At some point, almost everyone with long hair thinks about going for a major cut — but many of us never fully commit to going short, held back by fear, indecision or traditional beauty norms. Lately though, some of Toronto’s most stylish women are saying yes to a dramatic chop, trading their length for something lighter.
Whatever the spark, whether it was a birthday, boredom or a dangerously convincing Pinterest scroll, these four Torontonians went for it. Here, they share what pushed them to make the appointment, the care and upkeep involved and their best advice for anyone contemplating a fresh haircut for spring.
Sage Paul
Executive & artistic director, Indigenous Fashion Arts
What inspired you to make the leap from long hair to short hair?
“I experienced a slew of grief over the last couple years. In addition to the state of the world, I felt a lot of weight — emotionally and mentally. In my culture, I’ve been taught that hair carries grief and cutting it becomes a way of releasing that grief. I felt inspired to chop off the length when I remembered that.”
How long did you think about cutting your hair before you did it?
“I waited too long; I should have cut it sooner! But it was about six months of consideration before following through with it.”
Did you have specific inspiration for this cut?
“I went through a couple short cuts before landing at this grungy wolf cut: a little bob thing, then an early aughts raver cut. I wanted something that felt cool and fresh, with a tiny mullet because I haven’t ever tried it and I want to make my niece and nephew smile. It gives them a reason to tease me and call me a Boomer when I try current trends. But, hey, I’m an old Millennial! And they all loved my haircut.”
What’s the biggest difference in how you feel day-to-day with short hair?
“Getting ready is so easy now. I have thick, curly hair, so when it’s long, it usually takes a full day for it to dry after a shower. With this short cut, I can get up and go. But the biggest difference is how great I feel. I feel lighter, more confident and happier. It’s amazing how much impact hair has on one’s own being.”
What advice would you give someone thinking about cutting their hair short?
“Prepare for more visits to your stylist, less hair product, shorter dry time and lots of compliments.”
April Wozny
Content and events producer
What inspired you to make the leap from long hair to short hair?
“Sometimes you need to cut off the old to usher in the new. I’ve had so many different lengths over the years, but I wanted something whimsical, feminine, airy, fairy-fresh. There’s something soft and strong in a shorter cut. I wanted to embody all of that.”
How long did you think about cutting your hair before you did it?
“I have been resistant to a pixie cut forever and a day. We’re talking 10 years of holding off. But I hopped on the bixie (bob meets pixie) bandwagon lickety split. I called up my longtime stylist Jason Lee and he too was an immediate yes.”
Did you have any specific inspiration for this cut?
“Rama Duwaji in that phenomenal editorial photo shoot in The Cut! Gracie Abrams at the Chanel show. Audrey Tautou in the ’90s; I watched ‘Amélie’ the night before I chopped my hair.”
What’s the difference in how you feel day-to-day with short hair?
“A little less crusty and a little more playful.”
Are you planning on keeping this cut for the foreseeable future?
“Who knows. The way I dress is based on my mood. Ask me in a few months. But I’ll probably keep it since I’m loving this energy so far.”
What advice would you give someone thinking about cutting their hair short?
“Stop overthinking and just do the thing. In the amount of time you hem and haw over the decision, your hair will probably have grown back 10 times over.”
Rebecca Anne Bloom
Actor, photographer and writer
What inspired you to make the leap from long hair to short hair?
“I’ve always wanted to try short hair, but as an actor, big changes to your appearance aren’t something you can do on a whim. You have to think about headshots and continuity, so any shift needs planning. I reached a point where I wanted to lean into my more androgynous side.”
How long did you think about cutting your hair before you did it?
“Technically, years! I grew my hair out for my wedding in 2022 and kept it relatively the same after that. I started seriously thinking about a big chop at the start of 2025.”
Where did you draw inspiration for this cut?
“In terms of the cut and style, nothing specific, other than scrolling through Pinterest. But I drew inspiration and courage from the versatility of Issa Rae and Janelle Monae. Both are sensational Black performers whose hair is an extension of their fashion and artistry. Realizing you can be you regardless of your hair cut pushed me to take the plunge.”
Where did you get your hair cut and what did you ask for?
“For my initial cut, I went to Dylan at the DnV. It’s best described as an edgy pixie, asymmetrical on one side. I moved away from downtown so now I go to Will at Haven Beauty Studio in Sunderland. What I love about both Dylan and Will is that they listened to what I said I was looking for in my haircut — and both have experience with cutting curly hair. That’s one thing I’ve always struggled with finding in the past. But if you can find one (or two!) stylist(s) who are willing to support your curls, then one haircut can really catapult your confidence.”
What’s the biggest difference in how you feel day-to-day with short hair?
“It’s a relief. With curly hair, there’s a lot that goes into looking ‘presentable.’ I used to plan wash days, and for a few days after I could wear it down, but then it would need to go into buns or pulled back to still read as professional. There’s a real stigma around Black hair and what’s considered acceptable. Now, it’s simple — a light mist, a quick refresh and I’m out the door.”
Are you planning on keeping this cut for the foreseeable future?
“Absolutely. I’ve invested in new headshots and consistency matters. Beyond that, I genuinely love this look. There may be a time in the future when I grow it out again, but for now, this cut feels like home.”
Caitlin Green
Media personality and co-host of The Jann Arden Podcast
What inspired you to make the leap from long hair to short hair?
“I was ready for a change after years of having long hair and saw endless celebrity bobs that looked stylish and easy to maintain.”
How long did you think about cutting your hair before you did it?
“Not that long. I used an app that tries different haircuts and colours on your face and loved the results so much I made an appointment within a few weeks. My results were almost exactly the same as the photos the app created so I wholeheartedly recommend trying out a major cut this way beforehand.”
Did you have specific inspo for this cut?
“I brought photos of Madelyn Cline to my appointment with my stylist Sarah Amson (owner of Dome Hair Studio). I loved her shorter haircut and colour and wanted to recreate that look.”
What’s the biggest difference in how you feel day-to-day with short hair?
“Because the bob is having a moment, having a well-maintained short cut feels like an easy way to elevate your style. My day-to-day life is pretty casual, but when I have an event or am going out for the night, the shorter hair makes almost any outfit feel cooler.”
Are you planning on keeping this cut for the foreseeable future?
“I could see myself moving from bob to lob for the summer so I can pull my hair into a short ponytail.”
What advice would you give someone thinking about cutting their hair short?
“Use an app, take a very normal-looking photo of yourself — with no makeup, in realistic lighting — and see how the cut works with your face shape, bone structure and colouring.”
