Actually, I’ll admit that I care a little. Until just over a year ago, I had hair nearly to my waist. Then I cut it. And then I cut it again. And then I butchered it. I’m talking straight up torture. Waterboarding, pincers and burning have nothing on the stuff I put my hair through.

The conclusion I came to is that long hair is more forgiving. The ends are so far below your face, that any real damage to it isn’t really perceived. But bring the ends up to your jawline and you’re screwed.

I have no one to blame but myself.

I cranked up the heat on my straightener all the way to its limit. I never used protective hair products and I styled my hair every single day. Every. Single. Day. What was I thinking?

I cut a bit of the dead ends off here and there, hoping to grow out my hair in order to do a significant chop again without resorting to a full-on pixie cut. But I finally couldn’t take the frizzy ends that puffed out anytime water kissed them.

I was starting to look like the female version of Hagrid. If you don’t get the reference, you’ve been living under a rock and, unfortunately, we can’t be friends.

Anyways, I’d had enough. I immediately booked an appointment with Ritual Toronto, a salon I’ve visited before for my brows, but never for my hair. They paired me up with my very own pink-haired pixie, Kelley, who immediately got what I wanted. This is rare because I can never communicate what I want — especially when it comes to my hair.

Armed with a few Pinterest images, I was ready to for a fresh start.

Kelley gave me exactly what I wanted. She may have styled it a bit too Dora the Explorer for me, but I can’t knock the process that finally rid me of all the horrific damage I’d done to my poor hair. I was down with whatever she needed to achieve the perfect blunt bob. The emotional relief was significant. I love my hair and each time I’d touch my crispy ends, it was a blow to my self-esteem. But no more.

Now I have my sights set on a nice ombre style for the summer. Pretty sure Ritual Toronto is up for that challenge as well.