Why are dirty-hairstyle tutorials taking over TikTok?

Culture really does start and end with TikTok’s content creators.

Another week in Isolation, another emotional hair rollercoaster – debating whether or not to cut yourself some bangs, buy a box of DIY-hair dye, or maybe just shave your head.

Self-isolation is a totally unique moment in our social history, and one that’s definitely being well-documented in our cultural archives (Instagram, TikTok, Facebook, you name it). 

@emmanichols_hairLow bun baby ##fyp ##foryoupage ##hairtutorial ##dirtyhair ##dirtyhairdontcare ##hairbunchallenge♬ Something For Your M.I.N.D. – Superorganism

What’s emerged is a bizarre cocktail of Doja-cat dance videos, questionable how-to cooking videos, infinite Instagram-story scroll capacity, and, probably most useful of all, a new string of TikTok videos on how to style your (presumably) dirty hair. 

@publyssityDirty Hair Ideas 😩 Follow for PT 2 | ##hairtutorial ##lifeathome ##hair ##dirtyhairdontcare ##hairstyle ##hairideas ##balayage ##longhair ##dirtyhair♬ death bed (coffee for your head) – Powfu feat. beabadoobee

The trending #dirtyhairdontcare hashtag is both concerning and comforting – mainly, it’s a welcome reminder that I’m not the only one to take a leave of absence from my usual hair care schedule. 

@melissafruscoDirty hair ideas PT.✌🏼##piday ##hairtutorial ##dirtyhairdontcare ##hairstyles ##hairclip ##ponytailhairstyle ##lifeathome ##safehands ##hair ##longhair♬ original sound – oliviaelysse

TikTok-ers are filming themselves styling greasy hair into low-ponytail styles, using dry shampoo to cover up all manner of hair sins, and creating deliberately-messy waves.

@vee_riveradirty hair don’t care! @foxybaehair ##tutorial ##howto ##hairtutorial ##hairstyle ##dirtyhairdontcare ##fyp ##xyzbca♬ original sound – victorialyn

If this is humanity’s way of supporting one another in this crazy time, I can’t wait to see what other bizarre trends the #lifeathome hashtag will bring to TikTok over the coming months.

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