During the American Idol finale last May, Steven Tyler, Aerosmith frontman and American Idol judge, donned something in his hair that started a nationwide trend. Tyler had multiple feathers of many colors and styles secured in his hair, causing the contestants of American Idol and The Voice to take part in this trend.

A feather is an accessory men and women wear in their hair, most commonly teenage girls. Feathers come in an array of colors, shapes and styles. Tinsel, very similar to the shiny decorations on a Christmas tree, is another popular hair fixture among adolescents.

A hairstylist applies a feather in one’s hair by a thirty second process that involves taking a few strands of hair and feeding it though a crimp bead along with the selected feather. Next, he or she clamps the bead, securing it for months to come. One would apply tinsel in a comparable fashion to feathers, but instead of a bead, the strands are tied into the hair.

Revere graduate and cosmetologist Shanna Dietz works at Haircrafters and receives daily requests for feathers and tinsel. Dietz explained their popularity.

"When they first became popular, I bought 25 feathers and sold [and applied] them in 24 hours," Dietz said.

Dietz observed that the tinsel and feather combination is a favorite among teens.

Since many teens are involved in extracurricular activities and stay current with other hair styles such as straightening or curling hair, it is important that these accessories will not fall out or be ruined. Both fixtures are durable and can handle the heat of styling tools, although feathers tend to remain in hair longer than tinsel. They can stay in for months if one takes proper care of them.

The most expensive feather Dietz has seen was a peacock feather that was $50. Senior Christine Bondi decided feathers should cost a reasonable price, so she began her own business of dying, cutting, styling and applying feathers to her peers’ hair. Bondi believes that this trend should be reasonably priced; therefore, she took initiative of selling feathers for less.

"For nicer feathers people would normally pay $20 to $25 for at a salon; I charge $7 to $10," Bondi said.

As the popularity for feathers has increased, the price has increased as well. Revere graduate Chelsea Ilko studies cosmetology at the Paul Mitchell Academy of Ohio in Twinsburg and gave an example of this fluctuation.

"At the salon Beauty First where I got my feathers done, they were originally $10, but now they are sold for $12," Ilko said.

Feathers come in several styles and colors, but Bondi deems certain kinds to be more popular than the rest.

"The most popular [feathers are] really skinny and have black and white or brown and white stripes," Bondi said.

Dietz added that the more often one washes his or her hair, the faster the color of the feathers will fade. Colors such as red and orange are more likely to fade opposed to neutral colored feathers. Ilko noted that on average there are more neutral colors and shades of red that have been sold. Ilko reasoned why so many people have decided to purchase feathers.

"It gives people something to do with hair that [is] temporary and easy to get done that will not last forever," Ilko said.

Dietz explained that trends often reflect upon what public figures are doing.

"When celebrities [display] something, everyone has to do it because it’s considered cool," Dietz said.

Junior Camille Brokloff studies cosmetology at Cuyahoga Valley Career Center (CVCC) and she acknowledged that feathers are a fun and interesting accessory for hair.

"[Feathers] are a cheap and cute way to change up your hair for a little while," Brokloff said.

Ilko stated that her previous job at the Montrose Ulta, a local makeup and hair accessory store, first purchased tinsel in October of last year. At first it was not as popular as it is now; after New Years, however, people requested it more often. After the New Year, Ulta sold tinsel at least once a day. Dietz also acknowledged that tinsel became popular toward the end of May, and Haircrafters bought them right after Memorial Day.

Senior Ashley Taylor, who already had tinsel in her hair, was one of the first to sport a hair feather at Revere. She discovered the hair feather on vacation last spring break. Taylor is also in the cosmetology program at Cuyahoga Valley Career Center (CVCC) where she will learn to apply feathers.

"My friend who lives in Florida told me [about feathers]. No one had them, and [I] thought they sounded sweet," Taylor said.

Dietz explained another interesting aspect about this trend is that the feathers used in girls’ hair were initially used for fly-fishing. The result of this has caused a shortage of feathers and sky-rocketing prices for the fishermen. In some states, according to Seattle Times, fishing supply stores will not sell their feathers to women because they know they will not be utilized how they were intended. A specially-bred rooster takes over a year to develop these feathers. The feathers’ real purpose is to be on a fly tied lure while fishing instead of being in women’s hair.

Feathers and tinsel have become popular in a relatively short amount of time. This trend proves that even random items can become the next big fashion craze if a celebrity so chooses to sport the look in public.