Hiding a bad short haircut

Ket

I am dealing with a haircut gone bad. Despite really discussing length and all the particulars with my stylist and doing a dry cut... the hair cut didn't turn out as expected. All the shag layers caused my curls to "boing" and shrink significantly. The goal shag turned into a round, 50s kind of style.

I'm one week away from a baby shower out of state. :S Thinking I'll find a scarf in a coordinating color as my kaftan, and tie my hair up into a turban shape at this point. Ordered a blow-dry brush to straighten my hair with. If it helps, great. If it doesn't, I'll return it.

Photo 1: before. It actually was quite good, needed a little layering refresh.

Photo 2: 1950s Ava Gardner meets Hobbit (I'm laughing at myself, no worries)

Photo 3: goal photo

This summer will be the Great Growout. I once had hair even shorter than this (and truly more Hobbit than you can imagine) and somehow, it did finally grow out. :} I will need to be patient, especially since the curls shrink length.

Hubs is being kind and gentle. Little Man said, as only an innocent child can: "Mom, your haircut looks terrible. I do not like it." Ha!

I don't hate myself. But whew... not what was anticipated. Even my stylist remarked how short and curly it turned out. She's been my stylist for 3-4 years now, and this is the first time I've walked away secretly crestfallen. Yes, I could have said something. But there isn't really anything to save a heavily layered shag at this length -- without possibly going even shorter. A valuable lesson is now learned: the shorter and more layered my hair, the curlier and shorter it's going to be.

Anyone else have a goal haircut turn out differently than expected?

Anyone grow out a short haircut --or any haircut-- they didn't love?

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2 days ago

Dressing

30 replies

Latest reply was from kate

Veteran

I feel your pain as a curly girl, but I think it looks good! I know it is not the look you were going for, but is it possible to embrace it on its own terms for the time being?

2 days ago

Carla

Veteran

Well, I really like #2!

We just started getting out warm and humid summer, and I’ve got triangle hair due to a blunt cut. I usually get layers cut in this time of year and wear it short and curly due to high humidity. Put in leave in conditioner and let it air dry.

After September, I let the layers grow out, and blow dry it straight for two reasons: I swim 3 times a week and don’t want to be restricted to hanging out at home until it dries, and I wear hats all the time, which smashes and straightens out my hair.

Curly hair is an interesting challenge, and it seems to me every time you get your hair cut, you are rolling the dice!

I have a hair appointment next week.

#1 good curly day, #2 good straight day, #3 good in between (actually styled straight, then curled with a iron for my attempt at ‘beach waves’ LOL!

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2 days ago

Ket

Veteran

Cookie, thank you fellow curly girl. Maybe? I'm not saying it's horrific. I've never felt comfortable in this length and style of haircut, and I've tried a few times over rate last 20+ years. (This haircut wasn't meant to be like the ones I've tried before, obviously.) Hopefully as it grows out it will be a bit easier. Right now I can't even pull it back due to how short and layered it is. So that makes it tough too.

Carla, thank you! I don't abosolutely hate it, it just... went very south lol! Short hair never feels "me" despite trying it a few times. "Curly hair is an interesting challenge, and it seems to me every time you get your hair cut, you are rolling the dice!" That is so well said! I really rolled the dice this time ha. I hope your hair appointment goes well next week!!

2 days ago

Ket

Veteran

Carla, I love your haircuts!!! Do you have a favorite of the three?? I quit trying blow-outs myself. Several years ago I was trying them on my own and actually burned whole chunks of my hair from my head. My stylist asked me what I had been doing, and pointed out the missing chunks. I honestly didn't realize it was the self blow-outs, so told her I had no idea. Later I went duh... it's me burning my own hair! Hopefully the air dry brush thing works.

2 days ago

Suz

(website)

Veteran

Ket, first off, I can empathize. I've had bad cuts over the years...different times, different places -- but the hair does grow! I know from my curly-girl stepdaughter, though, that it can be a nightmare to grow out curls, and also, it is at least 10 times more difficult to find good stylists for curly hair. (It is also very difficult to find stylists who are good with short hair, but if your hair is short and curly, even more so!!)

Also, I quite like #2, though I realize it was not what you were aiming for and now you have a long grow out period. I hope the upkeep isn't too bad. Your son is just doing what all kids tend to do -- react negatively to a change. You would not have believed the initial protest when I decided to let my greys come in! Now, both Mr. Suz and the kiddo love it.

I think your idea for the shower could work really well and be very glam, especially if it is really hot on the day in question. Keep the hair off the face!

2 days ago

Angie

(website)

Fashion Stylist

I echo Carla and Cookie 100%.

I love the short haitcut, Ket! Looks fresh, pretty and MODERN. And HIGHLIGHTS your BEAUTIFUL FACE

I'm sorry it doesn't feel that, though. And too bad DS is not a fan. That does not help

No need don't cover your hair with a scarf or turban! No need to straighten your hair either. I suspect you'll like that less, actually. You'll see that in a month, your curls will have grown and relaxed into their "boing".

Hang in there!

2 days ago

Ket

Veteran

Suz, thank you for your warm empathy! Curls are a challenge. I've had a lot of good haircuts from my stylist, but I guess the short shag layers was a push too far. :} I don't think the upkeep will be too bad?? My plan is to keep chopping off the very bottom layer as it gets super long and weird, while letting everything else grow out. Mostly I htink it's just going to be time and patience. Maybe as it grows out it will be better?

That is a very true point about kids and change! I didn't take his reaction to heart. But it was really funny! PS I love your silver hair <3

I ordered a blow dryer brush and will give it a whack, though part of me is wondering if that is even worth it?? Otherwise, going to try a good scarf.

2 days ago

Ket

Veteran

Oh thank you, Angie! I appreciate your wonderful compliments!! DS has never seen me with short hair, so I think it was a shock to him, as much as me ha! He and I had a good conversation, though, about being tactful. :} I will not worry about straightening then. I was 50/50 if that would help. I'll keep you all updated on the progress. Hopefully by August/Sept I'll have a couple inches to work with.

2 days ago

NancyW

Veteran

So sorry that you are disappointed - we have all been there. It should grow quickly in the summer months, but in the meantime Google Ava Gardner and look how great (and like you) she looks at any length.

2 days ago

LJP

Veteran

Well I think your new cut is very polished and modern , and shows off your beautiful face . The cut added definition to your curls and to my eye suits you well . A bit of growth will allow your bangs to drop down a bit . I do not see a problem at all ! Do you follow Jayne Mathews on IG ? She does exactly what you’re looking for and even has online classes you can buy to do a razor cut yourself .

And yes, I’ve had haircuts I hated but it’s always the result of some new idea I had for my hair.

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