Hair vote: grow it out? Last hurrah?

I have a hair appointment tomorrow afternoon and I'm debating about what to do. I am happy with the color lately, so no drastic changes there. My debate is about the length -- continue to keep it on the shorter side, or just get a trim & color refresh and aim to grow it out for a few more months/ rest of this year?

I had been getting it cut & colored every 5-6 weeks this past year. Recently with all this travel that's stretched out; I think it's been 8 or 9 weeks now but maybe longer, as it's at a length that I can just barely put it back in a pony tail. It hasn't been that long in ages. It's definitely getting ratty and needs some TLC and shaping, but I'm kinda liking the longer version lately, though I know it won't get all that much longer than it is right now (maybe 2 more inches, tops), as my hair just doesn't grow much longer than shoulder-length. Then again, who knows, as I haven't tried to grow it out past shoulders in... 15 years??

Part of the reason I am tempted to keep growing it is that I turn 50 in August. I don't think it's about wanting to look younger because I actually think I look younger in short, not long hair. It's more like maybe (because of changing hormones and hair texture & color etc) this may be the last opportunity I could wear it longer? I know at some point in next decade I'm going to chop it short and never grow it out again, with zero regrets. I am wondering if this might be my last long-hair hurrah before that?

Complicating factor: In two weeks I have to get a professional headshot done. For this reason I am not going to do anything super-drastic; I'd either just ask for same cut I always get (short reverse bob again) or I'd ask to trim the split ends, give it some shaping, but with a goal of growing it into a longer style over the summer / into the fall.

8 years ago

Runcarla

Veteran

Get a trim and play with the length for a bit. You can always follow up with your stylist if the extra length gets crazy making!

Joy

I agree with Carla. Get the ends trimmed and play with it. You can always go have it cut in the reverse bob. Will longer hair be more or less work each day? Something to consider. I had much longer hair at 50 and found it was very easy just to wash and wear up. If I wanted to wear it down, it needed more work.

shiny

Joy, I love the idea of low maintenance but even at the longest, my hair doesn't "wear up" all that easily. If I pull it into a pony or bun ... well, I used to call that "my Nubbin." Which is why I chopped it off in the first place. Just looked silly from the rear view.

Hmm. I guess I'm tempted to grow it out because right now it feels and looks thicker/fuller than it really is.

I'm not sure which length is more work. It's been a long time since it was long enough to wear in a pony; that was very little work -- but also very little style. I tend to think shorter is less work, but then I'm tempted to think that longer might be, because the added weight would naturally pull my curls straight.

My hair dresser has suggested a couple of times (offhandedly) that I grow it out and also get extensions. But yeah, not going there. It looks great on others, but that's just too much bother for me.

Maybe I want to grow it out simply because 5-6 weeks seems to be coming up way too fast lately, for my busy schedule. I dunno.

Go look at photos of yourself with longer hair. That may jog memories for or against.

retailgirl

I just went through this...I have shortish hair that I got cut every six weeks. But between work on my end and a project that tied my hairdresser up on her end, I went five months without a cut and I started to like the longer length. ( even though it was getting a little wild...my hair is thick and wavy/curly. ) so last week I just had it minimally trimmed and I'm going to go with it for a while. I can always get it cut back to my old style! You have nothing to lose by letting it grow!

Deborah

I think keep it the shorter length:) I love it that way on you. I am guessing ab it here, but you and I have similar yet different hair. The longer mine gets the more the natural wave wants to come out and it has a lot of volume and it becomes more and more difficult to control. I get the impression yours may be similar. I think the shorter, more polished do is very you.

Anonymous

I did that 50 thing and grew out a pixie with the help of extensions. It was my now or never plan. Worked out just fine, and yes, extensions (although there are much better ones even now than there were 4 years ago) are a pain in the a$$ , but it was fun to have longish hair for a couple of years. Then I cut it. Now, a 18 months later, I think I may grown it for awhile again - hahaha. Not long, but more softness and length. When it gets to where everyone has the same style, I have to find a different one . You have great looking hair, from what little I have seen of it. So , what am I saying? Nothing really, other than I get the whole 50 timeline. Grow it for awhile and see how you feel. It may feel too hot and heavy in the summer and you'll change your mind in July

UmmLila (Lisa)

I say grow it out. I like your hair now, but I also get the desire to do something unexpected, un mom-ish, un 50-ish.

I'm doing the long bob, long in front, shorter in back these days. Husband is after me to grow it long (again). If you're trying to grow faster I suggest Viviscal. I'm not big on supplements usually but I definitely feel my hair has improved from taking it regularly.

Thanks all - picture of hair cut posted on separate thread! It is of course shorter but with some shape. Lots of shaping in the back in particular -- to avoid the dreaded nubbin -- while keeping as much length as possible in the front.

Lisap-- she did some stuff with the scissors that is supposed to add in softness.

UmmLila -- now that you mention it, I have been on some doctor-prescribed supplements for the last 5 or 6 months. I wonder if that is changing my hair (growing faster, different texture, etc). I just figured that it's normal every-7-years your hair changes. It's weird. I was getting lots of whites and grays but lately not so much. They are there, but it seems my hair (natural without color) is getting more dark, not white/gray. Or rather, as many whites & grays I'm getting, I'm also seeing an equal amount of dark strands. It used to be my hair was closest to my oldest daughter's (blondes & reds) now more like my youngest (blondes and brown/black). Hair is fascinating, no? Aging is fascinating!

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