After two years of growing my hair to waist-length, I finally decided to get it cut at the hair salon. Here’s why.
I was debating about cutting my hair for a while before actually biting the bullet and doing it. My hair was the longest it had ever been and I didn’t want to have to start from scratch again.
Another reason I was hesitant about going to the hairdressers was that, often, when you asked for a “trim,” they almost always cut off half your hair, and I didn’t want to lose the long hair that had taken me so long to grow.
For me, my hair has always been one of my most defining traits. I grew up with short, straight, dark brown hair, which my mother insisted on cutting herself, so my sister and I had a short fringe (slightly uneven at times), and a shoulder-length bob. This contrasted with my younger sisters’ bright blonde ringlets.
After never having hair longer than just below my shoulders, I decided to try and grow it out for as long as possible before it needed to be cut (from too many split ends forming).
The first time I did this, I lasted about a year, but I used a lot of heat treatment and chemical products like conventional shampoos and conditioners on it, which stripped my hair of its natural protective oils so it was really dry and brittle by the time I got it cut again.


A few years later, I tried again. This time, I was determined to do it properly. By then I was already making most of my own personal care products such as skin care, hair care, and body care products like soap, so my hair was looking a lot healthier.
I wasn’t using any heat treatment on my hair at this point either, as straightening my hair felt like too much of an effort, and I knew how much damage it could bring if used too often. So I cut it out of my hair care routine completely during the two years I grew my hair out.
Instead, I began doing regular hair masks with coconut oil and rosemary oil, and used rosemary water on my hair to help it grow longer more quickly. Honestly, applying the hair masks weekly was one of the biggest factors in what kept my hair looking so healthy, shiny, and strong during the two years it took to grow my hair to waist-length.
You can read about my full natural hair care routine for long hair here, which I used over the course of the two years to prevent damage and minimise split ends.
Finally Cutting My Hair After Two Years of Growth
While my hair looked healthy and lush overall, by the end of the two years, the bottoms of my hair were looking a little ratty from the split ends that had formed. Brushing my hair had also become a bit of a workout, and it was getting more and more challenging to brush with each passing month. I didn’t want to leave it too long, where the split ends became unmanageable and travelled further and further up my hair, breaking off even higher, so that I’d have to get the majority of my hair cut off to where the split ends stopped. So, I bit the bullet and booked an appointment with my local hair salon.
Upon booking the appointment, I didn’t want to just go to any hair salon. I was determined to find one that used only natural, chemical-free products. I looked around online and found éva organic hair and beauty salon, which used only natural, cruelty-free, vegan-friendly and organic products to wash, style and dye hair.
On the day of the appointment, I was really nervous. I was sure the hairdresser would have to cut away my long locks because it had been so long since I last got it cut, but to my surprise, she really only did give it a trim.
She said the hairs that appeared to be split ends further up my hair were just the new hairs growing through (as hair goes through different cycles of growth, and will grow at different stages), and that it was just the ends that needed removing. She commented that my hair was really healthy for someone who hadn’t gotten it cut in two years, which I attributed to the hair oil masks (they’re truly life-changing!).
So, I had the ends of my hair cut and had my hair styled to frame my face a little more. The whole experience was absolutely amazing. I’d never been to a salon before, so I wasn’t sure what to expect. I had the full experience at éva organic. I got my hair washed, had a head massage (the chair I was sitting in was also a massage chair!), I had my hair blow-dried and styled as well as cut, and I was given a complementary coffee and brownie to enjoy while the hairdresser cut my hair. I felt beyond relaxed by the end.


How Do You Know if it’s Time for a Trim?
Split ends are what most people look out for as an indication that their hair needs a cut, but what most of us don’t realise is that split ends are actually a sign that we’ve waited too long.
Before the ends start to ‘split’, the hair itself may feel dry and brittle. You may also notice that your hair becomes more and more difficult to brush or comb all the way through. These are indicators that it may be time to get a hair cut.
Depending on the length, type, and whether or not you colour or use any heat treatment on your hair, will also be factors that determine how often you get your hair cut.
For long hair like mine, it’s recommended to cut hair every three to six months, particularly if you don’t colour or use heat on it. However, it’s worth noting that long hair can appear thinner and break easier. So keep an eye on your hair to see when the time is right for a trim.
For more information on trimming times for different hair types and lengths, see here.
What Long Hair has Taught Me about Myself
As I mentioned earlier, my hair has been one of my most defining features. I’ve taken a lot of pride in my hair, particularly over the last couple of years, and have received many complements about my long hair.
This was a huge reason why I’d put off cutting my hair for so long, out of a fear that I wouldn’t be as beautiful without it.
Logically, I know this isn’t true, whether I have long or short hair, I am still…me. My hair has been a kind of ‘shield’ for me, something I can hide behind or use as a way to build myself up, but what I’ve learnt (and what I’m actively working on doing) is to identify and change the meanings I’ve attached about myself around my hair. I’m working on healing and changing the stories I’ve been subconsciously playing in my mind. The beliefs that I’m only beautiful with my long hair, or that if I was to cut my hair, it would change the way people see me…

This journey has taught me a lot about myself. It’s been one with many lessons and self-discoveries. The long hair has just been an added bonus, and a blessing.
I have decided to grow my hair out again. I would love to grow it longer than I had before, but this time I want to have “maintenance cuts” every now and then, getting it cut every three months or so to prevent the ends from getting too out of control again, and minimise the amount of split ends that will form.
The hair masks will continue to be a regular part of my hair care routine, and I’ll be sure to update you all on any new products I discover and use on my hair along the way! Thank you so much for following along.
Cutting My Hair After Two Years Vlog
As always, this is not personal medical advice and we recommend that you talk with your doctor before trying or using any new products. I am not a doctor. All opinions expressed are my own personal thoughts and feelings of the products mentioned. Check with your doctor or health practitioner if you are uncertain about trying out any of the products, recipes or tips mentioned in this post.
How often do you get your hair cut? What products do you use on your hair? Share in the comments below.
Lots of love,
Vanessa