The change-my-look haircut for girls who are growing their hair

Images: Caitlin’s hair before (left) and after the chop (supplied)

If you’re anything like me, you’ve been obsessing over the lob (i.e. the long bob) for at least a month. I blame this website entirely for my obsession – beauty director Nicky Champ and publisher Mia Freedman have converted me. But I just couldn’t commit.

You see, I’ve been rocking long hair since I was a little girl – down to my derrière during primary school, down to my belly button throughout high school. I remember once when I was 16 I decided to cut my hair off. I went to a hairdresser and came back with hair that grazed the bottom of my rib cage… I cried for hours because it was ‘so short’.

So yeah, I’m a bit obsessed with long hair. I love to curl it, braid it, attempt (and fail at) fancy up-dos.

But this week I made a huge, life-altering decision.

I cut my hair off.

I’m calling it the ‘Vlob,’ aka the Very-long-bob. (It’ll catch on soon, I promise.) It’s the chop to get when you want a lob, but just can’t quite let go of your long hair.

A major hair change can happen for a number of reasons; the weather, an identity crisis, a weight loss strategy (surely hair must weigh a lot?). For me it was personal – I’m about to move interstate and start a new job, so I thought a dramatic hair change was necessary.

Whatever your reason, there are a few things you need to do before committing to this incredibly important life-changing decision.

1. Bring some hair inspiration so your hairdresser knows exactly what you want.

Mine was the effortlessly-chic Aussie-born TV presenter Renee Bargh, who is the Vlob’s answer to Lara Bingle:

2. Tell your hairdresser to cut it a little bit longer than you want

Because they always take off more than you ask for. I’ve made this mistake countless times in my life, but not anymore.

3. Don’t think too much about it before hand.

Just do it. I decided the morning of my haircut that it was time for a big change, and I’m not looking back. Neither should you.

So if you’re a long-hair lover like me, make the vlob your next big chop. You won’t regret it.

Check out Caitlin's hair transformation here:

More you'll love:

Diary of a chop: Mia Freedman

Five questions to ask yourself before you get the Bingle bob

Kristen Stewart cuts off all her hair, wears see-through pants