up at school or whereever people know me by having them compliment my hair. Whio doesn't like to be told they have beautiful hair?! It makes me feel really good!
MARJORIE7777 says: on Jul 15, 2010
I change my hair color, about every three months. A couple reason is they have so many nice colors on the market. That I like you can have all different shades of brown , reds, By the once you dye your hair black it stays for a very long time. The ones with the blue tint. I did my hair and my two daughters hair. And black is still in. By
MARJORIE7777 says: on Jul 15, 2010
Plus, i like how great your hair feels after you dye it. So can I get a oh yeah! On that one.
ksikora91118 says: on Jul 16, 2010
I have changed my hair color so many times I don't know what my naturel color is. My partner loves that my color is constantly revovling because of the variety. At this point I am seriously considering just investing in wigs so I stop causing so much damage to my hair.
Ellayem says: on Jul 17, 2010
I started coloring my hair when I was a young teen. I changed my color regularly for the next twenty years. I've been back to my natural color for over five years (no highlights, etc) and love it best. It's nice to be maintenance free! I do use color for the shine and the feel, I just use a semi-permanent that matches my natural shade perfectly. As for style, I'm forever going between having a bob for a few years, then growing it out and having long hair for a while. I'm afraid to go shorter than chin length because the two times I did it looked awful. I'm currently growing out my bob, which I love, but I'm just tired of it.
tclaycomb says: on Jul 17, 2010
I have been a stylist for 14 years, and I have seen people change their hair for all kinds of reasons...break-ups, new babies, stress, etc. I have to be honest. I've changed my own hair for some of these reasons too! Your stylist should work with you and ask lots of questions to keep you from doing something you'll regret tomorrow. For you ladies doing it at home, just don't go so overboard that it is not fixable!
cybrown551 says: on Jul 18, 2010
Change is good. I color my hair to prevent the gray from showing. I've usually only had one hair color throughout my life. However, I think that most women may change thier hair color to look younger, to feel more attractive, and to just have a change in their life. Much like wearing a different colored lipstick from time to time. So with that said changing the color of your hair is more of a cosmetic reason versus lifestyle changes.
Alma-blondy says: on Jul 20, 2010
I change my color hair 2 weeks ago.Red hair women it's fashion for this year.
tish1234 says: on Jul 20, 2010
I am lucky that I have a hair stylist I totally trust. I never know what he is going to do when I go in there. Sometimes I will text him and say I want something really different and he love it. Of course I have known him for over 15 years. Right now it is brown with red and gold highlights. Who knows what it will be next time I sit in his chair but I know it will be cool. (If he even thought I did not like something he would do anything he could to fix it. So far that has not happened.
Mizmonroe says: on Jul 21, 2010
I change my hair depending on the weather, and my mood.
anamika says: on Jul 21, 2010
I change my hair style coz i get bored with the same style. feels good every time i change my hair... I am not confident about changing my hair color though......
scatus says: on Jul 23, 2010
I don't change my hairstyle that often, but when I do it is usually a drastic change!! From long to super short for example. Right now I have below shoulder hair and not wanting to cut it right now I colored it red....I do change color very often....My hair color has changed so much during the years, and especially after having children, it has become a very ugly mousey brown!! I was born a tow head...Currently it is a nice lighter red with beautiful highlights, but I have been every shade of red there is!!! It feels good to mix it up now and again!!
thisiscarlymac says: on Jul 31, 2010
whenever i feel like ive changed some how, ill change my hair. its like completing the new me.
josmommy says: on Aug 25, 2010
as a new mom it is a cheaper easy way to feel hot
aladkins74 says: on Aug 27, 2010
I love changing my hair color- it has been every color imaginable. I do this for fun, but I also notice that I do it when something changes in my life- jobs, boyfriend, etc.
Jrc3168 says: on Aug 31, 2010
I definitely change my hair when I am bored or need to shake something up. I've been all shades from deepest brown to red to caramel and in between, and my hair has gone from curls down my back to chin length bob.
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