Bored Panda took the chance and reached out to Galina Totorina. As we mentioned previously, Galina is a hair stylist specializing in short haircuts for women, and is renowned for her ability to challenge and redefine traditional stereotypes of femininity using her work as an example..
"One day, I realized that to avoid burnout at work, it was necessary to grow and do what I wanted, changing my focus. I tried everything. I cut and colored long hair, but I got bored, I didn't see big changes," Totorina shared with us. She then unintentionally ventured into men's haircuts too, transforming men's looks, participating in mustache and beard contests, and going as far as even securing first places in some. But again, she found herself longing for a change, "Men started grooming themselves and became more attractive, so, I thought that I could give some confidence and create beauty for women with short haircuts."
Galina firmly believes in the power of a haircut to express individuality and confidence, stating that, "The woman herself makes a short haircut expressive. But sometimes it happens that a minor element in the haircut gives it a new look. Everything is individual and needs to be observed!"
Countering long-held stereotypes, she shared that, "Long hair is just a stereotype. Many women cannot properly care for their long hair. They don't have time to even wash their hair sometimes, and dirty hair tied back is not feminine, and definitely not something that could be considered 'well-groomed'." Instead, she emphasized, "Femininity is not in the hair, it's in self-love, in care, and in attitude towards oneself."
Speaking of personal preferences, the hairstylist revealed her thoughts on the matter to Bored Panda too, "I don't have favorite haircuts. I've tried many options on myself to be honest. I had hair down to the end of my back and I was bald at some point too, what I realized is that my favorite haircut is the one that I have right now."
For those contemplating a change concerning their hair, she suggests starting with a detailed consultation, saying, "Women are often afraid of the unknown. They don't know how they will look. And fear hinders and does not allow you to make the right haircut. With a detailed consultation, fears go away, because you can exactly imagine how you will look." Her parting advice to women considering a short hair transformation was simply to take the leap: "The main thing is to start."
