Making the Cut

  I am a strong believer in the idea that every woman should cut off her hair at least once in her lifetime. For one, I think a lot of us hide behind our hair in an attempt to shield the parts of us we don't love as much. I can't tell you how many people have told me "I wish I was brave enough to cut off my hair!" or "if I could pull it off, I would totally go short" The thing is, anyone can pull off short hair. The secret is your confidence. If that is showing through you, it doesn't matter what is growing out of your head. The second reason I am a big fan of the chop ties closely in with the first, but it has to be one of the most liberating feelings there is, getting rid of the blanket you've been hiding behind and then being complimented on it! I think some of the most beautiful women in the world look their best when they have short hair. There is something very raw and true about a woman who is not defined by it.

 When should you start considering a shorter hairstyle?

  As a stylist, I usually encourage a style change when a client wears their hair up so often that no one realizes it's long or if they have been nursing extremely damaged ends for months. In both of these cases, you really aren't holding onto much and it may be best to think about getting rid of some of your length. Maybe it's only a couple inches or maybe it's a whole new look entirely. Maybe neither of those circumstances apply to you, but you've been drawn to some cute pixie cuts lately, and that's great! The most important thing is to really know yourself. If you love big changes and you don't tend to go into shock too easily, look into the donating option, because great organizations such as Wigs 4 Kids are always looking for hair! On the other hand, if it takes you four appointments to get to a subtle blonde highlight, you should consider cutting it off in stages as you warm up to the idea. There is nothing wrong with working your way up to your goal, and if you're not ready, that's okay too. Because we've all had appointments go like this:

       Steps to a great chop

  -Avoid Debbie Downers

    Nothing is worse than feeling super excited about something until you share it with someone and they rain all over your parade. The good thing is you usually know who those people are in your life or you have that one friend who is completely against short hair, so avoid sharing your plans with them. Sometimes people just can't picture things until they see them, so there's a good chance they will love your hair once you cut it. (If they don't, that's okay too. It's not their hair)

-....But embrace your encouragers!

    Basically cutting your hair off is like naming a baby. No matter what you do, there is going to be at least one person who hates it. Stick with the positive people.

-Research how to style your desired look

    It's important to have an idea of what you are getting yourself into now that you can't throw it into the same old ponytail every day. Look into different styling options and don't skimp on product. In order to style your hair, you may need different products than what you were using when it was longer, so be sure to ask your stylist the day of your appointment for styling tips and what you should be using.

-Do a wardrobe look over

I have had many clients color their hair red and then feel like they could no longer wear their closet stuffed with reds, pinks, and oranges. I don't think it's necessary but it's a personal perspective, and the same goes for short hair. I have always liked collared shirts, details, and bigger jewelry with short hair, so when I had decided to cut my own, I slowly stocked up. Be sure to look through what you have and make sure you feel comfortable.

-Be sure to look your best!

Another big mistake a lot of my clients make when they are scheduled for a big change is coming in without makeup on or their lazy day clothes. Don't get me wrong, I think you're always beautiful no matter what. But when you have a major change done to your all over look, the first thing out of everyone's mouths is "I need to go put makeup on and clothes I like." My advice? Skip all that. Show up with your makeup done and in one of your favorite outfits, so the second you see yourself, you feel great about how you look even if you are in a little shock over your hair.

-If you are considering shorter hair I only have one thing to say. DO IT! 
The funny thing about hair is, it grows. Everyone should let themselves jump with both feet in at least once, and who knows, you may even decide to keep it that way. Some people swear they will never go back to long hair afterward, and I may be one of them!

Below are some pictures from my own transformation, the best decision I've made in a while! Thanks to Chelsea at Happy Hollow Salon for helping me feel like myself again.