Going from Long Hair to Short Hair

When in the market for a new look, many women turn to clothes, some turn to make-up, and a few decide that their long locks are no longer an asset and decide to go from long hair to short hair. And in this brave move, along with research on who will cut their hair, there's a lot of flipping through magazines, consultations with friends and numerous visits to websites displaying various celebrities and models at all angles showcasing their bold cuts. But rarely do any of these sites or even celebrities speak of the mental shift that occurs after the cut. Is there a side effect for women who go from a Rapunzel style to a Tinker Bell pixie cut? Yes, it's the 5 stages of grief when chopping off your hair.

You might have already heard of the 5 stages of grief when it comes to dealing with death or a major loss--but does cutting off more than six inches of hair fall into that category? Yes, most definitely . Allowing someone to cut off that much hair or more changes the frame of your face and it pushes out other features --it showcases other parts of you that may have been considered obscure at one point. Now, instead of the focus being your long hair, it might call attention to your eyes, your lips, or forehead--and that's not a bad thing--it's just a different thing--a change. And here are the 5 stages of grief when it comes to cutting your hair.

1. Denial. Whether it's a celebrity stylist or your best friend who just won employee of the month who cuts your hair--the end-result may be the same--denial. After the initial peek in the mirror, you might not want to ever look again...until it all grows back. You will deny that the cut even took place--but as soon as you reach for the "ghost hair" which is will feel as if it's there ready to be tossed about--that will snap you back into reality and possible launch you into stage 2.

2. Anger. You might experience a little rage and a whole lot of regret. You will feel like it was the biggest mistake you could have ever made and recovering from this won't be easy. And with hair being such a visual part of your existence, and with it all now gone--the anger cycle might be a stage you settle into with much despair. "Why" will be at the center of your anger as well thinking you can't carry the short look after all--which will bring you to stage 3.

3. Bargaining. If only you would have gotten a trim or even highlights--you would have avoided this disaster--those are the bargaining thoughts circling about in your head. Maybe buying a wig instead of chopping it off would have been the better solution--and this phase will cause you to truly question your every move and with such disdain you enter stage 4.

4. Depression. After the denial, the anger and days of bargaining, you might slip into a small depression. More thoughts come floating around, like, "How will I ever leave the house looking like this? Did the stylist screw up? This is too short!" And you finally give in and hopelessness and depression set in. You figure this is life and your hair will never forgive you and as a retaliation tactic--will never grow for you again. It's a sad, sad time. But then, just like that--stage 5 creeps in and it's time to celebrate.

5. Acceptance. After playing around with a few styling products and texturing techniques, you begin to appreciate the new look. You are rocking that pixie cut like a Halle Berry hair double. You become more confident, there's a kick in your step and things are looking rosy after all--and it's because you finally realize this new cut has transformed you--in a positive manner. You are no longer tied down to the same look you've had for years, and your have broken free from the countless hours it used to take you to wash, blow-dry, and style it. Now, you have that sexiness about you that only you and Victoria Beckham share.

One thing to keep in mind is that until acceptance is reached, stages 1-4 are like a bad shampoo episode--you will rinse and repeat over and over again until you reach acceptance. Does every woman who goes from long hair to short hair go through this routine? Maybe not all--but certainly quite a few and now you'll be prepared; ready, set, snip.