Hair--who needs it! ETA: new photo/style - YouLookFab Forum

Category

General

Welcome! Read about what to wear and how to wear it on the YLF Blog. Join the YLF Forum to ask specific questions or just chat about fashion and personal style. Or check out the curated list of things we love in YLF Finds.

Outfits Ensembles Trends Advice

Hair--who needs it! ETA: new photo/style

Sheila

Veteran

I have had my hair very short and spiky for about 10 years and really like it but now I am BORED with it and have a big urge for LONG hair. Go figure...well you've probably been there yourself, right?

So I have not had a haircut for some months and have gotten through the reeeellly awkward stage and am now at the point of examining if long hair is my "thing". I am posting a bunch of old, grainy pictures with different hair lengths and if you have the time to view and tell me if you think I might look okay with long hair, or not, that would be helpful.

I am perfectly willing to be patient for the growing time, that's not an issue. My hair comes straight right out of the scalp, but after about 3-5 inches (depending on the region) it gets wavy, curly, and bushy so I have to keep it thinned and whipped into shape, otherwise it can look unruly. But I don't mind that either, as I am accustomed to the "whipping-into-shape" routine and have kind of missed it over the past decade.

Whew. So take a look-see and tell me if you think I would look okay with long hair again. My long-term plan is to enjoy it for a while, then whack it all off and spend another ten years or so with very short hair. Thanks in advance for your evaluations. Any suggestions for specific styles would be very welcome, as I am not very good about that kind of thing. And if you think I look a lot better with super-short hair, feel free to say that as well. Honesty is the best policy in this endeavor!

#1 - my hair today 2013
#2 - late '60's
#3 - early '70's
#4 - mid '80's
#5 - November 2010
#6 - August 2010
#7 - December 2010
#8 - longish hair, 1980

Added: #9 - curly hair, 2004

UPDATE: I am adding this as an option...upon reading some suggestions from YLF members, I remembered that I once had an edgier version of mid-length hair. Does this look okay? It is not permed or curled; my hair does this "curly girl" thing when it's thinned and cut into layers. Maybe this is what I should be thinking about.

This post has 9 photos. Photos uploaded by this member are only visible to other logged in members.

If you aren't a member, but would like to participate, please consider signing up. It only takes a minute and we'd love to have you.

General

26 replies

Latest reply was from Sheila

Anonymous

Your hair in pic 1 is adorable.

Gaylene

Veteran

I sometimes wonder if hair isn't the classic "the grass is always greener". For what it's worth, I totally get where you are coming from in wanting a change from a style that you've had for ten years. I get a short cut, and then, in a few months, I'm "growing it out", at which point I go back to my stylist with a request to chop it off again.

That aside, I've got to say I really prefer you in the shorter cuts. They make you look sassy and vibrant while your current cut skews a bit more traditional. You've lovely hair, though, and I can certainly see why you want to showcase its color and shine. Maybe your stylist could give you some alternatives for a slightly longer version of your short cuts?

Susie

Veteran

I have to agree with Gaylene; I think you look amazing in pics 5 and 7; the short hair is just so striking. And that comes from someone who is way too chicken to go short even though I so admire it on others! I think hair is one of those things where we want what we don't have- straight vs curly, long vs short.

But you have really lovely hair. It's quite pretty in the recent picture. How about encouraging the curl? Maybe going a bit shorter to help control them?

celia

Veteran

I think your you face shape is good for long or short hair and your hair seems to have volume enough for both lengths also.
My point is, if you want to try longish hair you have the tools to make it work. I am sure that your hairdresser and you can find a longer style that looks current.

Beth Ann

Veteran

You have beautiful hair, that you clearly take great care of! I agree with Gaylene that the short cut is a stronger look, but I wonder if having a cut with ends that are point cut, or perhaps razored for a more "edgy" mid-length cut not be the ticket.

Susie

Veteran

Oh I like Beth Ann's idea!

donnat

Veteran

I think you look terrific in 5 and 7 edgy and hip. Your hair is lovely in Pic 1 but this style is more traditional.
I think, to keep that edge, you want a more extreme cut with sharper edges. I have a friend who is 65, and looks sensational in a longer, straight bob, with a heavy bang. Talk to your stylist and see what he/ she thinks.

Sheila

Veteran

Thank you so much for your great observations and advice. It seems that shorter hair comes across more youthful and hip...which does please me. I have to confess that I do not have a stylist, for I have been cutting my own hair for years. My husband likes it very short and spiky and I tried a series of stylists who never made me look hip! So I finally decided to take to the shears and see if I could do it myself and that leaves me without someone to strategize about what to do. Have to think about where to go...

Special thanks to crossdressman, Gaylene, Susie, Celia, Beth Ann and donnat for your evaluation of my photos. I appreciate each one of you for the nice way you phrased your comments...very gentle and helpful. I like that!

Anyone else have some ideas for my hair style?

Carla

Veteran

I think you look great in long or short. The short and spiked is admittedly more cool/hip, but the longer hair is feminine and kind of sexy. I agree with all who suggested experimenting with the mid to longer length, and going for an edgier cut.

See below for examples...you would probably need to do a bit of flat- ironing.

This post has 3 photos. Photos uploaded by this member are only visible to other logged in members.

If you aren't a member, but would like to participate, please consider signing up. It only takes a minute and we'd love to have you.

Marley

Veteran

You have such beautiful hair, that I think it would be good to wear it longer so that you can show it off! I actually think that you'd look great in an angled bob - longer on the sides and shorter in the back. It would not be difficult for a stylist to take your current hairstyle and cut it into a bob. I'm not crazy about it really short. I think that that style needs to look really intentional and "match" your overall style and personality - to me, the longer style would still be "hip" but a little more feminine and congruent with your style (from what I know of it!)

Suz

(website)

Veteran

I love it short, but I am probably not the most unbiased person to ask, because I have a similar hair history to yours -- and similar hair, perhaps, as well. It is the kind of hair that always garners compliments when I have it longer. But it's a bit like people complimenting me on my lovely dress rather than on how great I look. They are commenting on my hair, not on me. Whereas when I (inevitably) cut it short (again), I get compliments like, "You always look so hip," or "You always look so fashionable," or just plain, "You look amazing!" As well as compliments on my hair.

I can see that trying a mid-length style might be fun. My own hair won't stay put in those sharp bobs (too much wave and thickness). But if it would work for you, it's worth a try. You can always go back to the short afterwards.

Also, just to stay, you are a stunning woman at every age and stage.

Jaime

(website)

Veteran

Agree it is more a question of style you want to project rather than what suits you. I like the shorter, more powerful, less conservative style on you myself but an edgier longer cut might do the same work.

Jenava

(website)

Veteran

If you go longer, I would prefer to see a more modern, edgy (ugh, hate the word, but what else to say?) style. This style makes you look too classically feminine and a bit dated, which I know you are absolutely not. I love the chunky glasses and short hair on you, and I know you can bring that same vibe to a longer 'do, but you'll probably need to find somebody to help you out in figuring out what that could be. Maybe a bob that is shorter in back?

BTW, your hair color is just so gorgeous! I'm quite jealous of it. (-:

Lyn D.

Veteran

Lovely hair!
I think I prefer it shorter too

Alexandra

(website)

Veteran

I think you look best in the pictures with short hair. (Possible bias - see my pic.) Mostly, it seems to me that in the longer hair pictures, your look is sort of run-of-the-mill, could be any other woman. In the short hair pictures, I get a sense that I'm looking at you.

Also, in the short hair pics, you're wearing glasses. In the others, you're not. I don't know if that might account for some of the difference.

texstyle

(website)

Veteran

I agree that you have beautiful hair so it's almost a shame not to have it longer. But the style is what is probably bugging you - as I assume you do want some edge or intention to it. Would you be willing to use a flat iron on a regular basis? ( I use a giant curling iron to smooth out mine as I find it works better for me not to go completely flat).

I really like these two styles that are not short but not long either:
http://tornandfrayed.tumblr.co.....len-mirren

This one may not be obvious on the link so I'm adding the photo.
http://hairshow.us/?id=articles&art=206

This post has 1 photo. Photos uploaded by this member are only visible to other logged in members.

If you aren't a member, but would like to participate, please consider signing up. It only takes a minute and we'd love to have you.

Sheila

Veteran

I just updated my original post with a mid-length curly style, which has more of an edge to it. Tell me what you think about it. It is the #9 photo.

Runcarla - would this curly style qualify as edgy to you?
Marley - thanks for the complimentary words. Take a look at #9 and see if it fills the bill as far as what you were thinking.
Suz - your last comment made me blush...I am not accustomed to hearing such strong affirmation about my looks...but it is very nice to hear so thank you ever so much. Would love to hear what you think of the new photo.
Shevia - does the new photo qualify as an edgier, longer cut?
Jenava - loved what you had to say. I've submitted a new photo and am eager to hear your opinion of it. Maybe it is a bit dated, too...you are spot on in saying that I don't want to appear old-fashioned or traditional with my look.
Lyn D. - I know, I think I look better with short hair too! That's what's so mystifying to me -- that is, WHY do I want longer hair??? I think it's because I will be turning 70 next year and I just want to prove to myself that I can grow hair at this age! Go figure...
Alexandra - hmmm I never thought about the glasses...sharp eye you've got there...the glasses I am wearing in those photos were kind of hip, in my opinion, chosen by my husband and definitely not my style but he was very confident I would get used to them. And so I have...and now I like the look!
Texstyle - love the photos you shared. The second one (if I got the right one) was curly and that got me thinking about a style I had before I chopped it all off. So I have added it above (see #9) and hope to get some more comments on it. It would be easy to do, providing I can find a skillful stylist who knows how to cut curly hair. Thanks for your input, I really appreciate it.

Peri

Veteran

Okay, I'm late to this thread and seeing all the pictures at once. Without knowing which one was added I got to #9 and went "wow"!

I think that is the most flattering look by far. I may be biased though, as I'm curly too. But to me it is soft, natural and youthful. I wouldn't say edgy though, if that's what you are wanting.

Jenava

(website)

Veteran

I do like the curls, but I think to get it more like texstyle's photo you'd need to to be a little more shaped. Maybe bring up the length in the back but keep it on on the sides and front, and make it sort of more side-swept/with a deeper part. I see some squareness to your jawline that makes me want to see you in something more asymmetrical and sharp. Both longer hair photos (current and curly) have more of a soft look to them. Have you or can you blow out your hair to be straight and then part it off to the side? How would that look?

Sheila

Veteran

Peri - thanks for your comments. Those glasses (in #9) are soooo old-style...maybe that takes away the "edgy" factor. I don't want to look avant-garde, just kind of artsy and current.

texstyle

(website)

Veteran

I think #9 is more of the direction - but it seems like you have quite a bit of volume on the sides in that style and I'd try to reduce that and focus more volume on top. Did you see pastrygirl's cut she did herself?

http://youlookfab.com/welookfa.....orary-chop
(more photos later in that post when she updated the cut)

Sheila

Veteran

Jenava - I can blow out my hair but the curl on the ends of my hair is FIERCE! It will spring back out on its own, even after blowing. I am reluctant to start straightening my hair, as I have had friends whose hair was damaged from too much straightening. You are correct about my jawline -- it is square and I have what my husband calls a "Roman nose". I call it "my Dad's nose" but either way it is mine to deal with! I think the short spiky hair style has balanced out the strong jawline and possibly the nose...

Texatyle - I have worked for years to get volume on top and the only way I can get it is with short spikes. My hair is quite heavy and it just sits in a pile on the top of my head...I do concur about removing volume from the sides, that (and the nape of my neck) is where it is very curly and it gets what I call "bushy". Like undergrowth in a forest! There is absolutely no curl in the first 3-4 inches of my hair. That's why you can't tell I have curly hair when it is very short. I think pastrygirl's haircut is terrific but I would not have any curl on the top of my head if I had her cut.

Suz

(website)

Veteran

Sheila, I still prefer the shorter cuts. But again, that might be my personal bias. The curls are pretty, too -- but not edgy. I do think cutting it into a slightly different shape might give you what you want with that at a mid-length.

Sheila

Veteran

Jenava - I forgot to thank you for your compliment on my hair color. As you can see from the 60's picture, it used to be a bit brighter but still quite a nice color, not garish. It was a gift from God, that's for sure, as there was NO one in my family at the time of my birth who was a redhead or who could recall a redheaded ancestor! Since then, however, my recessive yet mighty gene for red hair has produced two children (100% of my progeny) and 4 out of 6 grandchildren with red hair (there may be more, as my son and his wife have only just begun to produce babies). My mature hair color is starting to fade somewhat, so I am giving it a boost every 8 weeks. Swimming regularly in a chlorinated pool doesn't help either. Sigh. My mother was very good about saving large locks of curls every time my hair was trimmed so I have samples of the color to check against. I hear we should start to lighten our hair color as we age to balance out the changes in skin tone. I won't go as brilliant as Alice Carey, but I will probably follow this rule.

Suz - thanks for your support of the short hair. I think it is my personal favorite and certainly easy to maintain. I also appreciate your opinion of the curly hair as not being very edgy. For me, it is a radical departure so I always thought of it as edgier but when I step back and think about that hair style on someone else, it does not seem edgy. So thanks for helping me gain a larger perspective on this look.

Gaylene

Veteran

OK, Sheila, please take everything I say below with a huge grain of salt because it is definitely only my opinion and I suspect that there will be a huge crowd that will disagree with me.

There are exceptions, but I think, in general, a short, modern cut works better on a curly/wavy-haired, 50+ woman because it looks more precise and intentional. Straight hair can still carry this look when left long, but, to my eye, longer curly/wavy hair softens the lines of a cut which, in turn, tends to accentuate the softness in an older face and jawline. Any fullness on the sides just reinforces the effect. That's why I've come to realize that my former "signature" chin-length bob just doesn't do me any favors these days; my young stylist was totally on the money to nudge this 60+ woman into a shorter, wavy, more modern cut.

Sheila

Veteran

Gaylene - I am in total agreement with you and since I will turn 70 next summer, the considerations you mention are definitely up there as top priorities. Thanks so much for your comments.