a little help from my friends

1.) Yasmin Sewell // 2.) Miroslava Duma // 3.) Arizona Muse // 4.) Yasmin (strikes again) // 5.) Arizona Muse round 2 // 6.) Ahem, Yasmin again // 7.) Miroslava Duma, the sequel 

As some of you may recall from earlier this year, I took a big leap and chopped off and donated about 12 inches of hair. I still remember sitting in my stylist's chair, eyes somewhat closed as my boyfriend sat off to the side giving me what he thought was a reassuring thumbs up. (He insisted on staying to make sure I went through with it as I had backed out 30 times a handful of times before.)

Two seconds later, after much of the hair I had grown for the past several years fell to the floor in just a few snips -- I gasped and ran my hand through what was left. I'll spare you the obligatory scissor shock and immediate feelings of regret that we all inevitably feel after a big change like that -- because after a few days in, I didn't want to look back! It's funny how I always identified myself as a long haired gal and now, seeing pictures of myself from just last January, I don't even recognize myself. Hair truly is transformative -- and this shorter do of mine has certainly made me rethink my style and how I carry myself, in some of the best ways possible!

One thing that hasn't changed though is my love of curly hair, long or short. I've detailed my step by step process here for you all to recreate a similar messy bob, but what I haven't done is introduce you to some of the ladies I always look to for hair inspiration. Cue Arizona, Miroslava and Yasmin. Any time I'm in need of a hair trim now, they come along (via Pinterest). No questions asked. And while their curly coiffed bobs are naturally wavy much to my straight hair chagrin, it's important to me to make sure my stylist sees the kind of layers I need to recreate a similar look on my own (with the help of some fantastic products of course). As you know, I've been test driving some of Paul Mitchell's curl products for their Truth About Curls campaign and I've recently become addicted to their "Twirl Around" curl definer. It has a much more defined hold which helps achieve the tighter "Yasmin" curl you see above (also similar to Carrie's ringlets circa Season 5). Obsessed.

On that note, I want to encourage you all to share your own curl confessions, obsessions or just general tips (sorry, ran out of words that rhymed) here on the Paul Mitchell Facebook page. And for the extra daring (and I know you all are!) you can upload your own picture to the Paul Mitchell Facebook page -- those who do will be able to check themselves out once the photos are displayed around town both in New York City and LA on November 15 at 6 p.m.! To submit, simply head on over to the Paul Mitchell Facebook page here or post your confession on Twitter/Instagram with the #curlconfession hashtag. Entries must be received by 11:59 p.m. EST on November 14. Added bonus? These rad folks are also giving away curl products to their favorite submissions -- so get snapping folks, the clock is ticking! :)

First things first though -- who do you look to for hair inspiration?