Choosing A Short Haircut

[Mel]

Article featured in Avatar - Volume 3, Issue 10 (April 2010).

Choosing A Short Haircut
By Cheyenne (Desert)

It’s a big decision, one that takes a lot of time and planning. It’s also something that’s right next to irreversible. If you go through with it and change your mind when it’s over, you have months and possibly years to rectify your mistake. What decision am I talking about, you ask? Cutting your hair!

How many times have you had a friend with beautiful, long locks which they inexplicably lopped off, then cried about it for months afterwards? Unfortunately, this is often the way that it goes when going for a big change in your appearance like this. The longer your hair, the more you have to think about and decide before going for it—or conversely, not going for it and keeping your strands the length they are.

The first thing you should ponder is how long you’ve spent growing out your hair. If you’re one of those people who have always dreamed of having hair down to your waist or longer, then this will require a great deal of thought. If in the end you decide to get it cut, it will be your hard work down the drain.

Secondly, there’s the reason why you want to get it cut in the first place. Is it because you just want to make your parents angry (not the greatest plan or reason), or because your long hair is simply too hard to care for? It could also be something completely different as well--something as simple as you think it’s time for a change, which is perfectly acceptable. Cutting your hair can signify a big switch in your life or newfound independence. In that case, you can look at your newfound ‘do as a badge of honor. Whatever your reason is, make sure it’s a good one otherwise you will probably end up regretting your choice. The reasoning behind it is probably the biggest factor in a dramatic physical change.

Now, you need to decide where and who you will get it cut by. The more you trust the person, the better it’ll go. Your hairdresser could be anyone from a friend’s parent who works at a salon, or your trusted stylist who you’ve had for years. It really doesn’t matter who you pick—as long as you trust them with your hair. Whatever you do, do not go with a new hairdresser or salon that you’ve never tried before. Unless they are a very reputable salon, this will most likely lead to disaster.

So far, you’ve thought about your reasoning for getting your hair cut, the time spent on growing your hair, and where and who you’re going to get it cut by. It’s the big day and you’re headed off to the salon. However, your work isn't done yet. There are still a few things you need to remember both before you get in and while you’re in the chair.

There are many different short cuts, but only one perfect cut for you. To find this ideal style, you’ll need to figure out the shape of your face. There are many resources for you to do this—from fashion magazines to the Internet. There are also entire magazines devoted entirely to finding your perfect haircut; these are worth a look-through as they can sometimes hold the look you want. Try to find a picture of the cut you have picked: it will make life much easier for your hairdresser and yourself. Sitting there and saying, “Well, it was kind of like this, but not quite as severe as *insert celebrity’s name here* haircut.” Chances are, that will just make everyone MORE frustrated, not less. One more thing—make sure that it’s sustainable. If you don’t make it to the salon often, try going for a slanted sort of cut that will keep it’s shape as it grows out. Bobs can be the enemy of anyone who prefers to keep their hair routine low-maintenance.

Lastly, I will give you a few tips as to what to do while actually in the chair. Listen to your gut, but don’t let it jerk you around. It can be really hard watching your hair flutter to the ground, ruthlessly snipped by a pair of snapping silver scissors. However, the end result should be enjoyable enough for you to forget about that. It may be beneficial to bring a friend along for emotional support. If you honestly can’t stand where the style is going, immediately stop the hairdresser and say something along these lines: “I love what you’re doing, but I’m not sure I’m so crazy about this style. Could you maybe…” then tell them exactly what you want them to change.

That hair doesn’t have to end up on the ground, though. Organizations such as Locks of Love are always grateful for donations of hair to fashion into wigs for cancer patients and the like. More information on Locks of Love can be found in this month's Cause of the Month (page 9).

The main thing you need to remember is that you should be very happy with your cut in the end. Following these steps should help you to make the right decision. If you do end up hating it, though, the only thing you can do is grow it out again. It will take a while to grow it back out, but it the meantime, just try to embrace your new cut and do your best to rock your new style. Think carefully and you will make the best decision for yourself.