Six reasons why we turn to our hairstylists to chop for change…
By Adriana Ermter
Have you ever picked up a glossy magazine and relished the candid paparazzi pics that depict how “Stars – They’re Just Like Us!” really are just like us? Sure, you probably laugh or shake your head that this equates “news,” but there’s something validating about seeing pictures of Jade Jolie pushing a shopping cart without a trace of glam or Neil Patrick Harris eating a turkey leg at the dinner table with his family. And the perennial favourite: when the glitterati realize a big-life moment with an even bigger haircut.
Who didn’t see Harry Styles’ post-Taylor-Russell-breakup faux hawk all over People, Vogue, GQ, Elle, TikTok and beyond in 2024? Currently, Ellen DeGeneres’ au naturel ’do – which replaced her signature blonde pixie after she and Portia de Rossi hopped the pond – is dominating headlines. Entertaining, maybe, but the real reason these stories sell is because we can relate. We’ve been there, chopped that to mark a high or low point, too. “Most of us have done this; we’ve cut our hair to give us a sense of control in a moment when things might feel out of control,” affirms Michelle Bilodeau, a registered psychotherapist (qualifying) and the founder of Canel Therapy in Toronto. “It allows us to feel empowered because we’re taking back a specific part of ourselves.”
In control or out, big hair transformations signal the beginning or end of a personal journey. Powerful, symbolic reflections of our head and heart space, they act as an emotional GPS indicating where we’ve been and where we want to go. “It’s the only thing you have on you all the time,” says Daniel Naumovski, Goldwell National Artist and co-founder of TAZ Hair Inc. salons. “You could be wearing a $10,000 Gucci outfit, but if you have a bad hairstyle you’re going to look in the mirror and feel like shit, right? How you present yourself is how you feel about yourself. Even in times of uncertainty, when you feel good about your hair, it impacts the way you see yourself and your future.” Which explains why our hairstylist is on speed dial during times of celebration and in moments of need. Here are the six most common reasons we make the cut for change.
1. Boredom
When you’re tired of the same ’ole, same ’ole, life feels stagnant. Could be you’ve run out of meatless Monday options for dinner or played Chappell Roan’s “Good Luck, Babe!” one too many times. Monotony is random and suffocating. The flip side, though, is that boredom inspires us to inject novelty into our life – and there’s no more accessible way to break a ho-hum cycle than a haircut. “It’s the perfect time to play,” says Bilodeau. “How often do we, as adults, allow ourselves to play? Playing with your hair is fun and it’s not like a tattoo, which people also get when they’re bored, so it’s not permanent.” According to Big Joy, a science project based out of the University of California, Berkeley’s Greater Good Science Center, these small acts of joy not only help alleviate boredom, they can increase your overall happiness.
2. Milestones
From a job loss or personal struggle to a promotion at work or birthday, milestones motivate hair change to stimulate feelings of confidence and empowerment. Even if you’re faking it until you make it, they’re a bold statement of your inner strength. “Our culture is very focused on self-care,” Naumovski observes. “So going to the hair salon when you’re feeling good, and when you’re not, is all about that.” Case in point: a 2024 review available through the National Library of Medicine notes that when individuals want to feel empowered, they often make visible changes to their appearance to reflect their inner transformation. “It gives you a little bit of a feel-good hit,” adds Bilodeau. “If the haircut is something you really like, it’s a nice reminder of the steps that you took to get there.”
3. Breakups
Probably the most common reason we opt for a new ’do is the end of a relationship. The pain can trigger a desire to shed the old and embrace the new. “Literally,” enthuses Naumovski. “When a client is going through a breakup or a divorce, I always hear comments like, ‘My husband loved my hair long,’ or ‘My partner wanted me to look a certain way.’ Once the Band-Aid has been ripped off the relationship, they feel like they can do what they want without worrying about what someone else might think.” According to a 2023 Unilever All Things Hair survey conducted by 3Gem Research & Insights, the breakup haircut is a powerful psychological tool that symbolizes a tangible and visible manifestation of change. So while literally cutting away the past symbolizes a new chapter, it’s also a ritual that can help you cope, as it provides a sense of closure and a new identity separate from your former partner.
4. Illness
Ooph, this is a hard one. Serious conditions like cancer, which often lead to hair loss, are a real reason we cut our hair. Getting a close crop prior to treatments like chemotherapy act as self-preservation, as having shorter hair can minimize the distress of losing it. “When I was in my late 20s, I heard that my first-ever girlfriend from high school had been diagnosed with cancer,” shares Naumovski. “I reached out to her, and one of the first things she said was that she was more afraid of losing her hair than dying. She’d always had beautiful long, thick hair and it was part of her identity. So that’s a profound statement. When you hear it, it puts into perspective how important our hair is and how it affects us.” Cutting, regrowing and restyling your look throughout a health issue can also be symbolic of your recovery and resilience. Research published in a 2024 article in the British Journal of Dermatology found that hair regrowth significantly contributes to improved self-esteem in cancer survivors.
5. Parenthood
Becoming a parent often leads to a reassessment of priorities, including your appearance. Many opt for a practical hairstyle to save time and ease stress, says Bilodeau. “I was one of them. I wanted things to be simpler after my child was born.” Women aren’t the only ones who choose a wash-and-go coif, either. “We all wear different versions of ourselves at different stages in our lives,” Bilodeau adds. “So when your need connects with a new haircut that feels authentic, it’s a way of expressing yourself that feels like the best version of who you are.” Low-maintenance hair certainly has its benefits. A 2024 study from the National Institutes of Health found that changes in appearance, including your hairstyle, can help new parents better negotiate their new roles and responsibilities.
6. Authenticity
If you’ve spent years following trends, wearing your hair to please your mother or conforming to societal expectations, choosing a look you like is big-time. You’re making a statement that signals individuality and self-expression. “It allows you to let go of stuff that’s holding you back, because it reminds you that there was a ‘before time,’ when you were just you,” explains Bilodeau. “So it’s like, ‘Before I cut my hair, I let the expectations of other people weigh me down. Now that I’ve cut my hair, I feel freer. I’m able to feel more like myself and I allow myself to be more empowered.’ It can give you a time-frame shift to look at things differently and to just be yourself.” Altering your hair means that you’re ready to rediscover parts of yourself that might have been suppressed or neglected. And making that change is always a good thing.
ADRIANA ERMTER is a Toronto-based lifestyle-magazine pro who has travelled the globe writing about must-spritz fragrances, child poverty, beauty and grooming.
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