If you are a woman looking to change your hairstyle, there is noteworthy research that has come out. Even with the same color and length of hair, if it is shiny and straight, it is perceived as younger, healthier, and more attractive.
Researchers from the University of Vienna in Austria recently published their findings on how the condition of hair affects the evaluation of women's appearance in the 《International Journal of Cosmetic Science》. This study involved 3,500 women from Germany, Spain, and the United States evaluating photos of a model wearing styled human hair wigs.
In the first experiment, a total of 10 pairs of wigs of various colors and lengths were prepared. One wig in each pair was styled to be shiny with shampoo and drying, while the other was treated to appear dull with reduced shine using dry shampoo. Although they were the same wig, they were in different conditions. The results from 1,500 women showed that the shiny wigs were consistently perceived as looking younger and healthier across almost all styles.
In the second experiment, photos of wigs with different shine, volume, and alignment were shown to 2,000 women. Again, the straight hairstyle received much higher ratings than curly or frizzy hair. The researchers explained, "While shine has a positive effect on appearance, the most decisive factor was 'how straight the hair is aligned.'" In other words, the feeling of hair falling straight without tangling was more important than simply being shiny.
The researchers analyzed, "A youthful and healthy impression is greatly influenced not only by skin or face shape but also by the condition and styling of hair," and noted that "the alignment and shine of hair act as universal signals of health."
Hair Styling: Using Heat Tools Without Care Can Backfire
To make hair look shiny, basic hair health care should take priority over styling tools. The habit of quickly drying hair with hot air after shampooing can strip moisture from the hair, leading to dryness and split ends, so it is recommended to remove excess moisture with a towel and then dry with lukewarm or cool air.
Additionally, using heat styling tools daily can repeatedly damage the cuticle layer due to heat, leading to loss of shine and roughness. It is advisable to use hair products that contain moisturizing ingredients, and managing with treatments or oil products about once or twice a week can help maintain the shine and moisture of the hair.
