Curly vs. Straight: Which Do Men Prefer?

By: NaturallyCurly ( Little_person View Profile)

First impressions count. Many closet curlies are married to a flat iron because they think men prefer the smooth, straight look over curls or kinks. And when you can maneuver your mane in either direction, you have the option of changing your visual impression when meeting someone new.

But should you? And would it really make a difference?

To find out, I embarked on an unscientific social experiment. Newly single in New York City, I joined a popular online dating service and posted two profiles. They were identical in every way—except one. The first profile included a picture of my hair flat-ironed straight. For the other, my hair was naturally curly. After one month showcasing the straight profile and the next month curly, more than twice as many men responded to the straight look.

More Details:

The straight profile was viewed 1,606 times for the month, while the curly one received 1,063 views during the month it was posted.
The flat-ironed look drew 181 e-mails, compared with 60 for the curly profile.
On the flirtatious side, the stick-straight profile received 120 winks, while curly locks caught winks from 60 men.
In about 10 percent of the dates, hair made a difference, while confidence was the driving factor in the remainder of the connections.

But this experiment is far from over. There’s a twist. On my dates, the plan was to find out what they really think when I show up as the opposite of what they expect. If they reach out to my straight profile, I would meet them as a curly, and vice versa. Would my hairstyle really affect their attraction? It was an adventure that was full of surprises. My one rule: I vowed to only date men I was truly interested in. This is the real deal, real dates, real men. Here’s a snapshot—you be the judge.

Bachelor #1: Financial-Services Executive

This is my first date. I’m nervous on the entire cab ride to the restaurant, wondering if my date will even recognize me. He expects stick-straight locks. I’m curly. I quickly phone a friend for reinforcement. I’m connected to voicemail, hang up, then glance at the cabbie. He seems nice enough. I bend his ear.

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Comments

I wondered why you included the ethnic background of the Italian/Cuban males. I don't think you can attribute much to it from a research point of view considering they chose you by your photo which was the opposite of how you showed up. I did enjoy the story and kudos to you for making an experiment out of it. I wonder what would have happened if you said you were a twin & your sister couldn't make it! Most likely they'd want to meet both of you, after all they are men.

I really enjoyed reading your pursuit of answering the age old question: curly or straight. I too have wild curly hair that I have had to come to grips with since childhood when I thought I would be able to transform it straight if I brushed it enough even though instead I experienced middle school with my own version of a fro. However as I’ve gotten older I’ve really grown to love my curly hair because it’s made me unique. I got a flat iron at the beginning of the year and wore my hair straight for like a month and eventually a couple of my guy friends told me that I needed to quit it because it wasn’t the true Megan which made me happy and I haven’t really gone to the trouble of straitening it since but I still feel like I live in a world where straight hair reigns supreme. However it’s nice to hear your story and know I’m not alone because I like to believe if a girl has a great enough personality a frizzy fro won’t be a deal breaker but I guess it'll just depend on the guy : )

Hello and I must admit that I liked your story, as well as the creative way you went about finding out if a guy likes "Straight or Curly". From this guys point of view, Don't be anything else but your self! You need, Have to and must be happy with your self the way you are and that includes your hair. I do understand what you were trying to do as well as find out, But do not change your self and how you are just to please others or to get a date. Are the two pictures above of you? Either way, long naturaly curly hair as it is in the one picture. Is very pretty and yes sexy! As others have said some woman look good with straight and others with curly hair. And I honestly think from this guy's point of view, if woman has long natural curly hair like that, it adds more to her beauty and sex appeal. The hair has more body to it and is just fuller as it is, it brings out and accentuate's the womans face and yes from the point of appeal, it is sexier. Do what makes YOU happy, Not Others.

what dating site was this and how can i join? ;)

I have naturally curly air. Not real tight ones, but lots of wavy curls. My usband loves them, but he says I am much sexier when my hair is straightened!!! Hands down! He loves my hair period though. One good point he has about the straght hairdo, is that he can run his hands through it then!!! He can not even consider doing it if it is in it's natural state of unruly curlyness ;) Basically, all the men I know, who I have polled...say as long as it is long, they don't really care so much either way. It also depends on the woman they most say. Some women look better one way, and others different. Makes sence to me!

what dating site was this and how can i join? ;)

PERSONALITY AND CHEMISTRY ARE WHAT MAKES A RELATIONSHIP WORK, BUT I ALWAYS NOTICE WHEN A CURL IS ADDED TO SOMEONE'S HAIRDO AND IT IS A MAJOR TURNON. IT SURE DOES TAKE A LOT OF EFFORT TO STRAIGHTEN CURLY HAIR. WHY GO THROUGH ALL THAT?

Your discussion was so interesting. My hair is naturally wavy and I have to say that your experience pretty much goes with what I have experienced. Most guys really just like the fact that you have plenty of hair, but I have to say if I did my own survey, the vast majority preferred my hair wavy. With what the others of said, you are utterly gorgeous and I hope that you find a guy who deserves you. You remind me of a friend of mine from NYC and when she married 3 years ago, her husband believed and still believes he married an angel with beautiful curly hair. Much, much joy to you!

Forget the hair--does anyone notice how many fabulous dates this woman is going on?? This should inspire single women everywhere.

Whoever's smarter.

Jeez. I don't know what these other guys are thinking, but I think you're breathtaking either way. I would respond enthusiastically to either picture, assuming I liked the rest of your profile. Anyway I'm just being totally honest here, not trolling for dates; I already have a wonderful and beautiful girlfriend with naturally curly hair who sometimes straightens it too -- and I love the variety. Yes.

Well I'd have to say that I think the "sun-kissed "darker complexion of the straight hair picture makes a big difference. In comparison, the curly hair picture looks quite pale.

I'm beginning to think the only two negative comments are from the same heckler since they've only posted here for that one time. I think the article is great and an interesting experiment. And since she only agreed to date guys she was actually interested in, what's the harm in that? I do think that its a case of the "grass is greener". I am a naturally straight hair person and I've always wanted some curls or waves in my hair. But now I love having it both ways. That's the beauty of enjoying your hair. You can make it straight or curly any time you want as long as you're careful not to damage it!

Well if those are the two photos that you used, i can see why you got more responses with the straight hair. In the straight hair photo you look like you FEEL more attractive (or maybe sexy is a better word), the lighting is more flattering ( no shine spots, outdoor effect, yellowish soft lighting). In the curly photo you look like you lean toward academic and would prefer academic pursuits and there is a slight tinge of unapproachableness. I think that you should do the same thing with different photos and switch the emotional content, the lighting, and the location. Its really NOT the straight hair. You probably wont buy it, but its true.

Personally, I'm a big proponent of natural curls. In fact, here's a small clip from a recent <a href= "http://www.womenco.com/news/articles/556‐natural‐curls‐for‐these‐girls">WomenCo. Article</a>: “I began to know who I am as an African-American woman, seeing the beauty of not wanting my hair straight anymore,” said Tamarla Adams, 39, a teacher with Charlotte-Mecklenburg Schools and the University of Phoenix. She began growing out her hair in 1996 after years of perming, gradually trimming the straighter relaxed ends as her curlier natural hair grew in, moving from braids to her current long dreadlocks." <a href= "http://www.womenco.com/news/articles/556‐natural‐curls‐for‐these‐girls">See the Original Article Here</a>

I myself have naturally curly hair but have recently flat-ironed about twice a month for variety. My husband loves it curly and doesn't understand why I'd want it straight. I do find I get looked at with my curly hair by Latino and African American men more than by white men. But I get more compliments when I wear it curly in general. Sometimes I am surprised when I wear my hair straight that people who have never commented on my hair will say how much they love my curly hair as if I'll never wear it that way again. Interesting experiment, I wasn't very surprised by the results as I think straight hair is "in" for the most part although you look beautiful with you hair either way! I do feel more professional when I straighten my hair for some reason.

This is a pretty interesting topic. Coming from a male point of view, I think it all depends on the woman. For instance I love Natalie Portman with curly hair. She was stunning as Evey Hammond in the movie V for Vendetta. She wore her hair beautifully curled. She looks much better with curly hair than straight. I think it is her face that brings out the beauty of curly hair. In contrast I do not like Halle Berry with curly hair. She looks fantastic with straight hair. I would say the same for Ashley Judd one of my favorite ladies. She just would not look right with curly hair. Again I think it all depends on the woman; her facial structure, style and body.

Man, that's a toss-up! The style isn't that important to me. I tend to be swayed by hair color. Burnette, blonde and redheads are all beautiful...it just depends on what mood I'm in.

From the words of a professional hair stylist. I think the straight hair is great for getting yoursexy on. And curly when you want to be naughty, but nice. You look great in both. Anthony

I enjoyed your article and found it interesting! My sister has the natural curly hair in our family--I have natural frizz--lol! I go from being curly (with a perm) back to wearing my hair straight...I was always a bit envious of my sister's beautiful natural curl. Personally, I think you look great either way. Your story was a fun spin on hair--You go, Girlfriend~

How to make these experiments better: - Sample size increase - Photoshop the hair on everything else in the picture held constant. Do not underestimate body language, as the straight hair picture more strongly reveals the neck and hence shows submissiveness / more interest in the subject of the gaze. - Publish the results further sorted by the traits of the males: while statistically it appears this group in this geographic location prefers straight, so the rates hold for all races, height ranges, religious affiliations, etc. There is no real basis for data analysis on the 10 dates, but I am sure it makes for a more interesting article for the general readership. One last note for men- all other factors being equal, from a statistical standpoint go after the beautiful woman with curly hair… less competition = higher probability of success!!!

Here’s some additional number crunching from the dataset- assuming the viewing rates were relatively static over the two month period, one can look and the email and “wink” rates per view as an interesting comparison: Straight- 11.3% emailed after viewing, while 7.5% winked; Curly- 5.6% emailed and 5.6% winked. What could this mean about men? Those who prefer straight hair potentially tend to be more aggressive or less discriminating regarding other features; albeit those actually pursuing tend to be less flirtatious (assuming that winking is actually a measure of this); while those who prefer curly hair tend to be more cognizant and discriminating with respect to other features but when deciding to pursue tend to be more highly flirtatious. How may women respond to this knowledge? Statistically men who prefer curly hair could be about twice as likely on average to care about features beyond your looks.

I joined specifically to comment on this article- not a regular reader but came across it as an interesting subject matter on Digg. While not without its flaws, I think this was a fantastic experiment and love the attempt at looking in to real data for this specific forum! It should be viewed not solely as a position in the debate of "straight vs. curly", but from the dating public standpoint a means to understand a bit more about the statistics of sexual selection and how one may optimize their probability of success. In other words, be cognizant of the general statistical trends of the desires of the sub-group you tend to prefer. More to come as I am running out of room…

Loved the experiment however I think that the pictures look like a before and after commercial. The one with the curly hair has a dull appearance and the one with straight hair looks like a day outdoors. Remember the Jenny Jones show? She had a show once in which there were several women with the worst kinks of hair. The show was to teach these women how to tame and straighten their hair but I disagreed with the show because I think that what these women were being taught was how to actually damage their hair. Instead, I think that they should have taught these women how to love and better care for their natural curls. I have fought with my curls for many years from using the curling iron and flat iron only to damage my ends and having to cut and trim every couple of months; not only trim but cut a few inches from the damage. Now I just let my hair dry naturally and it is growing beautiful, full, shinier than ever and people love me better with my curls.

Chris, I think P Dignity is right. You must really be a woman disguised as a man if you defend the article. His comments were not offensive at all, his choice of words describes this woman very well. Go look up Narcissistic, its got a picture of this woman next to it. If a single guy is on a date, he really won't be giving a hoot about what a woman's hair is like. (Unless it were a bald head or bright orange or something crazy) :) P Dignitiy is also correct that if a guy did this to women he would be stoned to death by the waiting women jihad death squads. LOL Men get a very raw deal on the dating scene, I for one am glad I no longer have to make the first move, or risk rejection because I am not a model or "city type". London has an incredible amount of single women, mostly because they all feel they David Beckham or Brad Pitt are just around the corner. Sadly most of them realise they aren't all that until its too late. Peace.

P Dignity: Why did you read this then? It was 5 pages long so what kept you going to the end just to show your immaturity? Online dating sites are jokes anyways so why not play along. Your offensive comment makes me believe you might've been one of the men she turned down. No reason an article should make anyone so upset, especially being a third-party.

Blechhh . . . this smacks of such insincerity, superficiality and aristocracy it makes me a little sick to my stomach. In this femme's twisted world, hundreds of emails from men sincerely seeking love online are merely statistics in a study of self-absorption. As if online dating isn't treacherous enough, these poor guys have to deal with phony narcissistic bitches performing "social experiments." Of course, it logically follows that the only eligible bachelors for this woman are either executives or models. Sensibly continues that she'd be desperately seeking mirrors, sneaking glances at her reflection in windowpanes. I can only imagine the date conversation: "Enough about me . . . what do YOU think about me?" Most pitiful are you chumps who feed into this succubus's nonsense with your kiss-ass comments: "You're PURDY." "I like your straight hair." "Wow, you are so interesting and intriguing and fascinating." Robert Plant called. He says, "Soul of a woman was created below."

A few things here, Initially, you look far more attractive in the straight hair photo. I personally appreciate curly hair more and I'd still sway to your straight look based on the two photos. Also, maybe you personally just look shitty with curly hair? Use a larger sampling of women. Next, it really doesn't matter. Your looking for broad generalized answers to what is individual taste. When the decision on whether or not to date a girl comes up, while to me curly hair to me is a plus, but it doesn't weigh in. Instead, I ask myself: 1. Is she positive/fun? 2. Will she have opinions/ideas? 3. How sure am I that she won't write about our date on the internet afterwards? I believe these are most mens concerns, no guy really gives a damn about ur hair.

I ran into this woman a few months ago - what a nut case. If a man did this kind of experiment with women, he'd probably be labeled a creep. Be assured, this woman is not mentally stable.

P.S. I think Chris also makes a fair point; maturity and all, though I know plenty of 16 year olds with curls (though some straighten them)