The Unspoken Global Warming Resolution: Short Hair
We all know that small changes can have big impacts.
Carbon offsets, hybrid cars, rechargeable batteries, organic food, natural cosmetics, recycled paper.
Isn’t something missing from our frequently discussed eco-conscious options?
How about cutting your damn hair!
Think of all the resources that go into maintaining long hair: water, products with questionable ingredients, electricity (for hair appliances and frequent towel laundering), money, and most importantly – time.
You could save on all of these things by simply cutting your hair shorter. Most men are known for having short hair, so it is the women of the world who need to wake up and chop it off. Remember the 1950s? Some of the most popular women of that era had hair above their shoulders. Sophistication, authority, beauty – short hair says it all.
Long hair is often a personified characteristic of youth. A recent study from University of Pecs in Hungary proves that long-time tradition is changing. “Women with longer hair seem healthy, intelligent, and mature, while women with short hair are seen as more youthful, honest, caring, and emotional,”says Liz Somes in Psychology Today’s January/February 2008 issue.
From a logical perspective, it is easy to see why short hair equals youth. Long hair takes years to grow. Short hair is worn by babies worldwide. Ba-da bing, ba-da boom. Just about every woman has had one of those nightmare haircuts that you just can’t fix, but fear to go short. Long hair used to be seen as what makes a woman feminine. Well times have changed!
After having shoulder-length or longer hair for over 10 years, I buzzed it all off to one-inch long in December 2007. Why? It was time for a change.While it took me weeks to get used to my new look, I instantly found many benefits to having short hair: saving water, using less shampoo and conditioner, no need for styling products or tools – all of this lead to saving time, money, and vital planetary resources. In addition, I also found myself gaining confidence at a rapid speed. No longer was I hiding behind my hair or constantly worrying about how it looks (curly haired folks know what I mean).
Most people don’t like to be told what to do. I’m bucking the system. Cut your hair! How short? Above shoulder length. Don’t let fear or vanity stop you. There is an attractive short hair cut for every face.
Save time, save money, save the planet, and grow in ways you’ve never imagined – cut your hair short!
Love the post Victoria! I cut my long hair off 4 months ago. It was a little hard to get used to, but I love it short because of all the benefits you listed.
I lost my hair recently due to chemo so your post made me smile. My “haircut” must be really helping global warming.
Victoria, I don’t think you’ve done your research! It is perfectly possible to have healthy, beautiful long hair while being environmentally friendly at the same time. In fact, I’d say it’s almost a requirement.
True, extremely short hair like yours requires less maintenance than any other cut. But extremely long hair like mine requires less maintenance than any of the cuts you’ve pictured! All I need to do is comb it and twist it up or braid it, or just leave it down if that’s what I’m in the mood for. Long hair does not equal a requirement to use styling products, blow-dryers, or curlers. Stylish hair does, maybe–but long hair isn’t stylish! Long hair does not require tons of shampoo or conditioner. I use natural, handmade shampoo bars (check them out at http://www.chagrinvalleysoapandcraft.com) and usually use no conditioner at all, other than some diluted vinegar. My products are much better for the environment than what most shorter-haired women use!
Long hair is also low-maintenance in another way: no cuts! I have my mother trim my hair every few months. Other long-haired people I know trim their hair themselves. And there’s no need to keep the style in the right shape–it takes that shape naturally!
I would have to say that if you want to make your head environmentally friendly, either keep your hair very short or keep it very LONG!
A final point: Do you really want to encourage people to emulate the 1950s–an era when women’s rights and political and religious freedoms were at a historical low in the US?
I’m not denying that long hair can be healthy and environmentally friendly, but I’m sure you can see my point about how it is a needless drain on resources?
No matter the hair’s length, it needs regular trims to prevent split ends, which naturally keeps any cut ship-shape, so to speak.
I by no means am encouraging women to emulate everything about the 1950’s, but there are some things about the new Millennium, including how women are portrayed in the media, that make me long for that era all over again.
Kary – I’m very glad to hear you enjoyed the post. We can share our short haircuts with the world when you visit soon.
Cindy – I’m sorry to hear about your recent experiences with chemo. Short hair is all the rage; maybe going bald is the next chic trend!
I can see your point in saving resources, but what really drains ours resources more then short hair is the way we’ve been brainwashed to think we need so many hair care products and gadgets. I have had every length hair possible – but mine is currently long… I haven’t used shampoo in 7 years, i trim my own hair on ocassion and haven’t owned a blowdryer/curlers/curling iron since the late 80’s. I simply rinse with lemons or a lemon/lavender/ginger brew i steam myself.
I don’t use a single product or electric gadget for my hair. You can even make hair bands and stuff by upcycling old fabric & elastic from the thrift.I think it’s all in the attitude more then the length.
Nice Post…and especially nice thinking…!!
On my own view it’s ok to have a long hair. Mine is long also. But I see to it I don’t used to much products that harms our environment.
And just wondering women’s have different personality and mood. Somes boost their confidence and feeling more good having a long hair .
I’ve spent the last five years growing my hair out, and its currently longer than it’s ever been, reaching half way down my back. I have beautiful hair, its that perfect red that everyone seems to want, but you just can’t dye hair this color. I’ve always wanted long hair but had never been patient enough to grow it out. Now that I have it, I wonder if maybe I’m too old for hair this long? Plus, I can’t keep my baby’s hands out of it, he spends more time pulling my hair than nursing! And its almost impossible to wash my scalp, which means I’ve developed a very hard to treat dandruff problem. Furthermore, it takes a long time to brush out, and I’m in the military and its a pain to pull it back every day. I think often about cutting it off, but three things stop me.
#1. Everyone told me I’d cut my hair off after having my baby. I don’t want everyone to be right.
#2. Just because I’m a mom now, doesn’t mean I want mom hair (see #1)
#3. Men love long hair. I’m a single mom right now, but someday I’d like to get married and have more children. I know looks aren’t everything, but it doesn’t hurt to play up your looks as much as you can. In fact, as much as we’d all like to deny it, it’s pretty much impossible to date if you don’t pay attention to your looks. Not that short hair can’t be beautiful, but men overwhelmingly say they prefer long hair.
I don’t know. I’ve been toying with the idea of cutting my hair off for a long time. If I do cut it off, I plan on donating what’s cut off to Locks of Love. I would encourage your readers who take your advice to do the same, if they have enough hair to cut off.
My long hair is very easy to maintain and I can quickly style it without products. When I wash my hair I allow it to dry naturally.
My photo, @ http://www.artistrybysandy.stumbleupon.com
I’m environmentally concerned and feel cutting ones hair is a matter of personal choice.
I love your blog! Great job.
Sincerely, Sandy
http://www.greenecocommunities.com
[...] I read an article on Victoria Everman’s blog which made me smile and concrete the idea that actually I did want short hair. You’ll have to [...]
[...] Everman shares a sustainable fashion tip with An Unspoken Global Warming Resolution: Short Hair. She makes some really wonderful points in favor of short hair– what say you? If you could [...]
I agree it makes logical sense. But for me, the opposite is true. When I have long hair, I only need to wash it twice a week. I almost never blow-dry it because it looks better when it air-dries. When my hair is long, I use very little in the way of styling products because it basically styles itself.
When I have short hair, I have to wash it more frequently and blow-dry it every single time afterwards. I have to use mousse and gel and hair-spray just to make it look like it’s seen a hairbrush in the last month. Short hair is so maintenance-intensive for me, that’s why I keep my hair long.
My hair is the longest it has ever been and I maintain it the with least amount of styling products and gadgets than I have ever before in my life. I have to say, at this time of year it is very hot on my skin but in the winter it keeps me warm. Living in upstate NY, I need all the help I can get staying warm in the winter. Having said that, I wish I could pull off a short hair style. When I did cut my hair in the past I wound up looking “cutsy” and nothing at all like “sophisticated.” Is there a particular style that is maintenance-free and a sure fire sophisticated look?
No way. I have very long hair and I agree with Clare when she says that very long hair can be low maintenance. I wash it once a week with Yaoh shampoo and conditioner (which are the most environemntally friendly products on the UK market) and I let it dry naturally – I have not even seen a hairdryer for 20 years. Takes very little time, has very little impact on the environment.
Plus I cut my hair myself, I’ve not been to a hairdresser for 20 years and its much easier. less time consuming and minimum environmental impact to keep an eye out for split ends and cut them as and when and then to have an overall trim once every few months than to go to the hairdresser every couple of weeks. Plus I can compost the hair I cut off – which hairdresser does that?
I find this post really encouraging! I just cut all my hair off a few days ago (1″ length) and feel great about it. For years it’s something I wanted to do, but wasn’t confident enough until now.
The only thing I find disappointing though is some of the comments. It’s obvious that alot of women are hanging onto their hair length for men. How about we start caring about ourselves as much as we care about the environment
Also, the “mom hair” thing… It’s really sad to constantly hear women stereotyping each other, especially moms. Us women and moms should support each other, not perpetuate stereotypes 
[...] system can save you 70% or more per year on home heating and cooling bills! Victoria E presents The Unspoken Global Warming Resolution: Short Hair and VE on Gaiam Life: 10 Ways to Green Your Pet posted at Victoria Everman :: Sustainable, [...]
Victoria – that was a totally legend thing to do. Really brave, and you totally pull it off, it looks awesome. To all those who have long hair and don’t harm the environment – good on you. Well done. There -now be quiet and get with the vibe of the article.
Your four celebrity makeovers are poster girls for why women should NAWT cut their hair. Seriously bad examples!!!!!
Wow. This is the biggest pile of nonsense I have ever read. Long hair is the least of our worries. And what is wrong with looking healthy and intelligent? I’d rather look mature than immature. You buzzed your hair? Bully for you! The short haired women of the 1950’s were also kept as subservient housewives. Healthy, intelligent, mature = powerful in my book.
I cannot understand how anyone can make such a blanket statement and expect to be taken seriously. Short hair is environmentally friendly and long hair is environmentally bad… It is this kind of thinking that has brought us to the kind of confrontation that we have in the world today. One group tell another group, I know whats best do as I say and we can all live together happily…. It just doesn’t work. There are a few universal truths. This isn’t one of them.
Long hair can be a good thing, for some. Short hair can be good, for some.
If you use and consume and have a huge carbon footprint with long hair, then you will most likely have a huge carbon foot print as a short hair. Simple.
I used way too much product to keep my short hair “tamed” but with long hair it can be controlled without products. I air dry. I don’t do it for a man. I like the way I look. Me not someone else. I am a single, not looking widow. I please myself, not others. I am green, so is my hair care as a long hair I spend less time on my hair and less money than I ever did as a short haired person…
Remember, there are few universal truths, by recognizing that truth, you will become a more effective person.
I will agree with the other posters that, for me, longer hair is a lot easier to manage, uses a lot less styling products and resources.
When I had short hair, I used to have to use at least a hairdryer and styling products every day, not to mention that I had to wash it every day to make it look decent.
Now that I have longer hair, I no longer use a hairdryer. I wash my hair about every three days, and no longer use styling product. It only takes me a couple of minutes each morning to brush it and put it up in a neat style appropriate for work.
I , like many others no longer go to the salon for trims, I trim my hair myself when it feels like it needs it, approx every 6 months, and have no need to use any other product than shampoo and conditioner, I dont use much more than when I used to wash my har daily, and because I dont need to wash my hair as often, I am actually saving on product use.
To address another comment, the only person that I will ever grow and keep my hair is for myself. If a man is that superficial that he only wants me for my hairstyle, he can go jump.
I will also suggest that if you are thinking of donating your hair for Locks of Love, that you do your research and find out exactly what could happen to your hair donation, it might not even make it into a wig.
Hello, this is the first time I came across your blog and I have to say I disagree with this post.
Simply saying you will save resources by having short hair is wrong.
Why? Because the amount of resources you use is is more likely a reflection on what exactly you do with your hair. Regardless of how long or short it is, if you style your hair using blow driers, styling products, use bleach or colour on your hair, you will use more than those who do not. On another note, keeping your hair short will require more frequent trimmings; assuming one goes to a hairdresser to get this done, this become expensive, although if you do it yourself, free.
Regarding women’s hair in the 1950s, yes they were above the shoulders, but it took time to style their hair that way, and like I said in my previous paragraph, styling will require more resources.
Now, I’ll make a final point about the look of having long or short hair. Having the hair you want is a personal choice and for you to suggest that we should cut it because “the times are changing” is not your call to make. It’s like reading a magazine and doing what it says because it’s in style or for whatever reason (a common example is women over 30 are supposed to cut their hair).
If women feel pretty with long hair, then what’s the harm in that?
Anyway, I don’t let men tell me how to have my hair and I won’t let you tell me how to have my hair. I’m growing it long and strong!
To Melissa:
“The only thing I find disappointing though is some of the comments. It’s obvious that alot of women are hanging onto their hair length for men. How about we start caring about ourselves as much as we care about the environment
”
- I’ve only noticed one comment here that suggests this (and even then, not terribly strongly). Do you feel that it’s even possible for a woman to have her hair the way she wants because she likes it that way and for no one else? You don’t know everyone, and you don’t know why they have their hair the way they do (although you seem to think you do).
“Also, the “mom hair” thing… It’s really sad to constantly hear women stereotyping each other, especially moms. Us women and moms should support each other, not perpetuate stereotypes
”
- It’s not about being a mom, it’s about having an ugly haircut (this is a personal preference, I personally think it’s ugly)
I hope my thoughts are clear, thank you.
When I first read the title, I thought this article was a joke, then realised you were in earnest, so I would like to make a few points.
Firstly, I had hair in the realm of shoulder-length for years, and it’s now to the midde of my back, and it’s becoming less effort all the time. I wash it every three to four days, where when it was short I washed it at least every other day, and I don’t use any more shampoo, as I only shampoo the scalp, or conditioner, as I only use it on the ends, and use some diluted vinegar to make the hair easier to detangle (the vinegar makes the cuticle close, therefore making it smooth and easier to detangle).
Shorter hair took much longer and more resources to style because if I wanted it up, whereas now I can use a single stick that lasts for years, then I used an elastic (and these wear out in a few months) and pins (which are also prone to breaking and being chucked). Likewise, to wear it down I needed to spend time making sure I liked the way it looked, and did on occasion use styling products, whereas long I just comb and it’s ready to go.
Secondly, many women will colour, blow-dry, straighten, etc. their hair, regardless of length (this doesn’t apply if you have very short hair, like you do, but with a bob or even a pixie there may be colouring or other styling products in use, and likewise with long hair it happens). It would have been useful, then, to provide suggestions for how people, without changing the length of their hair, could become more environmentally friendly in their haircare routine, for instance not using chemical colours, minimising blow-drying, washing less frequently, etc.
You, in writing this article, appear to make the assumption that long-haired women treat their hair in the same way that short-haired women do, but because there’s more hair they require more products and time. This is not always the case, for long hair has gravity on its side for styling when worn down, and can be worn in many beautiful updos otherwise, and therefore styling products and heat styling are less common the longer one’s hair gets. I would be very happy to see a similar article expounding upon the ecological advantages to having longer hair.
Lol, this made me laugh, my hair is long, do I use products? no, because that would be stupid and it would seriously ruin my hair by coating it in junk! Do I heatstyle? again LMAO no for the stupidity reasons.
On the other hand shorthair normally needs frequent washing, heatstyling and product just to make it look good.
I never used more product and resources on my hair than when it was shorter. I had to wash almost everyday, use gel or mousse, hair dryers, flat irons, curling irons. With long hair, I wash much less frequently, use no prodcts that are not natural, and use no heat stylers.
The celebrity pictures you posted are styled with product and some most definitely chemically treated. A woman who uses a lot of resources in styling her long hair, will most likely use just as much on short hair.
This post would have been better served to show women what natural products are available and how they work as well as mainstream products.
Huh? I’m not getting it. I suppose if this was meant as humor, it’s kinda amusing. Humor doesn’t require absolute factual authenticity. But if you’re serious about short hair being better for upkeep and all the attendant costs (environmental, time and otherwise) then you couldn’t be more wrong.
I’ve gone both routes, long hair and short hair. I grew my hair long and wore it that way a few years, then went in for a cut and style. Wore my hair short and styled a couple more years and then grew it back out. Long hair is far easier and less demanding than short. I would never go back. I can’t stand to waste that much time, energy and money on my hair.
Short hair required me to wash daily and use heat styling devices such as blow dryers and heated irons. It required me to visit the salon every 6 weeks for a trim to keep up my style. I had to use styling products and hairsprays. I also had to wash and condition it daily. Fixing my hair in the morning took me a minimum of 45 minutes, between the required shampoo and blow-dry and the styling. It also required various touch-ups throughout the day to keep it looking nice.
Contrast that to long hair. I go to the salon twice a year for a trim. The rest of the time, I keep the ends neat by occasionally inspecting and self-trimming any splits and trimming the very ends once in awhile to keep them nice. I wash only every third day, so it uses less time, products and water. It only takes a minute to take a quick shower to wash the rest of me and freshen up, which is much less than if I had to shampoo and condition also. Then I let my hair air dry which requires no energy and allows me to go on about my day w/o spending all that time blow-drying (and heat styling is very damaging to the hair also, so I spare my hair this assault). Once my hair dries enough to be just damp, then I quickly twist it up into a pretty updo and secure it with a stylish hair accessory. It takes only a minute to fix and the updo will stay fresh and neat and attractive all day w/o further maintenance. If I prefer, I can wear my hair down too, which only requires an occasional run-through with a wide-toothed comb to keep neat. I get to skip heat-styling devices, styling gels and sprays and frequent touch-ups.
I’d say long is the way to go if you’re serious about cutting back on the time and energy and resources you put into your hair.
Besides, I get about ten times as many compliments on my hair worn long than I ever did with any of my shorter styles, even the most updated, fashionable ones which I paid big bucks to have done at expensive salons. Why spend a few hundred dollars and many hours every month on your hair when you can look better for much less? Yesterday alone, I received four compliments on my hair from complete strangers and one from a family member I hadn’t seen in awhile. That NEVER happened with shorter styled hair, no matter how great I thought it looked. The truth is that most of the public seems to find long hair more attractive, despite articles like this one and makeover shows that push shorter dos.
So you can keep writing this stuff and the makeover shows can keep cutting off women’s long locks and coloring and heat-styling and selling them expensive and time-consuming products. I’ll keep my hair long, thanks. Why on earth would I want to trade the almost effortless upkeep and regular positive feedback for that???
Okay; let’s take it one step at a time:
“How about cutting your damn hair!”
My hair is part of who I am. It’s taken me many years to grow this long, and it’s not an accident. I love feeling it on my bare skin. I love playing with it, and learning new ways to wear it. I love the pretty hair accesories and ‘toys’ I can use to make it different and it goes with all my clothes -the one thing in my wardrobe I can wear to any event, any party, any gathering. I can wear it up, put it down, tie it back, braid it, twist it, curl it, or -if I ever want to- cut it off. I can probably find 500 hairstyles on the ‘net to use with my almost hip-length hair. Try that with a 2″ buzz.
Think of all the resources that go into maintaining long hair: water, products with questionable ingredients, electricity (for hair appliances and frequent towel laundering), money, and most importantly – time.
Hmmm…. Water. We’re out in the desert, so water is always a consideration. We’re nice clean people, so we use it often, but judiciously. More than once I’ve saved the water from one use to re-use it on my trees or washed the dog with rainwater. I take quick showers, and only wash my hair once a week. I believe I used a lot more water when I washed my hair everyday, as I used full-strength shampoos and such, and thought I had to rinse it ’till I ’squeeked’. Electricity -I don’t use any for my hair. I don’t use a blow dryer, and haven’t for over ten years. I don’t use a curling iron. I don’t use a flat iron, or hot rollers. I wash my hair, wrap it one towel, and when it’s no longer dripping I sit on my front porch in the sunshine ’till it’s dry. Towel laundering…I use one towel per shower, and one towel weekly for my hair. My shorter-haired family members each use two -one for hair, one for body. I win. Money…I had one hair trim in August for $20.00, including tip. I use bargain-bin shampoo, diluted with water. I use the low budget conditioners, and a lot of them. Time…sorry, but no. I spend much less time working on my hair. Although, to be true, I do spend more time overall, because I spend so much of it enjoying my hair. But…what better way to spend my spare time than doing I something I enjoy?
You could save on all of these things by simply cutting your hair shorter. Most men are known for having short hair, so it is the women of the world who need to wake up and chop it off. Remember the 1950s? Some of the most popular women of that era had hair above their shoulders. Sophistication, authority, beauty – short hair says it all.
Yes; most men are known for having short hair. They’re also known for their power toys and power tools, spending huge amounts of money, electricity and other resources on their hobbies (woodworking, anyone? fishing? hunting? NASCAR? barhopping? snowmobiling?) that cost just as much in time and effort as anything us womenfolks do.
The 1950s are over. They are not coming back. Some of the most popular women did have short hair, but every woman was expected to look like an hourglass, too. They were highly materialistic, and were expected to keep spotless houses filled with the latest in new gadgets -radios, televisions, telephones, nylon stockings, and luxury cars were must-haves. Barbie (with shoulder length hair) hit the scene and told every young girl that if she didn’t grow to be a 44d she had no right calling herself a ‘woman’. Racism was high, and poverty was everywhere. I don’t see many reasons to hold up the hair styles of that decade as shiny examples of green thinking.
Sophistication, authority and beauty are universal ideas that have been around since long before hair salons. Pharoahs and chieftains kept their hair LONG for the same reasons. Beauty remains with the beholder, and there is no one size (or lenth) that fits all. No matter how beautiful you are, someone will think his wife is prettier, and someone somewhere will consider their own backside to be better.
Long hair is often a personified characteristic of youth. A recent study from University of Pecs in Hungary proves that long-time tradition is changing. “Women with longer hair seem healthy, intelligent, and mature, while women with short hair are seen as more youthful, honest, caring, and emotional,”says Liz Somes in Psychology Today’s January/February 2008 issue.
We’re seen as healthy, intelligent and mature? Well, it’s about time. Most of us are healthy, and work hard to stay that way. It’s only taken a few hundred centuries for us women to convince men that we’re capable of rational thought, too, and now you want to give that back??? Maturity and youth are both inner states -maturity doesn’t mean ‘old’ and it doesn’t mean ‘washed up’. It means capable of discerning what is and is not important, the ability to make a commitment, to finish a job correctly and on time, to make those rational decisions that often only really make sense to those who’ve experienced the consequences of failure to make them. Honesty, caring, and emotional are not hair-related, either. They’re related to integrity and the ability to step outside one’s self-absorbed world to see the bigger picture and react to it in appropriate ways. Speaking up when hurt may be seen as “emotional” but holding it in and silently suffering to keep some “good girl” image isn’t exactly healthy…. The simple fact is, no one can judge a person’s inner resources by the length of their hair, and people need to stop trying.
From a logical perspective, it is easy to see why short hair equals youth. Long hair takes years to grow. Short hair is worn by babies worldwide. Ba-da bing, ba-da boom. Just about every woman has had one of those nightmare haircuts that you just can’t fix, but fear to go short. Long hair used to be seen as what makes a woman feminine. Well times have changed!
This week. Next week, it will change back the other way. But for the record, men see me as very feminine. I climb into bed wearing nothing but my hair, and my husband of-more-years-that-I can-count-on-both-hands loses his mind. I make men nervous by just standing around. My hair isn’t just long, it’s beautiful, and -get this- most of them guess my age to be less than half what I really am! I’ve been told over and over that I look like a “hot young woman” by people who are stunned when I tell them my true age. I don’t think my hair makes me look old at all. It helps make me look HOT, and that’s something I refuse to give up, even to save the environment.
After having shoulder-length or longer hair for over 10 years, I buzzed it all off to one-inch long in December 2007. Why? It was time for a change.While it took me weeks to get used to my new look, I instantly found many benefits to having short hair: saving water, using less shampoo and conditioner, no need for styling products or tools – all of this lead to saving time, money, and vital planetary resources. In addition, I also found myself gaining confidence at a rapid speed. No longer was I hiding behind my hair or constantly worrying about how it looks (curly haired folks know what I mean).
Well, I’m glad that works for you. But don’t try to blanket the rest of us with your experience. I don’t hide behind my hair -I pull it clear back off my face. I don’t have to chop it off when it’s time for a change -a new braid or a new barrette has the same uplifting and mood-enhancing abilities for me. But everyone is different, so if your short hair works better for you, then I’m very happy for you. Now, why don’t you be try to be happy for those of us who love our long hair?
Most people don’t like to be told what to do. I’m bucking the system. Cut your hair! How short? Above shoulder length. Don’t let fear or vanity stop you. There is an attractive short hair cut for every face.
Uhm…fear for the planet is your whole point here, isn’t it? Fear of what all those products and electricity will do is stopping you from enjoying long hair…. Something a bit wrong with that picture, don’t you think? Vanity? We all have it. You want to see some folks without vanity, turn off the computer and go check out a homeless shelter or an alley in a big city. You’ll find bag ladies and prostitutes and destitutes…they lost their pride, and vanity is a luxury that comes with pride. Please don’t tell me I’d be doing the planet a favor by giving up my vanity. It’s part of what makes the human experience livable.
There is indeed a short haircut for every face. And I believe every face is flattered by -and deserves- a long, lucious, gorgeous mane if it wants one, too.
Happy holidays to you.
If you are being serious in this post, dear, it appears that when they cut your hair off, they lost your thinking cap. Please, seriously think about what you wrote. Good grief.
I must say that I am nothing if not amused by all of the comments I’ve received on this post in just the past day. I’m thankful that you all took the time to read the post and send in your thoughts, especially those visitors from The Long Hair Community @ http://forums.longhaircommunity.com/showthread.php?t=16621
To answer the most commonly-asked question, “Are you serious!?” – NO! It is just a blog post. While by no means do I believe that having shorter hair will make a person and their lifestyle more sustainable, it is a topic worth thinking about. Having short or long hair isn’t going to solve the global warming problem; choosing one over the other won’t either. Still, many women I know personally and meet from day-to-day feel very self-conscious if they don’t have the long, luxurious hair they see in the magazines. Never be afraid to be different – whether your hair is short, long, or anything in between!
I have very nice hip-length hair, which is extremely low-maintenance. I don’t use products and almost never need to use a dryer. This “article” is so absurd and uneducated that it is laughable.
To the lady with beautiful hair that is considering Locks of Love:
You will find that Locks of Love is a very shady business if you do some research. Only donate to them if you want your hair sold as extensions to some celebrity. Yes, I’m dead serious.
Six months later we get crazy and verbose comments come cascading in from the web’s “only-long-hair-is-sexy” fetish community. Lots of passion there eh? + weird.
I had my hair cut so short like a bald fade because it began to fall out. This posting really helped me. I never thought of it that way. High school is rough for a girl, and this really encouraged me to have courage. I hate my haircut. It took me three years to grow it to my cheek bones, but now I feel confident. Thanks!
Thank you for the post! I have had long hair almost my entire life and recently cut it extremely short and agree with you that CHANGE IS GOOD FOR EVERYONE. I understand that a majority of women feel more comfortable with long hair but I stand firmly behind the idea that every woman should try chin length or higher at least once in thier lives. I feel sorry for all of you that feel so pressured to conform to the “golden goddess” image that american society potrays that you feel the need to bash this author for encouraging you to step outside of your comfort zone. Women need to start being a little less obsessed with how men see them. I am proud to say that I no longer hide behind my hair. For all of you critics out there, you might be suprised how liberating very short hair is.
To Brailein: Most of the posters above, myself included, who disagree with the author were not ‘bashing’ her, nor were we disagreeing that ‘change is good’. Change is good, and that’s why I’m growing my hair long because I don’t particularly like the way I look with it short and I’m sick of it. No, we were disagreeing with her comment that short hair is better for the environment, full-stop, because I and others find our hair is better for the environment the longer it gets.
Furthermore, many of us with long hair are not trying to conform to some”‘golden goddess’ image that american society portrays” – I’m not even American! Nor are we wearing it long because it’s what men like. Yes, my boyfriend likes my hair long, but I’d been growing it for myself for over a year before I met him, and I know he would be fully supportive of me if I truly wanted to cut it, which I don’t. I don’t think short hair is ‘liberating’ in the slightest. You might, and I’m glad you like it the way it is, but I liked my hair short for a couple weeks before deciding to grow it, and then I got frustrated with it. It didn’t suit my face, it was irritating to deal with because I couldn’t just throw it all in a bun and forget about it so instead I got hairs in my face, &c. No, for me, at least, long hair is the way to go.
I have very very short hair. I cut it to where it looks like it is bald. I had every length of hair over the years and it was a constant manage. When I cut my hair very short, I laid on my cotton pillowcase and it was love at first site. Short hair is very easy to manage, it also makes you look a lot younger. Ever since I cut my hair off, I’ve noticed that other women who have short hair cuts also, we tend to look at each other with a nod of approval and confidence when we pass each other. It feels like it is a secret world. Many men love women with long hair, but so far I get compliments from men as well as women about my short cut. Bless everyone who want to keep their hair long. But for me, short hair is the way to go.