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August 15, 2021

How bad hair can ruin your self-esteem

Bad hair can set the tone for the rest of your day.

In fact, women have stayed home from work, from parties and have even passed up job interviews all because of their hair.

At least that's what a new report out of the UK is telling us.

Women are waking up to unruly hair at least three times a week resulting in spending at least four hours and 26 minutes feeling moody and depressed.

But the mane problem isn't just limited to British women -- Canadian women are feeling the same way too.

According to statistics from celebrity stylist John Frieda, 39 per cent of Canadian women have stayed home from work, skipped a party or have worn a hat because of a bad hair day.

Bad hair can have powerful psychological effects on women.

Eight out of 10 women believe that their supernatural strength, social acceptance and beauty lies in how good their hair looks and a bad hair day dramatically reduces their self-esteem, confidence and self-worth.

Now who would have thought that your locks could do so much damage?

Shakila Ahmed, Travelodge study spokesperson, says, "Our research has revealed how incredible the impact of a woman's hair has upon their mood when they get out of bed every morning.

"Women feel like entirely different individuals when their hair does not behave. Having unmanageable tresses can make a woman feel tired, grumpy and less confident. In contrast, a great hair day will make a woman feel sexy, confident and ready to take on the world."

The study found that, when experiencing a bad hair day, 67 per cent of women said they would not do well on a job interview; 49 per cent reported they lose their self-worth and do not perform well at important meetings or presentations; 63 per cent would cancel an important date; and 32 per cent have phoned in sick because of their hair.

Forget the Farrah Fawcett hairstyle, now women are seeking celebrity hairstyles like Cheryl Cole, Holly Willoughby, Kelly Brook, Kate Middleton, Michelle Keegan, Jennifer Aniston, Kim Kardashian, Kimberley Walsh, Anne Hathaway (hopefully before she cut her locks), and Frankie Sandford.

Instead of best-dressed it's best-tressed.

The study revealed that when women want to ooze self-confidence, be seductive and take on the world it's not the designer outfit, heels or make-up -- it's the hair.

So no wonder women spend so much time on their hair-do.

The report found that women style and blow-dry their hair at home on average about three times per week with each session taking about 20 minutes. That translates into about 146,640 minutes perfecting their hair over a lifetime.

And if it is a special occasion, Canadian women may spend longer than 30 minutes on their hair to get just the right look.

The top three events that Canadian women get more stressed about their tresses and not their dresses are weddings, job interviews and first dates.

By Donna Donaldson, MSN Money

Does having bad hair affect your day?

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Gordon PowersGordon Powers

A long-time fund company executive, Gordon Powers now heads up the Affinity Group, a financial services consulting firm. Gordon was a personal finance columnist for the Globe & Mail for many years, has taught retirement planning...