Thursday, July 31st, 2008
apricot’s closet: colorful short-haired girl.
multicolored shirt (which is far from my character), tights & red shoes, all from Target; shorts, from Ross; necklace, from Forever21.
When I was a little girl, I wanted long hair. I felt that in order to be beautiful, it was a necessity. But of course, my hair didn’t grow in this way, & I did everything possible to create the illusion that I had long & lustrous hair; even if it meant wearing a towel on my head around the house. (Yes, I actually did this.) I was about 6 or 7 then, & my mother would always tell me that I looked silly, but I didn’t care. My vivid imagination allowed my dream of lengthy hair to come true, even if it was in the form of a dingy, blue bath towel.
I don’t remember the reason I decided to cut my hair as short as I did. Maybe it was because I wanted to break the chains that seemed to keep me in the state of mind that “long hair equals feminine.” Maybe I desired to believe that being an enticing woman wasn’t limited to long hair. Maybe I wanted to prove to myself (& others) that I could sport a short crop without feeling masculine or awkward. It was a random mix of emotions that provoked me to go pixie.
Four years ago, after peering at images of beautiful, talented women with pixie cuts, I gave it a go. Quite impulsively, I went to my dear neighbor — who cut my hair at the time — & said, “Cut it all off. I want it all gone, & I want it to look like this.” I was pointing to a picture of an amazingly stunning black girl with a very short, very funky faux-hawk. My neighbor was terrified & she did her best to try to talk me out of it. “Your hair!” she cried. “It’ll be so short! I don’t know if I can do that to you! What if you don’t like it? Oh no. I can’t, Ev’Yan.” But I was more than adamant. Truthfully, I didn’t know what I was getting myself into either, but I knew that if I continued to over analyze it enough, I would surely change m
y mind.
There is a powerful feeling that takes you over when you decide to cut your hair shorter. (Or it could be me.) Being a [ex]hairstylist, I know this feeling all to well & I felt it almost immediately upon the first slice. It was a cross between sheer excitement at my rebellious decision & uncertainty if I could make it work, even if it looked awful. But I realized that this cut was limited only to those who had enough confidence to show it off, & I wanted to be that someone. I realized, too, that this would also make me stick out like a purple thumb amongst all the blonde-haired, blue eyed girls in my little town. But I didn’t care. Cutting my hair off was one of the boldest things I have done to shape my appearance, because there is such a taboo surrounding hair & women. & while I loathe controversy, this is one instance that I truly enjoy going against the grain. I guess it’s obvious that I ended up absolutely adoring my new hairdo.
I wanted to list the women who dramatically changed the way I perceived short hair. Each one of them, in their own uniqueness, inspired me to chop all of my hair off & when I begin to feel low & out of place, they remind me of my own uniqueness & keep me grounded. Their beauty has proved to me that hair simply isn’t everything. Their confidence in making such a bold statement provokes me, entirely. In short, they are my muses.
Audrey Tautou.
Supermodel, Alek Wek. She makes me want to go bald.
Jean Seberg.
Leslie Caron.
Nia Long.
Selma Blair.
Halle Berry.
Mia Farrow.
Michelle Williams.
Maggie Gyllenhaal.
Natalie Portman, who also makes me want to go bald.
People always ask me if I’ll ever grow my hair out. My immediate answer, & still at the moment, is No. There are so many perks to having such short hair. It’s almost impossible to have a bad hair day; it’s much cooler in the summer time, & make scarves much more wearable in the winter; short hair is much easier to take care of, not to mention it rarely takes me over 10 minutes to style. How could I ever go back?
(this post reminded me much of my shameless man crushes.)
on Thursday, July 31st, 2008 at 9:49 am:
Short haircuts on woman sassy.I really like that but I guess I wouldn’t cut my hair,I’m to afraid.
Nice blog
on Thursday, July 31st, 2008 at 10:35 am:
LOL I used to run around the house with a towel on my head too with bobby pins attached to hold it in place. Strange because my hair was always past my shoulders. Kids are very impressionable. Now my hair is natural (curly/kinky/afro) and a bit past my chin. I never want it to be any longer. The fiance’s dream is to have my hair cute and short like yours but my head is too big to pull it off. I do love your hair though :)
on Thursday, July 31st, 2008 at 10:45 am:
Oooh lovely post. You know how much I love your hair, but I am not nearly as brave as you to give it a try. On you its gorgeous, but on me and my large head it wouldn’t look so great. But I love how you posted other women with short hair. I always loved Selma Blair’s hair when she cut hers short. I love them all!!
on Thursday, July 31st, 2008 at 10:50 am:
Short haircuts are so bold and beautiful. Your hair suits you so well!
I chopped off ten inches last summer (going from waist length to bob) and I have to admit it was a bit traumatizing even though I still had quite a bit left. Now though, I feel so free–it’s just hair after all! I’ve gotten more cuts and played with color a little bit and I feel very liberated from what will happen, b/c after giving up so much you realize how little it really was to begin with…
on Thursday, July 31st, 2008 at 11:02 am:
love your hair cut, short hair has really grown on me. Too many women (black especially) seem to equate long hair with prettiness. But showing more of your beautiful face is what is really pretty!
on Thursday, July 31st, 2008 at 12:02 pm:
Short hair mos def works for you.
on Thursday, July 31st, 2008 at 1:04 pm:
Your hair is adorable, and it’s funny it would ever make you feel sad, because whenever I see a picture of you, it makes me want short hair.
I’m petite, so I think: I could SO pull that off.
Then I chicken out and worry: Too much of a change. Maybe I’m not cute enough. :)
It looks amazing. There’s just something so special about a pretty woman with a pixie haircut. :)
on Thursday, July 31st, 2008 at 1:29 pm:
@ Mimi: Aw, there’s nothing to be afraid of. It’s only hair, & it grows back. :] & thank you for stopping in.
@ That Saddity Chic: How funny! I thought I was the only one. :] If I could wear my hair any other way, it would be natural, like yours.
@ Kelly: I think you could pull it off VERY well. You should give it a go. =]
@ The Clothes Horse: You said it perfectly. Once you get over the initial shock of cutting your hair, I think you realize that it really wasn’t as bad as you thought. :] I dare anyone to attempt this look.
@ allthewine: I am in complete agreement with you. It’s really sad that black women feel like they have to have long hair to be desirable. My little cousin is going through the motions of all that & it infuriates me! But….. that is another story, entirely. :] Thanks for stopping in!
@ Aaron: Thank you! & did you see I got your girl up there? ;]
@ ashley.marie: If you’re petite, go for it, Honey! I bet you would look darling in a pixie. & once you cut it, I’m sure you’ll like it. If not, it’s hair & it does grow back. :]
on Thursday, July 31st, 2008 at 2:12 pm:
When I first started reading your blog that’s one of the things that stood out to me the most, how well you wear your short hair. Even though my hair is chin length now, I too love short short hair. The most liberated I’ve ever felt with my hair was when it was biced. I love the feeling of cool rain on my head, like I have become the earth soaking it up. Lovely. You tempt me to cut my hair off again. Great post, I’ve been enjoying reading your blog a lot this past week.
on Thursday, July 31st, 2008 at 4:11 pm:
You do look beautiful with your pixie cut. I have always loved short hair, but have never gone pixie. I don’t know if I would ever have the confidence.
on Thursday, July 31st, 2008 at 6:57 pm:
Oh I had the Dorothy Hamill haircut for too long, it turned me off to short hair. I love it but I can’t carry it off. I love Audrey Tatou’s hair. So jealous.
on Thursday, July 31st, 2008 at 8:02 pm:
Shaving your head is terrifying, but every time you look in the mirror you get to see how brave you are. For some reason, that’s incredibly gratifying.
on Thursday, July 31st, 2008 at 8:20 pm:
I stumbled across your blog off of chictopia and just read this post. I recently cut my hair at the beginning of the month because I too felt as you did I was tired of being the light-skinned girl with long hair, my hair is just as short as yours with bangs and I’ve never felt better about it. I feel like I’m finally doing my own thing and want to keep it short for awhile. It’s nice to know I’m not alone in my feelings.
on Friday, August 1st, 2008 at 9:35 am:
Uummm… YES! You got BOTH my girls… Maggie and Natalie! Thank you… thank you so much for that!
on Friday, August 1st, 2008 at 10:03 am:
I totally used to run around the house pretending my towel was my long hair. glad to know I wasn’t the only one.
and I wish I could pull off the pixie cut because it’s a really cute haircut…just not for my face structure oh god no
on Friday, August 1st, 2008 at 8:17 pm:
great post! i adore your hair and think it suits you perfectly. i thought about women and their hair a lot in the last months: my mother is going through chemotherapy and lost all her hair. although she had short hair, it still was very scary for her and those around her (including me, of course). when my dad saw her bald for the first time, he said she reminded him of jean seberg and that he thought it was beautiful. still, she was a bit scared. if i had the choice, i would have shaved my head at once and had given her all my hair. so, after all: yes, it’s just hair.
on another note: i really like you with that print! (obviously, coming from me, that’s not a big surprise)
on Friday, August 1st, 2008 at 8:25 pm:
@ katie: Aw, thank you so much. :] I’m so glad you like it. & I don’t know if I could ever have the guts to Bic my hair. Maybe just shave it down to a one or a 2 (with the clippers) but I don’t know about Bic-ing. You are a brave girl.
@ Meg: You’ll find that once you just take that leap of faith, it’s a breeze. I think you should give it a go! Then again, I’m biased, so I don’t know if you should listen to me. ;]
@ Jessica: Yes; have you noticed that all the prettiest French girls have amazing haircuts? There were 3 girls I listed here that were French. Sigh. & I can understand why a short haircut would scare you. I never liked the Dorothy Hamill look. ;/
@ Randi Mae: I can only imagine. Seeing your gorgeous pictures makes me that much more tempted to shave it all off.
@ tiara: I am so glad you feel so comfortable with your short locks! =] I’d love to see a picture.
@ Aaron: You’re welcome, Sir. :] Enjoy.
@ susel: Wow, I seriously thought I was the only space cadet that did those kinds of things. I guess it’s considered… normal? Haha.
@ Anna: Wow, I’m sure it must be a difficult time for her. But what a wonderful thing for you dad to say after all of that! I bet that made her feel amazing. :] & thanks… I knew that you, of all people, would like it! =] Actually, when I bought it, I had you in mind.
on Friday, August 1st, 2008 at 10:55 pm:
I Love Your Hair!
You are so gorgeous!
on Saturday, August 2nd, 2008 at 10:04 am:
This is very similar to the experience I had in cutting my hair pixie short! I always wanted reams of gorgeous long hair, but i eventually realized it was just too fine and easily damaged.
Another factor that contributed to my cutting it short was confidence. I’d always thought a girl had to be prettier or thinner to look good with that kind of hair. But finally one day I thought “How silly!” and just went for it — and of course, as you know, it’s impossible not to fall in love with it!
on Saturday, August 2nd, 2008 at 9:24 pm:
I’ve just found your blog, and wow, respect!
Your writing is delightful and frankly I can’t help but agree with everything you’ve said.
I do wish I were strong enough to cut my hair that short, but there is something comforting about long, luscious hair as you previously stated.
Now I am off to read more of your posts and truthfully, your blog is a gem. I am surprised I’ve never heard of it and I’ve just recently encountered it on Chictopia but you deserve your place in the big league (with Rumi, Camille, Betty and the others)!
on Saturday, August 2nd, 2008 at 10:30 pm:
I love your hair, and I have that shirt :)
on Sunday, August 3rd, 2008 at 6:29 pm:
Dude your hair is so freakin pretty{ i love that cut on you. and your style is soooo freash{ your really gourgeous!
on Monday, August 4th, 2008 at 2:06 am:
i love love love! short hair on girls. and i love love love! your short hair. its perfect for your face. i wish i could do it too but, at least i know enough to know that it would be HORRID.
sorry i havent commented in ages. i have been keeping up with your posts though lovely lady :)
-cri
on Monday, August 4th, 2008 at 12:45 pm:
Totally loving your blog. I read it all the time, it’s great!
Your post totally reminded me of one I wrote on my blog about my style icons - we even have some of the same influences, like the gorgeous Jean Seberg. I love the short hair on you! It’s very flattering and sophisticated and of course, tres French! I used to have my hair cut short in a pixie, but have since grown it out a bit. Still, every time I see someone with short hair I like, I am tempted…
on Monday, August 4th, 2008 at 7:42 pm:
Your short hair is gorgeous and you wear it well. I love your blog. You seem like such a sweet girl :-) and you and your hubby are too adorable for words.
on Tuesday, August 5th, 2008 at 9:44 am:
@ trent: thank you very much. :]
@ Cammila: Your hair texture sounds much like mine. You pull short hair off so well. :]
@ Lauriane: Wow, thank you so much. What an amazing compliment. I appreciate your words & I’m flattered that you enjoy my little diary. =]
@ sandy: Oh do you? Imagine that!
@ jay: thank you very much, love.
@ Cri: How are you lady? Thank you for stopping in. It’s been a while. :]
@ Christina: Aw, why thank you! =]
@ Shantel: thank you so much! That is so sweet. :]
on Tuesday, August 5th, 2008 at 11:09 am:
Love the hair style inspiration — I wish I looked as good as everyone pictured here, including you my dear.
Great post!
on Wednesday, August 6th, 2008 at 8:08 am:
this is a great post, Ive been deliberating on cutting my hair back to short. Ive done it all with my hair, Ive went from long & natural to twisty dreads to a short pixie to bald like Alek Wek. The thing I noticed with short hair is once you start to chop its so much easier to go shorter & shorter hence my baldie phase.
Alot of men didnt like that but honestly I felt the most confident with my hair short. And now Im ready to take the plunge again!
on Wednesday, August 6th, 2008 at 8:08 pm:
i have the exact same photo of nia long saved for inspiration…i’ve been working up the guts to cut my hair like hers for about 3 years now! selma blair is another beauty whose hair i adore. and i’ve recently added rihannas pic to my files. i actually have a post on short hair coming up too! great post.
on Monday, August 18th, 2008 at 9:47 pm:
You look absolutely stunning with that haircut. I had short hair like that long ago but I wouldn’t dare now. I also used to wear a towel on my head and pretend it was long hair :-) My mother kept my hair pretty short through most of my childhood.
on Monday, September 1st, 2008 at 1:02 pm:
Your hair is very cute :)