The Rise of Utah Hair
October 21, 2024
The Utah hair trend, with its long, voluminous curls, has recently gained traction, influenced largely by the Hulu reality show “The Secret Lives of Mormon Wives” and social media platforms like TikTok. While the look may seem like a typical beauty trend, it carries deeper cultural significance, especially in the context of Mormon identity and traditional values. These curls reflect a visual representation of femininity, modesty, and an emphasis on outward appearance that aligns with certain cultural expectations in Mormon communities. However, this trend has expanded beyond religious or regional boundaries, sparking broader conversations about beauty standards and cultural identity.
The roots of the Utah hair trend lie in Mormon culture, particularly among women in Utah, a state with a significant Mormon population. Long, curly hair is often seen as a symbol of traditional femininity and modesty, values that align with the teachings of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. In many conservative religious communities, physical appearance is emphasized as part of a woman’s identity, with long hair often associated with beauty, purity, and adherence to traditional gender roles. For some women, wearing their hair in this style is a reflection of their commitment to these values.
However, “Utah curls” are more than just a cultural marker within Mormonism—they represent a visual ideal of womanhood. The hairstyle exudes a certain level of effort, glamour, and presentation that many women in this community take pride in. It aligns with broader societal pressures that women face to conform to specific beauty standards, particularly those that emphasize long, flowing hair as a symbol of femininity.
Yet, as this hairstyle gains popularity on TikTok and beyond, it has transcended its cultural origins, raising questions about the relationship between beauty standards and cultural identity. Is the appropriation of this look by non-Mormon women a form of cultural borrowing, or is it merely another example of how beauty trends evolve as they spread across social media platforms?
Reality television has played a significant role in popularizing Utah hair. “The Secret Lives of Mormon Wives”, a Hulu reality series, follows the lives of Mormon women in Utah and offers a window into their unique cultural practices. The show has contributed to the rise of Utah hair by showcasing it as part of the women’s daily routines, making it a focal point of their outward presentation. The show’s influence, combined with the rapid spread of trends on social media platforms like TikTok, has transformed this once regional style into a nationwide beauty phenomenon.
On TikTok, influencers and beauty bloggers have picked up on the trend, offering tutorials on how to achieve the signature curls at home. As the style has gained traction, it has also begun to lose some of its specific cultural meaning, becoming part of the broader catalog of beauty trends that young women across the country experiment with. The fact that this hairstyle can be achieved with simple tools—a curling iron, a paddle brush, and some hairspray—has made it accessible to a wide audience.
However, the rapid spread of Utah hair on social media raises important questions about the dynamics of trendsetting and cultural appropriation. As beauty trends migrate from specific cultural contexts to the wider public, their original significance can sometimes be diluted or lost. In the case of Utah hair, what started as a cultural expression within a specific religious community has morphed into a generalized beauty trend that women outside the Mormon faith are adopting without necessarily understanding its cultural roots.
For Mormon women, appearance is not just about following mainstream beauty trends—it can also be tied to religious identity. Mormonism places a strong emphasis on modesty, and for women, this often includes guidelines about how they dress and present themselves. While long hair is not a formal requirement of the faith, it is often encouraged as part of an overall emphasis on traditional femininity. For many Mormon women, keeping their hair long and styled is part of a broader cultural practice that aligns with their religious values.
This raises interesting questions about the intersection of beauty and religion. Is it possible to separate Utah hair from its cultural and religious context, or does the adoption of this style by women outside the faith dilute its original meaning? The answer likely depends on how one views the role of cultural exchange in beauty trends. On one hand, beauty trends often transcend their origins, taking on new meanings as they spread to different communities. On the other hand, when cultural markers are adopted without understanding their significance, there is always a risk of reducing them to mere fashion statements.
For Mormon women, Utah hair represents more than just a beauty trend—it is an expression of their identity and values. This hairstyle is often associated with traditional gender roles, where women are expected to adhere to certain standards of appearance as part of their faith. The long, carefully styled curls are a visual representation of these expectations, serving as a way for women to navigate their religious identity while also engaging with broader beauty standards.
As Utah hair spreads beyond Mormon communities, it raises questions about cultural appropriation and the ethics of borrowing styles from specific cultural or religious groups. While many women who adopt Utah curls may not be aware of its significance within Mormon culture, the widespread adoption of this style on platforms like TikTok speaks to the way social media can flatten cultural differences in the name of trendsetting.
Some might argue that adopting Utah hair without understanding its cultural significance amounts to a form of appropriation. In this view, borrowing a hairstyle that carries specific cultural or religious meaning without acknowledging its origins can be seen as disrespectful, particularly when the adopters do not share the same values or experiences as the original wearers.
On the other hand, others may see the spread of Utah hair as an example of how beauty trends evolve as they move through different communities. In this view, the adoption of Utah curls by non-Mormon women is simply a reflection of how beauty standards are constantly in flux, shaped by a combination of cultural influences, media, and personal expression.
The Utah hair trend, while rooted in Mormon culture, has become a broader beauty phenomenon thanks to reality television and social media. As this style spreads, it raises important questions about cultural exchange, identity, and the ethics of adopting trends that have specific cultural or religious meanings. For some, Utah hair is a way to express traditional femininity and religious values, while for others, it is simply a trendy way to style their hair. As with many beauty trends, the meaning of Utah hair will likely continue to evolve as it moves through different communities and contexts, highlighting the complex relationship between beauty, identity, and cultural expression.
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