The Long and the Short of it (Hair, I mean!)

Ohhhhh dear, I am doing a pretty ordinary job of keeping up with regular posts on my

blog that I was so passionate about haha.

I felt like it was time to add a new post. This one is about hair.

Something that has fascinated me for years now, is short hair. I’m not talking a chin-

grazing bob, I am talking pixie, ala Michelle Williams (I am pretty sure I have already

mentioned my obsession with her) and Ginnifer Goodwin (my most recent girl-crush,

welcome aboard Ginny!). I have always toyed with the idea of getting a pixie, I kind

of go hurtling towards the idea, full of gusto and guts and armed with an Ipad full of

pictures to the hairdresser, but then I get in the chair and suddenly, I chicken out. I

feel like I have started running towards the edge of a building and changed my mind

just a few steps away and I am busy trying not to fall face first.

Anywho, I have been doing a bit of research into pixie cuts, looking at Youtube

video’s and blogs, trying to get different ideas of pixies. Some girls seem to decide to

grow it out the minute they step out the hairdresser’s, and one poor girl who looked

ah-may-zing with her short pixie admitted that she had been called a ‘dyke’ on her

first day back at school. I saw video’s of model show makeovers where girls had

cried buckets of tears at the idea of getting their hair cut off. It makes me wonder

what the stigma is with short hair?

Long hair seems to be a symbol of the ultimate femininity. Long, flowing locks

tumbling down a woman’s back, twisting pieces of it to flirt, wearing it as an

elegant statement to the world – see me, see my beauty. Is this why some people

automoatically assume that having short hair, particularly pixie length, symbolises

masculinity and a possible lack of sexuality?

Myself, I think that short hair is beautiful. With hair out of the way, you can see

someone for their other beautiful traits, such as big eyes, good bone structure, or

even cute ears. Natalie Portman once rocked a pixie, and she has these cute little

ears, I thought it made her look like a fairy!  

Cutting all your hair off is brave, because you are literally putting yourself on display.

You can see my face, you can see my neck, you can see my smile. There isn’t hair

to hide behind. I think that having a pixie challenges one to embrace their femininity

in other ways, such as with accessories or makeup. Myself, I like to wear pretty little

studs in my ears with crystal diamantes and a splash of colour. I also like to wear

makeup, making sure that I am drawing attention to my eyes. I feel like my lack of

hair makes me feel more feminine. I am more selective with what clothes I wear as I

don’t want to look boyish or butch.

I think a lot of girls also worry about how they will be viewed by men if they have very

short hair. I am pretty lucky in that my husband supports me in my experimentation

with my looks, and I know he will love me regardless of whether I have long hair,

short hair, or no hair! There was a makeup artist in a Youtube video that I was

watching recently who was standing with a crying model who was in the process

of her hair being cut. He said to her “Why are you upset? Are you worried your

boyfriend won’t like it?” She nods. More tears. He says “Girl, if he doesn’t like it, you

need a new boyfriend.” I think I fell in love.Watch this:  Model Makeover

I think something else that drives women to chop their hair is a life changing event –

like a break up, a new job, or a new relationship. For me, my desire for a change is

coming from work. I’ve been having a tough time, and I have been feeling pretty low

about my place in the world and what choices I have made to get here.

 I am fairly certain I chose the wrong career path and now I have to wait until I am in a better

position to take steps towards the right direction. So, I have been feeling a bit “blegh”

about myself, and I am ready for change.

So, I have never really gone the distance and gotten a proper pixie. I always have

longer layers over my ears, or longer layers at the back of my neck. Now, my layers

are a mess and I am desperate for a cut. I think I am going to go all the way – I need

the change.

A friend of mine who I have been egging on to get a short hair cut has just taken the

plunge, and sent me a text saying how excited she was about her new look and that

it was my short hair and my love of wearing accessories that inspired her to do so. I

think that is one of the most touching things I have ever heard. So, I think I am ready

for the plunge. I am going to say the one thing you never say to a hairdresser unless

you want something drastic… “Do what you want”. It is hair, right? It grows back!

***UPDATE***

I went to the hairdresser and finally got my pixie cut! I must admit, I feel like a million dollars! She took the time to really listen to what I wanted, what I liked and looked at some pictures I had with me. I didn't feel 'pushed' like I do sometimes whenever hairdressers get a bit excited at the thought of chopping. She left a little bit of hair in front of my ears but I feel really comfortable. I have a lot less hair but I feel really feminine and I love that I can now wear my funky earrings for the world to see. I am so, SO happy I took the plunge!!!