Diablo Cody on Heroine Chic

Laurie Strode, Halloween
Jamie Lee Curtis plays the toughest babysitter this side of the hedge. And yet, at one point Laurie wonders aloud if she's too smart for the boy she likes. It's a surprisingly sweet moment in a film that otherwise coaxes us to identify with a psycho. Memo to Laurie: You're totally hot, albeit in a nerdy kind of way. And besides, it's Halloween in the '70s — if you feel ugly, you can always put on a Donny Osmond mask or something.

Dorothy Gale, The Wizard of Oz
Let's say you've just traveled to another dimension, faced down an evil witch, survived an attack by humanoid apple trees, and OD'd on poppy fumes. What do you do next? Why, hit the spa, of course! In one of the weirdest makeover montages ever, Dorothy even requests that they ''dye [her] eyes'' to match her blue gingham dress — how very Paris Hilton. (Unrelated: How homoerotic is that shot of the Tin Man getting ''buffed'' by a crew of enthusiastic guys?)

Nancy Thompson, A Nightmare on Elm Street
Admit it: If Johnny Depp was your neighbor, you know you'd make sure your hair looked its fluffiest too. Also, Nancy gets points for rocking jammies and dark under-eye circles — and long before rehab chic was hip.

''Uncle'' Jesse Katsopolis, Full House
Not technically a woman, but his addiction to mousse and gender-ambiguous name make him eligible by, uh, a hair. However, Jesse never let his styling routine interfere with his ability to write awesome jingles, bust D.J. for sneaking out, or console whichever Olsen twin they used for the crying scenes. (Memo to casual Full House viewers: Please stop referring to Joey Gladstone as ''Uncle Joey'' in your ironic convos. He wasn't their uncle. Thank you.)

So you see, it's possible to be the tiniest bit insecure while still maintaining badass cred. At least I like to think it is. All right, that's enough brain activity for now. I'd better go fix my hair before someone mistakes me for my illustration.

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