During spring break, I decided to donate nine inches of my hair to Pantene Beautiful Lengths, and through this process, I had a revelation. I always, always have had long hair. It has been ingrained in my mind that long hair was feminine, luxurious and, most of all, beautiful. Women with long hair are more associated with being beautiful and glamorous, while women with short hair are mostly associated with being cute and trendy, at best. There is a distinction between the two, and I have always seen it.
In high school, some of my friends struggled to grow their hair out, and I always considered myself so lucky that my hair grew long. I felt bad for my friends with short hair. I thought they were beautiful, but how would they look with their hair long? If they just grew their hair out, they would be so much more beautiful.
When I decided to donate my hair and share that with people this past year, I got a mix of reactions. Some people were excited, some were intrigued and others would just get that same widened look in their eyes. It was always the same: those surprised eyes, mouth forming a slight “O." There was usually a, “That's nice. What made you want to do that?" and "I would cry." A more blunt "Don't cut your hair" shortly followed. I couldn't help but second-guess my decision as my hair grew longer and the time grew closer.
It was about a week before I was going to donate my hair that I had thoughts running through my head: “How will I look? Will I look ugly? Will I look like a boy? Will people still think I'm pretty?" I was freaking out. I kept on debating cancelling the appointment and just saving myself the stress. But I had to keep reminding myself that my hair would help a woman who needs it more than I do, and if I did end up looking ugly, my hair would grow back, and that kept me from making the call. The day soon came, and I had mixed emotions.
But then it was time to make the cut, and there was no turning back.
As soon as I saw myself, I felt beautiful -- more beautiful than I have felt in a while, and it was all because of my shorter hair.
If you search "girls with short hair" online, you will find posts about women and why they should never make the cut. You will read claims that you will stand out, but not in the good way. If celebrities can't pull it off then you sure won't be able to, they say. Short hair highlights your flaws, you are damaged, you are masculine, you are ugly.
And I'm just sitting here like...
Do not let these absurd claims scare you. It has taken me 20 years to see it, but long hair is gorgeous, short hair is gorgeous, pink hair is gorgeous, no hair is gorgeous, all hair is gorgeous... you are gorgeous. Forget society's ridiculous standard of what is beautiful, and do what makes you feel beautiful! Because you are beautiful.
