If they prod for your feelings on it, know that you don’t owe them an answer, and if you don’t want to talk about it, you don’t have to—in this uncomfortable time of transition, you are allowed to protect your peace with boundaries. “If they ask what you think, a simple: ‘I’m still getting used to it’ works well,” Mahlum say. “It’s helpful to have a few trusted people you can vent to, but try to avoid sharing how you really feel in response to casual comments.” After all, unloading your insecurities on a casual connection is rarely fulfilling, and it may also make them feel compelled to offer unsolicited opinions or advice.
Experiment with your new style.
Most of us have had the desire to temporarily “try on” different hairstyles, just out of curiosity. If you’re not super into your current one, what better time to grab the hair gel and hot tools and play around with it? There’s nothing to lose, really—you’re unlikely to dislike it more than you do already. And if you hate it, it will all come out in the wash (shower). “You can change up your parting, or try adding some texture with a product like a sea salt spray, for example,” Jennifer Korab, celebrity hairstylist and the founder of Renaissance Salon & Spa in Hillsborough, NJ, tells SELF. “Sometimes, a new haircut requires a slight shift in your styling routine, like new products or techniques, to bring out the best shape.”
If you feel unsure about how to work with your new hair, Korab suggests reaching out to your stylist. “We are here to provide tips, make adjustments, or offer quick fixes to ensure you love your look,” she adds—or at least like it enough that it doesn’t trigger a meltdown.
Ultimately, if the new cut doesn’t earn your approval and you opt to wait out the regrowth phase, there are ways to happily get through it—namely, by taking good care of your hair, which’ll keep it looking its best and can boost your self-esteem. (Who doesn’t feel like a million bucks after an everything shower?)
Korab recommends using a deep conditioning treatment weekly “to keep your hair hydrated, shiny, and more manageable while it grows. ” In turn, it will be easier to style as it takes new shapes. Until then, if it’s too short to put into an en-vogue slicked-back bun or pony, you can have fun with accessories “like hats, scarves, or clips,” she points out.
If you’re here in search of a reprieve mid-haircut spiral, just try to remember this: The change is temporary. Your hair doesn’t make you who you are, it will grow back, and if you wait it out and make a little effort to lean into it, you’ll probably feel better long before your length returns.
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