How Do Guys Really Feel About Short Hair?

When I was in ninth grade, I was really into (ok, borderline obsessed with) Gwen Stefani and Natalie Imbruglia. Both were kick-ass female musicians with charisma coming out of every pore and both had killer short haircuts at the time. It took me a while, but eventually I worked up the courage to go to a rather chi-chi salon and have my fabulously flamboyant hairdresser crop my beyond shoulder-length hair into a perfect interpretation of Imbruglia’s effortlessly chic razor-cut pixie (remember the music video for “Torn”?) I then marched myself over to my best friend’s house (he’s a guy) to continue on with our weekend plans and show off my courageous cut in all it’s straight for the salon glory….

I wasn’t expecting him to ohhh and ahhh over my hair, he is a straight dude after all, but I wasn’t quite prepared for what I did get from dear Richard that day. As I walked in the door he deadpanned, paused for a moment to take it all in and then bluntly said, “Yah. You are going to need to start growing that out right away.” It’s been ten years and he still stands by his statement—and I have never had short hair since.

Granted, Richard is a hair guy. You know how some men are all about breasts or behinds? Well, this is a dude that is attracted to hair. Both of his long-term girlfriends have had manes that would make Blake Lively jealous. When we were in Vegas last month, I knew that all the money spent on highlights was well worth it as Rich took the time to let me know, “Your hair is on fire these days Megs!” Coming from a straight guy that is quite the compliment, but in all honesty, I know that it's because my hair is presently styled as femininity personified. Long and layered with side swept bangs and “sunkissed” highlights, I know it looks good to guys—it’s everything they have been taught to like. It’s not normally the first thing a man notices, but we have to admit that hair certainly does play a role in the rules of attraction—Cosmopolitan has been telling us that for years with their continual stream of freshly romped long-haired cover girls.

While my research is limited to one man, dailymakeover.com recently polled 50 men on the streets of New York (a fairly open-minded town!), asking if they thought short hair was sexy? Since they were showing them photos of women I find incredibly hot, like Ginnifer Goodwin, Selma Blair and Halle Berry, I was thinking they were going to get a resounding, “HECK YES!” from the male masses. Of the men polled, however, 62% found long locks more appealing. Being a single lady (even though I don’t want them to) those kinds of figures definitely affect my choices when it comes to scissor wielding. I may LOVE the way Michelle Williams’ new haircut looks, but when you’re looking for a date it’s difficult to disagree with 62% of the male population. And for some (perhaps stupid) reason it is particularly hard for me to disagree with my pal Richy!

Let’s discuss: How do you feel about short hair? Feel that it only looks great on a certain kind of woman or should everyone give it a try at one time in their life? Do you think there is an age limit on having long hair? Do you agree that guys find long hair sexier? Why do you think that is? Ever met another “hair guy” like my friend? Ever gotten a drastic cut only to have a friend tell you to immediately start growing it out? Sound off below!

By: Meghan

Photo Credit: Splashnews