Thursday, May 8, 2014

On Cutting One's Own Hair

If you follow me on Instagram, you know that about a month ago, I cut off all my hair. It had been long for almost 4 years, and it was time for a change. I started looking at Pinterest for inspiration, and an hour later I was ready to do it. 

short hair

And I did! But more specifically, I cut it. I've been cutting my own hair since I was a teenager, and have only been to a salon a handful of times over the last 15 years. 

Teenage Katie
Cutting one's own hair sometimes leads to terrible bangs, as 14-year-old Katie illustrates. 

It started when I was 14, looking at a Delia's catalogue late at night. There was a model with the cutest short hair, and before I knew it, I had convinced myself that "hair grows back," and I should "just go for it." I walked down stairs the next morning with a short bob, and my mother (bless her heart) just looked at me and said "I like it," before continuing on with breakfast.

And the rest is history. A history littered with bad, too-short bangs, yes, but it's my history. Because no stylist can cut my hair like I do, because no stylist knows my hair like I do. 

A braid

When it comes to fashion, it can be so hard to know how to assert your individuality, but this is one way for me to do so. When I cut my hair, I feel like the cut is me. It's just like sewing and knitting - you can create a one-of-a-kind garment that only you can rock, because it was made for and by you. 

new hair!

So that's why I continue to cut (and color!) my own hair, even if it means the back is a bit choppy, or the layers are a little uneven. Because they are my uneven layers, and I like them like that.

Ps. If you want to get into the wild world of self-hair-cutting, I found this great tutorial on cutting your own hair. Saves money, too!

6 comments :

  1. Inspiring! You hair looks great! I might hop on that wagon. I like my hair long, but would enjoy the ability to trim it myself. It always costs a damn fortune.

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  2. Holy crap I am so impressed!!! I usually trim my own bangs, but seem to be doing a not so good job lately, so I'm hesitant to try it again, even though my bangs are definitely going to need some shortening soon. I am going to check out the tutorial you posted and see if I can get some tips from it!

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