It looks fantastic. Highlights your fab cheekbones and eyes and makes the most of your hair's texture.

Thanks all! It *is* what I was hoping for and a little more. The softer, more pretty and feminine look is a bonus.

Haven't done the wash and restyle yet. I think that will take some fooling around, as it will take a few styling moves and I haven't got any. But I think it will be ok. This morning I had a little freak out because all the definition had gone... Like, I had a head of black cotton candy (oh yum! haha!). However, a bit of scrunching and piecing it out, and it was all right.

I could have made it better than all right, but I was fumbling out the door to make poochie happy.

***
Have to add, I did indeed bring old photos of myself. I think that worked out really well, showing the stylist what I'm dealing with here.

Hi Rachylou --

Looks like you got a flattering cut that will be easy to take in the direction you want; congrats! As a wavy-haired person who hates product I've reluctantly discovered how necessary it is (even if it's just some leave-in conditioner).

If you love experimenting, I bet your hair will do a million different things depending on what you put in it. Not sure what your texture is, but when shorter my coarse hair loooved hair wax -- really gave that piece-y definition it sounds like you want.

Good luck/hope you have fun with it!

Your hair looks great. I would say adorable but I am not sure if you'd be happy with that adjective. Though it's really cute.

Cotton hair avoidance:

Be sure to use a large round brush. Be sure to always blow the air in the same direction as the hair shaft, that is from roots towards ends and not the reverse. Also do blow-dry smaller sections, on "warm" (not hot) and finish off with cold air, as to really close the hair shaft. Start at the crown. Lift the roots and start to blow there. "Roll" the brush gently in an upward motion. You are then blow drying the section towards the ceiling.

You could also use a product like Redken anti-snap treatment or Morrocan oil to help the hair shaft stay put.

Sounds like you found a winner of a stylist! I like your cut and hopefully you'll be able to style it successfully. To help with the "black mass" effect, I use Schwarzkopf osis+ mess up gum. Gives texture and a piecey look, particularly to freshly washed hair.

Wow! this is a great cut. Sounds like your selection technique worked great

Ladies, have copied and pasted your styling and product tips into a text file! Thank you! I have dug up the ol' round brushes!

The new style looks great. Have fun making it your own.