The benefits of short hair

This past weekend I had my hair cut short. Well, short compared to how it was. I had it cut to about the level of my clavicle having wimped out of the chin-length ‘do I thought I was going to ask for when I went in. For reference, the picture in this post was taken a week before I went to the hairdressers.

I spent most of my twenties switching between having long hair and a bob. Partly because I would leave it so long between cuts (see: life admin I really hate) and partly because I could never make up my mind about what suited me. After having a proper bob cut in about two years ago, I finally realised that I prefer my hair a bit longer – it just looks a bit better I think. But I have two very good friends with truly excellent short hair, not to mention the wealth of famous people who make a bob look so much chicer than long locks -current favourite Robin Wright. And so I forget my resolution and start to fantasise about having my entire swishy pony tail cut off in one snip.

Thankfully I remembered my choice in time for the moment when I sat down and gave the stylist instructions including gesturing where I roughly wanted to the bottom of my new hair to land. She followed my instructions precisely but, in what is now a predictable sequence of events for me, I am currently deeply unhappy with what I’ve had done. Does everyone immediately hate their hair after a re-style? I assume this is normal but maybe not. I thought people having their hair trimmed evert six weeks was a myth but people apparently really do that.

And so, because the hairdresser did precisely what I asked of her and it ain’t growing back any time soon, I wanted to remember all the things about having short(er) hair which are really great. Here are some of the things that I really like when my hair is short

1. It take a lot less time to blow dry. When I my hair is long I can spend a good 30 minutes drying it through if I’m styling straight from washing. That’s a lot of time to spend under all that heat and not to mention who wants to spend that much time doing their hair in the morning?

2. Your head feels lighter. My head was starting to feel incredibly heavy when I had all that hair piled into a bun atop it. I immediately feel lighter now I’ve lost a good amount of it.

3. You use less of your hair products – shampoo, heat protector,hairspray – you name it, you need to use less of it when you have short hair.

4. Fewer decisions about hair need to make on a regular basis.  What I mean is when my hair is longer there are more options available in the morning – I could pin it up in a bun, wear it long and curly, wear it long and straight, do a half-up thing with clips – and actually I find life easier when there’s only one way to go. At this length I only really suit it down and straight. No decision-making required thus reducing time spent deciding and changing my mind and changing it back. You get the picture.

I’d love if you have more benefits to add to the list – if you do please leave a comment.

In summary – there are quite a lot of emotions involved in hair aren’t there?

I’d love to know what you think about your own hair so please leave a comment below!

P.S. how I started washing my hair way less frequently, the best hair mask ever and why fringes are prefect for lazy women.