Make Your Hair Look Gothic
The Goth culture is deeply influenced and recognized for its appearance – and Goths are well known for their beautiful and darkly unique style. Hair is a large emphasis on the appearance of Make Friends with Other Punks, Emos, or Goths, because there are so many subcultures within the gothic culture itself, creating so many looks, so many Mosh Different Styles and so many options to choose from. At times this can be a little overwhelming, particularly if you are a Be a Pleasant Baby Goth. There is a disturbingly large number of Make a Cool Swirl of Colors (Food Coloring Experiment), lengths, cuts, styles and accessories to choose from, making it increasingly difficult to define you and your own personal style. If you want to achieve the gothic look with your hair but aren't completely sure of how, then you've come to the right place.
Contents
Steps
- Determine your style of Goth. Don't be fooled into thinking that Goth is just that – Goth. There are many smaller styles, beliefs, cultures and lifestyles within the "Goth" culture itself. Take your time to explore them, try them for yourself and determine which one fits you best. A small list of common Goth subcultures is as follows:
- Vampire Goth: Obsessed, or at the very least, deeply attracted by vampires. Perhaps a fan of Anne Rice or Lestat. Vampire goths usually love anything and everything to do with vampires, from stories and outfits to fantasies and movies.
- Romantic Goth: Romantic Goths lust after the dark, Spice Up a Sexless Relationship side of the culture; and are lovers of poetry and classic Write Teen Literature. Most commonly they are found wearing Victorian or medieval inspired clothing – lace, velvet and corsets.
- Cyber Goth: Cyber Goths love Be a Techno Scene Kid colours, worship today's Convince Elders to Buy Technology and easily recognized with their Create Your Own Solar Eclipse Goggles, crazy pony falls and rave inspired outfits. Cyber goths usually listen to Produce and Write Lyrics to Dance Music, especially futurepop/EBM and hard dance.
- Cabaret Goth: Cabaret goths are also easily recognized by their attractively extravagant style – think corsets, garters and black suits. Cabaret goths are experts at combining class with over the top extravagance. Commonly found listening to Siouxsie & The Banshees, Be Like Voltaire, Tiger Lilies and the Sex Gang Children, to name just a few.
- Deathrockers: Caught somewhere in between the stages of Punk and Goth. They are often seen with their torn fishnet stockings, their many band badges and fantastically extravagant hair. They commonly listen to 80s Goth Rock, as well as Horror punk and Psychobilly.
- Suit your style with your hair. You will find that many Goth types share the same styles of hair. The more sensual styles, such as the Romantic goth and Cabaret goth, usually favor longer, darker hair. More hardcore or punk inspired styles, such as Deathrockers and Cyber goths, usually have brighter, more extravagant hair. Other styles, such as vampire goths, can fall anywhere in between. If it helps, try looking up the styles yourself on the internet, as well as pictures and online shopping sites, to see some inspiring hair styles.
- Find a Good Haircut. After doing some research and looking at different styles, decide on the haircut you want. If you're a girl, or a guy with long hair, you may choose to cut it short. Some good short styles would be straight and sleek, with bangs. You can also go for more over the top cuts, such as Make Goth Spikes on top with a long side fringe, a Mohawk, or something else crazy. However, you don’t have to cut your hair if you don't want to. Many styles, such as romantic goths and vampire goths, have very long hair.
- Straighten or Curl. Frizzy hair generally doesn’t work well for these styles. However, loose, romantic waves, maddening curls and Make Goth Spikes or pin straight are all perfect. Get a quality straightener, so you can both straighten and curl your hair. Since you've already gotten the cut you want, it shouldn't be hard to figure out what you want.
- Sleek, shining straight hair is perfect on romantic goths, vampire goths, cabaret goths, fetish goths, Victorian goths and mopey goths. It usually works well on any sensual style.
- Rich waves or loose curls work on most of the above styles as well, particularly romantic goths, vampire goths and cabaret goths.
- Crazy straight spikes or frizzy curls are good on deathrockers and sometimes cyber goths.
- Crimped hair works for hippie goths or medieval goths.
- Curly hair works on most romantic, sensual styles.
- If you aren't allowed to use a straightener/curler/blow dryer on your hair, find an alternative. There are plenty of anti frizz shampoos and straightening balms you can get your hands on. Try massaging hair oil or olive oil into your hair after washing and drying it, as it prevents frizz and gives it a sleek shine. Use gel to help you with spikes. Braid your hair for crimped curls.
- Get the color. If you’re looking for a simple coloring, just get your hair dyed a dark color. The standard rich, dark black works with almost any style and will go with any Apply Clip on Hair Streaks. However, if you're opting for the cyber goth or deathrocker look, you may want a crazy bright color, like bright pink, blue, purple or green. Spend some time thinking what would be the best option for your hair style, and keep in mind that:
- Black works well for sensual styles, such as cabaret goths, romantic goths, and usually vampire goths. It will work relatively well with any style, though if you’re a cyber goth or anything else that demands color, you may be in danger of looking a little plain.
- Purple and Blue are both good colors for many styles, such as vampire goths, perky goths and deathrockers. Usually any deep, dark color will do.
- Bright neon colors are perfect for more hardcore, crazy styles, those which are similar to cyber goth or deathrocker. If you're looking for this style, almost any Be Bright and Sunny color will work – try light pink, blue, lavender, orange/red and green.
- Plain solid colors, like a dark Make Hazel Eyes Pop brown or rich blonde will work for Enjoy Your Fetish goths, as color isn't completely essential. They will also work perfectly for medieval goths.
- Of course, you don’t have to dye your hair. Any natural color – blonde, brown, black, even red/orange – can work with a style when you master the proper techniques.
- Get streaks or highlights. These will complete your hair coloring and help you define your style further. If you have black hair (dyed or natural), then you’re lucky, as you can choose almost any color. The colors that work best are generally deep, dark blue, violet and green, for romantic goths, vampire goths and perhaps cabaret goths. Bright colors, such as bright pink, orange, red and neon green will be perfect for cyber goths, and will work well for deathrockers and more crazy styles. Remember:
- Black works with almost any color, but try to find an attractive match, such as a deep dark color or something bright and contrasting.
- Be Subtle and Beautiful highlights or almost identical colored streaks give a hint of color, and work well for cabaret goths, and fetish goths, or if you don't want to draw too much attention to your hair.
- If you've already dyed your hair a bright color, it may be best to just leave it.
- Similarly, if your hair is your natural color or black, you can easily leave it.
- Get accessories. There are plenty to choose from. If you're a cyber goth, vampire goth or romantic goth, hair falls will work well – choose a color the way you would have with the step above. Purchase colored clips, headbands, Wear Cute Bows in Your Hair, ribbons and ties to your liking. Fashion your own accessories from ties, bow ties, scraps of velvet or lace, or by painting old bobby pins. If you keep your eyes open, you could get a whole wardrobe full of hair accessories by simply recycling old objects.
- Find a "do". You may be comfortable with just leaving your hair loose, which is fine. Or you may want another style. If you already have a complete cut, such as a very short cut, a Mohawk or an extreme color, chances are, your hair will be fine just out. But if your hair is a plain color or has plenty of options, then explore. Some good styles include:
- Two pony tails: Work well for Perky Goths and Cyber Goths, and also very well if you have hair with Apply Clip on Hair Streaks, highlights or falls.
- Ponytail: A simple ponytail with an eye-catching fringe works well when teamed up with Curl Ribbons With Your Fingernail, bows, and the like. Massive ponytails on top of your head work extremely well for Cyber Goths.
- Pinned to the side: Pin your hair to one side with an attractive – or hideous – bow, tie, ribbon, etc.
- Maintain. If you’ve gone to all this trouble to achieve the Get the Perfect Look for You, then don’t lose it. Wash your hair a suitable amount of times a week – once or twice for dry hair, more frequently for greasy hair – and master the skill of straightening/curling, de-frizzing, spiking, etc. Use quality shampoos, conditioners, oils, sprays, balms and gels – don’t try to get away with dirt cheap rubbish. Keep a healthy diet – eggs, milk and plenty of Swallow Vitamins – to help your hair shine.
Tips
- If people insult you, acknowledge the fact that some people may not like your style - and then forget all about them. Nobody's Stop Thinking About How Others May Feel matters but yours - after all, it's your hair.
- Don't be afraid to combine some styles, mix and match and create your own look. There are no rules, there is no uniform - go crazy and be daring, do whatever you want.
- Be creative. Goths normally have their own outfit or look that is all their own.
- Before using a hair straightener on your hair, be sure to thoroughly apply a protective Apply Balm to Cramped Muscles, or you will end up burning your hair eventually. These balms and lotions are available everywhere.
- Side fringes and bangs are perfect for this look, and work fine with any length of hair.
- If you have dandruff, use an anti-dandruff shampoo. Do not try to rub it out, as this only makes it worse. Find a suitable treatment and stick to it. And in the meantime, try not to wear too much black...
- Be sure to wash your combs and brushes regularly - every time you Quickly Wash Your Hair. Otherwise your hair will start stinking.
- If your hair is particularly over the top, play down your makeup and dress style just a little. Don't use too many bright colors or heavy coating with makeup, and do the same with clothing. You don't have to be boring and do an all black forever - just turn it down a notch.
- Try to keep your hair off your face when sleeping. Having your hair continually in your face means that all the dirt gets transferred onto your skin, giving you Get Rid of Pimples Naturally (Sea Salt Method) and leading to acne.
- Keep your hair knot free - de-tangle it regularly with a comb, and brush it when you want to spike it or make it Get Your Hair to Shine Using a Conditioner and Mousse Spray.
- Build up a nice stash of accessories over time. Home made hair accessories are the best type. Stitch some velvet/lace scraps, wrap a tie or scarf around your head, or rip the bow of your dad's bow tie...after you ask, of course.
- You can also use curly hair, if you're interested in a Gothic Lolita style.
Warnings
- Be yourself. Do not be someone you aren't.
- Continually straightening/curling/blow drying your hair may eventually lead to drying it out, burning and damaging it. Always use protective balms.
- Try to give your parents some idea of what you're doing. Spare them the agony of seeing you walk out of the house as a timid hazel haired teenager and comes back as a pink and purple deathrocker.
- Your parents may get furious if you dye, color or cut behind their backs, or they may not allow you to do anything at all. Always ask for their permission before you radically change your hair.
- Don't try any home recipes - get your hair done at a proper salon, where people actually know what they're doing.
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