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It is a great misconception that short hair is easier to maintain than long hair. Hair me out! As a Nigerian woman who wore short hair for four years of her adult life, believe me when I say this. Like many things in life, some things are better experienced.

I have been asked tons of questions about managing short hair in comparison with long hair and there’s one recurring question; “Is short hair easier to manage?”. This post will serve as an answer and a guide for other Nigerian (African) women who need answers to those questions.

My Short Hair Experience

The decision to cut my hair was practical but mainly emotional in retrospect. Practical, because I didn’t have the time and energy to care for my long hair properly. Emotional, as I was going through many emotions and needed to clear my head. My hair felt like unnecessary weight and I needed to get rid of it.

Short hair is so easy to carry! I can’t deny it- it’s wash and go but there are levels to it. As low maintenance as it seems, it’s also high maintenance which is influenced by some factors.

1. A good and reliable barber

You can’t go to just any barbing salon as a female to get a haircut and I can’t emphasize this enough. The technique for our haircuts differs from that of males. You need an experienced barber who knows his onions. I got used to women asking me where I cut my hair anytime I went out. The complaint was the same, “I don’t have a good barber” or “my barber relocated.” This is where the issue of reliability comes in.

It’s one thing to have a good barber and another for them to be reliable. The main reason why I stopped cutting my hair low was because my barber became unreliable amidst other things. Before I finally gave up on my low cut, I tried other barbers and the disappointment was epic.

2. Frequent salon visits

You’ll find yourself at the barber’s shop once or twice a month for a trim or cut no matter your preferred style. This is for those who don’t wear wigs like me. Meaning, your natural hair is your signature hairstyle. If you wear wigs, you can afford to stay for a few months before your next salon visit.

Now, get this; female haircuts are more expensive than male haircuts. I don’t know if it’s a Nigerian thing but that’s how it is here. The last haircut I got was in November 2021 and it cost me ₦2,000. I usually cut my hair twice a month so that’s ₦4,000. Given the current economic crisis in Nigeria, I’m pretty sure the cost has doubled or tripled.

3. Wash and go? Errr…

It’s not, especially if your haircut is your signature hairstyle as I previously mentioned. You’ll need some haircare products to achieve your preferred style. My hair had curls so I used an activator gel with coconut oil, edge control and a leave-in conditioner to make my curls pop. Wash and go doesn’t describe the styling process if I’m keeping it a buck. Also, take into consideration the fact that I used shampoo and conditioner once a week to properly get rid of product buildup.

4. It’s not cheap

Amongst the many misconceptions about maintaining short hair, this is the funniest to me. Don’t be deceived, short hair is not cheap. It can be cheap if you don’t plan on caring for your hair except by pouring water on it daily and hiding it beneath wigs. But if you want those lovely curls on display, you’re going to part with some coins.

This fact was solidified when I transitioned to a pixie cut in 2022. One haircut cost me ₦10,000-₦15,000 depending on the hair treatments I got alongside. What consoled me was that I could maintain a haircut for 2-3 months before another hair appointment. Cheap? No way.

5. You can’t escape your hair

Be it short or long, there’s no escaping your hair. This is the greatest lesson I learned on my short hair journey. Hair needs to be groomed no matter its location on the body. There’s no shortcut or easy way out of caring for and maintaining any hairstyle. I’ve grown to appreciate my hair in any length it is. What matters most is that you know and understand what it entails to care for any desired hairstyle you choose.

In the long run, having healthy hair regardless of length is the goal. Your hair is your crown whether it’s long or short.

Will I return to my low-cut hairstyle? Yes! It’ll make a comeback when I’m set.

I know we’re three months into 2024 so permit me to still wish you a happy and prosperous New Year as this is my first post of 2024. It is my prayer that we all get to achieve our set goals and succeed in our endeavours.

Have any thoughts on hair lengths and your preferences? Don’t hesitate to share them with me in the comment section. Let’s keep the conversation going.