Saturday night, an adoring fan — no wait, it was Angela — asked me “Did you really have a buzz cut previously?”
Yes, I did. Getting ready in the morning was a breeze. Freed up lots of time for… Photoshop, evidently.
When I buzzed my head, well-meaning acquaintances warned me that no man would find me attractive. I retorted that I didn’t WANT to date men who’d write me off over a haircut. I stuck to my guns, and six months later met Ian — known here as Mr. Jaunty.
So there.
And he is such a man of taste and character that he will still adore you when your hair is clogging the bathroom drain.
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Wow! It looks so nice on you! As I am short and stout (like a little teapot, yes) I think it might not have the same lovely pixie effect on me were I ever to attempt the look, but the upside of not having to style my long hair would be such a relief. Thank you for sharing the photos and a bit of the story of Mr. Jaunty, who sounds like a solid guy. Did you get any flack from people other than the aforementioned acquaintances?
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Stitchywitchy – It HAS clogged the drain, and he IS a good sport about it.
Angela – I LOVE teapots. =)
Remember, these are my BEST pictures; swap the shoes for flip-flops, and I spent years looking like this: http://jauntydame.com/2009/11/sows-ear-vs-silk-purse/. Unremarkable all around.
I did get a bit of flack over the haircut. I was Mormon back then, and was supposed to “avoid extremes in clothing, appearance, and hairstyle.”
While my Mormon peers were fine with the buzz cut, the adult church leaders were visibly unimpressed. Mormons need to appear as conservative as possible to make their extreme doctrines seem more acceptable. This is why they can dye their hair blond but not blue, or why God doesn’t mind if women stab two holes in their earlobes but a third would be wrong, why men at BYU can’t have beards even though God DESIGNED so many men with hairy faces, and so on. I’d understand if they didn’t allow ANY piercings or ANY hair dye, but it’s about conformity, not… what would you call it, the sanctity of the human body?
While some people thought I’d made myself uglier, others found shaved heads sexy and had always wanted one/always wanted their girlfriend to try it. Several strangers asked me out online, and many more asked me to shave off the REST of my hair.
Growing out my hair has been SO TEDIOUS, I’ve soldiered through many awkward haircuts… I think I’d like it about shoulder-length, but it may be too fine and messy to look good that long. We’ll see.
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Angela Reply:
July 26th, 2010 at 6:17 PM
Ah, you wear glasses, too? Check out that day-to-night transformation you did! You are a chameleon. But no, not unremarkable, be good to yourself! I think you look pretty stylin’, actually.
You make a good point about the religious discrepancy of culture defining acceptable physical presentation as opposed to a spiritual ideology. A lot of religion, as it is commonly understood, is cultural. And culture changes. It makes for some fuzzy lines and unending conflict.
I’ve never had extremely short hair, but even growing my hair out from chin-length or growing out my bangs proved to be trying. I imagine you had to get creative during the in-between stages.
Another buzz-cut story I read recently had a different premise…enjoy: http://hyperboleandahalf.blogspot.com/2009/09/i-spent-tween-hood-in-haze-of-baldness.html
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Rebekah Reply:
July 26th, 2010 at 8:03 PM
Yep, I wear glasses. I prefer contacts, but wear glasses when my New Mexico allergies kick in OR when I’m trying to save my contacts for the future; I can’t always afford new contacts, so I’m trying to make my current box last forever.
Fuzzy lines, indeed!
Hair between chin-and-shoulder-length can be tough. I’ve never gotten too creative with my grow-out stages, just clenched my teeth and endured.
Thanks for the link— she’s such a fun writer! I especially like this line: The ensuing months were filled with the kind of life experiences that force a person to develop their “inside beauty” lest they become devoid of any value whatsoever.
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I loved your shaved head! I also remember the terribly awkward cut that I tried to give you. I guess that’s why I never went to Beauty School….
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Rebekah Reply:
July 26th, 2010 at 10:26 AM
Honestly, I don’t remember having any problem with that haircut, aside from being mistaken for a dude. But that doesn’t mean you did bad work, just that “butch cuts” are called that for a reason. =) And hey, you didn’t charge me, I’d be stupid to complain.
Do you cut your husband’s hair now?
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WOW. You have gorgeous eyes no matter the hairstyle, but they are an absolutely stunning focal point with the super-short hair. And you are (were?) a choir singer? I knew there was a reason Millie and I adore you – you’re a kindred spirit!
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Rebekah Reply:
August 10th, 2010 at 11:27 AM
Thank you! They’re my mother’s eyes, nicest thing she ever gave me.
I was a music major, yes, sang in many a choir, took voice lessons for six years. I’m still a very weak singer, poor musician, and…. actually, I’m not good at anything. HOWEVER, I have nice eyes and integrity for miles, and I’m going to pretend that’s enough.
Suddenly, I need a drink.
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LOL this picture of Ian.
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Rebekah Reply:
September 25th, 2011 at 6:35 PM
Did you notice that “Janey Atkinson” cropped him out of this picture when “she” used it? Can’t be an online fetish fantasy babe with Ian in the picture!
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