Journal

Putting It Bluntly: One Length Hair

Putting It Bluntly: One Length Hair

Talking about hair in revolutionary terms can sometimes seem a bit far-fetched. However, the idea that a particular haircut has the power to reflect the mood, spirit and style of the time isn’t a new one, and at Glasshouse we’re big believers in this philosophy. So when we observe a shift in the kind of styles people are after, it’s often time to sit up and take note.

Enter the one length haircut. Although at face value there’s nothing especially radical about hair that’s cut all at the same length, we think it’s actually saying more than a rebellious mohawk or a 70’s mullet ever could.

This is a cut that’s a Glasshouse staple - requested on a daily basis in the salon by women who are after a fuss-free, clean look with plenty of no-messing attitude or upkeep. It’s the plain white shirt of the hair world - simple and void of any frills or complications.

For women who have been working the one length cut, they’ve probably been used to (and exhausted by) the typical recommendations by hairdressers for ‘layers’, ‘movement’ or ‘softness around the face’. The appeal of the one length cut comes from its obvious disregard of this. It’s an antidote to the red carpet, long layered, beach waved brigade we’ve been so saturated by. Think less Rosie Huntingdon-Whitely, and more Gwyneth Paltrow in The Royal Tenenbaums (hot pink hair clip optional).

Image: Wordpress, Cover image: Goutte de la Lune
Image: Wordpress, Cover image: Goutte de la Lune

With normcore fashion having made its back to basics mark in our wardrobes during the past couple of years, it’s no wonder that the style needs a haircut accomplice. And what better cut to be it’s counterpart? Simple and sure of itself, the style goes equally well with a sharply tailored suit as it does with a pair of Levi’s and your dad’s fleece jumper.

From a hair expert perspective, a one length trim adds thickness to fine hair - focusing on the ends and achieving a healthy-looking modern style. This is a style that’s not just for the uber-straight crew - a one length cut suits textured bobs and curly haired girls just as well, with full triangle-shaped ends and lots of messy-haired appeal.

Image: Her New Tribe
Image: Her New Tribe
Image: Chlorophilia
Image: Chlorophilia

Hairstyles are often freely described as ‘relevant’ (we’re thinking back to ‘The Rachel’ circa 1994) and the blunt one length is more pertinent than ever. In a time where gender equality is being constantly challenged and women are feeling more powerful and informed than ever, they need a hairstyle that represents this modern face of womanhood. The strongness of the cut reflects this new strong spirited girl gang we’re channeling right now - think Tavi Gevinson, Felicity Jones and Uma Thurman in Pulp Fiction.

We’ve spoken before about the pared-back mentality that’s swept fashion, hair and beauty of late and the one length cut is an extension of this. Our focus on uncomplicated, contemporary cuts means that this look pretty much sums up our zero-fuss ethos and we like to think it’s hitting the zeitgeist mark of the moment.

Whilst girlish layers and tumbling hair might still be the order of the day for those looking for easy, obvious bombshell sex appeal, the blunt cut is saying something a whole lot more interesting. Attractive in its simplicity and intelligent in its appearance, the cut (to put it bluntly) is the coolest of them all.

Image: horngry.tumblr.com
Image: horngry.tumblr.com
Image: Lula Magazine
Image: Lula Magazine
Image: Juliette Gaudino
Image: Juliette Gaudino

Words: Lucy Vincent