Hairstyle - long or short(er)? - YouLookFab Forum

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Hairstyle - long or short(er)?

Mo

(website)

Veteran

I am really debating my hair as I grow out my bangs. Part of me longs for the wavy waist length locks and part of me likes the idea of bouncy, shoulder length, layered curls. I don't have many good pics of it long but here's what I've got (#1 and 2). You've all seen the shorter version this last 6 months. I could go as much as 4 inches shorter, to just below the collar bone. But maybe longer is okay with plenty of layers to lighten the load lol?

#3 is what happens with too much length and no layers aka 'dead hair'
#4 is grown out bangs (excuse the expression with mouthful of mudslide!)
#5 whispy or piecey bangs

Keep in mind, I use little product - detangler/curl spray sometimes and maybe a squirt of hairspray for the bangs a few times a month.

So . . . long or short(er) and bangs or no bangs? Thanks!

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25 replies

Latest reply was from Mo

anne

Veteran

Well I think any option would be fine, especially if you want a change, but I have to admit that #! really stood out. just gorgeous!

Maya

Veteran

I also think your hair looks amazing in #1.

MsMary

Veteran

I'm also on Team Long Layers!

Scarlet

Veteran

Your hair is so gorgeous long I would hate to see you cut it too short. Bangs, no bangs. Both look good, but I would keep the bangs on the light and angled side I think. Ha ha about dead hair

Marley

Veteran

You have such beautiful hair! You really can't go wrong with whatever style you decide, but my personal preference is the shoulder length or collar-bone length, bouncy layered look. I think that it is in better proportion to your body than the longer length!

Kate

Veteran

If I had your hair, I would cut it so that it ended just above your boobs, with lots of layers as short as either your chin or your shoulders. I think that would create lots of volume and curls without getting too weighed down. I think you could go either way with the bangs, so I would play with the length first and then reassess.

More generally, I've found that the longer a person's hair is the more it draws the eye down, away from their face. This often seems to make people look less youthful than they actually are.

I think you would also look awesome if you cut your hair as short as Marley's (see it curly here: http://youlookfab.com/welookfa.....curly-hair) but, unless you are keen on donating your hair, I would make that transition gradually.

wilson

The one I like the most is photo #4 because it is feminine, very natural looking and really works with the proportions of your face. My thoughts are: if you go for the gorgeous ultra long hair like you have in photos #1 and #3, don't do bangs. If you go for a shorter do with bangs, go for the piecy bangs you've mastered in photo #5 rather than wispy.

suzanne

Firstly - you have stunning hair! It's a great colour, texture and it seems nice and thick. It's a shame to cut hair like that... BUT. From the photos it appears that you have an oblong face shape. According to those in the know:
Rules for the Oblong Face
Bobs and layers will look great on the oblong face. But the first thing to remember is that the hairstyle should never add length to the oblong face. This means that extra long hairstyles, such as those that end beyond the shoulders, should be avoided. Short bobs are preferable to long bobs.
http://www.hairdohairstyles.co....._face.html
I have a long face myself and hair that is too long (and worn loose) or without a fringe to shorten my facial length, simply makes me look blah. Perhaps, if you don't want to loose the length, think about a side-swept fringe? Enjoy the hunt for a perfect hairstyle!

Anonymous

Beautiful hair. If I were you, I would only take care of having enough hair volume on the sides of the face (like in 5 or 2). I mean, do not put the whole hair back and add, maybe, a bit lyering. You have a slim face so you need a bit more volume at the sides to make proportions perfect. Which is a good thing anyway because you have right hair for doing it.

Anonymous

One more idea: You can google for pictures of Sarah Jessica Parkers hairdos - she tried almost everything possible I suppose. And she always looked good. You have a pretty face so it is not really possible to do something wrong in your case.

Dashrashi

Veteran

LOVE #4. But I'm not really a bangs person in general.

Kristine

Veteran

My favorite is #4. It still has length but it's soft and in proportion. I might even add a few layers by your face for some volume. You have beautiful hair!

Marigold

I love 4 as well, you have beautiful hair! Do you dye it at all? But I agree with the others, no matter what you choose, you'll look gorgeous :).

Lori

Veteran

I agree your hair looks stunning in 1 but it also looks "done" and a lot of work. The one that stands out to me as really pretty with your features and just the right length is 4.

Vix

Veteran

I'm with Marley and Kate -- and if creating a look that's customized for your face shape is a priority, Suzanne makes a great point about length and width.

I chop off several inches every few months and one thing that motivates me to do so is thinking about how old the hair at the bottom is, and how much environmental stress/exposure it has endured despite my care. Weird, I know!

[Two years ago I went to the cheekbone and loved having hair that was only 6 months old at the most!]

Will be fun to see what you end up with....

rae

(website)

Veteran

Team Replicate 1 and 2!! I feel very strongly about this - it's freakin' gorgeous long, and who knows how long it will stay that way (I hear that hair texture/color/sheen can change over time), so why not get the most out of it now?

Mo

(website)

Veteran

Thank you all for your input. #4 is still longer in back, I'm just leaning forward to sip my beverage These are the shorter front layers falling over my shoulders. And whomever suggested SJP haircuts is spot on, I've been told I resemble her more than once! Yes, my face is on the longer side and so the advice for volume on the sides is a good one. I think I need the haircut experts here to chime in on how to exactly *do* that! I asked for more layers near the front and sides last haircut and she said it would thin out the hair too much . . . maybe I just need to find a different stylist! And I really like my long waves in #1 but now that I think about it, without the headband, I had trouble with it staying bouncy near my face. and I actually used product for once even (it *was* Halloween, afterall).
So I think the general consensus is to put layers around the face, and bangs are optional at best. I've been (painfully) growing out the bangs. Right now the length hits me mid-chest. I found 2 pics from this last year when my hair has been shortest. This is probably as short as my comfort zone is for now. Do we like this length?? Or is this not short enough for you 'go shorter' votes? Thanks for helping me!

EDIT: you'll see how it 'hangs' more in #1. That was the lady here who said I couldn't put more layers up front. #2 was cut by my stylist from Tahoe who put in plenty of layers - harumph!

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Queen Mum

Veteran

Take my thoughts with a grain of salt because 95% of the time I'm going to vote for shorter hair... but I do think you would look sensational with your hair just past your shoulders.
I loved Hannah's do in the biggest loser finale. I'm also on team bangs.. so I would add some wispy bangs as well.

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suzanne

You do look like SJP. You’re so lucky – here you have a wonderfully chic lady to use as a hairstyle adviser. I’m (hopefully) posting four photos of some of her most fabulous “do’s”. They work for different reasons: hair volume at the correct length as well as hair length. I love the shoulder length and the bob – decide for yourself if you can “see” yourself with one of these styles. Oohh, just enjoy it. I wish I was in your shoes!

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Anonymous

I like #2 in the post today with your sweetie (or longer). I vote no bangs unless they are long enough to sweep back.

Mo

(website)

Veteran

Thx, Suzanne! I think I like #3 but I can't get past the scary makeup!! I used to part in the middle when I was in HS, but I think heard it drew attention to a large nose or made the face thinner or something that made me switch to a side part 25 years ago.
I'll be honest, after seeing the difference of layers in my 2 'shorter' pics this morning, I went upstairs and put in a few on my own! I desperately need a real cut. I think I will go as long as the layers will let me, and that will be my guide. It was very helpful to have you all weigh in. I didn't realize it was more the layers than the overall length that was affecting my face shape. Now about the bangs . . . lol j/k! I am growing them out, for now.

Mo

(website)

Veteran

Thanks, Joy, we posted at the same time. I agree, I like the more layered look, too.

Mo

(website)

Veteran

Just wanted to say that I booked an appointment ASAP at a new salon, instead of frittering around with it any more, and am happy with the gal who cut it today. She gave me more layers near the front and attempted to blend the big chunky bang in and also the odd texturized layers in back. It's still a work in progress, but I am so much happier with it. I have decided to go as long as my bouncy layers will let me. Once it starts to hang or drag down, snip snip! (I opted for a wispy bang for now to help grow out the chunk of bang that was really driving me crazy.)

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Heather

Veteran

Malina, I am late to the party, but you don't mess around! I am relieved you left it long and I like the wispy bangs. Your hair is sooooo pretty.

Mo

(website)

Veteran

Aw, thanks Heather! It used to be looong but I'm heading back that way, slowly but surely. See pic #1 unearthed just for you