It was tied to my identity, even though that’s not what I intended when I let it grow out. Was I rejecting femininity? Was I embracing femininity? My long hair has always been one of the first things people associated with me. I started to understand that my underlying fear was more about how I would explain why I cut it. I knew if I cut it off, I would miss that.Īt the same time, I recognized that my hair would always grow back. Mine is textured enough that when it’s long, I can twist it into a bun without a hair tie and it stays put. From a practical standpoint, having long hair is pretty handy. I was also worried my potential disappointment would justify not taking more risks in the future.

Why were you initially opposed? What made you change your mind?įrom an emotional standpoint, I was afraid I wouldn’t like how the haircut turned out and then I would have to walk around with it on my head for months.

What’s the one haircut you never thought you’d get?Ī roundish, neck-length shag. Read about their experiences below (spoiler alert: It’s a real treat). It takes extra guts when the dramatic haircut in question is one you never thought you’d get, which is exactly the kind of chop four Man Repeller community members received last week at the hands of Hairstory stylist Wes Sharpton. That’s why committing to getting one takes guts. The truth is, a dramatic haircut really can feel like a seismic shift, not only in terms of how you look but also in terms of how you dress and how you act. Considering that hair can be easily altered, that it’s programmed to grow back no matter what you do to it, isn’t it fascinating that we imbue it with so much power? In other words, I’m deeply intrigued by the close interplay between hair and identity. So, in the name of Renovation Month, we’re resurfacing this incredibly satisfying story that was originally published in August 2018.Īs someone with long, curly hair - the kind that frequently feels like a more powerful accessory than a favorite necklace or pair of shoes - I spend a decent amount of time thinking about the connection between the stuff that grows out of my head and the stuff that goes on inside of it. As far as makeovers go, there’s nothing quite as satisfying as a hair transformation-especially when before and after photos are involved.

Wolf cut female black girl