Thats something you do when yourereallyconfident.

Im someone who is always changing my hair.

Im constantly mixing things up between braids, locs, afros, and silky straight styles.

alt

While Id been thinking aboutcutting my hair for two decades, the pandemic really solidified my decision.

Because if not now, then when?

It wasnt until the buzzer went on that I realized I really was going to.

An unrecognizable male hairdresser combs the dried hair of middle aged blond woman sitting sideways

I know people always say, Who cares what people think?

but its scary to know youre making a change thats going to shock a lot of people.

And I know people always say, Who cares what people think?

Various scattered hairdresser’s tool on blue, including user-friendly hair tools

but its scary to know youre making a change thats going to shock a lot of people.

So many women from the Black community said, I see you.

In this case, I trusted my 12-year-old self who really, really wanted to do this.

alt

Now that Ive done it, all I can think is, Why did it take me so long?

As told to Zoe Weiner

Oh hi!

You look like someone who loves free workouts, discounts for cult-fave wellness brands, and exclusive Well+Good content.

BEVERLY HILLS, CALIFORNIA - MARCH 02: Shay Mitchell attends the 2025 Vanity Fair Oscar Party Hosted By Radhika Jones at Wallis Annenberg Center for the Performing Arts on March 02, 2025 in Beverly Hills, California. (Photo by Daniele Venturelli/Getty Images)

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Hailey Bieber attends 2023 Baby2Baby Gala Presented By Paul Mitchell

Young women wearing swimwear, showering together at outdoor shower while talking about how often should you wash your hair