Hair Q for Taylor/Renata (or anyone else who knows hair)

More of the pain of growing out!

I'm growing out a very short pixie, and my hairdresser is as well, so she's been keeping mine shaped the same way she's doing her own. It's going OK but lately it's really, really bugging me and I'm wondering if there's anything I can do, or if I should just suck it up for a while.

If you look at the side view below, you can see that there are two very distinct layers left over from the pixie - one angled layer higher up, and then a longer layer below it. That longer layer is mostly in the back; if I were to cut it off then I'd have a mid-cheek-length (so pretty short) angled bob with side bangs. I don't really want to lose that much length, but the weird bi-level thing it's doing is driving me CRAZY. I can't seem to get the layers to blend and just look like a bob. If I had curly or wavy hair I think it would be easier to camouflage, but my hair is stick straight.

Do you have any suggestions for how to either cut this, or style it to get through this period? I would lose the length if that was the best way to make it easier to grow going forward...

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15 years ago

Polly (thunalata)

Veteran

No suggestions but wanted to say how gorgeous you look in the magic dress...

Srujana

Does your hairdresser have wavy/curly hair? I can see why she would think it best to do yours as she does her own, but if its driving you up the wall, I really think she should be able to work with you.....I don't know much at all about the technical aspect of haircuttery, but I would assume its possible to blend those two distinct layers together, with smaller layers? That way, you don't lose so much length, but your side profile would show more of a smooth'cap' of hair rather than two distinct layers.

(Not sure if that even makes sense....)

LeahJanes

Active Member

Looks to me like you got a gnarly cowlick right there like I have...I've never conquered it. Maybe the hair experts will chime in and help us.

Tricia

I do have a cowlick there, I hate it.

Scarlet

Maybe an angled bob would keep the length around your face but smooth out the layers in the back?

planetamy

(website)

I'm doing the exact same thing -- growing out a pixie. I think something you may want to think about is how long you want your hair to be in the end?

If you are looking to go for an angled bob like you mentioned, then you will lose the length in the back, anyway. If you want something with more layers and longer, then have her cut in more layers to blend the two seen now.

You have options, and you don't have to have the stylist do to your hair what she is doing to her own.

Something I keep reminding myself is that growing out my hair does NOT have to be awkward. I like to switch it up -- straighten it out, curl it, change the part, tuck it behind my ears, experiment with hats (something I felt weird about with short hair). My hair is about your length, but it's got body and frizz

catgirl

I am in this same situation and the bi-level thing drives me mad as well. I have shorter in front, long and short in the midsection, and shorter but still longer than the front in the back. So that's actually tri-level! I too am aiming for an angled bob but I want the front long enough to pull back.

I did have my hairdresser cut a few layers into the midsection to try to blend it, and I think the next step will be to lose a little length overall just to bring the layers closer to each other. Meanwhile I have been making these two ridiculous little ponytails in back, so from the front, it LOOKS like I have a short bob because of the long bangs. Very weird and hair-schitzo!

ETA: Also, even though my hair is also Asian stick-straight, I use a flatiron to get it to lie a little more directionally (due to cowlick and weird layers growing out). It helps to blend everything together somehow.

taylor

Tricia,

I remember when you first started out growing your pixie out!! It looks pretty good.

There is really little one can do when growing out short layers, but let them grow and get the neck line shorter as the top layers try to catch up! I am growing my hair out too SO, some days are good, some not so much.

A stacked angled bob is a good idea because it will add some balance to and awkward stage in the design. Let those top layers catch up for a couple more months and you should be in a good place.

Thanks everyone. Taylor, so do you mean I should have that back part cut now to make the whole thing a stacked bob, or wait for a few more months and then do it?

I don't know quite how long I want to eventually go...maybe shoulder length. I've always loved Faye Dunaway's long bob from "Bonnie and Clyde."

Faye Dunaway! That wardrobe! *faints*

Yep, get it trimmed into a~ gentle ~ stacked bob now and let the top layers continue to grow, this as I stated will give shape and balance to the design as you grow it out

Misia

I have to agree on this with Taylor, get it trimmed in the back and this will make you feel much better!!!

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