When you’re a big girl, you don’t get short haircuts.
You just don’t.
It turned out to be less emo-girl chic and moreJon & Kate Plus 8.
Illustration by Niege Borges
Like clothing, any haircut looks amazing on you when you’re thin.
Otherwise, you’re screwed.
I really thought that was an objective fact.
Me in 2020, with my hair the longest (real) hair I’d had in years.
“I love it!”
I cooed as she twirled me away from the mirror.
“Literally every single consultation I have with someone,” she deadpans.
Me not long after, with extensions — reveling in the glamour of the length but dreading the weight and style time.
Me in 2020, with my hair the longest (real) hair I’d had in years.
Women likeCharlize Theron,Florence Pugh, andBetty Who.
Thank heavens that cycle was unintentionally disrupted this January.
Me in late 2021, just before the life-changing haircut.
I visited a new-to-me stylist at a salon I’d only visited once before.
It was no biggie shit happens!).
Me in late 2021, just before the life-changing haircut.
The life-changing haircut, from January 2022.
The life-changing haircut, from January 2022.
“She doesn’t look great because of the haircut; she looks great because it makes herfeelgood.”
At my next salon appointment in April, I got my hair cut even shorter.
This April, finally fully living out my 1950s greaser fantasy — no regrets.
This April, finally fully living out my 1950s greaser fantasy no regrets.
Still, I feel insurmountably sad for my younger self.
I could not have been more wrong.
I have no idea how many of my other hesitations in life could be rooted in fatphobia.
More from the Learning Curve:
Now, see how short hair has evolved within the past 100 years:
