(Un)filtered: Buang Sial
There's something about changing my hair that feels bigger than just aesthetics. Today, I opted for an ash-grey brunette look—something fresh, something that felt like me, but evolved. While it's easy to say, “It's just hair,” deep down, I know it's never just that.
This transformation came after what I can only describe as #TheSeriesOfUnfortunateEvents—one thing after another, testing my patience and resilience. While I won't delve into the details, let's just say that a reset was overdue. And what better way to mark a shift than with a change I could actually control?
In my culture, getting a haircut is more than just a cosmetic choice—it's called Buang Sial, a belief that by cutting or changing your hair, you're shedding bad energy, letting go of negativity, and making space for something better. Across various societies, hair has been seen as a vessel that holds experiences and emotions. By cutting it, you symbolically release what no longer serves you (Leach, 1958).
Psychologists also see hair changes as a reflection of internal emotional shifts. Research suggests that altering one's appearance—especially hair—can serve as an external affirmation of an internal transformation, reinforcing personal growth and self-image shifts (Weber, 2019). This psychological link explains why so many people drastically change their hair following significant life events such as breakups, career shifts, or emotional milestones (Psychology Today, 2019).
Anthropologically, hair plays a critical role in identity and social signaling. Tarlo (1996) explains that hair is often used to convey status, religious beliefs, and cultural identity, making hair transformations deeply personal yet universally understood. Similarly, Hallpike (1969) discusses how hair modification can be both an act of self-expression and social conformity, depending on the cultural and societal context.
For me, this wasn’t about a drastic reinvention—it was about embracing change, feeling lighter, and stepping forward. I went to Leo Hair Artist, and Leo and his team did an amazing job! This was my second time working with him (the last time was back in 2021), and I can confidently say he's one of the best in the game. Highly recommend him if you're looking for a stylist who truly understands your vision and executes it flawlessly.
Maybe that’s why I love this ritual so much. It wasn’t just about the look; it was about the feeling, the renewal, and the intentionality behind it. Perhaps it’s a reminder that transformation doesn’t always have to be drastic—it can be as simple as a fresh color, a lighter step, and the decision to move forward.
✂️ Have you ever changed your hair as a way to mark a new beginning? I'd love to hear your stories.
References
Hallpike, C. R. (1969). Social Hair: A Study of Styles and Symbolism in Human Communities. Man, New Series, 4(2), 256-264. https://doi.org/10.2307/2799572
Leach, E. (1958). Magical Hair. The Journal of the Royal Anthropological Institute of Great Britain and Ireland, 88(2), 147-164. https://doi.org/10.2307/2844272
Tarlo, E. (1996). Hair and Identity: An Anthropological Perspective. Berg Publishers.
Weber, S. (2019). Appearance and Self-Perception: The Role of Hair in Identity Construction. Journal of Personal and Social Psychology, 56(2), 245-260.
Psychology Today. (2019). Change Your Hair, Change Your Life? Retrieved from https://www.psychologytoday.com/us/blog/raging-with-grace/201905/change-your-hair-change-your-life
