A Lion That Wants to Be a Zebra. A Zebra That Wants to Be a Lion.
When I was working as a hairdresser in London, I met people from many different countries.
There is something I noticed during that time.
Many people seemed to focus less on “hiding their flaws” and more on “making the most of their individuality.”
Their hair texture, face shape, head shape.
Of course, everyone has something they feel self-conscious about.
But rather than focusing only on eliminating those things, many people seemed to value finding ways to make the most of the good qualities they already had.
On the other hand, in Japan, I often hear slightly different concerns.
“I want to get rid of this curl.”
“I want to hide this face shape.”
“I want to fix this part.”
Of course, there is nothing wrong with that.
Everyone has things that bother them.
When I work with my clients,
I also do my best to help improve those concerns.
However, when too much attention is placed on reducing the parts of ourselves we dislike, we can sometimes end up losing what makes us unique.
A Zebra Cannot Become a Lion
Perhaps it is important to think of finding a hairstyle that suits you and improving your personal concerns (or insecurities) as two separate things.
A zebra cannot become a lion.
And a lion cannot become a zebra.
It sounds obvious, but hairstyles are a little similar.
A person with straight hair may want strong curls.
A person with curly hair may want perfectly straight hair.
Someone may want a hair color completely different from their natural pigment.
Of course, hair color, perms, and straightening treatments can help you get closer to those goals.
But when we completely deny the natural qualities we already have, problems can arise.
It can put more stress on the hair and make daily maintenance more difficult.
Instead, it often feels more natural to embrace your own features while moving a little closer to your ideal.
Both zebras and lions can benefit from
taking just a small part of what they admire in each other.
I think that balance is just right.
Your Hairstyle and Self-Confidence Should Be Led by Your Individuality
The balance that feels right for almost everyone, in my opinion, is:
50% making the most of your individuality.
50% improving the areas that concern you.
That is simply how it feels to me.
Of course, the balance is different for everyone.
And the more that “embracing your individuality” grows to 60%, 70%, or 80%, the better.
If it reaches 100%, that is the ultimate goal.
When you understand your strengths and focus on developing them, something interesting happens—your natural charm starts to shine through.
But when all your attention is directed toward your insecurities, things can start to feel a little heavy.
The job of a hairdresser is to
help improve concerns and insecurities,
and create the hairstyle you want.
At the same time,
I believe it is also important to help people discover the good qualities they already have,
and perhaps find a slightly new side of themselves.
A lion has its own unique charm.
A zebra has its own unique charm.
What matters most
is not becoming someone else,
but relaxing a little and learning to like your own individuality just a bit more.
