At Benilde-St. Margaret’s, people express themselves in many different ways, through fashion choices to hairstyles. While many like experimenting with hair dye, there are still a select few students who prefer sticking to their natural hair color. Whether out of preference, simplicity, or wanting to be one of the few who have not jumped on the bandwagon, these students rock their hair colors in different ways.

Many students say their natural hair just feels right. Whether it’s the color they’ve always known, or simply something that suits their personality and look, for these students, the idea to dye their hair has never crossed their minds. “I think my hair color is a part of the culture my family is from, so changing it would remove my identity,” senior Bella Yacoub said.

Others feel less connected to their natural hair color. Some describe it as boring or say it doesn’t match how they choose to express themselves. This can make them feel that changing their hair is a better way to align with their identity. Although in some cases, this feeling of slight disconnect can lead to a pressure to change one’s appearance, even if it is just the color of one’s hair. “Coming from a predominantly white community where most girls here are blonde, I’ve tried to lighten my hair a bit to fit in,” senior Bella Stevenson-Shimek said.

In a school where hair dye is common, some students feel dyeing their hair is the only way to fit in and stay current. What starts as a personal choice of preference can quickly turn into a decision influenced by others around them. Social media and beauty standards can significantly impact people’s perceptions of their natural hair color by creating a sense of comparison, leading to individuals trying to emulate someone else. “They see how others are living and feel like they should be living like them, especially when they aren’t totally comfortable with the way they look,” senior Jeremiah Johnson said.

There is a certain comfort in leaving one’s hair natural while change and growth are happening all around. For many, it offers a sense of authenticity and a break from the pressure to constantly follow the newest trends. Keeping one’s hair natural can also save the time and money spent on various hair treatments, and keep one’s hair healthy and non-chemicalized. Sticking with natural hair color can be a way to embrace one’s without the constant need to fit in. “Do what fits you best. You’re going to be beautiful either way,” Stevenson-Shimek said.