Last week I had this grand idea that I would leave my hair down. This is no small feat as it now hangs about 2-3 inches past my shoulders. Remember I haven’t had it cut since August. Leaving it down and looking 1/2 way decent means using the flattening iron because the longer it goes since a hair cut the drier, frizzier, and uglier it gets. Of course the original reason for me leaving it down was because my hair is starting to break where I put it up. Pretty soon I’m going to look like a childhood Barbie doll. You know what I’m talking about. When you were a kid you wanted to be a hair stylist so you cut Barbie’s hair, but in reality you didn’t know what you really were doing so you just cut the pony tail shorter. Then she looked like Macy Gray, but not all strung out. Yeah, like that but without the giant rack and 2″ waist. Oh, and my legs aren’t nearly that nice. Of course the hair down thing only lasted about 1/2 the day before I couldn’t stand it anymore.
A week later I am getting ready to pick up the phone and call my hairstylist. I desperately want to cut about 4″ off of my hair, but am deathly afraid. For years I’ve had very short hair. I would link that horrible hair post, but it “magically didn’t make it to the refurbished site.” I have finally gotten to the point where I can put my hair up. I can use pretty clips and such and on occasion it looks good. The problem is that I wear it up all. the. time. Handy, yes. Attractive, not always.
I’ve been on a “make myself not look like a tired mom” kick. I’ve looted my closet to find clothing that is not jeans and sweatshirts, I finally did my eyebrows (and have maintained them for close to 2 weeks now), and I did get a scrub the old off my face cream that seemed to work a bit. The last hurdle is the hair.
This is what I kind of like. But not red, I’ve done red & I’m done with red.
But, bangs? Really? I haven’t had bangs since… high school? Honestly I can’t come up with anything better than this. Either way, I’m tired of what I have. Here is what I look like this morning. (and trust me when I tell you it is a miracle that you get a full on photo of me, and see what I mean about the 1/2 curly nastiness. This is without my hair being fixed. Dried naturally, no dryer.)
So what do I do? Risk it and go with the drastic change or just cut a couple of inches off and call it good?
I am so in the same boat as you. I’m soon to have a baby but my hair is as you, always up and with that being handy, not the “hot mama” look I’m wanting to sport. Hard decision, cause I can’t make my own mind up, but I look forward to seeing the finished product! I also have the same type of curl so feel the pain of letting it dry on it’s own!
Well, here’s a choice. You could do what I’ve done……I’ve begged and pleaded my family & friends to nominate me for “What Not to Wear” so that I can get a fabulous ‘do by Nick Arrojo (not to mention $5000 in new clothes)… alas, I guess no one thinks I look quite bad enough. So…if you’re not into wanting others to think you look bad so you can get on a TV show, then trash that idea.
Seriously, I think bangs would be cool. The thing is, for me, I can’t stand having bangs that hang forward like the model in your picture. I prefer bangs that push to the side a little more. But that’s just me. Also, with the curl in your hair, will it be easy to achieve that “look”? Having said all that, I think the cut is precious and would look so cute on you!
The other thing I would think would look really cute (esp. with the curl in your hair) is to maybe get some bangs (the side sweep kind would be my preference) and some GREAT layers. Leave most of the length (maybe cut an inch or so, to get the dead ends) but get some good layers cut into it. That way, you could do curly or straight. And ask about a good product – curl activator or something – that would help your hair, if you were to wear it curly.
Okay, enough fashion advice from the one who wishes to be on a show for fashionless people. 🙂
p.s., I meant when I, personally, have bangs, I don’t like them hanging forward. I think they look fine on other people, but when I have them, I like the option of pushing them to the side… Just wanted to clarify!!
You know I never understood what you meant about hating your hair until the picture. My hair is almost the same without the curl. Once it gets to a certain length it looks like crap. Dry and frizzled. I say cut it shorter but be careful with the layers. Also bangs means hard time putting up. So consider carefully.
I will never have long hair.
I love the hair style you want and I think you could totally pull it off. I abosolutely love bangs, but that’s probably because I can’t really have them. I could, but I have natural curly hair, very curly, and straight bangs wouldn’t look right. Come to think of it, neither would curly bangs. I digress. Anyway, I love the style and think it would look great and be easy to maintain…..
As you know, I would kill for hair like yours as in “thick and full” :-)) Having lived thru “the long and the short” of it with you over the last 15 years, here’s my advice: hair grows – live it up!! Luv, Mom
I say go for it! If you are unsure about the bangs, don’t cut them yet. The key to a great haircut is all the layers. A new swishy do will make you feel like a million bucks so do that first. Afterwards, if you feel like somethings missing go back and get the bangs done later on. Or maybe have her blow it out long and decide after that to cut the bangs?
I myself am not a fan of bangs, but it’s definitely cute in the haircut you posted. Your stylist will probably be able to tell you the best thing to do with your hairstyle. I can’t wait to see!
Sigh. I’m also in the same boat. Before kids I had a really stylish, short cut. It must have been a really good style because gay men who I didn’t even know would come up to me and say they loved my hair. I kid you not it was some sort of phenomenon. Anyway, I didn’t have the time or tenge to go to the stylist every 5-6 weeks so I let it grow. I now wear it up almost exclusively. Convenient, yes. Attractive not really. I’m hoping my sister (a hair dresser) can recommend something next time she visits.
I wish you luck.
I hear you with the wearing my hair up all of the time… I had a line of breakage from constant pony tails… i even used the no break ones so go figure.
I love the bangs but anymore cant stand any hair on my face… but man that pic makes me want bangs again.
I like the pic of the new hair style and say go for it… but take my advice with a grain of salt since I do well at making drastic changes but Im will whine about it for weeks afterwards.
Cute cut. You could wear bangs very well. I have a very small forehead and it doesn’t do very well for me to have bangs, makes the eyes go farther back in ye old head. Go for it. It should grow back if you don’t like it.
I’d go for the drastic change, but would keep the bangs longer than the pic and no so square. Side swiped and long enough that you can use a clip to hold them back when needed.
I think its a great pick-me-upper to get a new style and walk out of the salon with a cool fresh new look.
I’m always trying out new styles and if I don’t like one then I either have it cut again or let it grow back.
Go ahead Elle, make the change.
Brave girl to post your pic this morning!
I love the hairstyle you selected and I think you’d look great. I know whatcha mean about bangs. So I’d get the style with longer bangs and you can always get them cut shorter if you are brave.
I have similar hair problems and we don’t even have the kids yet so whoa momma who knows what is going to happen.
And don’t you love how nice your hair looks after it’s styled in the salon only to wake up the next morning, shower… and it’s the same old hair again?
Elle, I love the style that you are considering my only suggestion on the bangs is to have them look wispier. Another idea is go to a salon where they can show you what different hair styles would look like on you via the computer. The local community college does that at the beauty school they have for $20 bucks. I have been thinking about letting my hair grow out to just below my ears and go straight. I am not sure that I could handle the growing out period and not go screaming mad!
Anyway some food for thought. Love you, Aunt Jan
if you layer it you’ll have to get your hair cut more often, don’t get them too short though, b/c you’ll have moments where you want to put your hair up. bangs–i think they would look good on you.
Just go for it and have fun!
I love the cut you chose! I think it would look great on you too, but maybe the bangs slightly longer, and not so blunt. Think mega texterizing here! Though I know you have probably thought of this, this type of style requires it be “done”-no wash and wear, right? I agree with the gal who commented on longer layers, so if you feel like a wavy day, you can have it pretty easily. Good luck and I say “go for it”
Lee
I love making drastic hair changes – and I love the cut you have pictured. But I fear bangs. I remember the last time I had to grow them out (college I think). It took me years to finally get past the in between stage and let them grow instead of cutting them again in frustration. No bangs is my only hair rule these days.
Bravo – screw up your courage and do it!
Isn’t it great? Post about your hair and you get a million comments!!! Good idea! 😉
I think you should go for it. Go for the change.
I agree with Starfish. “The key to a great haircut is all the layers. A new swishy do will make you feel like a million bucks so do that first. Afterwards, if you feel like something’s missing go back and get the bangs done later on.” Remember that if you choose to cut your hair this way, it sort of forces your to get your hair cut every couple of months. If you’re willing to make the time and money commitment, I think you would benefit from regular haircuts. I think hair looks best when it is cut regularly so it doesn’t have dry and split ends. I think your face shape would do fine with bangs, but your hair type doesn’t seem like a good fit for the bangs in the picture. If you wanted bangs, I’d say go longer and wispier. Bottom line, you’re beautiful and your hair will probably look fine no matter what you do; it just might be frustrating to deal with. Change is good and like your mom said, “hair grows”.
Oh Elle…go for it…It is hair it grows back…you know that and we know it be because we saw your hair through the years on the old place…
I am impressed you look very beautiful in the morning…
I am going through a hair thing to…just got a cut but I have no body and very fine hair…YUCK
good luck you will look great what ever you do..
I agree, go for it! I recently got a hair cut (after about 6 months), and they took off 4 inches. I have hair similar to yours (although longer), with the loose waves when it air drys. I have to use some curling products to control the frizziness, but it is definitely nice being able to let it air-dry – especially with 2 kids running around.
One word of caution though – if you do not have a lot of time to spend on your hair and want to do more of an air-dry thing, make sure the stylist knows this. It may make a difference in the cut they give you.
I love your hair! Not many people rise in the morning looking like a movie star but you’re lucky since you can wear almost any cut. I think that style is you! Go for it!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
I haven’t cut my hair since before Zeeb came home (5 months!) so I generally avoid haircuts that require lots of maintainence… and I really like that style you picked out. I think it would look great on you. The thing about bangs these days is they’re pretty long and if you hate them its not too hard to grow them to be a “long layer” and just tuck ’em behind your ear. So I say, go for it. 🙂
I disagree with the “layers means more haircuts” thing. My hair has always had layers in it – it makes your hair look nicer longer. I am notorious for waiting long periods of time between haircuts and my hair grows like a weed.
Layers girl, layers!
I think this is the best photo I have seen of you and I must say that you have near perfect features- I really think you would look good with anything- but layers would be my choice.