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December 2, 2008 7:44:45 PM CST

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Are Curls Typecast as 'Crazy'?

Posted Sep 4, 08 2:23 PM CDT in Opinion,  Arts & Living 

(Newser) – "How come a third-act makeover always seems to involve a flatiron?" asks Sara Vilkomerson in the New York Observer, pondering Hollywood's penchant for casting curls as a sign of chaos. Vilkomerson skewers mainstream film culture for hammering home the "straight is sane" message, calling it the "Princess Diaries" effect. "Remember the first thing done to transform Anne Hathaway into appropriate-looking royalty?"

Other notable examples include Glen Close's famously unhinged turn in Fatal Attraction, and the upcoming The Women, in which Meg Ryan goes from a curly ball of neuroses to a straightened sea of calm. "I think it's an important issue," said one curly hair advocate. It's "almost becoming a myth that if you have straight hair you are more professional ... and that’s truly not the case."

Source New York Observer

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Actress Glenn Close talks with actor Edward Asner at the Governor's Ball following the 59th Primetime Emmy Awards Sunday, Sept. 16, 2007, at the Shrine Auditorium in Los Angeles.   (AP Photo/Kevork Djansezian)
First item on the roster for Anne Hathaway's transformation in the Princess Diaries was to get rid of the frizz.   (AP Photo/Joel Ryan)
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We're bordering the line of almost becoming a myth that if you have straight hair you are more professional or appear to be more professional, and that’s truly not the case. - Ouidad, curly-hair advocate, New York salon owner and author of Curl Talk

The truth is that curlies can have ‘neat’ and refined curls and this will in fact significantly change the perception from a false belief to a new understanding of the beauty of curly hair. - Shari Harbinger, director of education for Devachan Salon & Departure Lounge

« Prev« Prev | Next »Next » Slideshow
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