First Impressions

Young woman with long hair and a great personality — Photo: Depositphotos

What does your appearance say about your personality?

Research has demonstrated that we begin to form an impression of an individual's personality and character within seconds of first meeting them.

While a multitude of factors, ranging from makeup to clothing choices, contributes to the impressions we create, the hairstyle has been shown to be one of the most prominent factors in impression-making. However, in real life, people have complex personalities that cannot be summarized or fully described solely by their hairstyle.

Because of this, it's important to consider various aspects of your appearance, including hairstyle, clothing, and makeup, to ensure that your appearance accurately conveys your true personality. This can be especially crucial in situations where making a good first impression is vital, such as job interviews or dates.

So, what do your hairstyle and clothing choices say about your personality? What type of image are you trying to convey? A study conducted by Yale University researchers indicates that it's essential to consider these factors when choosing a hairstyle.

Experimenters discovered that women with sexy hairstyles were perceived as less intelligent, while those with short hair were viewed as more confident and outgoing. These stereotypes were influenced by other factors, including hair length and color. Women with long, blonde hair like Gwyneth Paltrow and Kate Winslet were seen as more affluent and sexier, whereas those with medium-length, darker hair like Sandra Bullock and Jennifer Garner were perceived as smarter and more fun-loving.

Women are not the only ones burdened with these appearance-related stereotypes. Men with short hair that is longer in the front were described as sexier and more confident, but also perceived as more self-absorbed. Those with medium-length hair parted on the side were described as more intelligent and competent, yet considered more narrow-minded. Men with extremely long hair were viewed as less intelligent but more good-natured.

Smart-looking woman wearing her hair in a fashionable short bob — Photo: Pixelshot/Canva

These descriptions of personality and character reveal how influential a hairstyle can be in creating an impression. To avoid being stereotyped based solely on a hairstyle, it's important to consider other factors contributing to the response we elicit. Selecting clothing and accessories that counteract negative reactions and express your true personality is an excellent way to create an accurate view of your character.

Consider the following personality descriptions based on hairstyle, clothing, and general physical appearance. Which category does your current look fit into? Are you projecting the image you want to convey? If not, consider incorporating other elements into your appearance to reinforce the desired personality traits.

1. Ingenue and Romantic Styles

Women described as ingenues often appear very girlish and young. They tend to have delicate bone structures, fine features, and large eyes. If your look falls into this category, you usually look good with long hair, creating a soft, feminine appearance.

Because of your sometimes-dainty appearance, it's important to avoid hairstyles and clothing that are overly "cutesy." Such choices can make you appear almost childlike, leading people to perceive you as immature and irresponsible. However, don't try to compensate by wearing overly bold clothing that may overpower your small frame.

As your look matures, you may develop a more romantic style. Romantic looks are often alluring and extremely feminine. Select small, feminine accessories to avoid overpowering your delicate features. Choose lightweight and soft fabrics, such as chiffon or cashmere, to achieve a classic, sophisticated look that conveys maturity and intelligence.

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