It's a hairy situation.

To cut or to grow. To spike or to slick. To highlight or to lowlight. Will it be purple, blue, blond, red, brown or green?

Whether to make a statement, to rebel, to have fun or just to change it up for a night on the town, people put time into and take pride in their hair.

The shaggy cuts of The Beatles, the lengthy locks of '80s hair bands such as Guns N' Roses, the dragging dreads of Bob Marley and spunky short cuts of actresses Halle Berry and Wynona Rider have grown, been treated and set trends during the past century.

So whether tresses are sexy-sleek or an "I was just electrocuted" messy bed head, they have something to say.

"Almost everyone expresses themselves through their hair, even if it's by accident," Lansing resident Candence Massuch said. "If someone doesn't do their hair, then it shows people that they don't like to do their hair."

As a cheaper alternative to tattoos, piercings or a wardrobe change, a new 'do can change a person's look in a temporary way, said Teri Parks, owner of Bohemian Barber, 223 M.A.C. Ave.

Fellow Bohemian Barber stylist Rick Hosler said hair can completely change or bring out the personality, mood or age of a person.

"It helps put inside emotion on the outside," he said.

Armed with a handful of wax, a bottle of glue or a box of dye, some people go the extra mile past the everyday gel, mousse or hairspray.

Philosophy junior Hal Scissors, who sports long spikes in his black hair, uses Elmer's School Glue to secure his style.

No matter the method, manipulation of tresses stands as the root of motivation.

"You can control your hair, unlike the rest of your physical features," advertising senior Jeff Henry said.

"For girls, it's more important. Guys don't care as much, but maybe that's changing with this whole 'metrosexual' thing."

Henry said for some people, a hairstyle is just considered a necessity, but for others, it is more of an expression.

"Don't be afraid to change your hair," Parks said. "You can always change it back."

Lansing Community College student Miguel Briseno said he was listening to music by Rage Against the Machine, Deftones and Bob Marley when he thought about doing something different with his hair.

"The band members have dreads," he said. "And being a bass player and a musician myself, I thought I'd like to have them."

His sister and mother helped him put dreads in his hair four and a half years ago.

"A lot of people take it to the level of identifying with a group," Briseno said. "But my hair is just a part of me."

He said some people don't wash their hair for the first two years and use wax on their dreads.

"I couldn't do that," Briseno said. "It's really a process - not recommended for the weak-hearted. I've had weak spells, but I just can't cut them off."

Bohemian Barber stylist Kristin Hill said hairstyle is all based on personality and confidence level.

"We do 'The Rachel' every day now," she said, referring to Jennifer Aniston's "Friends" character's layered style. "The industry wouldn't be any fun if there weren't different styles."

Hill said some people can't handle the thought of having short hair.

"Trends will come and go," she said. "But if it's because of yourself, it doesn't matter."

Parks said about 75 percent of the time, people come in asking for a normal haircut, and the 25 percent who want something different offer a new challenge.

Communication senior Lori Cummings became a stylist before attending MSU.

"Hair is the most important feature on someone," she said. "It can make or break you."

No matter how many compliments, "wows" and wide-eyed looks a person might get, most people say style statements are made for the individual.

Advertising senior Ricky Fuller is known for his lack of hair. He keeps his head shaved to fit his lifestyle and personality.

"I don't have time to do anything with it, so this is convenient," he said. "It shows I'm independent and confident and that I don't really care what other people think."

In contrast, criminal justice freshman Jon Garvey made plans a few months ago to grow his hair out before joining the army this summer.

"The days of two-minute showers are no longer," he said. "But it's worth it."

Lovely locks or creative color could have a downside for some.

"Hair can express itself in a negative way, too," Henry said. "Sometimes, people don't take you seriously."

Lansing residents Kristin Graff and Johnna Vasquez said hairstyles sometimes can affect people's views of them.

"It's harder to get a job with different-colored hair," Graff said.

Vasquez said he has dyed his hair at least six different colors and shaved things into the back of his head because he doesn't like to look normal. But he said he wishes people would look beyond the hair to see who he is.

"It doesn't matter how colorful your hair color is or what piercings you have," he said. "They should like you as a person as long as you can do your job."

Henry said people should do something different with their hair when they are young and not yet into the professional world.

"You have your whole life to have simple hair," he said.