In this study, according to the analysis of theoretical backgrounds and previous studies on the aesthetic characteristics of kitsch and 18 different hairstyles were designed based on the aesthetic characteristics of kitsch, and the results found the followings: First, in terms of kitsch hairstyle preferences by age, ‘mushroom’ and ‘Mohican’ were most preferred in among those in their 30s, while ‘regent’ was most popular among those in their 40s. In particular, ‘exaggerated’, ‘amused’, ‘satirical’, and ‘nostalgic’ styles were preferred among those in their 30s. In terms of preferences based on educational background, ‘asymmetrical’ and ‘mushroom’ styles were popular among graduate students. Compared to those in ‘high school and below’ and ‘junior college’, ‘graduate school’ students preferred exaggerated’, ‘nostalgic’ and ‘sexual’ styles compared to kitsch hairstyle preferences. A ‘two block haircut’ was popular among ‘college students’ when analyzed by occupation. In kitsch hairstyles, an ‘exaggerated’ style was popular among ‘professional workers’ while both ‘college students’ and ‘professional workers’ preferred an ‘inappropriate’ style. In addition, an ‘amused’ style was popular among ‘college students’ and ‘solo proprietors’. A ‘satirical’ style was preferred by ‘college students’ and ‘professional workers’ while a ‘nostalgic’ style was popular among ‘professional workers’. In addition, a ‘sexual’ style was preferred by ‘college students’, ‘professional workers’, and ‘office workers’.
Second, after reviewing the aesthetic characteristics and concept of kitsch and men’s hairstyles and images, modern kitsch hairstyles for men were developed by applying the images of men’s hairstyles and characteristics of high-end culture based on exaggeration, inappropriateness, amusement, satire, nostalgia, and sexuality.
Third, modern ‘exaggerated’ hairstyles were created by applying voluminous waves to dandy and two block haircuts in basic kitsch hairstyles. Light and smooth, voluminous styles were formed with two block regent haircuts in'' inappropriateness''. In ‘amusement’, sexual light pink and purple hairstyles were produced. With satirical two-block regent styles, voluminous imbalanced styles were created with romantic images. In ‘nostalgia’, retro designs were expressed in medium-layer haircuts. In ‘sexuality’, Mohican styles were designed with sharpened hair tips.
In trendy kitsch, ‘exaggeration’ was expressed with elegant and sweet hairstyles and maximizing exaggerated volume. In ‘inappropriateness’, the excessive fluffing and smooth and light feeling were expressed. In ‘amusement’, pop art, childlike excitement, and humorous modern styles were created. In ‘satire’, ethnic retro images were expressed in layer styles. In ‘nostalgia’, an encounter between the past and present in mixed hairstyles was felt. In ‘sexuality’, masculinity and sexuality were expressed with braided styles.
Exaggerated cornrow styles were expressed in object-based kitsch hairstyles, delivering a harmonious and gorgeous beauty with fluffed bangs. In inappropriate regent styles, sharp spiky styles with excessively protruding central tops were created. In ‘amusement’, free and liberal styles were expressed with two block haircuts, adding style. In ‘satire’, excessive fluffing was expressed with fog waves by reflecting resistance, exaggeration, and nostalgia in mushroom haircuts. In ‘nostalgia’, hippie waves were expressed in retro styles. In ‘sexuality’, gorgeous styles with three braids and ponytails were created to express sensual beauty and chaotic styles.
As stated above, this study created men’s kitsch hairstyles by reinterpreting the aesthetic characteristics of kitsch in new romantic kitsch images with high-end culture by escaping from low-end and conventional kitsch images.
The limitations of this study are as follows: First, in kitsch hairstyles expressed based on the aesthetic characteristics of kitsch, there was a limitation in bleaching all wigs because they were made with virgin hair. Second, while there have been studies on the aesthetic characteristics of kitsch in many different fields, such as architecture, fashion, painting, and advertising, it was difficult to find such studies in cosmetology. Therefore, it is anticipated that there should be systematic and continuous studies on the validity of kitsch hairstyles.