Health & WellnessFEB 9, 2025

50 Times People Went To The Hairdresser And Walked Out Looking Totally Different

It’s no secret that a drastic hairstyle change can leave you feeling like a brand new person. Whether you choose to chop off your long tresses, dye your hair a totally different color, or maybe try out braids, you’re bound to look a bit, or a lot, different. Some see a trip to the salon or barber as a form of therapy. Others believe our hair carries memories, both good and bad. And that cutting it can help us heal. Whatever your beliefs, there’s no denying a great hair makeover has its benefits.

We happened upon an online community dedicated to all things hair. r/hair has more than 4.3 million members, and an endless number of people sharing before and after photos of their drastic transformations. Bored Panda had much fun perusing the page to pick our favorites. And some might have you doing a double-take. From Rapunzel-like locks turned into pixie-cuts, bland brunettes going bright pink and others even brave enough to turn their hair into multi-colored, creative, works of art, there’s no shortage of “hair-spiration.” Upvote the ones that you love and let us know in the comments how a new hairdo makes you feel. Don’t miss the chats Bored Panda had with award-winning hairstylist and owner of Excentric Hair Florin Neacsu, and Ronel van Vollenhoven, founder and Master Stylist of At Stylar.

#21 I Love My Job! I Was Initially Really Sad To Cut The Length (I Can't Grow Mine To Even My Bra Line) But Once We Chopped It, I Realized She Was Meant For Short Hair

Haircut transformation from long, faded ombre to vibrant, rainbow bob hairstyle.

tha_stormin_mormon

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74points

You don’t always have to be drastic to achieve a new look. There are quick other ways to transform your hair if you want a change but haven’t plucked up the courage to "go big or go home."

Adding a fringe or bangs is one option. “This will change up your hairstyle, giving it a youthful, fun and edgy vibe that looks great with almost any hairstyle,” say the experts at John Anthony Salons in the U.K. “There are so many different fringes to try such as blunt fringes, micro fringes, side-swept fringes, curly fringes, curtain bangs and more."

#22 Did A Thing... It’s A Big Change!

Woman showing dramatic haircut change from long to short.

chasinggdragonss

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#23 I Went For It! I’m Obsessed With My Hair !

Before and after haircut transformation showcasing a dramatic change.

reddit.com

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71points

#24 I Finally Got A Pixie Cut After Wanting One For A Decade!

Person with long hair before and short haircut after, showcasing a complete haircut transformation.

alexo-depresso

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71points

Hair extensions can be a good idea for those with a fear of commitment. "They not only add length but can be used to provide thickness and volume too," notes the John Anthony Salons' website. And with extensions, you can even bypass the hair dye and choose a fun, new color for a completely different look.

#25 Udpate: I Know Not Many People Saw My Original Post, But I Went For The Pixie!

Before and after haircut transformation, showcasing a complete hairstyle change.

kluckyduck

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71points

#26 My Boyfriend Had His Hair Cut And My Jaw Dropped

Before and after haircut transformation with a man smiling, showcasing a dramatic change in hairstyle.

vector78

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69points

#27 After Years Of “But What If I Don’t Look Femme” I Did It And Feel More Feminine Than I Ever Have :)

Woman with long brown hair before and short blonde hair after, showcasing a daring haircut change.

SensitiveGirlfriendd

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66points

An even faster way to achieve a dramatic transformation is to wear a wig. Celebrities do it all the time and they're not afraid to say so. According to US Weekly, Chrissy Teigen, Katy Perry, Cardi B, and the Kardashians are just a few of the stars who've openly flaunted their love of wigs.

Sometimes it might even be the safer option. Keira Knightley revealed in 2016 that constantly dying her hair for different roles had taken a toll on her locks, and left her with major damage.

"It got so bad that my hair literally began to fall out of my head!" she is quoted as saying at the time. "So for the past five years I've used wigs, which is the greatest thing that's ever happened to my hair."

If you do decide to dramatically transform your natural hair, both Flo and van Vollenhoven agree that proper at-home hair care is essential for preserving color and maintaining healthy, shiny hair. Ask your stylist to recommend some products, and invest in them.