The psychology of a new hair style as Davina McCall debuts blonde pixie cut

Davina McCall has debuted a brand new hair do, with images from the new series of The Masked singer revealing the presenter showcasing what appears to be a blonde, pixie cut.

In a first look picture from upcoming episodes, filmed earlier this year, the judge, 57, showed off a new style, which was a stark contrast from her usual longer, darker locks.

The new image reveal comes as the TV personality underwent brain surgery last month after revealing she had a non-cancerous colloid cyst that was discovered when she was offered a check up for doing a talk about menopause.

While McCall hasn't confirmed if the new do is a permanent fixture or simply a temporary look via a wig, fans gave their seal of approval on social media.

"Davina's hair is amazing," one fan wrote on X (formerly Twitter).

"I like it," another agreed.

The psychology of a new hair style

Whether McCall's new look is temporary or a permanent fixture, there's a lot involved emotionally in a change of hair style, with our locks proving to be something we're heavily invested in.

The importance of hair was previously demonstrated in a study measuring participants’ emotions after receiving a new haircut with the fresh look found to improve a range of happiness indicators including joyfulness, relaxation levels, and subjective energy levels.

Further evidence of our hair investment was also illustrated by British hairstylist Andrew Collinge, who set out to find out how often women change their hair, and more importantly the reasons they decide to make the change.

In the survey, of 3000 women, he discovered that on average women change their hairstyles up to 104 times in their lifetime and switch the colour at least three times.

Reasons cited for the big snip include 44% who said they did it because they were bored, 61% just wanted to change things up.

A quarter 25% hit up their hairdresser to "re-invent" themselves, and just over a third (38%) thought a new do would make them feel more confident.

But why can changing our hair have such a big impact?

According to psychologist and relationship expert Barbara Santini, it is much deeper than a simple change of style.

"This is about metamorphosis," she explains. "When you change those locks, you're often changing more than just hair—you're casting off an old identity, even if temporarily."

She says we should think of it as "hitting the 'refresh' button on our life browser. Suddenly, we're the artist, and our hair is the canvas".

The end result? A revitalising wave of confidence, freedom, and sometimes, unexpected courage to face pending life changes.

Santini cites something known as "enclothed cognition", which is the psychological theory that clothes can significantly influence a person's mental state and performance, and says there is a similar effect witnessed when you switch up your locks.

"Hair is the crown you never take off," she explains. "As the new year approaches and we prepare for a fresh new chapter, a hairstyle overhaul serves as a form of mental gearing up.

"It's not just about physical appearance; it's about signalling to your brain that a new season of productivity, social interaction, and perhaps even romance is upon us. You're not just styling your hair; you're styling your mindset for what lies ahead."

Yet, this isn't a one-size-fits-all formula.

"For some, a botched haircut can bring on feelings of regret or identity loss," says Santini. "This duality is what I call the 'hair paradox', a phenomenon where the very object designed to empower us can also, in less successful ventures, deflate our emotional sails."

And it isn't just cutting your hair, that can have an impact on our emotions, growing it longer could also have a knock-on effect on confidence.

Earlier this year journalist Harriet Walker appeared on Lorraine discussing long hair and how it is often frowned upon for women in their mid-life or beyond to grow their hair long.

She argues there is no "age-limit" on long hair and explains that her longer length has become something of a "security blanket".

Santini agrees that when it comes to the bias in hairstyles for older women it is time to let go of age-old stigmas.

"Society, in its elusive wisdom, often relegates older women to a corner where long, flowing hair is suddenly deemed 'inappropriate' or 'trying too hard'," she says.

"But this is more than just aesthetic ageism; it's an assault on personal liberty and emotional wellbeing."

So if, like Davina McCall, you're contemplating whether to keep or cut your hair, or potentially switch up your look with a wig, consider this: Your hair is an archive of your life experiences, a testament to your unique journey.

"To cut or not to cut, to change or not to change, is your decision, and it should be one, that amplifies, not silences, your sense of self," Santini concludes.