The number one thing I’m asked about on a day to day basis is without a doubt, my HAIR. Given this blog is called the ‘Girl With The Bob’, it’s probably not a huge surprise my hair is a rather large part of who I am and what makes me feel like me.
Whilst most of the ‘bob queries’ I get are generally in reference to maintenance, products used and of course, who cuts my hair (Barry in Momento, fyi), lately some of my friends have been intrigued by who I was and what I looked like before the bob. It seems like a lifetime ago since I shortened my locks, but rest assured, I went through my fair share of styles and lengths before arriving at my now signature ‘do.
So myself and my wonderful mum have trawled through photo albums and social media archives to find some delightful ghosts of hairstyles past to share with you. Take a gander below and try not to laugh too hard!
The Younger Years
Hello chubba bubba!
The classic ‘fountain’ hair do
Long locks and a half up, half down ‘do
School Days
First day of school!
That long, long hair
Curly Sue at my primary school graduation
A classic high pony for a touch footy match
Au natural hair after a dancing concert
God this is cringe. Back to darker locks and my first full fringe
See ya full fringe, hello side fringe and loose curls
My high school formal
The Irish Dancing Era: Competitions to Tour
One of my favourite dresses featuring Chinese calligraphy by my great-grandfather
Full wig, long socks, big old dress. Fabulous!
Losing the full wig in favour of the bun. And that is actually a fake fringe too!
Wig twinning with the little sister
Bye-bye wig, letting the bob fly free!
Continuing against the grain & staying wig free
Backstage somewhere in the Netherlands in a long straight wig
On tour in France
The Evolution of the Bob
My very first bob haircut
Strangely ahead of the trend with these little sunnies
See ya side fringe, welcome back full fringe!
Starting to get a handle on the sleek factor
Experimenting with styling the bob up differently
One of my post dancing wig hairstyles
During my bow obsessed phase
Another day, another bow
That time I dressed up as Miley and somehow got my bob into fun buns
That time I donned a faux pony for a night out
And now here we are, at the style I’ve maintained for roughly the past eight years. For me, this hair has become more than a style, it’s a part of my identity and what makes me feel confident. Whilst it’s a bonus my hair is very easy to manage and maintain, it goes far deeper than that. It’s my safety blanket, as I feel rather exposed without my bob, like I could just blend into the crowd and be overlooked or forgotten. Call it vanity or being defined by my looks, but my bob is how I’ve learned to love being different. It was quite tough growing up in Australia and not fitting the tanned, blonde haired, blue eyed, beach chic mould. And using what makes me unlike others as a strength, not a weakness has been one of the greatest lessons I have learned!
So I hope you’ve enjoyed the glimpse into my hair history and had a little giggle at how my look has changed and (hopefully) evolved!
Until next time,
Sinead
Gallery photos by Niamh Costello
