I entered the Fall semester hungry for change – I was living in the city after a year and a half of online school, expanded my friend group, and finally declared my major and minors.
I figured it would be the perfect time to cross an item off of my bucket list – shaving my head.
No one is ever ready to shave their head – just like no one is ready to get their driver’s license or move out of their family home.
I did not shave my head out of an act of rebellion or catharsis. It was simply the right time at the right place.
And, why not channel my inner Sinéad?
I fell down a Youtube rabbit hole of head-shaving videos. Every woman in each video emphasized their newfound confidence and excitement, as they no longer had to worry about a time-consuming hair routine. It looked easy enough.
It was the week before Halloween when my girlfriends and I decided to do the deed. I was dressing up as Coraline for the holiday and figured it would be easy to wear my florescent blue wig with a shaved head. I was only able to afford the cheapest electric razor CVS carried (which totaled up to $40!) I didn’t realize that shaving my head would be so expensive!
After laying a trash bag on the ground of my friends’ dorm I got to work – chopping my hair off in large increments at a fast pace.
It was soon that I realized the razor I purchased was a beard trimmer and not equipped to buzz my hair off, or what was left of it. One hour later I was left with a patchy head and debilitating anxiety.
I did not look like the girls in the youtube videos.
The upcoming week consisted of me alternating from beanies to head scarfs until I was able to schedule an appointment with my hairdresser. I went to the salon on Hallow’s Eve to get my problem situated. Some judgemental glances and one bald spot later, I finally had what could be defined as a shaved head.
Although my experience was not the traditional one the youtube girlies had, it was mine. That was all that mattered.
I learned many things about myself after shaving my head. Here is a small list:
- I got more compliments and less catcalls. People were more inclined to compliment my hair, or lacktherof on the street than yell vulgar things or make innapropriate glances.
- I was able to look at my face. I mean really look at my face. Blemishes and marks were more apparent now that I was not able to hide behind my hair. Conversely, I was able to recognize beautiful things about myself that I did not notice before!
- I spent far less time getting ready in the morning. With a newly shaved head, I did not need to worry about bad hair days or blow drying my hair. My morning routine was significantly reduced.
- I began to embrace my femininity in other ways! Through fashion and makeup, I began to make more unique stylistic choices. Shaving my head gave me the space to look into other faucets of my identity.
- It was a livechanging experience. Shaving my head was one of my most impressive achievements. I wouldn’t take back the experience for the world – flaws and all.
So, are convinced to shave your head after reading this? What are you waiting for?
Go out now, buy an electric razor and get to work!