Les Coiffures

Hairstyles. 9 Janvier

Bed head is huge among women in Paris. That's to say, women carefully foster the tousled hairstyle despite how fashionable their attire may be. Hair, amongst those in my age range, tends to be long and straight-ish. French girls toss their scarves around their necks and let the hair sometimes get caught under the great wool knots, leaving their locks in disarray. It implies, “Heck, I'm beautiful. So beautiful I don't need perfect hair, or perfect anything.” Granted, there is more attention invested there than they'd like to admit, as I've seen this look prepared. French women are really into making gorgeous look effortless, although they in fact spend lots of coin in doing so.

It is an admirable trait though, and I think we American women could learn from it. A refusal of perfection. An embrace of letting the hair fall where it may. Every strand of hair doesn't need to be straightened with a flat iron, there is nothing wrong with a little frizziness. It reminds us of our humanity. One of the greatest lessons I have learned from the French is, Je m'en fiche. I don't care. This concept is a revelation to me and to all American girls who are taught to be “nice” girls. Come on, how many times have you heard the compliment, “She's so nice”? Due to the very different educational system in France, French girls are not quite as encouraged in this area as American girls are. As we grew up we wanted to be liked by everyone. That's high school! If you aren't nice, you are called a female dog. You want to be well liked. Perhaps you'll become Prom Queen. The French don't have prom queens. This must mean something.

Having gone through the gauntlet called American high school and all that I understand this desire to please. Come now, who doesn't like being liked? However, it takes a lot of smiling when you don't feel like it. The French, as far as I can make out, seem far less concerned about all of this nicety and grinning. The French do desire to be considered nice but approach it as they do the concept of beauty. It is less overt, more complicated, and it should be a byproduct of them being great in general, not their central aim. “Oh, whoops! I guess I am gorgeous after all, hardly even noticed.” - Even though they spent hours getting ready... When I ask my students who the popular kids are, they have to brainstorm as a group to come up with people. Ask any American kid and a deluge of names roll off their tongue instantly.

So, thankyou, les françaises (french girls). It is rather liberating to not care quite so much what other people think of you. If they appreciate you, fantastic. If not, that is ok too. Now if only I can figure out how to pull off that hairstyle... Oh, who cares.