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I wouldn’t realize until I hit college that a haircut really can be life changing.

Before I hit college, the last haircut I had been subjected to was in second grade. I remember it clearly. Tears rolled down my face for the better part of a half hour as my relentless stylist yanked my hair with various combs and burned my neck with the curling iron. After that, I swore off cutting my hair, and for good reason: the pain wasn’t even worth it. Looking back at pictures of my as a little girl, my hair was always atrocious: rounded bobs and long bangs adorned my circular face and what little forehead I had. I must have never felt pretty, because judging by my pictures, I never was.  I decided to keep my scraggly long hair au naturel, thank you very much.

Then, at the age of 18, I moved from the rural Midwest to Boston to go to college and I felt myself transforming from country mouse to city mouse. Just like in all of the fairy tale-esque movies I never believed in, a fashionista took me under her wing and changed my life. She sat behind me in one of my classes and we ended up working together on a lot of projects. One day she looked lovingly at my long hair and mock turtleneck and said, “You have a lot of potential. Let me help you.” We tore up H&M and Anthropologie. The only thing left was my hair. “A bob,” she insisted. “You would look so ’20s hot!” I never did quite get what she ordered.

I set up an appointment at a cute little salon and went alone. I ended up chickening out and only getting about 3 inches taken off and a new side-swept part. It was a start, but my fashionista and I agreed that it wasn’t good enough.

Over spring break, I finally said “Screw it!” and took the plunge. Though my big city tastes were well-developed, I deigned to go to a beauty shop in my hometown for a $13 haircut. “Take it all,” I instructed my beautician. After making sure I really wanted to donate my hair to charity, she finally took it all off. For two days afterward, I was completely stunned without my hair. Then I was totally free.

I went back to Boston for the rest of the spring semester with a newfound positivity. It was just like in the movies: that cheapie haircut was more liberating than I ever imagined. Getting ready in the morning, working out, and about a hundred other things became much easier. Most importantly, for the first time in my life, I felt pretty.

So that’s my hair history. Now this is my call to my long-haired lady friends: don’t be afraid to chop off your tresses! For the longest time I viewed changing my style as a guaranteed failure. I never realized that I was actually holding myself back. Letting go of my hair completely changed the way I feel and act; I realize I can be bold and still come out ahead. In short, I found a whole new confidence that I wouldn’t give up for Rapunzel’s locks.

I finally understand how Sabrina Fairchild felt . . .

Here are the hairstyles you can expect to see all over the place this season. There’s something for everyone, with classic styles all the way up to uber-short or super funky cuts.

Pick what you think will best suit your face and personal style, and show off those gorgeous tresses.

The Bob

The Bob is keeping its steam and can be found on celebrities and fashionistas all over the place; Katie Holmes has defined this cut. There are several different versions of the bob, and it’s popular with or without bangs, so go with what makes you the most comfortable and rock out the hottest hairstyle of 2008.

The Crop/Pixie Cut

Short, short hair is back thanks to celebs like Rihanna and Victoria Beckham. If you’ve got the guts to go with this style, you gotta go all the way with a crop that stands out. Whether it’s spikes or sleek bangs, give it something that really pops and tells the world you’re not afraid to take risks.

Bangs/Fringe

Seen on the likes of Heidi Klum, bangs/fringe remains popular and are a great way to add some spunk to a long ‘do. But don’t shy away from em if you have short hair, ladies; and they’re darling on shorter styles as well.

Long Hair: All One Length

Hate trying to grow out layers? Have no fear, the hippie look of flowing tresses all cut to the same length is making a return this season.

Long Hair: Face Framing Layers

But if you’re still into those face-framing layers, you don’t have to grow em out; they’re still as popular as ever.

Messy, High Up-Dos

A fan of the classic look of buns or chignons, but wanna give it a little twist? Wearing them at the crown or even the very top of your head gives it a more fun, fresh and carefree look that was seen all over the runways this season. If you want a more romantic, soft look, let a few strands fall loosely around your face.

Putting a Twist on the Old French Twist

This classic updo is back in a major way, but with a few changes. Putting a modern edge on this feminine look, the new takes on it include disheveled twists, side twists and pseudo-beehive twists worn either sleek or with loose, flirty tendrils. The key to keeping it together is a whole lotta strong-hold hairspray, bobby pins… and patience.

Sleek Hair

Taking a cue from ballerinas: the loose ponies and buns of late are being replaced by sleek, slicked back looks.

Braids

Another throw-back to the 70’s, braids (of all types) are back. One of the most popular is the braid that goes from the front of the head around the side. Celebs from Mary Kate Olsen to Anne Hathaway have been seen in this look. (Note: this is a great way to hide that greasy hair you didn’t have time to wash before class…)

Back when I had long hair down to my waist, I was a tomboy. My morning hair routine consisted of making a ponytail. But now that my beauty regime has stepped up a few notches, I’m lacking a few feet of hair and experiencing Phantom Hair Syndrome.

And so a couple of months ago, I made an important decision. I would stay away from the scissors and begin the painful and arduous journey of growing my hair. Any woman that has undertaken this task knows what a commitment it is.

It means bad hair days, awkward flyaway hair, and all too often, a few weeks in the growing-out period where hair shape is frighteningly mullet-like.

I’ve experienced it all and believe me, it hasn’t been pretty. But I’ve picked up some tricks along the way that have kept me from taking the kitchen scissors to my locks in a fit of hair-rage.

Here’s how to grow out short hair and stay sane and chic:

1. Stock up on thick headbands and hair scarves. Think Lauren Conrad’s signature headband look, sans about a foot of hair. The pop of fabric on a short crop looks très cute and is perfect for holding down hair that starts sticking up in an alarming fashion.

2. Cut bangs. When the state of my hair was getting hopeless, I grabbed a pair of sharp scissors and a comb, and cut blunt bangs into the grown-out side fringe I had already. If you don’t have a steady hand or don’t have bangs at all right now, head to a stylist. Bangs will spice up your look, and you can keep trimming them yourself while the rest of your hair grows out.

3. Play with your part. If you usually part your hair down the middle, part it down the side. If you already part it down the side, either switch sides or play with how deep the part is. It’ll change the overall shape of the hair around your face and give you a new look so you’re not tempted to chop it off altogether.

4. When in doubt, wear a hat. I have a friend who wore a hat every day, removing it only to go to sleep, for an entire semester while growing out a perm. You don’t have to take such drastic measures, but I would invest in a few flattering hats for those days when nothing works and you’re late for class because you spent your morning bashing your blow-dryer against the wall. Especially in the cooler months, a cute knit cap is totally weather-appropriate, even in class. Going to work? Lose the hat altogether and throw on that headband, because hat-hair won’t do your ‘do any favors.

If pain is beauty, well, you’re in for an agonizing few months. But keep your head up and your hair under control and you’ll be swinging your hair around like you’re auditioning for a shampoo commercial in no time!

I was never really attached to my hair until I spent three years growing it out and discovered how amazing long hair can be. It’s versatile, insulating, attention-getting, and the perfect thing to hide behind when I want to take a quick nap in class.But, long hair demands a ton attention, guzzles shampoo and somehow becomes a receptacle for meals. The other week I almost had it when my eight inch ponytail got caught in a subway door. When your hair becomes hazardous to your health, it’s time to consider a cut.

Yesterday, I went and got my first (professional) haircut in six years. Yeah, no more dorm-room cuts from Celeste the hippie-hairdresser for me! I ponied up thirty bucks for this “trim,” and to my dismay, I ended up looking not like my old self — sans split ends, but resemling a local news anchorwoman. It’s pretty bad. My new, sculpted coif doesn’t exactly represent my personality and most definitely doesn’t go with my threadbare – and – holes themed wardrobe.

So, I’ve reached a fork in the road: Do I continue down the path of less resistance and wait for the layers to eradicate themselves and form split ends again? OR… do I chop it all off? I’ve been having fantasies about the latter, and while it seems like it would be liberating, I’m pretty sure I’d regret it in a week. Or an hour.

I mean, Selma Blair wears the fiercest pixie cut on the continent, but seeing recent pics of Katie Holmes’s new do, I’m thinking maybe the short cut is only for true crazies (with excellent bone structure).

Needless to say, I take my hair very seriously. Any haircut or dye job I get is agonized over and meditated on for days. Once the deed is done, it’s another week of roller coaster emotions for me. “I love it!” “UGH! I HATE IT!” “It’s still got a good length.” “OH MY GOD, NO ONE WEARS THEIR HAIR THIS SHORT!”

You get the picture.

My BFF from Leeds calls my constant state of conflict over my hair, “the big stress.” She would know. She has bleached, cut, and extended her hair more times than I can count. Actually, it was due to her prodding that I went mostly blonde last year, a huge step for a strawberry blonde like me who until then had only lightly highlighted my golden curls (and even that was tentatively as all my hair stylists swoon over my natural color and scowl when I ask them to change it).

Why do I care so much? Why is my mane a point of hubris and joy one day, and one of despair and dismay the next? Was it the many years I spent as a Little Orphan Annie look-alike? (Actually, it was my Kindergarten nickname.) Or was it the Felicity-esq fiasco that occurred in junior high when I chopped it all off? (Hey, you may not think it looks that bad, but that show’s ratings dropped like crazy after the cut). I can’t believe it was any one event specific to me though, as every girl I know cares about their hair as much as, if not more than, their wardrobe. Is our strength really in our hair? It seems to be the case as almost every celebrity has much admired or at least much discussed hair. Bad hair day? Bad reviews.

This brings me back to the present. After my yearly (that’s as often as I can bring myself to do it) hair appointment last Saturday, I now have a medium length even mixture of red and blonde that I am actually not hating. Or am I? The color is fabulous, my bangs are perfect; but it’s all a little… short. I look around my office and see that every girl but I has hair down to her boobs, while mine is now barely past my shoulders. Enter my newest dilemma:

To extend, or not to extend?

Now, I’m way too poor to opt for my British friend’s long, professionally attached locks of human hair, but I also don’t want to be stuck with the same short hair for another year. What’s an obsess-o girl to do?

I may have found my answer in Jessica Simpson’s synthetic HairDo line. I know, I know, FAKE hair!? But in a world where change is good, but permanent change is way too expensive and scary for me, this seems like a practical compromise.

Now, I am no stranger to synthetic hair in my up-dos. I’ve slowly progressed from a Claire’s small $10 fake hair piece (kind of like this), to my $40 curly hair clip, (a little less hair than this.) and believe it or not, they’ve always blended pretty perfectly with my hair. No one even blinks an eye at the thought that my clipped up tresses may be fake. The obvious difference with the fake hair I’d be buying is a) I’d have to buy it online and b) It’s kind of obvious when your hair grows 8 inches in a day.

But you know what? If a celebrity has made it possible for you to have the long beautiful hair you’ve always wanted with the snap of a clip and for only $75-100, by golly go and do it! Other people be damned. (This site also has pretty affordable short human hair extensions. Anything above $100 is out of my price range, but I haven’t seen anything above $800 on the site so far.)

My mother is always saying that the energy I spend on my hair could be put to so much better use, like serving my community or contributing to my cause célèbre, (which I’m already doing, btw) but if I had the long gorgeous hair I’ve always wanted, perhaps I, like the celebrities whose hair my fake locks will be modeled after, can also sell products that will fight poverty and AIDS.

Of course, world hunger will have to wait until after I show off my fake hair at all my favorite NYC clubs, and go in and out of jail. If I’m going to go celeb, I’m doing it all the way.