"Your hair's still short" my aunt said through the phone. I was FaceTiming her and my uncle, as well as the rest of my family who were gathered at my grandparent's condo back in Madison. "Yes, it is" I replied, not really expecting anyone to think I would change that much from December when I saw my aunt and uncle last. I suppose why my aunt thought I would grow my hair out is because back in December I went to a cheap hair salon and ended up with a butchered mess. I had to hide my hair under a cloche hat in the days following the appointment.

Most people I know would gladly grow their hair back after an experience like that. "You can never undo a haircut" is what many like to keep in mind. I, however, still kept the short, pixie style that had become so familiar to me over the four months I had sported it. My short hair is not something that I'm easily willing to give up for more than aesthetic reasons. My hair enables me to be myself to the fullest and to stand against today's strict beauty standards.

I first cut my hair into its short style in September of 2015. I walked down to the Great Clips located a couple blocks from my residence hall and watched in the mirror as the stylist transformed my drab thick bob into a sleek pixie cut with her scissors. I felt free as I walked out of the shop and back to my dorm. My head felt lighter, in a good way, and I felt more like myself. Until then I always thought that a haircut was just that - a haircut. I never knew that one could feel so different after cutting their hair.

Often times, people associate long, flowing hair on women with beauty. For a woman to go through the same transformation that I did flies directly in the face of today's oppressive beauty standards. While I may not have long hair or a even a thigh-gap, that does not stop me from considering myself to be a beautiful human being. Having short, boyish hair has made me realize how dissatisfying today's beauty standards are. While I may not have the hair for the popular beach waves or top knot, I can still have fun and look fierce with headbands and retro hats.

Beauty standards are not easy to ignore, but they can be transcended by one following their heart and doing what is right for them when it comes to appearances. Even though I cut my hair for aesthetic reasons, I kept my hair short because it empowers me. My short hair allows me to keep my head held high and to stand tall without the weight of one-sided beauty expectations. Because of this I can smile a little brighter and carry myself with confidence.