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Hair help

Sarah

(website)

Veteran

I know I started a topic about this in the past, but I could really use some opinions on what I should do with my hair.
I have done everything in the past, so there really isn't anything I won't try. However, for the first time in my life, I actually have some criteria that a hairstyle must fit.
1. It either has to be long enough to fit into a ponytail for when I run, OR short enough that it doesn't fall into my face
2. I'd really prefer to limit the use of heat styling because it is so dreadfully hot here
and 3. I'd like to see if I can work with my natural texture. I really think my hair is more wavy than curly (ie: according to naturallycurly.com I'm a 2A or 2B). I like my natural hair, but it needs a good cut or it takes a lot of effort to "fix".
This is the first time in my life that I've had long hair, and I've had it for awhile now.
Thanks!

General

31 replies

Latest reply was from Sarah

Sarah

(website)

Veteran

I bet pictures would be helpful http://letitrainagain.blogspot.com/

Anonymous

I love your long hair and all the ways you can wear it. It is so cute up under the fedora. In the pictures it looks like your natural texture would be good as wash and wear. Do you think so?
My hair is also more wavy than curly and I am becoming very frustrated with trying to make it curl more than it can. I am going to see Angie's hair stylist in 6 weeks. Nothing against the stylist who did my hair previously, we tried to have it curly and it just isn't cooperating.
What does your hair do when you wash it and let it air dry Sarah?

shiny

Veteran

I used to have the same criteria #1... and then my hair got so damaged (from a combination of bad dye job AND constant use of elastic bands), I had to have it cut short, too short in the back to put into a ponytail. My hair is still long in the front since I don't do bangs very well. How I solve this when exercising: I wear a headband to keep the hair out of my eyes. Or a head wrap (Jcrew makes some cute ones) which also keeps the scalp covered (can't stand the feeling of a sunburned scalp). So that is an alternative if you should decide to go short again.

With that said, your hair is adorable long. I like the cut. Do you have to use heat styling when it is long? I also like the pics from your wedding where you had it shorter. Really, you have great bone structure and can go either way. The photos with your hair up suggest you could also go pixie-short if you wanted. Looks like you can do bangs easily; you also look great without them. Pretty forehead!

I'm being no help!

Maya

Veteran

Hmm I'm with Shiny. It's hard to say because you could really do anything. On one hand, I love the look of long waves, but I also know it can require lots of attention and maintenance. Perhaps you could stay long, but not AS long, like a shoulder length cut with lots of layering and shaping (any little bits that fall out of the ponytail could always be pinned back when you run, but would otherwise frame your face beautifully).

At the same time, I'm sort of in favor of going short as well, primarily because of the convenience. You absolutely have the features for it, it would be easy to maintain, wouldn't get in the way when you run, and would be very comfortable in the Texas heat. The only thing I'm not sure about is a specific style. I guess I'm not used to seeing short wavy hair.

That wasn't very helpful was it?

Sarah

(website)

Veteran

That's really what I"ve been wondering, Maya. Wavy short hair? I guess I may do the shoulder length thing first to see how that works. There are only 6 - 8 weeks between appointments if I decide that isn't drastic enough.

Maya

Veteran

I remember someone posting this picture of SJP where she had wavy short hair (of course, the one I found is horrible quality, but still):

http://www.myhairstylingtools......t-wavy.jpg

I think that would look sensational on you, but might not meet your practicality standards (while you're running). Perhaps the headwrap Shiny mentioned is the way to go. Oh, I just remembered it was Ele who posted the picture and she has curly hair. However, I think it could definitely work with wavier hair, and as your hair gets shorter and lighter, it will probably curl up a tiny bit more.

But, you seem to have the right idea. Keep it longer, and if it doesn't satisfy, you can always cut more.

Angie

(website)

Fashion Stylist

How often do you find yourself putting your hair up, Sarah?

taylor

Veteran

You are sooo pretty,you can do about anything.:)

Meeting your criteria...what about something like Patience has done? Above the shoulder,working with natural wave (little work involved, besides gel and scrunch)and still long enough to pull into a pony.

If that appeals to you and meet your needs I would only suggest *alot* of layers to fully take advantage your natural wave:)

Sarah

(website)

Veteran

I put my hair up a lot right now, Angie. It's just so hot and with this humidity, try as I might, I can't control the frizz. It takes a lot of effort to get curl, and now that I realize I have more wavy hair, I feel like I have more flexibility with my style.
One of my guilty pleasures is watching the show So You Think You Can Dance on Fox. Oh to be able to do that! Wow!
Anyway, one of the contestants has super cute hair. I can only find a straight photo right now, but last night she wore it wavy. It's just a slightly longer version of the SJP photo above.
http://www.fox.com/dance/conte.....-evans.php
I plan on going back a bit darker with my color.
Angie, I really like shorter hair (like yours) but I guess I'm really insecure about how it will balance out my curvy figure.
If I have it cut a-line, I could put in a headband when I run, and there's a chance that the longer ends could fit into a teeny ponytail. I definitely agree that I could stand some more layers. When my hair air dries, it gets super frizzy and lays flat against my head. Lack of volume where it counts is definitely an issue.

chewyspaghetti

Veteran

I think that SJP do would look great on you. You know- if you keep the back cut right about your hairline level, putting it up probably won't be such an issue because it won't lay on the back of your neck. Mine is about that length, and I do the hair bands like Shiny talked about. You will probably also be able to pull the side sections back into a clip or pony to get them out of your face while exercising.

Anonymous

You said it so well Sarah. Trying to make wavy hair be curly is not working for me, and all of the styling products in the effort are sticky and not a nice feel in the hair. Not having volume where it is needed is exactly the problem. I think wavy hair is very difficult to style because it will not be smooth and straight and it will not be lovely curls, without a lot of effort.
Good luck on your hairstyle journey. You are so pretty, it seems to me you could wear your hair short like Angie's if you have a nice shaped head.
Ofcourse we have hair experts here, but as another wavy hair I wanted to chime in.

shiny

Veteran

In this pic, did you have to flat-iron your bangs?
http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_JA8_.....ay+013.jpg

My hair also gets super frizzy if I air-dry it. But, if my hair is this long:
http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_JA8_.....520001.jpg

... it does not wave anywhere nearly as much as yours!!

So I'm thinking, if you had lots of short layers, your hair might curl up quite a bit? Because at the length my hair is now, it curls an amazing amount. It just needs short layers to release the curl.

I wish I'd taken a pic; the other night, I took a shower before bed and didn't shampoo (curly hair does not like frequent shampoos!), then as we were watching t.v. in bed, I kept curling sections of it with my fingers. When it dried, it looked so cute - tight curls all over! That takes some work though - I had to spend the time finger-styling it while it dried. Then whatever you do.... DON'T run a comb or brush through it later. LOL, frizz-city!

Here's a photo from last summer, air-dried but with no special attempt at styling it:
http://s386.photobucket.com/al.....uly066.jpg

I'd prefer more of a controlled curl than this, know what I mean?

(That pic also gives you an idea what I do with headbands for running.)

Sarah

(website)

Veteran

I compiled a few looks that I like. I think what I mean instead of a-line is a longer bob.
http://letitrainagain.blogspot.....ideas.html
I can see how this goes and then maybe try something shorter if it doesn't work.

Sarah

(website)

Veteran

Thanks shiny! No, I did not have to flat iron my bangs in that picture. That part of my hair is actually quite straight naturally.
The second photo you posted was right after I'd styled my hair that day. There are two or three big curling iron curls in there, broken up to blend with the natural wave. By the time I met Ana and Patience later that afternoon my hair was a big poof of frizz and up it went into a ponytail.
My hair actually looks the very best when I wash it at night and sleep with a towel on my pillow to let it dry. I can wake up and go as is (if I didn't have to work out).

Patience

Veteran

I'm definitely not an expert so I don't really have suggestions. I don't even know what to ask about my own hair. But I'm with everyone in that I think you could really do anything. Your hair *always* looks great to me. You seem to manage it VERY well. Do you use heat to get your hair curly? I will say that I feel like your hair longer than shorter is more suited to your look but that may just be because I'm used to it.

I also have to add that like San, I have not been able to get my hair as curly as the stylist was able to. I've been wearing it curly all week (it is easy) and I think it looks okay but not as good. (Well, that is his job.) I'm not really sure what I'm doing wrong. I think it looks okay because the hair framing my hair curls well but the top layer on the rest of my head is mostly straight. I don't have a problem with volume, especially if I diffuse, but my hair is poofy and more fried looking than silky. If that makes sense.

shiny

Veteran

The second pic is an inverted bob (shorter in the back and longer in the front).

I REALLY like the last pic for you... I think because I like you with a side-swept bang. And its a bit shorter than the others. Would be nice for summer, then let it grow to shoulder length for fall?

shiny

Veteran

Patience, do you shampoo every day? My understanding is that curly hair doesn't like to be shampoo'd and works better if it's a bit oily. This is one reason why I don't opt for more curly days: my hair gets too oily too fast and the oil drips on to my forehead and face, yuck. But it is true if I can handle going a few days without washing (just wetting) the curls look a lot more shiny and not fried-looking.

Sarbear, do you towel-dry your hair? That is the sure-fire way to add frizz. I use one of those turby-towels and never rub my hair with the towel. Still, frizz is a constant for me. I'm resigned to flat iron because it works magic to control frizzes. Otherwise, my hair is less prone to frizz right after a good cut and color. When the color starts growing out, my head frizzes at the crown - the part that isn't colored.

Also it helps to always point the blow dryer DOWN the hair shaft and never UP.

I had a frizz-free day yesterday because it was very dry here! After days on end with too much humidity = frizz. Sigh.

Sarah

(website)

Veteran

I've always had shorter hair up until now, and I guess I just feel ready to go back. I think long hair can be pretty, but it does take much more time to do. Patience, I did use a few twists around the curling iron when we got together last week. When allowed to air dry, my hair is actually quite limp and flat. My hair has definitely been curlier (I had kinky tight curls when my hair was much shorter) but I think my hormones have changed because my hair is much straighter and much, much finer than it's ever been. I have a lot less hair than I used to.
I posted this quite awhile ago, but maybe it will help?
http://letitrainagain.blogspot.....r-san.html

Inge

(website)

I'm terrible at imagining how someone will look with a different haircut, but I quite like the look Charlize Theron is sporting in the pictures you posted, and the second one of Anne Hathaway. The SJP do could look fantastic as well I think.

bella

(website)

Veteran

I've been thinking about getting that Anne Hathaway cut for a while. Although, my hair is pretty similar to that right now, I am afraid to get it cut for fear that it will be ruined. I don't have a good stylist and can't really afford right now.
But, all this to say that I think it is a great cut and would look good on you.

Angie

(website)

Fashion Stylist

Sarah, you’ve received a LOT of feedback. Phew! Lots to absorb. I’m not going to make matters easier because I’m about to give you more! But here’s my 2 cents anyway:

o If you are going to have long hair – you should keep it down in its original style most of the time. No sense in sticking it up 80% of the day. This is highly opinioned I know, but I can’t get around that way of thinking. It’s a waste of a long hair style.

o It has taken a LONG time to get to the length that you have. Make sure you have exhausted all the long hair options you like before you go short. Remember that hats look great with long hair!

o I can vouch for the ease and cool comfort of super short hair. You’ve been there and have experienced that too.

o The celebrity styles that you have shown are pretty, but they’ll require just as much work and will fall flat once dampened by humidity unless you have very heavy Asian -type hair.

o I like the idea of revisiting this look again best. Your face shape has changed because of your weight loss so it will look different. I think it will be fabulous (the one where you're walkimg in the park with hubby):

http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_JA8_...../hair5.jpg

Sorry if I've confused you more :0(

Maya

Veteran

I think Taylor has the best idea, which is what I gravitated towards originally: Keep it long, but with LOTS of layering and shaping. I think it's fine to pull it up frequently. In fact, I think that is one of the benefits of long hair...but it has to be intentional and look nice. If you're only pulling it back because it's annoying you or it doesn't look good, that's bad. But pulling it back into a cute updo or a pretty ponytail is lovely.

The one Angie posted is super cute but I'm not sure how it would fit your requirements. Did it look good wavy or air dried? I just think it would really defeat the purpose if you had to straighten it every day.

this one really seemed to take advantage of your natural texture and the tousled look of it is very cute.

http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_JA8_...../hair5.jpg

If it doesn't satisfy, well, you can always go shorter. But going back to long hair will take a long time!

Sarah

(website)

Veteran

No confusion, Angie! Just more to consider. And that's not a bad thing. I've never been attached to my hair so it's not a huge loss to me to whack it off. It did take awhile to get here, but it'll grow back if I want it longer again.
I always believed that you shouldn't have long hair unless it looks great and healthy naturally or you have the time to make it look nice.
My hair has started to get stringy at this length, and that isn't a reflection of me. And really, while I do like some feminine pieces, I consider my style more of a feminine/edgy mix. I want to explore the edgy side a little more now so I want a styled cut of some sort.
I'm still working through the particulars, but you all have given me great food for thought.
I loved the hairstyle that you linked to Angie. That was one of my favorites. Unfortunately I can't see that stylist anymore, so I hope my current one can do something similar. I might go just a wee bit longer, but we shall see.
I'm so thankful that so many of you weighed in to help me make this decision. I have an appointment in a few weeks and I will be sure to post pictures.

Anonymous

That is great that you have it figured out. Your look is definately very feminine now with less edge than shows in the past pictures. If you want to bring back some edge having it cut will do it.
In looking at your pictures I like your hair color the dark rich color. It gives you great contrast with your cream skin. Are you going to go back there too?

Sarah

(website)

Veteran

Yes, I'm going darker again. I miss it!

Sarah

(website)

Veteran

I dont' mean to be laborious or drag this on, but here are a few more looks similar to the one Angie recommended.
http://letitrainagain.blogspot.....ideas.html
I'm warming up to the idea. Styling something like this would take heat, but would only take 10 minutes or less. I have one of those amazing extra hot hair dryers that takes much less time to dry with.

Angie

(website)

Fashion Stylist

Spot on, Sarah. Eva Longoria at the bottom IF the long wispy bits at the chin don’t become all feathery in the humidity. I know all too well how annoying that can be. You can start off at that length and go shorter later.

Now I want to see the new do! It’s such fun chopping off all your hair.

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Sarah

(website)

Veteran

If they do get feathery in the humidity, I'll just chop them off the next time.
I'm thinking of doing my dark brown with red undertones again. Without highlights. I actually like the sleek look of a solid color. Aaand, with the Eva hairstyle, I bet I could leave it wavy sometimes or even put a few curls in if I want. And I could still wear my fedoras.

Ele

(website)

Sarah, I'm coming to this a bit late and am not sure I'll be much help, but here goes...

I agree with both Angie and Maya here. On one hand, I think women almost always look better when their hair frames their face, rather than put up. Ponytails and updos can look good, but to me it's a waste of (what should, or might be) a good cut. Even when my hair was long I preferred to wear it down, it was when it was getting too long to look good down I chopped it off, rather than just wear it up more often. To me, it's the difference between having hair, and having a hairstyle.

On the other hand, I'm with Maya that this new style doesn't fit your original brief much. I like that you want to wear your hair natural/wavy more, and think it would really suit you. I like the picture Maya linked to a lot, the one with all the wavy layers.

I think you can probably find a good middle ground, though. The cut that Maya showed, but a bit shorter, wouldn't be too far off from the sleeker do's you just posted, if it was straightened. Maybe you need a versatile, layered chin-length bob (perhaps slightly inverted) that could be worn natural or straightened? You can always wear a headband when you run, that's what I do.

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