Hair is a reflection of an individual’s personality, style, and experience. For many people, maintaining healthy and vibrant hair takes much time and effort. However, the challenge is even bigger for the teachers, considering their busy schedules. Finding the time to style hair and to make it stand out is very challenging for most teachers. Those who manage to become “hair icons” demonstrate creativity and self-expression while dealing with a time-consuming profession.
Torie Esposito
PHS special education teacher Torie Esposito is known for her flashy and stylish hair, the color of which she regularly changes.
“[I’ve dyed my hair] the rainbow, but I like to stay within the blue, pinks, and purples,” said Esposito. “My favorite color has been blue.”
Her love for dyeing her hair comes from when she shaved her hair off for Saint Baldrick’s, a non-profit organization aimed at raising money for child cancer research, in 2020.
“I realized after working with [Saint Baldrick’s] that life is too short, and why not be creative, and I feel like hair is not just an expression, but a cool accessory,” said Esposito.
However, since beginning regularly dyeing her hair, Esposito’s maintenance routine has changed.
“I wear a bonnet, I use a lot of dry shampoo, I take cold showers to keep the color [of my hair], and I try not to bleach,” said Esposito.
After dying her hair with a stylist since 2020 and recently transitioning to doing it herself, she knows the ins-and-outs of hair dye and hair care. Esposito said that she uses anything by Brad Mondo, specifically XMONDO, because they are vegan products. Additionally, she has many tips and tricks for beginners trying to dye their hair.
“Start with a semi- or demi-permanent hair color. For those who have recently dyed their hair, wash with cold water, [wear] hair wraps or bonnets to prevent breakage, and do not shy away from the occasional hair mask. Anything organic and paraffin free would be best,” said Esposito.
Nicholas Heller
PPS computer artwork technician Nicholas Heller has always had a special relationship with his hair. Having had long hair, short hair, curls, locs, and even no hair at various points in his life, Heller knows the ins and outs of all things “hair care.”
“I went through so many hair care regimens over the years,” said Heller. “It’s gotten to a point now where I feel like I can really take care of it. [Instead of] straightening it, dyeing it ... now I just treat it as it naturally is.”
His biggest piece of advice for anyone struggling with a hair maintenance routine is to limit washing it.
“You can’t wash your hair every day. That’s the number one thing,” said Heller. “I figured that if I wasn’t washing it everyday that it would feel gross, but that’s not the case at all.”
Now, Heller considers his hair care routine to be rather simple.
“Shampoo and conditioner — [that’s it] And sometimes when it’s a rainy day or really humid out, my hair will frizz,” said Heller. “So I’ll put a product in called CurlFriend by Cake, which is relatively inexpensive.”
Beyond basic care, Heller also donates his hair to organizations, such as Locks of Love, to help people suffering from hair loss regain self-confidence by giving them free wigs. Heller’s passion for this cause stems close to home.
“My mom ... had cancer a couple of years ago [and] she lost all her hair ... She was fortunate enough to catch breast cancer early and have all her hair come back,” said Heller. “To look at someone who had [their] hair and then not have it anymore, whether it’s from chemo or not, just to be able to say ‘here’s what you so rightfully deserve’ [is so beautiful].” Heller hopes to donate again when his hair reaches the right length.
To Heller, hair is a privilege. It’s a way to express all facets of your individuality whether it be your cultural heritage, personality, or just for plain fun.
“We’re lucky to live in a time where it’s okay for guys to have longer hair and have painted nails, and that’s how it should be. People should be able to express themselves however they see fit,” said Heller.