Different Post-Apocalyptic Hairstyles

In a post-apocalyptic world, ordinary things like a proper haircut won’t be so regular. After TEOTWAWKI, you’ll have to find one of several post-apocalyptic hairstyles.

We already experienced a taste of life without access to the hairdresser or barber during COVID-19 lockdowns. Social media went literally nuts with the associated memes. People complained on how terrible they looked after more than a month without their schedule cut or style.

The perception of being sloppy and messy actually flooded the web: tons of day-after-day pictures and videos proved it. For some individuals, the comparison between the past and the present was ruthless.

But that said, how could post-apocalyptic hairstyles look? Loose hair or over-complicated? Bald or long hair? Hair coloring or natural?

In this article we will cover different post-apocalyptic hairstyles both for women and men, and why/how/where to wear them.

Factors that Determine a Post-Apocalyptic Hairstyle

Before debating the possible varieties of hairdos, we need to clarify some essential factors that influence our personal way to arrange our styles.

Hygiene Issues – In a post-apocalyptic world, no doubt hygiene will be a matter of concern due to the potential shortage of water, soaps, shampoos, sponges, hair conditioners, and so on. You name it.

Being bald could be the perfect solution to it, but what about in the dead of winter?

Climate – Warm climate regions obviously require more breathability. On the opposite end, your hair can be of great aid to keep you warm in severe weather conditions.

Environment – In areas with thick vegetation, wearing your hair down could be a fatal error. In fact, getting entangled somewhere with vines, thorns, or whatever is a mistake you must avoid.

Scissors and Razors – Any blade could turn into an improvised weapon in a post SHFT scenario, and work as a haircutting tool. Finding scissors and razors designed for the job could be a serious problem. Not to mention all the sharpening tools.

Functionality – With our hair growing, we need to find a functional way to get it under control. This will help avoid any risk of getting trapped, or even strangled inside ruined buildings or the outdoors.

Comfort – A post-apocalyptic world is a traumatic one. We will need to survive in it by establishing some basic, personal standards of comfort. This is utterly important for hairstyles, because they have a lot to do with:

• our physical, general condition
• our personality

Distinctive Marks – If you are part of a community – or of a gang – you may all have the same hairdo as a distinctive mark. It sounds a bit like The Warriors movie, but it is far from being a remote possibility.

The factors mentioned above like climate, hygiene, gang affiliations, and so on should be seen as the elements behind your personal hairstyle’s choice.

Your hairdo, in fact, will become the natural result of your survival decisions. In the early days of a post-apocalyptic world there will be no space for fashion. But as time moves on, survivors will find a way to dress to impress.

Where to Look for Inspiration

Weird haircuts that go into a post-apocalyptic style can be picked up from different sources.

Pinterest – No better place for ideas than Pinterest. In fact, check out the Prepper Press Pinterest page as there are several post-apocalyptic fashion boards.

Movies – Getting inspired by legendary movies like Mad Max, The Road, Omega Man, I am Legend and other post-apocalyptic movies could be a nice way to go. You can try to do them by yourself, if you are good enough.

Comics – The Walking Dead surely paved the road. Nonetheless there are other cool ones like Dead Enders, The Last Americans, Lone Sloane, The Resistance, The Punisher..

Cosplay Events and Larping – Cosplay events are the real thing when it comes to representing a post-apocalyptic world.

Festivals and Events – Extreme events are for extreme people – and extreme haircuts and outfits too! The worldwide-known Burning Man in Nevada is a proof that a post-apocalyptic fashion already exists, and affiliates have no problems in showing it. Also see Wasteland Weekend for further proof.

Fun – Who did never try an odd hairstyle for Halloween? Mixing inspirations to individual creativity can be the ideal ingredients for your Post-Apocalyptic Haircut. Additionally, it could be a good way to test if your hairstyle does really hang on.

How to Give Yourself a Post-Apocalyptic Hairstyle

Start by thinking unconventional, using hairpin accessories like pens, pencils, thin plastic, or steel bars. You can also think ropes, Paracord, and twine. All of these items could become your allies to fix your hair. Rags grabbed and sewed together will become your improvised bandanas.

The most convenient hairstyle in a post-SHTF situation are surely braids:

• French/Dutch Braids
• Single Braids
• Fishtail Braid
• Plait Braids
• Rope Braid
• Crochet Braids
• Lace Braid
• Ladder Braid
• Lattice Braid

These are actually the most popular ones. You can watch some tutorials to apprehend how to make them.

Braids could actually work both for long-hair men, women and children. The tighest they are, the better can last for days.

Where to Wear Your Hairstyle

If you want to give your new PA hairstyle a try before replicating them in an agitated post-collapse world you can try them when you are doing some physical activity like:

• doing fitness and cardio training,
• trekking,
• hiking,
• mountain biking, and
• doing survival and bushcraft activities.

In fact, there are no better circumstance where to test them, considering the possibilities of having your hair trapped somehow, somewhere.

These hairstyles are easy and functional. I like that they can help to hide the fact that you haven’t washed your hair in a week. Because, let’s be honest, that’s a lot more likely than surviving the apocalypse long enough to worry about hairstyles.