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Hairstyle suggestions, please

Jenava

(website)

Veteran

Ladies, I've had my hair in this light brown, highlighted shag for several months and it's been very easy to maintain. I think it looks good. But, it feels a bit too funky for me. I need more nerdy/formal/uptight in my style. I'm finding my footing again, style-wise, almost two years after having my baby, and I'm getting pickier and dressier again. So, this cut doesn't feel like me. I plan to go a shade darker. Not as dark as I was, as I think that washes me out overly much (which I combated with makeup in the past, but I like the flexibility to wear minimal makeup and not look like a ghost).

Any suggestions? I'm open to any ideas!

ETA - my original inspiration was #4. I could just go darker (#5). What about shorter like #6? Not sure this would work for my texture without a lot of work...#7 - closer to the color I'm thinking; less layered.

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Dressing

30 replies

Latest reply was from Vicki

viva

Veteran

Ack! I LOVE 6. ADORE. Might take a lot of work though, I really don't have a clue about dealing with your texture, Jenava. 7 looks more doable? Also lovely, and more formal. Also beautiful.

I wish I could do 6, but I think my hair is too fine and well behaved. Probably someone whose hair is right between the two of us would be perfect. Darn.

Angie

(website)

Fashion Stylist

I have never seen your hair look better than in #3, so I'm no help. I LOVE the wavy shag with the fringe, and don't want you to change it.

Jenava

(website)

Veteran

Thanks, Angie! I think I may just go a little darker (not too much). It feels too brassy for my coloring, and I assume if I go a bit darker it will be easier to make it cooler; although I might be facing a grow-out situation. I use blue conditioner every wash, but it still reads very gold to me, which I don't like.

I guess it's the scenario where we with curly want straight and visa versa...sigh.

This is my long/dark/straight cut I had before. But I find that with long straight styles I tend to default to a ponytail too much. I also prefer myself with a fringe. So, that's how the current cut came about.

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Angie

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Fashion Stylist

I prefer you with a fringe too, Jenava. Darken the colour - rich for Autumn - and keep the shag.

El Cee

Veteran

Agreeing with Angie -- I love your wavy shag... with the fringe. The length you have now is fabulous, but I could also see you with a wavy shorter cut like #4 or #7.

JAileen

Veteran

Darker color would be better with your beautiful dramatic coloring.

Anonymous

Yep, before reading Angie's reply, I was digging #3, too. Change up the color if you feel you need to, but keep the cut. It really suits you. The darker color you posted in your reply brings out your eyes, but I can see how you'd want to go a bit lighter than that (#5 in your original post). I think that's a great place to start!

Janet

(website)

Veteran

Gosh, I really love the length in #2. I'd go a little bit darker than you currently are for fall/winter. I like #7 for you too, but I'm wary of cuts without layering on wavy hair (mine quickly turns into a big triangle if I don't get it layered). I think our hair might be a similar texture -- mine might be a bit wavier.

Jenava

(website)

Veteran

Janet, yes, I get the pyramid effect, too!

Firecracker (Sharan)

Veteran

I think more of a bob than a shag, but with some texturing (like layers, but not as shaggy looking). That would give you more of the sleek look, yet keep the overall shape of your current cut, which is so, so awesome on you. Or as Angie says, maybe a slight change in the color will do the trick to give you the more polished feel that you are after.

annagybe

(website)

Veteran

Alexa Chung?

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viva

Veteran

I think it's important to keep a focus on the feel you want -- that polished element. Sharan's comments may be helpful. I'm looking at haircuts right now too, and what's most important to me, ultimately, will be the feel. My stylist will have to interpret whatever pictures I bring in, but because my hair tends to be sleek and soft, I always want to be sure some element of edge/hip is cut in. Sounds like you have the opposite problem; you have edge/hip inherent in the waves of your shag, and you want to be sure the new cut/style gives you the polish you seek. Since this is what you are really feeling right now, I think this is the most important thing to articulate.

PS I love that picture of Alexa Chung; note how she has blown out the cut which gives her more polish, which you could probably achieve now if you took that time?

Anonymous

Agreeing with Angie. I do think a little darker would be nice but not as dark as you once had it.

columbine(erin)

Veteran

I'm no help because the current cut seems to suit your face and bring attention to your incredible eyes. I do like pic 7, though.

Angie

(website)

Fashion Stylist

(You changed the pics around. So now it's #2 = LONGER length and you are wearing a blue button down shirt with red lippie. I prefer you with longer hair).

Susie

Veteran

I agree with Angie; I love the waves with the fringe. Your eyes are so beautiful and the fringe really highlights them. I do like the idea of going a bit darker.

tulle

Veteran

You might try some lowlights for depth. The long wavy cut with bangs is a very romantic, Pre-Raphaelite look, and lovely. But if you need a change, I say go for it, and make it a dramatic one. After all, hair does grow back! A 1920s bluestocking-style wavy bob with some width, shorter than chin length, would be arresting on you, I think. Same bangs, same red lipstick, same bright blue eyes!

Jenava

(website)

Veteran

Angie, I think that one was #2....something else must have caused the shift. I just had the length trimmed a bit as I tend to wear it up so much when it's long because it gets in my way. But,,agree it is the best look. Anna, I have SO MUCH Alexa Chung pinned in my hair inspirat ion board! She is way cooler than me, tho!

Beewee

Another vote for a richer and darker color. If you go darker it will make your blue eyes really pop!

Anonymous

My only piece of advice is this: Choose a hairstyle that your hair will naturally do. That way, you won't have to fight with your hair.

I love my new hairstyle. It looks great; but best of all, it looks great even after I've slept on it. I have gone two straight days without washing my hair and just using a shower cap when showering. It looks like I styled it, even though I didn't. Someone even complimented me on it today. I think it works because it's a style that works with what my hair (cow licks and all) will do and not do.

AviaMariah

Veteran

I agree with everyone that #2 is the best of the initial pictures. But I have to say that I also love the one you put in the comments with no bangs and straighter hair. But this may just be a really good picture? I know sometimes one picture doesn't tell the true story. I also agree with BC that something that works easily with your hair is important especially as the mom of a busy toddler. I am thinking about going back to a shorter cut that I had a year ago because it was so easy and looked good with very little work. Because a ponytail can only look good so many days in a row.

Jenava

(website)

Veteran

Yep, my current cut is of the roll out of bed type! So, I guess I'm growing it out again (I just had him make it shorter, last cut! LOL....he is going to think I'm crazy). I agree that is the best look. I will see what he says about going more ashy and possibly darker.

RobinF

Veteran

I agree with AviaMariah! Love the longer curls and the no-bangs pictures the best. But if you want to go shorter (I get really bored with the same style too long) I think those looks are cute too.

All of these hair posts are making me want a new look!

Jenava

(website)

Veteran

I decided to get bangs again (have had them off and on my whole life) after seeing some family photos of myself in this long, straight, dark cut and realizing that it's like a beacon bringing the eye right to my forehead. I don't mind my forehead, but I think the bangs are more flattering (esp. when I tend to tuck the sides behind my ears or shove everything up in pony).

Style Fan

Veteran

I also think you look great with bangs and long layers. Your face appears to be oblong and you have beautiful big eyes so that might be why the haircut works so well for you. I also like you with darker hair.
Maybe try fewer layers.
I love Alexa Chung hair.

Scarlet

Veteran

So, the inspiration pictures look a lot like the style you are showing in the photos, and I love all of it. I think going darker/richer in color will give you the polish you are after. How do you style your hair? I have a similar texture and would like to copy

viva

Veteran

Just want to add that I am so glad you are going darker with color, but I will go against the grain here and say that I actually love you with shorter hair. My fave is pic three (bright sun, white top) -- I think that length is incredibly fab on you, and I love how your bangs are doing the AlexaChung split.

Vix

Veteran

Hi Jenava --

I actually prefer the lighter color on you -- it really lights up your face -- though I agree the darker color you used to have was more dramatic in terms of providing a lot of contrast between your hair and skin.

Speaking from experience, more contrast is not necessarily more flattering IRL and/or with minimal makeup. Since you've BTDT in the past only you can answer how much auxillary upkeep you want to do.

Since you want to keep the bangs for now I feel like they need to be sharper like in #2 or longer (so really more just shorter layers in the front) to give you the nerdy/formal look.

The whole look in #2 is so lovely on you, but I know how it is to want something new-new. Have you ever worn a side part? I could see that being gorgeous with your texture/features and extra-striking when worn up/back however short you go with length.

Sally

Veteran

I love the shaggy hairstyle you have now. You could definitely do Alexa Chung's....you look quite similar.

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