As nine inches of hair fell to the floor, I felt my heart go with it. What was supposed to be a trim had turned into a full blown hair makeover, and I was not pleased. My facial expression must have given away my anguish to my stylist, because after apologizing excessively, she only charged me half of what the cut should have cost. However, no amount of discount could soothe me. My long locks were gone, and it would be years before they grew back.
I may be over the initial shock, but I can’t help but cringe every morning when I go to style my hair. Since my one minute go to side braid is no longer an option, I’ve resorted to a handful of tricks to get me through the grueling growing out process. If you’ve been a victim of a too-short cut or awkward layers, read on for some serious coping mechanisms.
Just Breath
It’s just hair. I know it might seem like the end of the world, but it is only hair. Hair is often used as a security blanket, and when it’s taken away, it can make a girl feel really insecure. It’s important to remember that not only does hair grow, but there are plenty of beautiful qualities about women that have nothing to do with hair. Take this as an opportunity to reevaluate the non-superficial things you love about yourself, like your awesome sense of humor or your positive attitude. And if that isn’t enough to put the smile back on your face, there are always hair extensions.
Get Creative
There isn’t a better time to experiment with hair accessories and new styles then when you dealing with a bad haircut. Braiding along your hairline can hide an uneven angle, and a colorful headband can add pizzazz to a boring ponytail. Since your signature down-do might not be an option right now, get creative with different styles. You never know what looks good on you until you try it.
Go Bold
Hiding behind long hair gives a lot of us collegiettes an excuse to stick to our same beauty routine. Shorter hair really accentuates your face, so this is the perfect time to try one of the bold beauty trends spotted on the fall runways. Sport a daring deep red lip or go for a jewel toned smokey eye. Trying new looks can really give back some of the confidence you may have lost when your stylist got scissor happy.
Be Patient
There’s no better advice when it comes to dealing with a bad haircut than being patient. Hair grows approximately a quarter of an inch to half an inch a month, meaning that six months of patience will give us back about three of those precious inches lost. These numbers may seem small, but in the hair world, three inches makes a huge difference. My recommendation is waiting about three months for your hair to grow out, and then go back to a salon (and to a trusted stylist) to get your hair trimmed and reshaped. This will help keep your hair healthy and fix any unevenness from the initial cut.
Ultimately, hair does not define who you are as a person, and shouldn’t be the deciding factor of your happiness. Recently Kellie Pickler shaved her head in honor of her childhood friend who was diagnosed with breast cancer. Although I’m not advising you girls to go out and shave your heads, I am encouraging us all to not link long hair with beauty. And if you’re lucky enough to have hair that flows down your back, consider donating to Locks of Love, a non-profit organization that makes hair pieces for young people who have lost their hair for medical reasons.