To Chop Or Not To Chop?

The never-ending struggle of keeping your locks long or cutting them off

By: Brielle Sparacino

Spring has finally arrived, even if it hasn’t felt like it lately. Typically, the debut of a new season translates to personal changes. For us women, a common change is switching up our hairstyle in preparation for the warmer half of the year.

Whether a “change” means going to get a simple trim and a couple of layers, it could also mean cutting off five to ten inches of dull winter locks. A number of women I know (myself included) have recently chopped their hair to make a more dramatic statement, but many women still opt to keep their gorgeous long tresses this time of year.

Everyone has their own preference and their own reasons for said preference, but if you’re undecided on what hairstyle to choose to get you through Spring and Summer, here are some of the pros and cons of having long and short hair.

One of the benefits of having long hair is the warmth it provides, especially during this time of year. Since the weather is still bouncing between 40 degrees and 70 degrees, it’s nice when long hair is able to keep your neck warm, in addition to wearing a hat. However, a drawback of having long hair is how static-y it can get, especially when you have to wear a hat or fuss with it when putting on a heavy winter coat.

Another benefit of having long hair is that you have free reign to style your hair any way you’d like. Top knot? Not a problem. French braid? No sweat. A simple ponytail? Piece of cake. With long hair, the amount of styling possibilities are endless. All you need is a scrunchie and the occasional bobby pin, and you are set.

A second drawback to having long hair is the maintenance. While having long hair is great for an abundance of styles, the amount of time it takes to dry your hair can vary for each individual (and that’s not including the time it takes when using other styling tools like the blowdryer, flat iron or curling iron).

One last benefit of having long hair is that it doubles as a security blanket for when things get tough. It does sound silly, but there are lots of people who openly admit their long hair is a comfort to them. It’s nice to know that you have a shield from the world once in awhile, even if it’s more of a metaphorical one.

A final drawback of long hair, however, is that it sheds. Everywhere. Wherever you look, you’re bound to find at least ten strands of hair that happened to have left your head at some point.

A benefit of short hair? The convenience. From personal experience, it is immensely satisfying to cut the amount of time it usually takes to wash your hair in half. You’re also using less product, which saves you money in the long run.

A setback to having it though, is once you cut it, you can’t go back to your long hair for quite a while unless you pay for extensions. It is only hair, but some are more attached to their locks than others.

Another benefit of having short hair is how much lighter you feel without carrying around unnecessary dead weight. It’s a great feeling physically as well as emotionally; you feel like a new person once the cut is complete.

A con of having short hair is the limited amount of conventional styling options you have. When you’ve got short hair, clips, mini elastics and bobby pins are your best friends; you really need those guys to keep your hair in place and out of your face.

A third benefit of short hair is the extra confidence you have the potential to gain! When you have short hair, there’s nothing left to hide behind. Therefore, you can show people the blunt, take-charge side of you all the time.

A final drawback to short hair though, is that is requires just as much maintenance as long hair, but in a different way. Instead of spending all of your money on deep conditioning treatments, you’ll have to make standing appointments for trims in order for your hair to grow out as healthily as possible.
There are so many positives and negatives when it comes to changing up a hairdo, but you have to take the good with the bad and roll with it. Regardless of whatever hairstyle you do end up choosing, you’ll always look fabulous.

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