I decided to interview my friends a few days after she asked me to shave her head because I wanted to challenge the standards and definitions of beauty. Her responses inspire women to break the barriers of beauty and to express themselves no matter what.

What age did you start shaving your head?

Kristen: I was in eighth grade, and decided to cut it really short because it's too thick to take care of. Senior year of high school, my mom was diagnosed with uterine cancer. She underwent chemotherapy and as a result of lost her hair with the mental physical struggle. She decided to shave her head more out of battling cancer because she recently had breast cancer, so her hair was already thin.

What did your mom think about your decision?

Kristen: My mother understood it came from a source of empathy, and I tried to relate the situation as best as I could.

Do you feel that you are challenging the standards of beauty/ femininity?

Kristen: Yes, especially seeing models with long hair, but I don't care because of mental and social pressure. It's my body and my decision.

Was there a moment of denial or fear?

Kristen: Not really, I just went with it. All my life I wanted to shave my head. This moment was special for me because of my mom.

What does shaving your head symbolize to you?

Kristen: It was a chance to see how it would look and continues to look.

What makes women fear change in their appearance?

Kristen: Acceptance and the people you hang out with. I think women want to be liked by everyone —[they] have to be that certain standard, and this affects how people view [them].

What was your hair like before you shaved it?

Kristen: Elementary — down my back; upper elementary — cut mid-length; eighth grade — bob cut; high school — short enough to spike.

Do you hope to denaturalize the standard of beauty?

Kristen: It’s not my main vocation in life, but something I would like to do along the way.

What kind of strength does it take to make this decision?

Kristen: A lot of mentality because for girls to get shorter hair is a big decision because it takes a long time to grow. It takes a strong mindset of looking good and being ready to put yourself out there.

What is your perspective on the standards of beauty? What influences it?

Kristen: I don’t think the standards of beauty are not attainable because of the variety of people with different features. I can't say one stands for all because it's not realistic because the media from a woman's perspective of beauty does not teach young people that they don't have to be the standard. The media is not letting them know that they are perfect just the way they are; they turn to media for the definition of what is perfect.

What do you think makes women decide to change their appearance temporarily or permanently?

Kristen: I believe their desires are implanted by society; fairytales defining beauty and how to get a guy. Beauty is what to strive for.

What effect does shaving your head have on your self-esteem?

Kristen: I became empowered that people recognized and supported my mom. I thought I should grow hair back because of how guys perceive beauty and social pressure. There was one time that old ladies told me that it's different because they're not used to seeing it. Other people asked if I was going to grow my hair back, but I mostly got positive feedback.

Shows such as America's Next Top Model, the Bachelor, and Miss Universe tend to be looked upon. Do they play a significant role in the beauty industry?

Kristen: Yeah, I definitely feel like they have a role in defining beauty due to sexual attraction and arousal and how they play around with it and then form that into the standard of beauty and defining one's true happiness as well as subconscious job descriptions.

Why do you think women are drawn to how the media depicts beauty?

Kristen: I feel like it has become engraved in us since we were young; you see abnormally thin models and grow up to think that the good traits are the heroes because they are liked.

What did you overcome during your transformation?

Kristen: Letting other people decide how I look because my family restricted me. Society doesn't hate me, and my family still accepts my decisions.

Any advice for women that are afraid of change?

Kristen: Pray about it, and look up inspiration of what looks good and have a vision for what you want. Do what you want to do, and don't let people decide what you do with your body.