https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/hair-history-and-haircut-transformation-long-and-verbose Style Advice for Fashion Lovers en-US Fri, 24 Apr 2026 21:36:18 +0000 http://bbpress.org/?v=1.0.2 q https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/search.php https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/hair-history-and-haircut-transformation-long-and-verbose#post-500767 Wed, 04 Jan 2012 16:58:36 +0000 modgrl 500767@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>I second the Naturally Curly recommendation. I follow Vix's hair plan too and it has worked out great for me. I use a curl cream that is like a gel and cream combined, it gives me curl definition without the crunchiness. It is AG Recoil:<br /> <a href="http://shampooline.com/ag-recoil-6-oz.html" rel="nofollow">http://shampooline.com/ag-recoil-6-oz.html</a> </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/hair-history-and-haircut-transformation-long-and-verbose#post-500665 Wed, 04 Jan 2012 15:20:38 +0000 Vix 500665@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>Hi Mochi -- </p> <p>I know many of the texture-embracing wavy- and curly-haired members here recommend <a href="http://NaturallyCurly.com" rel="nofollow">http://NaturallyCurly.com</a> and the extensive forums there...not sure if you've been there?</p> <p>[Truthfully I get a little overwhelmed, but I try to focus on the forum photos of women with my same general type of thick, coarse hair.]</p> <p>I think Triangle Head is familiar to most of us with waves/curls. Having a stylist who has even half a clue with how your own hair behaves -- and who can explain it to you -- is sooo necessary. You may want your current stylist to cut your hair dry, then finetune post-wash.</p> <p>Until I hit ~ 40 I didn't really understand what having my type of wavy hair meant (I generally blew it dry, but didn't straighten...and avoided products like the plague). </p> <p>So you are not alone!</p> <p>It's still very much a learning curve and annoyingly my hair much prefers warm climates over the wet one I have, but my hair's health appreciates the new routine. </p> <p>You may want to experiment to see what your hair's true potential is, then hone in one how it works with your evolving style -- and if the upkeep/flattery line is where you want it to be.</p> <p>[I went cheekbone-short a couple of years ago and *loved* the vaguely vintage look, but fast-growing hair = cuts every 6 weeks vs every 8-10 = spendier, and the consensus was that Square Jaw/Leonine Head means longer hair is more balancing. Though my younger self loved my in retrospect not-too-flattering George Clooney cut!]</p> <p>My basic coarse-haired woman tips: </p> <p>* frequent cuts (when jaw-length or longer I can go every 2 months)</p> <p>* moisture moisture moisture (key to keeping it healthy and reducing frizz; I color the grey so this is even more important)</p> <p>* sulfate-free shampoo 1-2 x a week, other days "co-wash" (conditioner to wash hair) unless it looks good to go as-is on Day 2</p> <p>* t-shirt vs towel to sop up water</p> <p>* at least one moisture-laden product (1 is my limit; I like a heavy curl creme but conditioner gives a different effect)</p> <p>* diffuser if using hairdryer, air-dry preferable</p> <p>[Coarse hair is actually very fragile and prone to breakage...who knew?]</p> <p>Good luck figuring out the hair thing; will be curious to see results!</p> <p>***pardon the novel*** </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/hair-history-and-haircut-transformation-long-and-verbose#post-500317 Wed, 04 Jan 2012 02:13:10 +0000 soobee 500317@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>I can so empathize with you Mochi. Having frizzy/curly hair and a big head, add to that a slowly sagging jawline which *needs* to be framed with hair and a steamy, humid climate which demands hair be pulled off the face ... I can only dream of smaller features with matching pixie cut. I sat in front of the dressing table mirror with my camera for about an hour last night trying all different styles and still haven't come up with an answer, it's so frustrating. </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/hair-history-and-haircut-transformation-long-and-verbose#post-500258 Wed, 04 Jan 2012 00:47:52 +0000 Jjsloane 500258@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>I can totally relate to this. Hair is important to your feeling of self confidence. After years of wanting dark hair when I had blonde or straight hair when I had curly or short hair when I had long I have finally come to peace with my hair, but it's been a long road. I have had ups and downs. Now, my hair is very fine, but I have LOTS of it. I didn't always.<br /> Sorry I realized I had hijacked this thread so I removed some of it.<br /> My cowlick is always front and center on my forehead for many years and my super fine hair was stick straight. I grew it long but I must always have bangs - My waterloo is my forehead. In 5th grade My mom thought a shag would be a great alternative to her trying to untangle my hair - I call this my awkward years. I was mistaken for a boy many times and I pretty much hated every minute of it. In High School after it grew in it was still fine, but there was now quite a lot of it to give the illusion of full hair. It also turned reddish. (And although I did manage the farrah wings most days, it took A LOT OF WORK and still I wanted the hair of the popular girls. I went through many blow dryers and curling irons.</p> <p>I even had a perm (why a perm if you have curly hair? I DO NOT KNOW. Everyone else had one?) I had my hair chemically straightened once (I think it was Lye) and after the initial awkward too straight period it was amazing, but didn't last and I cannot afford a Brazilian blowout or Keratin treatments (which sound chemically dangerous anyway)</p> <p>My hair is still stick straight from my ears forward (bangs) and from my ears back it's curly. Enough to be a mushroom (or triangle) if shorter than my shoulders.<br /> I don't have a photo of the most expensive and unfortunate haircut I every had (an ear length bob that poufed like a mushroom) I've used every product I could find and honestly there are days when it just doesn't matter and I "go to the barrettes" (or ponytail) but I have learned that I need long (longer) hair to make it easier for me and I think that's what you need. The length weighs it down and the products (I am currently LOVING Bumble and Bumble) help me contain it. I have a system that now works for me and a stylist whose hair is much like mine so she GETS that I should not have any kind of extreme layering or texturizing. I like the freedom of longer so I can put it up if necessary.<br /> Sorry to be so long winded, but my message is to keep trying styles, products, etc.. that can work for you and then stick with it. </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/hair-history-and-haircut-transformation-long-and-verbose#post-500165 Tue, 03 Jan 2012 23:23:28 +0000 Anonymous 500165@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>I'm with you in the hair boat Mochi. Thanks for the beautifully written post! I could really relate to the junior high school pressure to look like Farah Fawcett. I was a loser by those standards, too. Why was it SO important? Anyway, it never hurts to grow it a bit so you have something for a stylist to work with. I would be cautious of lightening it where the breakage is occurs, but I'm sure a trained colorist would know what to do. </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/hair-history-and-haircut-transformation-long-and-verbose#post-500067 Tue, 03 Jan 2012 21:16:06 +0000 Aida 500067@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>Just wanted to throw this idea in: with long, soft curls you can use it to nicely offset harder-edged outfits. It can really add a lovely organic touch when down, or something harder if you do something more slick or put it up. </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/hair-history-and-haircut-transformation-long-and-verbose#post-500048 Tue, 03 Jan 2012 21:02:12 +0000 Mo 500048@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>Mine is starting to get a bit curlier after 40 as well - and being in FL adds the frizz component. I really like my hair when I'm home in the dry mountain air of CA but it's a struggle here and I often just kind of give up on it while in FL. I also don't have a stylist here and have seen 3 different people with varying amounts of big 80's results lol. If you are thinking of coaxing out the curl in it, I would say to maybe try the sulfate free shampoos &amp; conditioners out now and as Astrid mentioned, no dryer or brushes. A leave in conditioner/detangler called Curly Sexy Hair is my go to product (and I am NOT a product or makeup kind of gal). It is very light and doesn't stink or get crunchy. Just a few tips if you want to join the curly crew </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/hair-history-and-haircut-transformation-long-and-verbose#post-499930 Tue, 03 Jan 2012 17:57:03 +0000 KikiG 499930@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>I do feel for you. My hair used to be very straight, and I gained texture with age. I didn't know what to do with all the texture, that is for sure. My hair revelation has been to grow my hair longer, and use a Chi iron on it. </p> <p>Sometimes product and technique are the key to managing hair with texture. You may need a hairdresser who has a lot of experience with textured or ethnic hair. </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/hair-history-and-haircut-transformation-long-and-verbose#post-499918 Tue, 03 Jan 2012 17:44:02 +0000 Vicki 499918@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>Mochi, I like your post, and as Angie said, you are a wonderful writer. It's interesting that you write about the length of your hair. When I was in my early 40s, I decided to grow my hair out rather long and I'm glad I did. I just wanted to see if I could do it and how it would look. As you mentioned, over time our hair texture can change and that's what mine did. My hair became finer and thinner and I needed to do something to enhance what I had. I think we are all obsessed, to a certain degree, about our crown, as Angie calls it, so your introspection is a good thing and a delight to those of us reading it, because it helps everyone. Thank you for being open about your hair transformation. Enjoy your tresses, long and radical, or whatever way pleases YOU!! </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/hair-history-and-haircut-transformation-long-and-verbose#post-499911 Tue, 03 Jan 2012 17:32:39 +0000 rae 499911@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>Nothing but sympathy from me - I'm in my own hair limbo ATM. I do think it might help to talk to someone who specializes in curly hair. From the other side of the spectrum, it is really frustrating when a stylist can't understand that my hair has NO body and won't hold a curl... so foreign to the Latin stylists my mom used to take me to as a kid. I'll bet the same is true for your curly hair: few people truly understand it. </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/hair-history-and-haircut-transformation-long-and-verbose#post-499848 Tue, 03 Jan 2012 16:26:30 +0000 Mochi 499848@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>I agree, Suz, simply because I'm ready to deal with it and enlist allies rather than simply feel frustrated. And also not being subject to high school peer pressure helps a lot. </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/hair-history-and-haircut-transformation-long-and-verbose#post-499845 Tue, 03 Jan 2012 16:23:34 +0000 Suz 499845@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>Mochi, I hear you on changing hair texture and the revelation longer locks can be at an older age. Yes, you would not believe it now, because of my recent transformation to short hair, but in fact, LONG hair was my "change" as well; I had worn my hair short for most of my life (as evidenced in my Houndstooth thread). I really needed to try it for a while, but after a year, I was more than ready to return to my roots (so so speak!) </p> <p>Here is my experience, for what it is worth. Making a hairstyle change really can be the foundation of a clearer style persona. But you don't want to jump in too soon; if you have not had a look that made you happy in the past, and if, in addition, your hair has changed texture, you will want to do some research.</p> <p>In my opinion, the most stylish looks of all work WITH the wearer's hair texture, not against it. A look that demands too much upkeep is not one that most of us will sport with confidence and flair, although of course there are always exceptions and some women apparently enjoy playing around with their hair for half an hour every morning. (You can tell how that makes me feel, LOL!) </p> <p>I have no opinion about whether your hair will look better long or short and I'm not sure what might work best with your developing style. But I do want to challenge your fears about short hair and bubble head. Remember, I'm also a person with a large head, and I think my hair looks better short precisely for that reason! Some of that has to do with my neck length (long...and long hair sort of emphasizes it). But I just wanted to reassure you that if you DO decide a short look is for you again, you needn't worry that having a large head mitigates against that. </p> <p>In the meantime, I feel sure that you are going to find a look that works really well for you and you are going to be happier with your hair than you've ever been in your whole life. </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/hair-history-and-haircut-transformation-long-and-verbose#post-499842 Tue, 03 Jan 2012 16:20:30 +0000 Ana 499842@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>Hi Mochi! I'm looking forward to your hair transformation (they are my favorite because I think hair makes such a big difference to overall look). I think it's going to take time though. Even if you hit on a style that you like, it might take two or three appointments to tweak it and make it perfect (this happens to me all the time when I try a new cut, even though my hair is short). I know it's hard, but I guess my advice is be patient and go with the flow. If you can find a cut you like that works with your natural texture, you will be so much happier because you won't have to fight it every morning. It sounds like you have a long-term relationship with your stylist, which is great! I think finding a stylist you trust (and who will push back a little bit) is the first step. Maybe at your next appointment, you could ask your stylist something like, "If I let you have free rein with my hair, what would you do?" and just see what she says. You don't have to go with her suggestion. But it might give you a starting point. </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/hair-history-and-haircut-transformation-long-and-verbose#post-499837 Tue, 03 Jan 2012 16:16:22 +0000 morethanbeige 499837@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>Just wanted to chime in to say that I enjoyed your *ramblings*. They really resonated with me. I am also confused about my hair. I know it is a very important aspect of style, but I rarely feel decisive about what would feel and look good on me. *Sometimes* I like my hair, only to hate it the next week. I feel like I really haven't found my style, but am not sure how to find it. </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/hair-history-and-haircut-transformation-long-and-verbose#post-499826 Tue, 03 Jan 2012 16:04:38 +0000 Mochi 499826@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>Thank you, 40, Angie and Astrid. I happen to love, LOVE Angie's cut and it's often tempting to go that way (though our hair could not be more different in texture, as well as my concerns about masking a large head). And Astrid, you have the lovely hair of a Renaissance beauty. I totally get it about avoiding brushes and combs and letting it air-dry. </p> <p>I thought it was clothes that perplexed me, but that's not really so...HAIR, however, is really my Waterloo! (That and makeup.) I do think I'll read the recommended posts, and try Astrid's suggestion to see if the contrast between bohemian, romantic curly hair and semi-mod, minimalist styles can work. No matter what I end up doing, I guess you'll all be in on the experiment! </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/hair-history-and-haircut-transformation-long-and-verbose#post-499798 Tue, 03 Jan 2012 15:40:28 +0000 Astrid 499798@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>Mochi, your hair actually sounds just like mine! I had the same problem with kinky, frizzy and lank hair and had the same "triangle" on my head. I hated it so much I cut it all off with fourteen or so. I still had a pixie cut four years ago. I know that for most people here going shorter was the thing they needed to do, but for me it was growing out my hair. Angie does mention that in her blog post too. I also had the same thoughts as you about my hair and thought about different changes since I joined YLF, but at the moment I'm happy with it as it is. The texture is still rather course and I still have a frizzy halo, especially with a ponytail or rainy weather, but I like it like it is. I think I really need the length for my curls to come out like they do, they never did that when I had them shorter (hello triangle!).</p> <p>The best change for my hair was throwing the brush and the blow-dryer out. I only ever air-dry my hair and comb it with a wide tooth comb. The most important thing is to only comb dry hair, if I comb my wet hair after a shower I destroy my waves and curls. </p> <p>You said that you want to look more sleek and polished, but I know that this would be next to impossible with my hair. I would have to work very hard against my natural hair structure to do that and in my experience my hair looks best when I leave it be as much as possible. Maybe think about coaxing your hair towards curls instead?<br /> I think it's much easier to have the sleek and polished with your clothing and curly and "unruly" hair can be a nice counterpoint and add a bit of interest. I love the way Jean's curls look with her style for example. </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/hair-history-and-haircut-transformation-long-and-verbose#post-499783 Tue, 03 Jan 2012 15:27:51 +0000 Angie 499783@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>Mochi, your musings are eloquent and easy to read. You are a very good writer :)</p> <p>If having longer hair is your revelation, stick with it! I absolutely encourage some of my clients to grow out their hair too. It's not always about the dramatic chop! That being said, there is a lot that can be done to change a longer hairstyle. Colour, a skilled texturizing cut, and product can do wonders. Your hair has to grow in the right way and has to be maintained in a style that is aligned with your style journey. </p> <p>Also, I've found that some hair stylists are very skilled at cutting and colouring curly hair. You *might* want to investigate that further. </p> <p>There are MANY threads on this forum that deal with how to best manage curly hair. You'd probably like to read them. </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/hair-history-and-haircut-transformation-long-and-verbose#post-499699 Tue, 03 Jan 2012 13:42:22 +0000 Anonymous 499699@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>Long hair.....</p> <p>I think wearing it down and/or in a simple ponytail, with a strand of hair running down the neck has always been the have always been the most effective and eyecatching ways of wearing long hair. </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/hair-history-and-haircut-transformation-long-and-verbose#post-499692 Tue, 03 Jan 2012 13:25:10 +0000 Mochi 499692@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>I suspect this will be more musings out loud than questions. But I felt a strong resonance with Angie's blog post today on pushing oneself toward style transformation. As for clothes, incidentally, I think (let's say I was working with Angie) that I would be game for anything she recommended, unless I had a truly adverse reaction to it. But I feel really up to experimenting and ready for it, and only lack a clue as to which direction to move in (for a 180 degree transformation--which is why I'd be theoretically hiring a gifted stylist to do that job for me!). The only thing that would also really stop me is physical comfort--not being willing to don high heels, because I'm clumsy and can't safely wear them and enjoy myself in that type of shoe. </p> <p>Other than that, dress me up any way you want and I'll give it an open mind.</p> <p>Now on to the haircut, which I also have come to accept probably has more impact on one's image than anything else. It's also touchy for me. </p> <p>I've always had recalcitrant, frizzy, kinky, unmanageable and frankly very unattractive hair. I was an adolescent in the late '70s and basically if you couldn't do the Farrah Fawcett thing, you were a loser. So that was tough. I fried my hair and it did not cooperate in any way. (It wouldn't have looked good curly and left to its own devices either--it was really just lank and frizzy, and grew out like a triangle, close to the head on top and ballooning out at the bottom. Product, as far as I knew, was not really around then, and if it was, I was too ignorant and teenage-poor to consider it.) I could never grow my hair more than down to my shoulders and even then it was so poufy and awful looking. Most of my life, and I mean up to this past year or so, I wore it either very short or close-clipped to my head and maybe a little past my jawline. </p> <p> Anyway that's the background on my hair woes. This past 1.5 years or so, maybe it's a hormonal thing but all of a sudden my hair texture has softened quite a bit and it's begun to grow long (for me), with some nice, relaxed curls. The texture is still very wiry, but it looks and behaves a lot better.</p> <p>After 40-plus years, it's a shock to look in a mirror from the side and see hair cascading way past my shoulders. And to be able to grab it into a long ponytail. And to see loose ringlets draping down over my clavicle. I really like it. </p> <p>One problem is that the texture on top of my head is still very coarse, the hair splits like mad up there and it's not growing well. So I do look like I have a mullet (self-perception). Because the hair is thick, dark and wavy, it may not be so obvious to others, especially in pics, but I'm sensitive about it and the discrepancy in hair length is a problem. </p> <p>Anyhow, with today's blog post on hair as well as my current obsession with recreating my style and image, it's a given that I need to do something with my hair. Something. I am not sure what, or even whether I should give free rein to my stylist. </p> <p>Most of you talking about hair transformation have mentioned going from long(er) to very short. For me, though no one on the street would know, the long hair is really the radical look for me. </p> <p>Except it doesn't look particularly radical, and I do need some sort of a change to look more polished, sleek, etc. But I don't want to go short again. But I also realize I'm having more of an emotional than logical feeling about this. Maybe there'd be a short cut that would look perfect for me. </p> <p>And the way my hair is now, I'm not sure it will be best for the direction I want to go in stylistically in terms of clothing. Mod, sleek, slightly edgy (though I also like romantic, boho, RATE, just to confuse things). </p> <p>Just confused here!</p> <p>My stylist is good (I'm also thinking about slightly lightening the color), and yet I am not even sure how well she'd respond to my not knowing exactly what I want. She's quite happy not to chop my hair off at all (even when I've wanted something more dramatic) and she does a great job with all my issues and uneven lengths. Her specialty is, actually, "retro haircuts" (rockabilly, punk, 50's, etc), but she will not force her vision on me. </p> <p>Anyway, I have no idea what to do or if I should just keep getting splits and unevenness trimmed and let the hair grow and flow and enjoy it this way. </p> <p>If it weren't for the message of today's post, and all of my overall resolutions for the new year, I would still be pondering all of this, but not as urgently.</p> <p>Sorry for the ramblings...... </p>