Making a major change to your appearance can feel extremely liberating, and we often assume we’ll feel better immediately after that makeover. It’s almost like that rush you get from retail therapy. This is probably one reason why everyone on your social media feed is chopping off their hair.
As lockdown restrictions ease, making good on your promise to give yourself a much-needed makeover is a great way to give you some semblance of control. The reasons can be varied, including the fact that short hairstyles have been constantly evolving in India. “Getting the haircut you’ve always wanted gives you an instant boost of confidence. “Plus, seeing celebrities like Sayani Gupta and Mandira Bedi flaunt hairstyles like bobs and pixie cuts serves are inspiration for people,” she adds.
If there’s one haircut that we’ve seen gaining major traction, it is buzz cuts. “They’re fairly low maintenance and is definitely one trend that’s here to stay,” predicts Singh. If you’ve watched the Gossip Girl reboot, you know what we’re talking about. Jordan Alexander aka Julien Calloway was cast in the show keeping her cool-girl buzz cut in mind, and now it’s a part of her on-screen character. This is a clear sign that beauty standards are shifting, (bye-bye, long TV commercial hair) and stereotypes that have been shoved on women are being smashed.
Another reason why people are opting for more manageable styles is that they’re still working from home. “Embracing simple haircuts that look good with your natural texture is a good idea. We’ve seen people with naturally curly hair opting to maintain their curl patterns versus straightening their mane,” explains Audrey D’Souza, lead educator of hair at Lakme Salon.
If you’re still not sure if you want to chop your mane, here are some tips from Singh and D’Souza that will help you make the decision.
Consult your hairstylist
“This is something we tell all our customers. Things like your hair texture, type, and lifestyle are important factors to keep in mind; your hair trusted stylist will be able to tell you which styling products to use and how to maintain the shape and/or colour of your style,” Singh advises.
Be realistic
If you’re looking at references, think of people who have similar hair textures like yours. “Inspiration is great but trust your stylist on what will work best for your mane,” D’Souza explains.
Embrace trends
When it comes to which hairstyle will reign supreme this year, there is no single answer.
“Curtain bangs are low-maintenance and grow out softer than a traditional fringe. They also help frame your face and look great with messy buns, ponytails, and every hairstyle in between!”
“The bob will go strong because it works on most hair types.”
“Choppy, face-framing layers grow out with ease, look great, and work well from every hair type–from straight to wavy, textured hair.”