I used to go the hairdressers and pay £5+ to to have a 3 & 2, that is #3 on top, #2 on the sides. But after having the trainees bash my head about and charge me £12 for a bad cut (how can you cut hair badly when all you are doing is running a trimmer through it??!!), I decided to go DIY. I bought an electric cordless trimmer, only £15 from Boots, and now I sit on the edge of the bath, leaning in, and just buzz cut a #2 all over with one hand and feel the result with the other. It takes about 10 or 15 minutes, I do it in the evening and catch any missed hairs in the morning in different light. It took a little practice, but now it’s easy and very quick.

I also use the trimmer for my chin hair, which is very easy and safe, and so I haven’t clean shaved for a couple of years now (more time saved!).

In fact, I’ve saved much more than just money. I do not have to make a special trip to get my cut, I don’t have to hang around waiting my turn, I don’t have a shirt full of itchy bits of cut hair to clean out, and best of all, my hair stays neatly cut all the time. Whenever I realise it is taking a little too long to dry, I know I need another cut. So I cut every 3 or 4 weeks now instead of every 6 or 8 weeks when I could find the time to make a trip out to the hairdresser.

Do yourself a favour and buy a set of trimmers, and whip it off, ALL OFF!!

I envy you ladies who can get it cut once a year and wear long hair with endless style. (long hair pulled up nicely NEVER goes out of style by the way)

Happy blowdrying!

Not to mention it only takes me 5 minutes every other day to do if I stay on top of it vs. the 15-30 minutes daily I used to spend tending to hair.

Oddly enough for facial hair I employ a completely different tactic. I keep a beard so I only shave from the jawline down daily and once a week I’ll take a couple of extra minutes with an electric razor (w/ attached adjustable guard so I don’t have 10+ attachments) and a pair of scissors to keep the beard looking neat.

I saved myself a few hours a week when I first started this and the idea of going back is frightening lol!

If you want to throw away the razor consider laser hair removal. It can be expensive, because multiple treatments are needed until all the regrowth is zapped, but the result is well worth it–I haven’t needed a razor in years!

Like the author, I chose my hairstyle partly to eliminate time and space clutter. Unlike the author but like an earlier poster, long hair accomplishes this goal for me. My shoulder-blade length, naturally wavy hair doesn’t even need to be brushed daily as long as I minimize hair washing (for natural oils) and condition regularly. I re-cut my face-framing layers about once every three months (when I re-dye, I like my hair red) and cut layers into the rest of it about once a year. Short hair, by way of contrast, needs styling and monthly cutting to continue to work well for me.

I’ve had both long and short hair, for years at a time respectively, and I noticed a significant improvement in the way people warmed to me when I grew my hair out. I was no longer threatening to them, and I fit their opinion of what a girl “should” look like. Yes I know it’s all terribly stereotypical, but people make instant judgements based on stereotypes, and so deviating from them has a price.

Yes I found my short hair faster to wash and dry, and yes it caused slightly less clutter, but it’s no-where near worth the social ‘cost’. Now with my long hair I just invest in a good quality cut and highlights every few months, and I wash it every few nights after tea and let it dry naturally before I go to sleep. The next morning I can either wear it out - super quick and simple - or ponytail it, or put it up in a clip, all fast and effective options.

Previously:
Three hairbrushes
Two combs
Just-in-case hairdryer
Just-in-case travel hairdryer
A whole drawer full of clips, bands, scrunchies, weird hair-trapping inventions, etc

Now:
Small container of gel

It’s changed my life! Also, it really helps my gaydar.

The principles here?
- If you’re tired of the upkeep on something (like hair) don’t be afraid to change it.
- Do what works for you, not what works for others. (Example: The only time I’ve straightened my curls in the last 20 years was for a 70s-themed costume party. Others find straightening to be wonderful.)
- If you aren’t using a possession (curling iron, hairbands, scrunchies) and you don’t smile when you see it, it might be time to give it up.

The principles are of use to most folks. The specific example of cutting hair short works for Erin - just as my condition, gel, twist or french-braid or hairband routine works for my shoulder-length hair.

With short hair…you are FORCED to do it every morning. Long hair? Optional.

So if someone has a really good answer to the clutter of irons that I’m not ready to give up…I’d love to hear those suggestions!

I also have the straight in some places, wavy/curly in others thing going on. For me, shorter hair means less drying and straightening time. I keep the overall time commitment to a minimum by washing and styling it every other day.

That being said - I love my long hair, even if I don’t style it every day. I love having the ability to make it super curly or sleek, or just put it in a bun. My hair is very thick and would require more styling if I didn’t leave it long.

It is a good suggestion - I can imagine it would be easy to just not think about doing something different with your hair. And assuming you get the right haircut, it can make you look better, and could be a lot easier!

Now that it’s shoulder length, I wash it once or twice a week. Maybe a rinse in the morning if it’s out of control, some leave-in conditioner/styling cream (I found an amazing Garnier product), a spritz of Devacurl and that’s it. On really rushed mornings, I can just throw it up in a French twist and it looks fine. Couldn’t do that when I had short curly hair, which looked like leftover linguini unless I washed and styled it daily. I only blow dry in the dead of winter, and I NEVER brush it. I find my hands the best styling tools!

Everything’s a trade-off!