The definition of acceptable hair standards is evolving, driven by a desire for greater inclusivity, flexibility, and recognition of individual needs and identities. Recent changes, particularly within the military, highlight this shift. These modifications aim to balance professionalism with the diverse needs and characteristics of individuals, taking into account factors like hair texture, length, and health.
One significant change is the move towards eliminating minimum hair length requirements, particularly for female Soldiers. This allows for greater personal expression and acknowledges that forcing individuals to conform to specific length requirements can be impractical or even detrimental to hair health.
Under previous standards, Soldiers were allowed to braid, twist, lock, or cornrow their hair, provided the styles were uniform and no greater than 1/2 inch in width, with appropriate size and spacing. They were also limited to one distinct type of hairstyle at a time. The updated policies offer more flexibility, allowing Soldiers to maintain professional appearances while accommodating various hair textures and styles. For example, female Soldiers with medium-length hair now have the option to wear a ponytail if their hair length or texture prevents them from securing it into a tight bun. This is especially important during physical training in Army Combat Uniform (ACU) or while wearing tactical headgear during tactical training or combat operations. The Army defines long hair as a length that extends beyond the collar.
"We can't tell a Soldier to cut their hair so their helmet can fit," Sanders said.
The updated standards address the use of hair color, allowing for natural-colored highlights. The emphasis remains on natural hair colors, although these colors do not necessarily have to be those typically seen on a certain ethnic group. Under the previous regulation, Soldiers were only authorized to dye, tint, or bleach their hair, and the color had to be uniform and not detract from their professional appearance.
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Foreign materials, such as beads or other decorative items, are still prohibited from being braided into the hair. When in uniform, the hair may touch, but not fall below a horizontal line level with the lower edge of the back of the collar. With jumper uniforms, hair may extend a maximum of one and a half inches below the top of the jumper collar. When worn in a bun, the bulk of the bun shall not exceed three inches when measured from the scalp. A maximum of two small barrettes may be used to secure the hair to the head. Examples of accessories that are not authorized include headbands, scrunchies, combs, claws and butterfly clips. This list is not to be considered all inclusive. Hair coloring, wigs, or hair pieces must be of a natural hair color, such as blond, brunette, brown, red, gray, or black, not be distracting from a professional appearance in uniform and complement the individual. Hair extensions must match the current color of the hair.
Female Soldiers will soon be authorized to wear earrings in their ACU if they meet the current size and dimensions standards. Pearl earrings are not authorized with the ACU, Sanders said.
Along with supporting a Soldier's identity, the Army approved the use of additional colors of lipstick and nail polish, including the wear of clear nail polish by male Soldiers. According to the updated policy, extreme colors and nail shapes, such as a coffin, ballerina, and stiletto nails, are prohibited while in uniform or on duty in civilian clothes.
Beyond regulations and standards, maintaining healthy hair is crucial, regardless of hair type or style. Factors like climate, styling practices, and chemical treatments can significantly impact hair health.
Those of us with curly hair, or even on the wavy end of the spectrum, already know well how frizzy and unmanageable humidity can make our hair. Living in a hot, dry climate, as we at The Hair Standard do, can make curls lose their bounce and fall totally limp. If you have looser curls, a dry climate can make them collapse to a ‘wavy at best’ situation.
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As it turns out, one of the most important things you can do for your curls is to use high-quality products designed specifically for ladies with curly hair. We love Bumble and Bumble’s Bb. Curl collection for this reason. Even if your hair isn’t curly, products made for girls with curly hair can be great for you too! Those who live in dry climates or have hair extensions can benefit from these products. This is thanks to their focus on adding moisture to the hair without causing it to frizz up.
Here’s a rundown of the products in the Bb. Curl collection:
Bb. Curl Hydrasculpt: The Hydrasculpt Blend uses a special, cross-linking polymer to ensure every individual curl is treated, and Cupuacu butter serves as a powerful moisturizer.
Bb. Curl 3-in-1 Conditioner: The magic of this conditioner is that it works well in three different forms of use. You can use it as a standard, rinse-out conditioner, a leave-in conditioner for when you need an extra dose of moisture in a dry climate, or for co-washing either between shampoos or in place of shampooing entirely.
Bb. Curl Deep Conditioner: If you have curly hair, extensions, or live in a dry climate, applying a deep conditioner once a week for five to thirty minutes can be a great way to add serious amounts of moisture, repair damage, and make your hair feel soft and silky.
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Bb. Curl Pre-Style/Re-Style Primer: Like all the Bumble and bumble Curl products, this pre-style/re-style primer is designed to define curls and keep them frizz-free, while also keeping them healthy and moisturized. As a styling tool, it works to detangle hair and help hold and define curls as the base of any hairstyle.
Bb. Curl Mousse: Mousse has been a favorite in the curly girl’s arsenal for years thanks to its curl-defining properties and ability to reduce frizz and add volume. You can use Mousse in several different ways because it’s so versatile. Apply it directly to wet hair with your fingers for basic curl-defining or comb it through your hair to add volume while blow-drying. Some people even work it into the roots of dry hair to help refresh between washes.
Bb. Curl Defining Creme: This is the holy grail in embracing your natural curls. This curl defining creme gives you bouncy, silky strands, while emphasizing the natural curl of your hair, and giving serious hold. You can sleep on it overnight and wake up with your ringlets still frizz-free and in perfect springy condition. Even if you don’t have much of a natural wave to your hair, curl defining creme can work wonders to help hair hold texture. You simply combine the creme with techniques like wet-braiding or overnight pin curls. Further, because the Bb.
Bb. Curl Anti-Humidity Gel-Oil: To round out this article, we’re going to focus on the newest from the Bb. Curl line. This allows you to shape your curls without worrying about stiffness since the oil lets them retain their natural movement. If you’re already blessed with natural spirals, heating tools are not needed to achieve the look you want. When using this product, individual curls and strands can be coiled around a chopstick, the barrel of a cold curling iron, or set in pin curls overnight.
Bb. Curl Butter Masque: Remember when we mentioned how many benefits there were to deep-conditioning hair? If you have thick, curly, and/or chemically treated hair, this masque was made just for you. Leaving this product in your hair for just 3-5 minutes guarantees softer, more manageable strands with reduced damage and likelihood of breakage. The answer to this question lies in heat conductivity.
Bb. Curl Luminous Oil Spray: The final and newest product in the Bb. Curl collection is the Bb. Curl Luminous Oil Spray. It’s silicone free, meaning it won’t leave your hair feeling heavy and greasy (silicone is hydrophobic, making it difficult to rinse out).
Minimize Daily Washing: It’s already fairly common knowledge, especially among the curly crowd, that washing your hair every day can damage and leave it looking lackluster. There’s no one-size-fits-all answer to that question.
Protect from Sun Exposure: If you’ve ever colored your hair, you know that sun exposure ensures color to fade quickly. What about natural hair, though? UVA and UVB rays can damage your hair’s cuticles (the outside layer), leading to dryness, frizziness, and split ends.
Use a Humidifier: A humidifier in your house can help stave off the effects of dry outside air.
Maintain a Healthy Diet: A diet rich in biotin and vitamins C and E can promote strength in your hair, making it less susceptible to breakage.
Use Silk Pillowcases: Also, silk pillowcases.
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