It Began with a Chop

Technically, it began a year ago.  After River was born in August, my graying and un-dyed-for-nine-months hair needed a change.  So I dyed it black with two pink streaks.

Then my hair started falling out in clumps, as it does after every pregnancy.  So I chopped it into an a-line bob.  Apparently, this was also a self-confidence low, because this was as close as I could find to a picture showcasing it.

Then the pink started to fade, so I dyed everything a maroon color.

Then Violet wanted to dye her hair pink.  I dip-dyed the ends of her hair the day after school let out for the summer, and did an all over pink on my head.  Which was...interesting.

Then the front of my a-line bob was getting ridiculous while waiting for the back to catch up, so I trimmed it. Myself.  Badly.  And could only style it like this, which took way to freaking long.

So I tried to put more layers into it. Again, by myself.  Badly.  I have no pictures of this because I spent that couple of weeks hiding my hair in ponytails and scarves.

Finally, I caved.  I made an appointment at the beauty school.  (aside: I am a huge proponent of getting your hair styled at a beauty school.  They are still learning, so they take their time, and there is always an instructor to correct any mistakes.)  I decided to do what I have been afraid of for years, having been told that fat girls should not get short haircuts.


I got a modified pixie.

It was terrifying.  And when it was done, I felt totally and completely exposed.  And though my hips, butt, and breasts would never allow for it, I felt I looked like a boy.

Plus, my husband asked if I had actually wanted Beiber's mom's hair.

However, it is terribly empowering.  I grabbed my hair fear by the nuts. I grabbed some hair wax and used it with wild abandon.  I began to enjoy the shapes my hair can make.

This morning, as I was playing with my hair, I decided to write about it.  When trying to decide on a hair cut, I spent hours googling "fat girls pixie cut" and kept coming up with the same pictures over and over again.  The most disturbing of which was actually of Val Kilmer.  So here I am.  Doing my part to empower the awesomely plump among us, not only by posting these, but by documenting the next year as it grows out.  I can't promise to keep this solely about hair, because so much of my self confidence resides in how I feel about my hair, but I do promise to keep it honest, yo.

Here's to a year of fabulous hair!