Have you ever ever sat in a hair stylist’s chair, thought “eff it,” after which walked out wanting like a brand new particular person? I’ve. Over the vacation break. And let me inform you: getting your dream haircut is actually liberating.
Final summer season, I used to be doing what I do each morning: scrolling by means of Instagram and saving photographs of cool outfits. However mid-scroll, I ended on a photograph of a lady. She was carrying a baguette as a handbag (cute) and had a wavy bob. Inside 5 seconds, I had reposted it with the caption, “Guys. Ought to I minimize my hair like this?” The remainder of the day, my inbox was flooded with dozens of the identical message: “Sure!”
The subsequent few months, I went on a save-photos-of-women-with-short-haircuts spree. Selena Gomez’s look in Solely Murders In The Constructing? Saved. Aubrey Plaza’s lob in White Lotus? Saved. The French bobs Joanna noticed in Europe? Saved. However regardless of my enthusiasm, I hesitated to make an appointment.
Why? Brief hair and I’ve at all times had a sophisticated relationship.
I’ve had brief hair thrice in life. There was the asymmetrical minimize once I was 13. The lob once I was 20, styled with a center half and mermaid waves. And the modern bob I obtained at 25.
However I by no means felt like I may pull off these cuts. As a result of I let my opinion be swayed by two family members.
Being a real Latino dad, my dad’s face fell the second he noticed my 13-year-old self with brief hair. Within the Mexican group, a lady chopping her lengthy locks is equal to her giving up her femininity. Seeing his unhappy eyes made me want I may get my waist-long hair again, so I may do what I at all times did once I felt uncomfortable — fiddle it between my fingers whereas avoiding his pissed off gaze.
Once I was 20, it was my school boyfriend who made me second guess my crop. After I badgered him for his trustworthy opinion, he mentioned the 5 phrases nobody needs to listen to after getting a brand new haircut: “You shouldn’t have minimize it,” he uttered, avoiding my shocked stare. I left his home feeling crushed. His phrases nonetheless rang loudly in my head 5 years later, once I seemed within the mirror at my new collar-bone-grazing minimize. I shortly grew it out.
This previous 12 months, once I once more felt the urge to go brief, I spent months wanting again on the short-hair beauties saved on my Instagram, wishing I had the boldness to tug off their kinds. Then sooner or later, whereas wanting and wishing, I spotted one thing: What if a typical trait between these ladies is that they care about just one particular person’s opinion — and that particular person is themselves? Hastily, feeling good with brief hair didn’t appear not possible.
So, I made an appointment.
When my husband Max drove me to the salon, I hopped out of the automotive, gave him a kiss and mentioned, “By the best way, at present is perhaps the day I am going brief.” He responded with, “Yeah, proper! However should you do, you’ll look scorching.” Listening to his encouragement made my coronary heart swell, however I vowed to not let it’s the deciding issue.
Proper earlier than the large chop!
As I seemed into the salon mirror, butterflies fluttering in my abdomen, my stylist Gillian approached. I confirmed her two units of photographs: one with wavy bobs and one other with lengthy ’90s layers. However when she requested, “So, that are we doing at present?” I heard myself say, “We’re going brief.” For the subsequent half-hour, I zoned out to the sound of Gillian’s cuts, snips, and chops, and let my worries fall to the bottom, together with my lengthy, black strands.
As soon as Gillian completed drying, curling and spritzing, she stepped again. “What do you suppose?” she requested. Out of behavior, I mentioned, “I adore it.” However this time, I spotted, I lastly meant it.
Now, two weeks later, I nonetheless can’t cease smiling at any time when I see myself within the mirror. I really feel so rattling good. I’m charmed by the best way the waves flip, how the blunt layers really feel in opposition to my neck, and the way sassy it seems to be tucked behind my ears. I additionally love the sensation of lastly listening to part of me that attempted for therefore lengthy to be heard. As a result of it’s value it. I’m value it.
How about you? Have you ever ever experimented with a dramatic coiffure? Or is there one that you just’re hoping to strive? I’d love to listen to.
P.S. One other dramatic chop, and three tips for parting your hair.
