What Makes A Hairstyle Sexy?
Why does Halle Berry's gamine short crop make her look so sultry, while the same effect is achieved by long-haired starlets with cascades of curls spilling out over their shoulders? The answer isn't so much in the specific attributes of the cut, but rather in the attributes which these haircuts showcase.
Let's take a look at the attributes that make a style really work.
We're all aware that different people find different features of the body to be most attractive. And in fact, there have been trends throughout history where different physical traits have been idealized and brought into the spotlight for admiration, such as the bob styles sported by the flappers in the 1920s. The short bobs revealed the long, slender necks of these women and drew the eyes of all the men, thanks to the short and sultry hairstyles.
The other physical features or erogenous zones that are focal points for sexy hairstyles (and the styles that flatter them) are:
The Neck. Even before the "bob" made its debut as a style trend, the neck was often showcased in the Victorian and Edwardian eras by styling the hair into an elegant up-style. This served to display the neck to good effect, but also created the appearance that the neck was longer and more swan-like and graceful. This effect was tempered by the high, lace-trimmed collars that encased the neck.
The Roaring Twenties brought flapper fashion to the forefront and sleeveless sheath dresses with scoop collars left the skin of the neck exposed and the clean lines given full attention due to the short styling of the hair in the back. These themes have been echoed over and over again in history as bob styles have passed into and out of the forefront of fashion trends.
The Eyes. Always considered a top feature for generating attraction, the eyes have always been a focal point around which to style the hair. In earlier eras, hairstyles with bangs were used to create a soft frame to draw attention to the eyes.
The Bosom. The front of a woman's physique has long been a focal point for men's attention, so it hardly seems necessary to intentionally draw the attention of men, but that is precisely what is one with long, cascading hairstyles. We’ve all seen the Hollywood beauties with long flowing locks that spill over the shoulders to come to a stop at the top of the chest or to nestle in the cleft of the bust. The hair ends create a focal point to draw the viewers’ attention.
The Mouth. At different points in the last century, hairstyles have been adapted to bring attention to the wearer's mouth, for the purpose of showcasing particularly attractive lips and Cupid's bow mouths. Among these hairstyles is the A-line bob, whose forward terminus typically falls at or just above the chin level.
Later, styles such as the "Rachel" and other razor cut styles that featured specifically defined tiers of layering around the face helped to create focal points on the mouths of the women wearing them, whether to enhance pouting lips, or simply to showcase a stunning smile.
As often as not, the hairstyle preferences that men espouse for the women in their lives is a subconscious reflection of the attributes that these men are most attracted to in women in general. Men who are most attracted to slim, willowy women often express that their feminine ideal also has long, straight hair. This follows because long, straight, flowing hair creates a vertical focus that enhances a slim, sinewy physique.
Conversely, men who are most attracted to a pretty face will often prefer shorter hairstyles and those that create a framing effect around the face. It's all a matter of what you like and how best to show it off.
©Hairfinder.com
