Leighton Meester shows off her new shorter locks at the Flaunt Magazine dinner party celebrating her new cover at Ink restaurant on Thursday (October 25) in West Hollywood, Calif.

“Yes! I chopped off my hair after Gossip Girl wrapped,” the 26-year-old actress exclusively told JustJaredJr.com. “My long, wavy hair got a lot of mileage, so it was time for a change. The girl who did my hair on the show [Lizzie Reilly] chopped it off and I love it. I hop out of the shower and it takes five minutes to dry!”

During the cocktail hour, waiters served hors d’oeuvres atop serving platters featuring Leighton‘s Flaunt cover.

“You’re serving food on my face!” Leighton laughed, after grabbing a bite to eat.

FYI: Leighton is wearing a Mary Katrantzou dress.

10+ pics inside…