The day I chopped all my hair off.

When the stylist told me, “You know what, I want to chop it all off”

I realized that we share the same sentiments. I’ve been sporting long hair for as long as I can remember. And culture taught me that girls have long hair, boys have short hair. Mess with that and you’ll be made fun of.

When I passed the phase of girly teen magazines (my bestfriend and I collected those when we were in 5th grade. heh. the first two girls in the whole school to own girly magazines) I wished for a super cool pixie haircut. I liked how it made the models look so classy and fun and sophisticated. But I couldn’t, for the life of me, let go of the comfort and stability of having long hair. Of being just like everyone else.

But my 22-year long tradition was broken one rainy summer day at Shang. In a quaint little place called Basement Salon, I had my long hair chopped off to a cut I could have only imagined as a kid. The dream pixie haircut. haha

Let this be a testimonial to everyone who are scared of getting a super short pixie haircut: Face shape does not matter.

Yes, you read it right. It doesn’t matter if your face is heart-shaped, or square or oval. It’s almost impossible to categorize yourself accurately in just ONE box anyway. I don’t know my face shape, all I know is that I got a big head and I got big cheeks and big everything. I’ve always shunned short hairstyles because all neon signs pointed me to GTFO. My big face has no business getting a playful boy-ish haircut, they say.

However, because of Ms. Jen from Basement Salon, I mustered up the guts to just do it. She assured me that the kind of pixie haircut she’ll work on my hair would not make me look like a siopao. So I trusted her talent and skill. I finally said, “Okay. Cut it all off please”

I was nervous but I was more excited than nervous. I believed that she would do an awesome job and she did. I am perfectly happy with my haircut. The folks at home love it, my boyfriend LOVES it and I remind people of so many characters. (on top 1 of the trend is Betty Boop. I don’t take any offense in that. I like Betty Boop. She’s a crazy alcoholic druggie)

Basement Salon is awesome because unlike other salons, they don’t force you to take any kind of treatment. You asked for a haircut? You’re going to get a haircut. Actually, I was even the one who ended up asking about their treatments and coloring services. Are you reading this salons? You don’t have to shove your services down our throats. We will ask it if we need it. Anybody can see or feel if their hair is too dry, we don’t need you bombarding us with “ma’am kailangan niyo na ipa-rebond ulit to, masyado nang matigas buhok niyo”. Sheesh.

After this little affair, I noticed a sudden spring in my step; A surge of confidence and a feeling I haven’t encountered in a long time. Having my hair cut THIS SHORT empowered me. Although a lot of girls want super short hair, they can’t. I can and I DID.

That alone is responsible for the slightly smug look on my face and a “HAH!” take on the world.

So yeah. Haircuts do mean a big deal to women. In my case it’s the sudden boost of confidence that I so needed. I was a scared, paranoid little freak. Now I’m a scared, paranoid little freak who walks with her chin up a little higher. Thank you Ms. Jen and Basement Salon. heee~ You have just acquired a loyal customer.