Introduction
For centuries, it had been the same, woman had longer hair and men had shorter hair. Only within the last 50 years or so have people decided to change that with some men growing out their hair and some women practically shaving it all off. We all have our different opinions but what really are the pros and cons of women have long hair vs short hair?
Long hair can disguise split ends and damage a bit more easily than short hair can.
Long hair can disguise split ends and damage a bit more easily than short hair can.
Source: author
Pinwheel Bun
Pinwheel Bun
Source: Hairstyles for my princesses
Long Hair: the Pros
No one will question your femininity.
Since women have had long hair forever no one will think you're trying to be a man or hiding the fact that you're a woman. This isn't to say women with short hair aren't feminine, but people may jump to that conclusion.
No one will think you've suddenly turned into a lesbian.
It's known that some lesbian (or gay, whatever your preference) women tend to keep their hair very short. Some people who cut it all off are often questioned if they've "turned" into a lesbian.
No one will think you've had cancer recently.
We know as a society that chemotherapy, a treatment commonly used to try to treat cancer, causes people to lose all of their hair. If your hair is short or not even there then people may assume you're recovering from cancer. Us long haired girls have nothing to worry about there.
No one will mistake us for man.
Since men generally have short hair, us long haired girls are safe from being called "sir" or "mister." Yes some men have large breasts, so don't think your large ones will make people think otherwise.
You have unlimited style opportunities.
There is almost nothing someone can't do with long hair. Whether it's just a regular braid down our backs or something fancy like the pinwheel bun we can do it!
If it's long enough and you keep it neat, people will compliment it.
I used to get compliments on my hair all the time (I need a trim now, so not so much right now) because of how long and shiny it was. Most of these people were from African communities too where there hair can't grow like European hair can.
That hair...
That hair...
Source: http://www.google.com
...is more like this.
...is more like this.
Source: author
Long Hair: the Cons
You need more product.
More shampoo, more conditioner, more hair spray, more anything you use on your hair since it's heavier and can't get through as easily. This may mean more money out of your pocket to keep your hair tamed.
Windy days.
That whole Pocahontas-colors-of-the-wind thing, no. That doesn't work in real life.
It take much longer to brush it.
You need to go all the way down to ends all over your head. Also if you need a trim like me an hour later your hair will look like it hasn't been brushed yet.
It gets everywhere.
It's harder to put jackets on and purses over your shoulder since your hair gets caught under and in it so you have to try again without ripping your hair out. That whole, "flip my hair thing to the side" also doesn't work since half the time I hear, "You just hit me with your hair." Sorry, didn't mean to.
It can be hard to make it look edgy.
Its not impossible, trust me it can work. But if you want to stay away from the "princessy" look to the edgy side without cutting your hair it can be hard. Most people I know shave half their head to look edgy which can also have it's down sides.
Source: http://www.google.com
Short Hair: the Pros
Windy days aren't scary.
You can feel the wind in your scalp much easier and your hair won't fly in your face at all.
You spend less money on product.
You won't have to use as much shampoo and conditioner all in one go and anything else you use much less of. That's a money saver and a time saver right there.
Looking edgy isn't a problem.
Your hair is already there.
Brushing your hair is so easy.
You still have to do it unless it really is a buzz cut, but no worries, 30 seconds later and you're done. Unlike long haired people that can take several minutes or more. Also, no more tangles.
It keeps you cool during the summer months.
The wind will blow right through your hair onto your scalp cooling it down fast. Even if there is no wind there isn't a mass of hair on your neck keeping it warm.
Look At How Different These Hairstyles Are From Eachother
Source: http://www.google.com
Source: http://www.google.com
Source: http://www.google.com
Short Hair: the Cons
You'll be mistaken for a man at some point.
Especially from the back. It does sound funny but I'm sure after a while it might get a little old.
If you're straight, people will believe you're now a lesbian.
It works if you actually are a lesbian too but it's much more awkward once people realize you still like guys. It may also be hard for them to believe you're not bisexual now also. It can be difficult to break past those stereotypes.
It doesn't keep you warm in the winter.
You have to wear a hat or ear muffs or else your ears will freeze off. Frostbite is scary!
You have to get it cut more often.
If you want to keep it short, then you can't skip out on hair cuts. Everyone will see where the split ends and strange curls are out of place, unlike with long hair where you can hide it quite a bit longer.
It's harder to curl or straighten.
Depending on how short it is curling can be much harder without burning your scalp with a curling rod and difficult to get it into a curler. Straightening can also be much more difficult and if your hair is really curly, it's look like an Afro anyway.
You have to wash it every day or else those natural oils build up.
Us long haired girls can go a few days without it looking too greasy and gross. Short haired girls have to wash it every day or close to it in order to stop the nasty oils from making hair look stringy.
People may assume you've lost your femininity.
In a lot of cases it doesn't mean you have, and a lot of woman feel more free once they cut off all their hair. Of course this doesn't stop harsh judgments from people you meet in the street or on the job.
People may assume you've just gotten off chemo treatments.
It can get awkward once you explain to the person you just practically shaved your head because you wanted to, not because you or someone close to you has cancer.
There isn't as many styles you can try.
Yes there is a blow drying to make it poof out, there is the part on one side or part on the other, and the slick back. There isn't much else. There are no ponytails or braids you can try.
Cowlicks will be your nightmare.
If you have any then there is no longer the weight of your hair weighing them down to make them less noticeable.