In the meantime, as friends (and, let’s face it, foes) continue to post their haircut selfies, I roll my eyes while beating down the ridiculous pangs of jealousy. I even find myself thinking “that’s so unfair!” when they share selfies of their manis and pedis, despite the fact that I’ve only ever had two manis in my life and hated them both.

It’s a little bit like the response I have when people share the new job, new house, new relationship and new baby selfies that have created this era of comparison culture. Somehow, thanks to the pandemic, the haircut selfie has replaced the engagement selfie.

So, the next time I leave the hairdressers convinced that I am in fact January Jones, I’d like to think that I won’t boast about it online. But we all know that I’ve already got the caption ready in my head…

“I just can’t help myself.”

Haircuts 2021: why the haircut selfie has become the next big thing in comparison culture