Not Sure About New Haircut & Highlights - YouLookFab Forum

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Not Sure About New Haircut & Highlights

tarzy

Veteran

I went to a new stylist and got a cut & a little color change.

I'm not sure about it. I think I like my hair a little longer and more wavy, as opposed to these curls. I don't really know how to explain to her what I like. Is this too round? Should go more blunt on the bottom?

We also talked about me gradually going just a little lighter, which I'm open to. She lightened me a 1/2 shade and added a few caramel highlights - they look a little red in places. I'm not sure about it.

Here is what it looks like today - I styled it so the curls are not quite so curly. Suggestions? Opinions? (I'm also considering another pair of glasses soon! Any ideas?)

http://i387.photobucket.com/al.....G_1247.jpg

General

33 replies

Latest reply was from shell

HannahC

I love your cut and especially highlights! I think if you wear it curlier (that is, as your hair naturally is - it is curlier than in the picture, right?), it will be even cuter. I am sure Taylor will give her expert advice soon about how to style it so that it will be curly and not too round. Gel maybe?

bella

(website)

Veteran

Tara, I guess I am one of the few people on the forum, who don't like highlights. Contrary to the general opinion, I don't think solid hair color makes one look inappropriately younger, I think it makes you look fresh and look good on certain people, including you.
That said, I really like your new hair cut and color! I can see some red but it is very subtle and sophisticated. I hope you at least give it some time to try and see how you like it because I think you will like it even more when you get used to it!

Ele

(website)

Oh, wow. I die. Seriously, Tara- I LOVE this cut on you. I am biased though because I love "round" curly cuts. For me, the bigger and curlier, the better. This is exactly what I had in mind when I chopped my hair off last month. Unfortunately mine has been a lot less curly and more wavy since I cut it- I think it has an optimum length for curl, which is probably a few inches longer. I think it looks fantastic on you, and would love to see it even curlier.

As for the highlights, I've never been that crazy about red ones, if I'm honest. I think you look beautiful here but I wouldn't rush to get the same colour again- caramel, like you said, might be a bit softer. It's just my opinion though- I'm never really loved highlights unless it's a blonde on dark blonde/light brown look. Like Bella, I'm definitely not anti having a flat colour.

tarzy

Veteran

Ele - I love your haircut! You look very hip and stylish. I think yours is a bit blunter than mine, right?

By the way - these are caramel highlights! They look caramel in some places, and in other places (especially on top) they look more red.

Sihaya

Veteran

Tara: your haircut and color both look fantastic on you. They really bring out your eyes and add a glow to your face. Lovely necklace too, by the way. What is it that you don't like about your cut or is it just allowing your eyes to adjust to the new look?

Laura

(website)

Veteran

I like the cut! And the highlights bring another dimension to your hair. Does it grow fast?

chewyspaghetti

Veteran

I really like it- both the cut and color.

Angie

(website)

Fashion Stylist

KILLER.

No more doubts! The new do looks incredible. The highlights are PERFECT and the texture of the cut is divine. Sophisticated but down to earth with lots of character. I LOVE the shape of the curls. Your hair has more depth this way.

Wooohooo! New specs soon. I’m with you :0)

tarzy

Veteran

I guess I was hoping for something that looked sharp? I just don't want to look too suburban middle-aged, if that makes sense? You know, where the curls look too "in place." I like it when it looks wavy and piecy, if that's possible, with my particular kind of curl. (She did say it usually takes a 2-3 days for the hair to settle in from cut & color, and it's not like I'm freaking out.) As far as the color, I'm just not sure at all! I would like something that let the grey roots blend in a bit better, and that's hard to do when it's so dark, which is why she wants to lighten it up just a bit.

Maya

Veteran

I actually really like this cut. But, any time I get my hair cut, I always need to let it "settle" for a few days before it really starts to behave naturally.

I'm not a color expert by any measure and I am also a very natural person at heart, so consider that when I give my opinion. My preference for pretty much everyone is to work with what nature gave you as much as possible. A little tweak here and there is fine, but I can't say I'm really fond of dramatic changes. They just always look fake to me. Your hair really doesn't look THAT much different, which puts it in the OK category for me. I'm sorry to all the brunettes-turned-blondes on the forum (I know there are at least a few of you)...but...as I said, I'm no expert and it is purely subjective.

I'm with Bella and Ele--I really don't see what the big deal is with a "flat" color and I don't really understand how it relates to age.

Everyone has some natural highlights in their hair, even me and my pitch black hair. They show up when I'm in the sun or there is a bright light hitting my hair. That's what makes them "highlights." I'm not anti-highlight by any measure (I have had them myself), but if you don't like them, I think it's fine to just go with your natural color.

tarzy

Veteran

Thanks, Maya. The thing with curly hair is that it can get very dense. The hair doesn't reflect light the same way it does with lovely flat hair. It sort of sucks the light in, and can look like one big blob. Also, my natural color now is essentially grey! It grows so quickly that I get obvious grey roots growing in every 3 weeks. A slightly lighter color, plus some highlights (or even lowlights, which I don't know that much about) will help the grey look less obvious, so I don't have to worry about that grey stripe every 3 weeks.

carissa

(website)

It looks great, and so does your cute face. Very pretty picture.

Maya

Veteran

Well, I want to make it clear that I like your hair both ways. I actually think the auburn-y highlights are pretty, and as you say, they do give the curls more definition and separation. I am not, not, not against dying hair! I just think it should look natural and real which yours does, so I was approving! However, I also think if you're not entirely sure of it, that you don't need to feel COMPELLED to have highlights because all hair naturally has highlights in the right situation. Does that make sense? I don't dislike highlights, but I don't think they are necessary. It really depends on what you like. I kind of like them as is. A more caramel/less red color would look great too. It sounds like that might be what you're after. Caramel and chocolate hair, mmm...

I know what you mean about the gray. My mom, like me, has very black hair, and really couldn't have it any other way, so she needs to color it very frequently. She has made 60 her cutoff point for coloring. Starting on her 60th birthday, she is going gray and not looking back.

Debora

Veteran

Tara, I LOVE it!!! I went back and looked at some of your old photos and really like the shorter length on you. It's youthful and very flattering. I would love to see it styled even curlier for comparison.

I like the highlights. I think they add warmth and shine. You look beautiful!

Donna

I love your new cut, Tara. I also like the color, it's a nice change for the summertime. I completely understand about the issue with the grey stripe. My color is very close to yours and I have to color it every three weeks to keep the grey under control. I use a semi-permanent color and do it myself. For me I just couldn't keep up with highlights on a regular basis because of the cost and time involved. I'd be interested to hear how yours work out in regards to maintenance.

My hair is essentially straight, so I don't have any advice for how to manage your curls but perhaps you can do some experimentation with products and styling. I love the softer wavy look but also the very curly look, of course I can't have either so it's "the grass is always greener" situation for me. Maybe the book that Ele recommended a while back would have some suggestions or perhaps Taylor will be able to steer you towards some products to try.

As with everything regarding style, I think it takes time to find what really works for you and it's a continual process. I love it when you post because I'm on a journey similar to yours but not brave enough to post pictures. Thanks for helping me to learn by seeing your progress.

taylor

Veteran

Tarzy,

OMG. You look beautiful. Your hair is perfection. LOVE it . Your stylist nailed it. I hope you are happy TLF:)!!!!

Christie

Tarzy, you look beautiful.

Might your curls be looser due to the salon experience? By that, I mean that the stylist likely washed and combed your wet hair, pulling it straight to cut it. (At least my stylist cuts my curls this way. I know the ideal for curls is a dry cut.) After the cut, my hair always looks much less curly even after my stylist puts product in and scrunches it. She tells me that she needs to add the curl back in after its been pulled straight for the cutting. Also, Ele is right that curls do have an ideal length. My hair does that too.

sinead

Tara, I really love this cut and color on you. I also toggled back and forth between your photos just to make sure this is as flattering as I first thought. It is!

I was all ready to not like it after reading your description, and I'm so relieved I do- no worrying about how to be diplomatic. I like the level of curl/wave you have here in the photo, miles from suburbia. I don't see the roundness issue. And that color with your eyes is just beautiful.

Anonymous

Words cannot express how much I love your new do and the color!!!!!!! Glasses too.

julijuli

I really like it - it's very flattering on you and the curls look really soft and pretty. Great cut!

anne

Veteran

I like it Tara - and I think it makes you look younger

Ana

(website)

Veteran

I love your new haircut and highlights, Tara. You look great! I'm not getting a middle-aged suburban vibe at all. Brendan gives his thumbs up, too. I told him you were worried about your cut making you look more mature, and he thought you looked very youthful.

How exciting, new frames! What are you thinking of? I see funky plastic frames in your future. ;D

cciele

Veteran

Middle-age suburban? No way. Your cut is very youthful and energetic. The highlights are subtle but flattering. I would love to see photos of the cut as it settles in.

Kari

Veteran

Tara, I really, really love your cut and color. The highlights are subtle, especially with the texture of your curls, but it looks very natural. You look so pretty and have such a great smile.

shiny

Veteran

I absolutely love this color and cut on you! The color in particular. The color is very flattering to your skin tone and your eyes really pop. You look fresh and not tired. Meanwhile the cut is bouncy and fun and you do not look middle-aged suburbia at all. In fact, I think you have shaved a few years off your age.

So count me in with those who are (usually) dubious about brunettes and highlights. I can't help shake the picture in my head of someone I know who had highlights put in once, and it looked like streaks of gray in her hair from far away. But THESE highlights? They are nothing like that at all! They are super subtle but add depth to your hair.

Yes I do see a bit of red, not much - more carmelly. But it WORKS. I am wondering if the red is simply because you started out with hair that was already dyed a dark color? If that's the case, it'll surely tone down with time or perhaps your next color visit. Highlights tone down A LOT after about a week or say 5-7 shampoos, so it is never a good idea to decide whether you like a color until it settles in a bit!

Kristen

(website)

Veteran

Pretty, pretty, pretty! And the caramel highlights will start adding extra dimensions to your outfits as you start adding more color to your wardrobe. Just you wait and see!

Angie

(website)

Fashion Stylist

Have we convinced you yet, Tara? We are GUSHING.

greenglove

(website)

Veteran

Hi Tara,
I am going to be the odd man out. I love the color and the curls but something about the style being wider around your ears is a bit (I do not know what) I think more height on the top would be more modern. Maybe that is just a question of styling. I am by no means an expert on hair and see everything as shape. You look beautiful and I do not dislike the look in any way.

Vani

Veteran

Tara, I love your new do! I don't it is "middle-aged suburban" looking at all.Infact, I think the color makes you look all glowy and fantastic!

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