Navigating a Drastic Haircut

So, you want to cut your hair. Hair is a big part of our identity as women – whether straight, wavy, blonde, natural, kinky or any other combination, hair has historically been a method of expression and creativity.

Most of us have a complicated relationship with our hair. Years of societal pressure and a lack of diversity in media have left us wishing for our hair to be some other way. And even though our hair is often a large part of our identity, it doesn’t define our value. That being said, a dramatic haircut can feel like a huge personal upheaval. The natural hair community uses the term “big chop” to describe cutting off most, if not all, of your hair, especially to end the effects of relaxation and heat and start again fresh.

I cut 12 inches off of my hair back in November so I can speak from experience on adapting to a drastic haircut, although since I don’t have natural hair, it’s not the same as a big chop. If you’re thinking of doing something similar, there are a few things you’ll want to take into account before you sit down in the salon chair.

First off, if you decided to cut your hair while you were in the midst of an emotional crisis (no matter the crisis, as long as you were emotional), don’t do it! Full stop. Too often we let our feelings get the best of us and make irreversible decisions without considering the consequences – bangs, anyone? I don’t know what two mistakenly connected synapses in our brains came up with the idea that cutting hair = solution to all problems, but those synapses are not your friend. Wait until your crisis is over and you are restored to your senses before making any decisions; then, give the idea serious consideration, and if you still find yourself wanting to cut your hair, go for it! This way, you’ll know your reasoning and have less doubt.

Secondly, follow the cardinal rule of haircuts: do not schedule it right before or, heaven forbid, on the day of a big event! We all like to look our best at important events because it gives us confidence and also photo ops; you don’t want an unflattering or plain disastrous haircut to ruin that. Even if you want a new style for a special event, get it done at least a week in advance of the big day – that way, if anything does go wrong, you’ll have time to get it fixed or at least covered up.

When you do get it cut, be precise with your hairdresser! I think all of us have the painful experience of asking for a trim and walking out with layers, bangs and more inches than you wanted gone. When you’re getting your hair cut short, a half inch mistake makes a big difference because there’s less hair to work with (proportions, people). So, tell your hairdresser exactly what you want and don’t be afraid to speak up! Also, you may be getting your haircut short with a particular style or shape in mind, so talk to your hairdresser about what that looks like. Communication is key!

So is maintenance. If you’re like me, your long hair was either too difficult or you were too lazy to style it everyday, so most days you left it alone. A strategy that worked because long hair doesn’t draw as much attention; it’s a part of your body. But short hair seems like an accessory, drawing more attention and requiring more work. If you got your haircut for a specific style, that style likely requires shaping and products everyday to look the way you want. Be prepared to invest a little more time in your morning routine.

There are growing pains. I just recently hit the stage where my hair is no longer short, new and fun, but awkward, frustrating and annoying. If you’re planning to keep your hair short, this isn’t a problem, just know that you’ll need frequent trims. But if you are going to grow hair back out, be aware that at some point you will find yourself hating your hair length. One solution to this is to get it cut short again, but that only delays the problem. The other solution is to stare wistfully at photos of your long hair and wait however many months for it to regrow.

If you’re still keen on getting your haircut, I wish you the best of luck! Walking out of the hairdresser is a liberating feeling – you feel like a new, lighter person with the world at your feet! Don’t let the haters get you down by telling you that only certain face shapes look good with short hair; they’re just jealous. The only thing that matters is if you like your short hair. Enjoy the fun while it lasts – especially how much money you’ll save on shampoo!