For years, Abby had a lingering suspicion—did the way she styled her hair affect how people, especially men, treated her?
Growing up in London, the 23-year-old office admin assistant had always received compliments from women on her naturally tight blonde curls.
But when it came to romantic attention, she had a hunch that sleeker, straight hair made a difference.
Curious to prove her theory, she decided to take matters into her own hands.
The Experiment: Two Dating Profiles, Two Hairstyles
Abby devised a simple but telling experiment.
She created two separate Hinge dating profiles—one featuring photos of her natural curls and another with straightened hair.
The goal? To see which profile attracted more attention.
Reflecting on her experiences, Abby explained, “Whenever I went out, I noticed I got more attention from men when my hair was straight.
So, I wanted to see if the same thing would happen on dating apps.”
The results were striking.
Her profile with straight hair received a staggering 142% more likes than the one showcasing her natural curls.
While she wasn’t entirely surprised, the stark difference confirmed her suspicions.
Confidence and Hair Choices
Despite loving her curls in everyday life, Abby admitted that she often chose to straighten her hair for dates.
“Even though I’ve started embracing my curls more, straight hair feels easier to manage—there’s less frizz, and I can experiment with more styles,” she shared.
“It also just makes me feel more put-together and confident.”
Her experience isn’t unique.
A study by haircare brand Bellissima found that nearly 40% of women with curly hair prefer to wear it straight on dates.
The Go-To Hairstyle That Turns Heads
While straight hair generally attracted more attention, Abby noticed that a particular style stood out even more.
“When I go out with a half-up, half-down hairstyle, I definitely get approached more,” she revealed.
However, she emphasized that her hair’s appearance didn’t determine the success of a date.
“Whether or not I get asked on a second date has more to do with chemistry.
If my hair is the deciding factor, he’s probably not the right guy anyway!”
A Journey to Embracing Natural Curls
Like many women with curly hair, Abby spent years straightening her locks, simply because she didn’t know how to properly care for them.
“I started straightening my hair around age 12,” she recalled.
“I didn’t even know my curl type, and since most of my family and friends had straight hair, I didn’t have anyone to guide me.”
Over time, the positive feedback she received when her hair was straight reinforced an insecurity about her curls.
But things have changed. “These days, women often compliment my natural hair, and it’s become a great conversation starter.”
The Impact of Heat Styling on Hair Health
While the temptation to straighten curly hair is strong, experts warn against excessive heat styling.
Celebrity hairstylist and Bellissima ambassador Alicia Dobson highlighted the long-term damage.
“Constant straightening weakens curls, leading to frizz and breakage,” she explained.
“Embracing natural curls not only preserves their health but also boosts confidence.
Curls are unique and full of personality—they should be celebrated!”
With over 25 million likes on TikTok videos about straightening curly hair, it’s clear that many women still struggle with embracing their natural texture.
But as Abby’s journey shows, confidence isn’t about following beauty trends—it’s about finding what makes you feel your best.
This article was published on TDPel Media. Thanks for reading!
Share on Facebook «||» Share on Twitter «||» Share on Reddit «||» Share on LinkedIn