Wednesday, October 8, 2008

14 inches gone!



Yep, there it is. 14 inches of hair gone, just like that. For readers who have been keeping up with my hair saga, I talked about this way back in umm July with my hair and identity post. It just took me awhile to brave enough courage to actually do it. I think it's been 4-5 years since I've had my hair cut except for a few trims of split ends.

After lopping off all that hair, my stylist added a few layers in the front. My hair now sits a little below my shoulders, so I can still easily pull it back into a ponytail. Actually, the ponytail looks kind of cute since it's now like a teardrop shape.



So, I really like this new 'do. It makes my hair look healthier, not so stringy. This cut is also more proportionate for my height and body. Plus, it won't keep getting caught in things which will be nice and less chance of puppies pulling on it (yes, I had a sheltie puppy awhile ago who absolutely loved to do that to my hair. Me, not so thrilled.)

I had my mom take before and after photos. This is what I found to be strange. I looked at the photos in the camera, and I was shocked that that was me. My face all the sudden looked really thin! I kept looking at the before and after photos to see whether my mind was playing tricks on me. for real though, it looks different. But then, when I looked in the mirror, my face looked fat again. I know I may have body distortion problems, but how can your face do that? Does the mirror just expand it or something?

It's boggling my mind, and I keep asking people if they notice these differences too. My mom said she did. My dad said he did not which I found really bizarre as he always points out any nuance of body/face changes to anyone. He commented last night on how Julianne Hough from "Dancing with the Stars" looked like she had gained weight this year. WTF? Who cares? And I did say "so" of which he called my super sensitive. I also asked my boss today when I went to pick up the dogs at the kennel, and she agreed that my face looked thinner and that I looked taller as well (that's a plus).

I'm just amazed at how one haircut can make such a difference on me. I see it with other people all the time, but when it comes to me, I just figured everything would look the same. In the end, I'm really glad I got it done. Now, I can pretend to be one of those hair models in commercials where they swish their hair.

10 comments:

Cammy said...

You have SUCH gorgeous hair! The new cut looks great! It's interesting how changes like simply cutting our hair can carry so much significance and emotion, I had 18 inches cut off when I was 13 and it definitely took some adjustment time.

I hear you on the picture issue, I actually have a post on that topic in the works right now (great minds, right?). I think most of the time our perception of pictures reflects our state of mind at the time we see them more than the image in the picture itself.

Sorry I am slow on e-mails right now, but I did get it and I am thinking about you and will have a reply as soon as I possibly can, take care.

Lisa and Jim said...

I second Cammy as to the gorgeousness of your hair.

Pictures never match what I see in the mirror - they haven't for years. It's something I'm starting to get used to, but it's still disorienting.

Anonymous said...

You have such beautiful hair! It does indeed take courage to change something so drastic as the length of our hair, but yours looks great. :)

KC said...

I'm glad you're liking the hair! I do too! It's amazing what a haircut can do, isn't it? Just remember that it doesn't matter whether it makes you look thinner or not...and to your dad's comment, I agree, wtf?

Tiptoe said...

Thanks everyone for the positive responses to my hair. There is some definite adjustment, especially when I run my fingers through my hair. But I do admit, it's nice to be able to use one towel that will fit my hair when drying. :grin:

As for the pictures, yeah, I'm sure it is a perception thing more than anything. I've always said that as I got older, I was just not as photogenic as when I was younger.

Kyla, yeah, my dad will say stuff like that all the time on people's physiques. It drives me insane!

Anonymous said...

Did you donate it to locks of love? It would be a lucky recipient if so ... as everyone already said, beautiful hair. You must be doing something right in the taking care department ... either of yourself or your hair :) I hope your fresh cut gives you a renewed sense of possiblity and rebirth, whatever that might mean for you. That's how I always feel, anyway, when I get a haircut. And I, too, analyze the changing face of my face and features as framed by new hair. Don't know if it helps to hear that perception is an experience shared. Anyway, best wishes to you.

Anonymous said...

Did you donate it to locks of love? It would be a lucky recipient if so ... as everyone already said, beautiful hair. You must be doing something right in the taking care department ... either of yourself or your hair :) I hope your fresh cut gives you a renewed sense of possiblity and rebirth, whatever that might mean for you. That's how I always feel, anyway, when I get a haircut. And I, too, analyze the changing face of my face and features as framed by new hair. Don't know if it helps to hear that perception is an experience shared. Anyway, best wishes to you.

Tiptoe said...

Anon, thanks for the compliments. Yes, I have donated it to Locks of Love. I sent a nice note with it too. As for taking care of it, I think it's partly due to eating a lot of fish and also using natural shampoos and conditioners that don't strip my hair so badly.

I'm not sure if I feel a rebirth but definitely different in a good way. :-)

Missy said...

Your hair is sooooooo pretty.
Like wow. I HAD To write something.
I'm in love with your hair.

Tiptoe said...

Thanks Missy! It'll be good when it is cut. I'm looking forward to it.