When I’m scared about a physical change — be it something like Botox in my forehead that no one really notices or a drastic haircut that feels more high stakes — I do some outreach and talk to people who have experience and can offer advice. Here, I spoke with six women who recently chopped their hair into short, fresh cuts. You’ll see some of the biggest pre-fall trends (the circular bob and a Hailey Bieber-inspired dry cut) and classic styles (like the pixie and the now ubiquitous post-wedding chop), across different hair textures. I ask these women to explain the process, how they feel about their hair now, after living with it, and what they wish they knew before their haircut. See the transformations and read the stories ahead.