I haven't read the comments, Rae - but I see precisely the opposite!! Your outdoor photos are a billion times better than the indoor ones. You look slimmer and fitter and more stylish than ever. The haircut takes my breath away each time I see it.

And I'm going to pin this outfit because I thought it was KILLER.

(((HUGS))).

Deep breath and have a cuppa on me.

Hug to you, Rae. I'm sorry you had a tough day.

Haircuts really DO take a while to grow into. You'll find the groove.

You always look sensational to me. And I mean that.

Personally, if I had smooth, gorgeous hair, I'd play it up in contrast to my distressed wardrobe style. Makes for a more interesting overall look, imo.

I agree with all the wise things the other ladies have said. Here's a ((hug))

Thank you again - I am scribbling down all of these suggestions. My hair actually is layered - I think maybe it doesn't come across as so because all the layers curve the same way... the helmet head effect as I call it, lol. I'm definitely going to have to try the razor technique. I think maybe with that and possibly flat ironing the ends so that the layers don't curve around my face, I'll possible get what I was going after.

I do agree with the idea of contrasting the straight hair with a more RATE look. I was envisioning kind of an unceremonious chopped/torn effect for the ends; I don't need anything too spiky or voluminous. I'm hoping it's not too difficult to do... I am not sure what hairdresser to go to. The guy who cut it last is easier to communicate with but I haven't seen him use a razor. The previous guy I used is straight from Japan and seems like he has an edgier vision, but he's more difficult to communicate with. I'd have to have pictures for sure. Maybe I should just start calling and ask for someone great with a razor?

Heh if you wanted to be completely RATE, you can razor the ends yourself. You can buy a straight razor (with guard) at a beauty supply store. You just take a lock of hair, just go up about an inch or two from the end, press the hair with your thumb to the edge of the razor and pull down. It will jaggedly kind of rip at your hair. That is what gets you the chopped/torn effect on the ends of your hair.

You can also get razor combs like this: http://www.sallybeauty.com/raz.....lt,pd.html that you can use with strands of hair to get the choppiness. But this of course depends on your comfort with cutting your own hair.

I'm so sorry you had such a hard day! But you're looking pretty in that photo! I have one idea to get a bit more bedhead into your tresses- wash your hair before bedtime and dry it just to about 80%, put in a texturising mousse or leave in, and go to sleep on a high count cotton or silk pillowcase cover. I think you should wake up with beautifully unkempt hair! Don't comb it too much on waking and you should be good to go! Hope this helps!

You are so beautiful! I am sorry you are feeling like this. I can relate! And it's no fun.

You know, what you are going through with your hair is absolutely natural. It's a normal part of the process of changing hair styles. At first, it's wow, because of the sheer change. But then you get to live in it, you notice the quirks, and need to do more tweaks. That's when you go back - to the same hairdresser, yes, that's ok - to make a good thing better.

When you speak to your hairdresser, indicate specific things:

"I don't like this bump here" ; "I don't want the flatness around there"; "this hangs too much like a wall, I want movement", "I want messiness", " I want edginess", "This flat part bothers me", "I want this part to look fuller/messier/piecy" That is a language that works better than pictures, because you're showing your very head, and where on the head. Now this said, do also bring pictures. Show pictures of the style, the vibe that you like, even if it's not quite the length nor the actual cut you like. You say, This, I like. Then you also make sure to show pics of styles that you DON'T like : "I don't want this." "This is not my style", "I absolutely hate this type of cut".

Also, my two cents: the hair wants to stay straight? Why fight it? Why not go all the way with the straight, all the way to the razor sculpted ends like in this pic:
http://0.tqn.com/d/beauty/1/0/.....h_hair.jpg
or
http://0.tqn.com/d/beauty/1/0/.....th_bob.jpg
or
http://0.tqn.com/d/beauty/1/0/m/w/84823289.jpg

Here are some pics of mussy lobs, for your inspiration:
http://0.tqn.com/d/beauty/1/0/.....t_hair.jpg
http://0.tqn.com/d/beauty/1/0/k/w/84452841.jpg
http://0.tqn.com/d/beauty/1/0/j/w/80905764.jpg
http://pinterest.com/pin/180003316327257848/
Lob with layers: http://pinterest.com/pin/180003316327422281/
Behaving lob with a twist: http://pinterest.com/pin/180003316327257852/

Personally, I think you would look amazing with hair even a bit shorter, in a real bob rather than a lob...:
http://pinterest.com/pin/180003316327422288/
http://pinterest.com/pin/180003316327257851/
http://pinterest.com/pin/180003316327587183/

Hugs to beautiful you!

All I will say is that you are just too beautiful to ever feel that way!!! Maybe it's just a funny stage with your hair and it will be all better in a few days. I happen to love the new style and maybe it just takes a little time to figure out how to best work with it. Maybe some new product will help you get the look you are after. Don't give up. Big hug:)