For anyone with long hair, cutting it short can be a pretty big decision and an even bigger one if you have never done it before. However, that doesn’t mean you should be afraid of making such a drastic change to your image. Hair always grows back, and haven’t you ever wondered what you would look like with short hair? For someone who has always had long hair, I know firsthand there is a lot to consider when deciding whether to cut it. 

One of the first things to consider is what you want in the end. What do you want it to look like? When deciding which style of cut you want, consider the shape of your face. Just because the pixie cut looks gorgeous on Jennifer Lawrence doesn’t necessarily mean it will look great on you. You’ll want a haircut that complements your face shape and minimizes your negative attributes while emphasizing your beauty.

Another area to consider is seasons. With spring recently blossoming and summer just around the corner, long hair can be a hassle to maintain in warmer weather.

“It was summertime, and I had really long hair,” Alisa Behrens, junior in community and regional planning, said about the time when she first decided to cut her hair. “I was also inspired by Abby Wambach after the U.S. women’s soccer team won the World Cup.”

Having shorter hair on days when humidity is through the roof could feel like a blessing from the hair gods. Don’t get me wrong, I love the basic pony tail, but being able to have your hair down at a summer barbecue or Fourth of July party could make all the difference in your attitude. Let’s be honest, if you look good, you feel good.

“I actually felt invigorated afterward,” Behrens said. “It felt like I had a fresh start, and I was ready for something new.”

Deciding how much maintenance you’re willing to give your hair is also important. If you like taking 30 minutes to curl/straighten your hair, go for it. But if you’re over all that work, cutting your hair could be a great decision. Not having to take as much time getting ready in the morning could help you complete other tasks, like sleeping in just a little longer.

“I definitely take less time showering; however, styling can be an issue because I usually wake up with bedhead, so I typically have to do something to it,” Behrens said.

As Lilly from “The Princess Diaries” would say, “Voltaire, hair. I would personally like to learn about Voltaire.” Though Lilly may have been distracting the class away from Mia’s new hair, she was basically saying hair is no big deal, and we should embrace a new do rather than fret it. 

“I was pretty confident with it after I cut it,” Behrens said. “I was more worried that my hair was something to hide behind and that I wouldn’t be as feminine looking as others might think, but that didn’t stop me from loving my new look.”

Whether you choose to cut only a few inches, a cute bob or even go all out with a pixie cut, your hair is your own, and you should do what you want to it no matter what anyone thinks. If you want to shave half your head, do it. If you want to color it purple, you do you.