Long hair is awesome, but it can be tough, and sometimes you just need a change of pace. I used to have hair that reached past my waist, but I recently cut it all off, and it’s been one of the most exciting and freeing choices I’ve ever made. 

This isn’t the first time I’ve dramatically cut my hair, either: in 2022, when I was 12, I cut my then also waist-length hair to just below my ears. And while it took some getting used to, I enjoyed having shorter hair so much that I’m going to try to convince you to cut yours as well (even if you choose to grow it out again, as I did!)

I’m a huge fan of facts, so I want to offer you three practical, real-life reasons why you should cut your hair above your shoulders: the maintenance required (as compared to longer hair), the temperature (for those of us in the Northern Hemisphere, summer’s almost here), and overall hair health. 

Reason One: No-Mess Maintenance

If you’ve ever had long hair, you know firsthand how many hours you spend washing, brushing, conditioning, and styling it- a simple braid might take you 20 minutes to plait, and brushing your 4-foot long locks? Impossible. Plus, there’s the sheer amount of shampoo and conditioner that long hair requires, and those products aren’t cheap. Short hair requires virtually no brushing, very little shampoo (and little-to-no conditioner), and while styling might take a week or so to get the hang of, it doesn’t take much time. Plus, if all else fails, you can slam a hairband or hat on your head, and none’s the wiser! 

Reason Two: Tricky Temperatures

Long hair is heavy, and very, very hot. There’s a reason ponytails are so common with athletes – hair can lay on your neck and become sweat-soaked and very uncomfortable, especially if you’re out in the heat, or playing a sport. But shorter hair, even a style that’s only just above your shoulders can keep you much cooler in the heat. Humans lose roughly 10% of their body heat through their head and neck, and reducing the insulating layers that this heat has to travel through allows you to feel cooler in the summertime. 

Reason Three: Hair Health and Hygiene

Hair care’s no small deal, and it’s even more disappointing when your 10+ minutes of shampooing, scrubbing, and conditioning (plus any hair masks or hair oils) leave you with hair that is somehow still frizzy and dry, or, even worse, oily and tipped with crispy,  crunchy edges. Hairdressers and salonists praise short hairstyles for their ability to increase perceived volume, practically eliminate split ends, and boost your scalp health. Plus, short hair offers less real estate for dirt, grime, and even bugs to hang out, providing you with naturally cleaner, healthier hair.