Just in case you’ve been living under a rock for the past two years, let me tell you that the pixie cut (ie. short, short hair) is all the rage. Miley and JLaw are sporting edgy do’s that are the epitome of cool, while Emma Watson and Carey Mulligan together created a vision of girlish sophistication with their short cuts circa ’11. All of this celebrity beauty can make you want to follow suit and make the cut: but are you ready?

Step 1: ~Get Inspired~

Source: Elle.com/instyle.com/fanpop.com

The first step towards total pixiedom is to gather 1000000 inspirational images. Do you want short or long bangs? Spiked or sideswept? Shaved or shaggy? If you simply go into the hairdressers and give them free reign over your hair, you may come out of there with a look you hate. And let me tell you, growing out a pixie cut is serious business (source: me) so you’d better have a clear vision and a variety of visual references to let your stylist know that you. mean. business.

Step 2: Sleep On It zzzZZzzzz

Source: esquire.com

Once you have this creepy collection of celebrity ~~mugshots~~ haircuts, take some time to think it over. When I cut my hair I pretty much said “Hey, I think I’ll get a pixie cut”…and then my hair was gone three days later. I suggest sleeping on the decision for a week or so. If it’s something you’ve always wanted to try, give it a go! Hair grows (slowly, but surely) so you shouldn’t base your decision on fear alone. Take a risk; change it up. However, if you find yourself a little too in love with your hair and have nightmares about being bald or something, maybe now is not the right time to make the chop.

Step 3: Compare & Contrast (UR FACE [shape])

Source: Elle.com

After sleeping on the decision like a beauty (haha) for at least a week, revisit your celebspirations. Now is the time to get a bit scientific & mathematical with your decision. Take your least favorite shade of lipstick and trace the outline of your face on a mirror – is it round? Square? Heart-shaped? Long? Now look at the pictures you have and see if any of them share your shape. Finding a style that works for your own face is so much more important than falling in love with a cut that looks great on someone else.

Step 4: Consider The Commitment. Consider the Impending Mullet Problems.

Source: instyle.com/collegecanada.ca

Another very important thing you should know about short hair is that it requires a lot of upkeep – do you think those pixie-d celebrities just wash & go? I would definitely invest in a good styling product to add texture, and regular trims at the nape of your neck are essential unless you want a mullet, and trust me. You don’t. (Scarlett, what were you thinking?!)

Speaking as a third-party observer with absolutely no personal say in your decision, I say GO FOR IT. Cutting my own hair was an exciting, liberating and an overall awesome experience. It also doesn’t hurt that people say that I look like every single celebrity with short hair, even if I actually don’t (I’ve gotten Audrey Hepburn, Anne Hathaway, Charlize Theron… the list goes on). Hair is, pretty much, just hair. It’ll grow. So, the only question left for you is…