baldies: Zia Ayana Bowen
“the shorter my hair got the more i was able to let go of people’s opinions of me, and all that mattered was what i thought of me.”
name: zia ayana bowen
social media: instagram/twitter: @theeziabee
How long have you been a self-proclaimed baldie?
i'd say my senior year of high school in 2012, i've definitely had the attitude of a baldie; but my hair is the shortest now than it's ever been. it happened in phases.
Did anyone inspire you to cut your hair? (include @ name if possible)
over the years there's been plenty of people that have inspired me--jada pinkett-smith, eve, amber rose, and @ceceblooom. above all though, the queen, grace jones, was my biggest inspiration, along with all of the plus sized & strong facial featured women who have cut their hair! i mainly do it for the girls who think/feel/say they can't do it.
What made you decide to cut your hair?
my haircut was something i gradually ended up doing. anyone that knows me knows that i'm constantly switching up my look--(i'm completely spontaneous) so one day i literally woke up and i was tired of having all the hair that i had and i needed a new look so i took to pinterest and found a cut i liked.
What reservations/fears did you have about cutting your hair?
i had so many. being plus sized (size 16), i was afraid of how i was going to pull of such a bold look with the confidence it required when i was already struggling in that area daily. the shape of my head definitely was my biggest reservation, though. one of my best friends actually picks on me (semi-jokingly) and tells me i have a "chicken nugget" at the back of my head--i just say the rest of my skull need more room for my brain. admittedly, i still hold my head down a little when i walk so the nugget is a little less noticeable. *kanye shrug*
How did you prepare yourself for your hair cut?
HA! let's just say i went into the barbershop that day knowing i was going to get my hair cut, but i just wasn't aware of how much was actually going to be cut off. my initial haircut was done by an apprenticing barber...needless to say, he jacked my hair all the way up. it all ended up working out; the universe has a twisted sense of humor, though. LOL
What was your initial reaction to seeing yourself with short hair?
the first cut in december 2016--i cried....all the way home...later that night in the shower....as the apprenticing barber was giving me my refund. then i later got it cut all the way off (by a master barber, who is my barber @dorianthegroomer) in january 2017 and i loved it immediately.
Did cutting your hair symbolize anything to you?
cutting my hair symbolized so much. the shorter my hair got the more i was able to let go of people's opinions of me, and all that mattered was what i thought of me. it symbolizes me on my way to the ultimate form of self-love. it symbolizes strength and ironically, growth.
Do you plan on ever growing your hair back out?
i'll fluctuate between close cuts and teeny-weeny afros--never longer than that though.
Did cutting your hair hurt or help your self confidence?
cutting my hair changed my life. 1) i never knew i had this much sex appeal. 2) growing up with low self-esteem, i never thought i'd see the day where i'd be comfortable enough with myself to cut my hair completely off. my hair used to be the pride and joy of my family, something i was envied for, my glory lied in my hair, but even with all of that hair i was still so hollowed and abandoned inside. cutting my hair forced me to receive myself as i was and to OWN it. so in so many words, cutting my hair definitely HELPED my self confidence. no one had to hurt me, reject me, or break my heart to get here-- i found love, and it's all mine. don't ever say you can't because you can!
Do you regret your decision at all?
for what it's taught me-- of course not.