9 Readers Share Their Dramatic Hair Transformations

What’s the most dramatic hair change you’ve made? A bob? Bangs? A pixie? We asked this question on Instagram last week, and dozens of readers emailed us photos. Here are nine before-and-afters…

“I shaved my head for my 30th birthday! I’d wanted to shave it for years but was conflicted because of how long hair is often tied to beauty. I finally did it surrounded by my closest girlfriends who each took a turn with the buzzers. I couldn’t be happier with it.” — Akshita (above)

Before

After

“For my first two decades of life, I never touched my straight brown hair. But, as I headed into my 30s, I wanted to do something different. So, a stylist friend dyed my hair platinum blonde! I felt gorgeous and confident and ready to take on a new decade.” — Erin

Before

After

“I’d always wanted to dye my locks a vivid color but didn’t want to damage my hair. Finally I went to a trusted colorist friend who understands textured hair. Now I’ve had this vivid blue for almost two years and have never felt more like myself — like a beautiful mermaid princess.” — Tiffani

Before

After

“Last April, I was diagnosed with a rare aggressive breast cancer. The idea of hair falling out in chunks after chemo sounded terrible. So, after I googled ‘celebrities with buzz cuts’ and poured a stiff drink, off went the bright blonde hair I’d had since high school. I initially felt awkward but very quickly started feeling more like myself than ever before. A buzz cut is powerful and freeing! After five months of chemo — where I lost all my hair, eyebrows and eyelashes — and surgery and five weeks of radiation, I am SO happy to say I’m cancer free! My hair has grown back to a buzz cut and I may just keep it this way.”— Katie

Before

After

“I had long hair well into my 20s, but once I realized I was queer, an important part of my personal coming out process was to ‘read’ as queer with my hair. That was almost nine years ago, and I’ve never felt more at home in my hair.” — Emma

Before

Middle

After

“I’m Chinese-American, raised by Chinese parents with straight hair. I have thicker, drier, poofier hair. No one knew what to do with it, so for most of my childhood, my hair was in a bun or braid. Whenever I’d wear it down, the #1 comment was, ‘It’s so… big.’ As an adult, I used a Japanese straightening method to chemically straighten each strand; and I kept that up for nine years. But in 2018, I got curious about my natural hair. My stylist cut off the straightened hair and then permed the rest while my natural roots grew in. It was slow going with lots of trial and error. But for the last four years, I’ve been so proud to wear my hair in its natural state. My hair is finally me.” — Abby

Before

After

“My hair was long for 10+ years and part of my identity. But then I had postpartum hair loss, which gave me bald spots and baby bangs like Lloyd in Dumb and Dumber. After struggling with it for months, I realized I was never going to be the person I was before having my daughter. This was transformation, not ruin. To me, this new style is more than a haircut. It ushered me into a beautiful new phase of life.” — Liz

Before

After

“I always thought my long hair was part of my feminine lioness powers. But with two little kids, I never wore it down and would get anxiety on ‘wash day.’ Inspired by Jannelle, I did a big chop! Shorter is more versatile, and it feels sexy to show my ears and neck.” — Leela

Before

After

“I was picked for an ambush makeover live on the ‘Today’ show! The whole experience was surreal — I passed within inches of Ryan Reynolds. The show’s makeover facilities were pretty makeshift — a production assistant hauled in a jug of water to rinse my hair — but everyone was extremely kind, and I was grateful I made it through the live TV reveal (in heels a size too small and sans glasses!) without falling on my highly contoured face.” — Kim

Have you ever done a dramatic hair transformation? If yes, I want to know everything! Please share below…

P.S. Readers share what they love about their looks and four women on going gray.