Fashion notes: It’s time for a trendy chop

If you’re in a rut about your style or have grown bored of your appearance, short hair just may be your solution. Ask your hairstylist for their advice.

Julia, wearing Kacosta. Joern Pollex / Getty Images for IMG
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Here in the Middle East, even in the multicultural UAE, we have some set-in-stone perceptions about beauty. Women strive to emulate the traditional image of prettiness, which includes long, thick hair.

I, too, bought into that mindset and maintained a commendable length for years, while knowing at the back of my mind that one day I would rebel and chop it short. That day would come after my wedding, I told myself, since a bride should have long hair, for an intricate wedding-day up-do or thick fishtail braid for the traditional henna night.

After my wedding, I still struggled with the idea of cutting my hair, having worked so long to grow it. I decided that this year would be the one to make the big cut.

I stayed true to my word and got my hair cut last month. Now my once-waist-length locks sit at my collarbone, and I have to say, the change is liberating and somewhat addictive. For next month’s trim, I plan on taking it a few inches higher, so that the ends just reach my ­shoulders.

Celebrities, bloggers, influencers – or whoever your style icons are these days – are chopping their hair. Last year ended with expert stylists claiming the “lob” (long bob) to be the style of the year, and those same experts say this year is the year of the “shag”, a layered, below-the-collarbone style with a long, grown-out fringe. Both options, you will notice, are short and challenge the age-old conventions of long, luscious locks.

If you’re in a rut about your style or have grown bored of your appearance, short hair just may be your solution. Ask your hairstylist for their ­advice.

Hamza at Marquee salon in Dubai advised that I go for a cool, blunt cut to make the look edgy, and I had no qualms about trusting him with my tresses. Take a similar risk: you won’t regret your hair-based bravery.

hlodi@thenational.ae