Making the cut

For as long as I can remember, I have been fixated on short hair (despite the fact that for 75% of my life, I have worn my hair long). My best friend Rebecca sports an uber chic, crowd stopping crop that never fails to illicit compliments from those who happen to spot her.

But what is it that stops so many women in their 20's from taking the plunge? Many feel that men favor long locks, while others prefer the security of their tresses down their back and around their shoulders. But when the economy dipped, women headed to the salon. Not for expense dye jobs or expertly hand painted highlights, but for major cuts. (To me this is counter intuitive, since short hair requires more maintenance than long in the form of frequent trips to the salon for trims and reshaping. But so many decisions are emotional and not practical.)

Yesterday I finally headed to the salon and got a chop. Granted, I had fleeting dreams of truly cutting it all off (a la Natalie Portman in V for Vendetta), but I settled on a more realistic (and less tear provoking) first step. My hair is thick, wavy, often unruly, and must be coaxed into place by the Chi flat iron. It is not 'get up and go' hair. Though I spend endless time choosing my outfits, I detest spending any amount of time on my hair (a nice break for my Husband). At Bumble and Bumble uptown, I felt as excited as a school girl with a crush as I watched each strand fall to the cement floor. My stylist used nothing but a razor, and lightened my load of locks with each flick of her wrist. The end result is a bob of sorts, with short, choppy texture throughout. (I can count the friends on my right hand that will love it, and the friends on my left hand who will struggle to say something positive when they see me.) As Christine said, a new hair cut is a fabulous new accessory that freshens up every outfit you pair it with. Don't be afraid if you've ever dreamed of a cropped, edgy style. Please yourself first (even if this requires Ugg boots).