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Throughout history, hair has carried a lot of symbolic value. Across various cultures, we find diverse meanings attached to it, using it as a marker of ethnicity, identity, spirituality, rebellion, beauty, and even status. Embracing our hair has the power to boost our confidence and empower us. It’s also one part of our body we can change up, have fun with, and express ourselves through without causing permanent damage. 

Living by this mindset, artistic hairstylist Gue Ōliveira helps people feel more confident in their locks by giving them jaw-dropping makeovers. Keep scrolling to find some amazing befores and afters, and be warned that they’re so good that you might feel tempted to book your own appointment ASAP.

While you're at it, don't forget to check out a conversation with celebrity hairstylist Charlene Spiller, who kindly agreed to tell us more about why people feel the urge to go through drastic changes.

The InStyle magazine survey has found that about 66% of women feel that their hairstyle is due for a makeover. 25% of those felt that a color change would make them more satisfied with their hairstyle. Meanwhile, 48% of women surveyed believed that they needed a good haircut to be more happy with their mane. 

Men have their concerns about hair too, with 49% confessing to being very worried about how their hairstyle looked. Similar to women, 70% of male respondents reported that they would like to change something about their hair. 

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Celebrity hairstylist Charlene Spiller believes that many people feel the urge to go through a major transformation because a new hairdo allows them to discover something new. "Your hair is the first thing you see in the morning when you wake up. You look at the top of your head, and sometimes you just need to feel a sense of discovery, and I think changing your hair does that," she tells Bored Panda

“For many, a hair transformation can represent a new version of themselves. A transformation in our appearance is a way of reflecting our inner world," says psychological coach Lucy Spicer.

"It can be used to creatively express our personality and how we want to be perceived by others. Opting for a hair makeover that feels good and authentic to you can significantly boost your confidence and self-esteem."

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LakotaWolf (she/her)
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3 months ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

They look so THRILLED with the blue style! I love it! I tried blue myself (dyeing my hair for the first time ever!!) when I was 39. I loved it too, but it's hard to maintain on longer hair. The blue looks fabulous on this person and they clearly LOVE it!

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Stressful events especially motivate us to seek makeovers, which can provide a cathartic experience. “When we go through a period of change that is painful for us, we tend to make decisions that offer us immediate relief. We want to free ourselves from strong emotions,” says psychotherapist Rebecca Newman.

Another reason we might feel the urge for a transformation is to gain a sense of control. When we feel like our life is slipping through our fingers and we feel powerless over certain situations, deciding to color or cut our hair can make us feel in charge.

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Spiller shares that one of the most memorable makeovers she's done was with a woman who decided to embrace her mature hair. "I convinced her to do it differently so she looked younger. Needless to say, the formula that I chose to use on her hair changed her life because now her gray blends in and she looks younger and more vivacious."

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Cee
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3 months ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

It’s nice to see makeovers where the stylist doesn’t just chop it off for shock appeal

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However, before committing to a drastic change, it may be helpful to think through a few things to ensure that the person doesn’t regret the new hairdo the next day. Artistic hair expert Sareena Acharya urges clients to ask themselves why they’re opting for a makeover and what their level of commitment is towards maintaining it.

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“Getting a transformation is not the end of it, the maintenance of a new hairdo is equally important. Every look necessitates a certain level of commitment to maintain it, through styling the cut or caring for colour. I try to ensure that a client never regrets a hairstyle later, because it’s hard to reverse the transformation in the short term,” she adds.

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Sleestak
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3 months ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Striking woman either way, but that is a great cut for her face

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To avoid impulsive decisions Spicer advises going through her handy checklist instead. “Ask yourself why you want to opt for a transformation in your appearance and what is your intention for creating this change? How would you like this transformation to make you feel? Are you doing it for yourself or for others? It helps to really sit with your ‘why’ and ensure that you’re doing it for yourself and for positive reasons,” she recommends.

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However, it’s worth noting that a makeover doesn’t always need to be drastic to be considered a transformation. The decision to take care of our natural hair can be equally impactful. Clinical psychologist Radhika Bapat says, “I know people who have decided to embrace their natural, chemical-free hair to let it grow on its own. In many ways, this is drastic.”

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Multa Nocte
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3 months ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

OK, I admit that I believe he looks better in the after pic, and I am fiercely pro-long hair for men.

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zims
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3 months ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

She's looking teary-eyed over the result. It looks much healthier!

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Achieving natural, healthy hair is not easy and requires patience, good products, and a routine. Something that can additionally help achieve natural hair transformation is deep conditioning it, having regular trims, avoiding heat styling, and staying on top of your vitamins and minerals, as deficiencies and a poor diet can lead hair to shed. For more inspiration, make sure to check out our previous article on women who ditched dying their hair!

For those who want to mix up their natural hair without causing a lot of damage to it, Spiller suggests, "I think you can change your hair slightly by adding bangs, adding layers, pinning it up, changing the color (temporarily) At this point, your hair becomes your best accessory!"

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Skara Brae
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3 months ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Maybe it's just me, but doesn't she look ten years older in the 'after' picture?

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zims
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3 months ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Face of pure joy to face of a kid who just got out of school and realized they have school again tomorrow.

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CF
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3 months ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

So she IS putting fake eyebrow scars on some of them! Such a weird thing to do..

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Ace
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3 months ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

I think the 'fade' cut (or whatever it's called, that semi-shaved bit at the sides) is a conspiracy by hairdressers to make you dependent on them and having to come back to get it redone every couple of weeks. He's now going to be spending hundreds a year on previously-unnecessary haircuts. There will be some saving on shampoo and conditioner, I guess.

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Hill Branda
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3 months ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

I like the after shot. He looks younger and he seems pleased with the result.

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Cee
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3 months ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Ahhh!! They had beautiful hair before the chop!! Please tell me it was at least donated for a wig 🤞🤞

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Multa Nocte
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3 months ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

This one almost looks like it has a filter for the make-up or it's applied a little on the heavy side.

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Cee
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3 months ago (edited) DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

So many of these people had lovely hair that I hope some were donated

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Faith Baker
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2 months ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

I'd bet money that this is a young man-all the better to chop off the "girly" locks!

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