Padma Lakshmi Reveals the Unexpected Lifestyle Perk of Having Short Hair

There's a first time for everything — and every hairstyle. Top Chef judge Padma Lakshmi has worn her onyx hair long for most of life. And then, in September, she underwent the chop heard 'round the world. Ahead of the 2017 Emmy Awards, the famous foodie showed off a brand new look from hairstylist Jeanie Syfu. Let's just say: the new look wasn't short on style. (See what we did there?) 

Some months later, Lakshmi is still rocking the sassy shag as she prepares for the premiere of Top Chef Season 15, which airs on December 7 at 10/9c. Chatting with The Lookbook at a New York City appearance for the show, the model and actress said: "I've never had short hair in my life, really. And, after last year I had two book tours and I filmed two seasons of Top Chef — last year and this year — my hair just took a beating!"

Check out the clip above to hear how chopping the length of her 'do helped get Padma back on the road to healthy hair, and the unexpected lifestyle perk that has come from having the shag. (Hint: the food expert probably finds herself reaching for the under-eye concealer a lot less frequently these days.) 

In the meantime, check out more snaps of Padma's lovely new look, below. 

In the spirit of Top Chef — and Kylie Jenner's recent chop — this is really inspiring us to reach for the kitchen shears.