![]() While the inspiration to go purple may have come from outside pressures, most notably ageism in the workplace, the power of purple quickly had a positive effect on her inner confidence. We had many conversations about it-she did it to make a statement that she was still in the game, that’s she’s young, she’s innovative.” “She was in the public relations industry that was getting younger and younger, and she was one of the only older women in her department. “I have a friend who put a purple streak in her hair,” recalls Orsborn. If taking a page from Helen’s “blue book” and dying all your hair a funky shade sounds intimidating, consider baby-stepping your way into the trend with the uplifting power of a single jewel-toned highlight. “Nobody really expects you to change your hair color in this way, so you’re getting this exclamation point of really being seen.” How does mermaid hair boost confidence? “Hair has a lot of meaning-it’s the way we decorate ourselves in the most visible way possible and the novelty of a pop of bright color you can change any time can help you get out of rut and brighten your mood,” she explains. ![]() Credit: Shootpix/ABACA/Shutterstock and Matt Baron/BEI/ShutterstockĪnd the fact that such striking hues are often temporary only enhances their appeal, adds developmental clinical psychologist Susan Whitbourne, Ph.D., Professor Emerita of Psychological and Brain Sciences at the University of Massachusetts Amherst, known for her work on personality and identity over the lifespan. But the beauty of aging is that you care less and less and can just be you.” Or indeed, a more colorful version of yourself. “I remember being a teenager and all I cared about was what people thought. In fact, this freedom can only come with the wisdom of having a few years under our belt. “It can be energizing and invigorating to do exactly what you want with your hair-fun pastel hues are a form of self-expression, of creativity,” observes Orsborn. ![]() In fact, it was freeing, and for a lot of us, our natural grays served as the ideal blank canvas, inviting us to experiment with light, bright colors we wouldn’t ordinarily consider. When salons shuttered, going gray, silver or white was thrust upon us, and a funny thing happened: it wasn’t so scary after all. One reason more women are trying mermaid hair today can be traced to the pandemic. “We were always on the cutting edge, doing all kinds of crazy things with our hair in our teens and 20’s-the musical Hair that reflected our generation was all about letting our ‘freak flag’ fly-but by our 30’s many of us started to toe the line and return to traditional hair color.” Why are women over 60 opting for mermaid hair? “One thing that characterizes Boomers is that we are adventurers and we have the tendency to challenge the status quo,” she says. But what makes it appealing to the grande dame of cinema and other women of her generation? “It’s all about returning to our rebellious roots,” reveals psychologist Carol Orsborn, Ph.D., author of over 30 books on the Boomer generation, including The Making of an Old Soul: Aging as the Fulfillment of Life’s Promise. ![]() Understandably, mermaid hair first went viral after catching the attention of younger women and even children, who were thrilled to experiment with the bright colors. ![]() Credit: Reshetnikov_art/Shutterstock Why is mermaid hair popular? The look can be achieved through various hair coloring techniques such as balayage, ombre, or full-head color application, depending on the desired look. It typically involves using a combination of bold, pastel or neon dyes to create a multi-tonal effect reminiscent of the ocean, and the coral-reef hues often associated with mermaids and their iridescent tails. Mermaid hair is a vibrant hair color trend inspired by the mythical creatures of the same name. But is there more to this color choice than meets the eye? Here, we asked two top psychologists over 60 why they think women of their generation are transforming their grays into colorful confidence. ![]()
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