

“With bangs, simply an inch or two can change all the things,” Reagan Baker, our pal and favourite hairstylist. “There’s no uncool bang proper now, each type works.” Reagan proved her level this fall, when three courageous Cup of Jo readers confirmed as much as put their hair in her fingers, and the pleasant Christine Han took images. Meet Vira, Suzy and Gracie…
VIRA:

Haircut earlier than
CoJ: Are you prepared for a brand new reduce?
V: I simply acquired my Ph.D. in biomedical engineering, specializing in wearable applied sciences for human well being. This system took greater than 5 years, and now I’m on the lookout for a job outdoors of academia, which is thrilling. I’d like to start out this new life chapter with a brand new coiffure.
Have you ever performed round along with your hair previously?
I attempt to method my look like I method my analysis. Some experiments — even these you’ve spent months or years engaged on — find yourself being full duds, so it’s worthwhile to continually readapt and generally fail quick. It’s a piece in progress, however I strive to not be too sentimental.

Have you ever ever had any really disastrous cuts?
In faculty, I visited a pal at Parsons, and in the course of the evening we determined to dye my hair purple. I’ve additionally had my share of not-so-great cuts. But it surely grows again! Fail quick!
How do you’re feeling coming in right here?
Excited and just a little nervous.

Haircut after
What do you consider the ultimate reduce?
Some shock! It’s been some time since I had brief hair, however for Halloween, I might be The Incredibles’ Edna Mode, a real vogue icon. It is a reminder that good can come from forcing some change in your life.

* Reagan’s take: Vira has the face form for all the things, the hair texture for all the things, the road type for all the things. She’s simply cool. I gave her a basic bob with just a few layers, and it’ll develop out simply for her. She might develop it down her again if she needs. I’m vulnerable to giving an enduring haircut, it’s a nasty enterprise mannequin!
SUZY:

Haircut earlier than
CoJ: When was your final haircut?
S: Proper earlier than my marriage ceremony in July 2022. The hairdresser took off greater than I needed, so it put me off haircuts for some time. Then, after I was pregnant, it grew in a short time. Now it’s all the way down to my waist! It doesn’t have a lot form and feels heavy on my head.
How previous is your child?
I had my child lady in August. I’ve uncared for to do my hair and make-up since then. I’m hoping to discover a new hair look that makes me really feel recent and assured, throughout this time the place a lot of myself is being redefined by this tiny human.
That’s comprehensible.
I really feel like my interior being simply wants a hug. My associates had been stunned that I utilized for a hair makeover, however this season of life has been so altering on a mobile stage that it feels very nice to have somebody say, ‘Hey! I see you and may deliver out one thing stunning in you.’


Any wild hairstyles in your previous?
Once I was 5, we went to go to our prolonged household in Korea. My auntie, who was in her twenties, stored saying, ‘What would you like from Korea? I’ll get you no matter you need!’ I whispered in her ear, ‘A perm.’ So, after lunch, she snuck me to a salon down the road. My mother wasn’t glad, however everybody else thought it was hilarious that this five-year-old needed a perm.

Haircut after
How does the brand new haircut make you’re feeling?
Type of attractive, which isn’t a phrase I take advantage of to explain myself, like, ever. However Reagan makes a speciality of ‘bed room hair,’ and I really feel like that’s precisely what she gave me. It has extra quantity and flirtatious drama than my hair has seen in a very long time. I’m excited to get residence and present my husband and child lady!

* Reagan’s take: Although Suzy has a brand new child, she was nonetheless all the way down to have items that may fall out of the ponytail. I feel it’s cool to have a number of hair falling down you could tuck behind your ears. That method, it doesn’t appear like a gymnasium bun or ponytail, it appears to be like like a messy Julia Roberts updo from a ’90s film.
GRACIE:

Haircut earlier than
CoJ: What have you ever been as much as these days?
G: In 2023, I ended an extended relationship, left a job I cherished, and moved from the quiet mountains of New England to bustling New York Metropolis. Principally, a whole lot of painful progress.
You talked about needing to make that shift from telling tales with a ‘we’ to telling them with an ‘I.’ It’s an exquisite and transferring description of what it’s wish to undergo a breakup. What has been useful throughout this era?
Dealer Joe’s Almond Butter Pretzels! Sending voice memos to associates in numerous time zones. And after I moved to New York, my twin and two youthful brothers helped me pack and transfer. Regardless of all of the ups and downs, I’ve felt actually cherished.


Are you somebody who has had the identical haircut endlessly or somebody who mixes it up?
I’ve stored my hair lengthy and in its pure coloration for many of my life, except for a failed at-home dye job in highschool that turned my hair inky black and my pillows blue, in addition to a bob in faculty that left me trying like a medieval web page boy.

Haircut after
How do you’re feeling?
Reagan labored her magic to create a tremendous haircut {that a} low-maintenance lady like me can maintain. This haircut is tangible proof of the interior adjustments that inevitably occur while you undergo one thing difficult.

* Reagan’s take: After her breakup, Gracie was in that temper the place you need to Britney Spears it and shave all of it off, however I additionally knew she’d need to really feel like herself. I attempted to compromise that by letting her preserve her size and giving her a brilliant daring bang. If she nonetheless needs to do one thing rock and roll, subsequent time we’ll reduce all of it off! Folks all the time say that bangs are a dedication, however I don’t really feel that method. You’re caught with them once they’re tremendous brief, however earlier than lengthy you’ll be able to tuck them behind your ear they usually’re only a glorified layer. Bangs give large outcomes with tremendous low threat.
Thanks a lot for these haircuts, Reagan (you will discover her reserving data right here, in case you’d like), and thanks to our three beautiful members!
P.S. 4 girls on going grey, 9 readers present their dramatic hair transformations, and Jannelle will get their haircut she’s all the time needed.
(Photographs by Christine Han for Cup of Jo.)
