Oh boy do I need a hair cut. Help please. - YouLookFab Forum

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Oh boy do I need a hair cut. Help please.

mumtojessandluke

Ok. I'm still a little self concoius, about my posts. But here goes.
I have been styling my hair pretty much the same way for over 10+ years. Sure, I may get a fringe, not get a fringe, layer ect... but to be honest it usually ends up in a ponytail with my 'outgrowing' fringe pushed back with a clip.
My hair is fine and straight, and a pretty blonde color. I don't want to dye it, as I can't see the point on keeping on top of regrowth... but I did have it dyed one shade lighter for summer. Never again!
I took some pics yesterday that I was less than 100% happy with to say the least, and most of it wasn't the clothes it was my hair that I was most displeased about. I had no idea it really looked that bad!
So I would like to share a few pics, and get some comments on how you think I should cut it before asking a dear friend (hairdresser) to do the chop for me.
Thank you so much for reading, and any suggestions you have to offer.

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35 replies

Latest reply was from mumtojessandluke

amyreh

(website)

Veteran

I'd love to see you in a side swept bang!

Kristine

Veteran

You have pretty hair! I'm not a hairstylist, so I don't know the best style for your texture, but I could picture you with a blunt fringe and kind of messy layers around your face. Maybe just beyond chin length? Then you just have to make a deal with yourself (and your friend) that you'll get a cut every 2-3 months.

I agree that a nice cut would really elevate your style. I got a major cut in January and I'm amazed how it makes even simple outfits look more stylish!

April

Veteran

MTJ&J, I'm going to leave the expert advice to Taylor and Rena, but just from seeing your photos I would say to ask your stylist to cut in some layers to make your hair look a little fuller. (At least, I think that's how they add volume. Haircutting to me is like magic -- I have no idea how they do it!)

Have you ever considered going a bit shorter?

Sheila

Veteran

You have a gorgeous smile, and even though I have no specific suggestions for hairstyles, I want to encourage you to move forward with this change. I predict you will love your new hairdo, whatever it is! Go for it!

Mac

Veteran

I second Amyreh's suggestion of a long, side-swept bang. Other than that... I'll leave it to the Experts.

Queen Mum

Veteran

yes... a nice hairstyle does wonders for your style quotient. Since your friend is a hairdresser, how would you feel about giving her freedom to do her thing. Perhaps setting boundaries... (no shorter than... etc) If she cuts hair for a living, she should know what cuts would work for your face shape, and for your hair texture.
FWIW, I agree with Kristine... bangs, lots of layers/texture, and just below your chin seems like a great cut for you. But keep in mind, that once you get the cut, you do need to put a bit of time into styling it every day. I have fine limp hair as well, and if I just let it go, it's a mess. If I want to be pleased with my appearance I have to tend to my hair as well as my outfits.

mumtojessandluke

Thank you so, so much.
I have gone shorter, and had 'bangs' LOL... I think it is kind of funny how Americans describe a fringe as a noise, makes me think superhero.
B/ween you me and the fence post, I'm a dork.
I generally cut my hair twice a year. I think my last cut was around October last year to be honest. I just tend to work with it until it grows enough to do something a little different I guess. It's tempting to cut it myself (oh boy do I hear some sighs that I'll cop for that statement). But the last hairdresser cut 'shaggy jaggard layers' in it. Some of the top section was way too short for my liking, and it has taken quite a while to have it bulk out a little. Even though on the day it created a fuller look, I hated it, and the next day it wsa flat as a tack and looking thinner than ever. I'd have to work up some courage to go back there.
I need something that is super quick and easy, but still looks girly iygwim.
I love the look of Texas Sarah's cuts, both the one on her profile and her current slightly longer do. But I'm not really sure if it would work for me.

Thanks again so much. I really appreciate it. It is much better than walking into a hairdressers with no idea, or letting them have creative control entirely. YLF is fab!

mumtojessandluke

Queen mum. My friend is a hairdresser my trade, and had her own business but hasn't been working in the industry for a number of years. Her passion is dairy farming, and has two little ones (Jess is the same age exactly as her son)... so she admits she really isn't up to date. She has a salon set up in a room down at her farm.
My other option is getting the students to do it over at the college, supervised of course. But honestly, it takes so, so long for them to make a decision about anything and ends up taking 2 hours for a trim! They need the experience though. You also need to give them an idea of what you want. Being that my friend has much more experience, I think that would be the better of the two solutions.

Ornella

(website)

Veteran

I think it's important to know what you want from your hairstyle. Some of the things you wrote, however, remind me of myself a few years ago, so I'll assume I might be on the right track

The fact the hair mostly ends up in a ponytail and a fringe is clipped back in my case meant I actually wasn't keen on longer length at all. For some reason I believed that the long hair will give me the versatility of hairstyles to make myself, but in reality I am bad with styling my hair and I faced the reality that I actually needed a good, low-maintenance shorter hair style. I just saw no point in having it in the (practical?) ponytail 25 days of the month only to have it down the remaining 5 days.

Although my hair is very thick and there's so much of it and yours is much finer, so they can't be compared, I think it's worth considering the approach. Why not try something shorter, like a simple bob or something a bit more layered (but not too choppy)? It'll give your hair a volume, it will look different, it will feel new, and you can still play around with cute clips to pull the hair back if it's in the way. As you know, if you don't like it, it will always grow back

mumtojessandluke

Ponytails are my friend. Wondering if my son would please stop pulling hair while he is breastfeeding!! I guess he could learn he is 2 tomorrow.

mumtojessandluke

I wish it would grow back faster. Silly layers the hairdresser cut on top could almost stand upright by themselves they were cut that short. They are still only about 2.5"

I was so not happy!! But I stupidly smiled thanked her, and paid just to make a quick retreat.

amyreh

(website)

Veteran

I would find a pic so your friend knows exactly what you want. I have fine hair as well, and I wouldn't go too heavy on the layers, I know what you mean by it looking flatter than ever after too many are cut, sometimes when you take away too much from the bottom it starts looking stringy. Here is a pic I found of something I could see you in. A long bob with side swept bangs and light, long layers. You could style by just blow drying and then running a straightening iron through or working up your waves with a bit of styling creme. I can't wait to see what you go with!

http://www.prohaircut.com/Heid....._1467.html

mumtojessandluke

Thanks so much amyreh. Looks like something I could maybe pull off?
Regarding my 'waves' LOL. That is because my hair was in a ponytail all day.. it's normally dead straight.. Styling isn't something I have a lot of time for at all. I blow dry my hair on 'special occasions' like going out, weddings, parties.. maybe once a month. I don't even own a straighter. I have a hard enough time getting 5mins to get makeup on (that's why all the photos are missing any signs of makeup).
I agree that it would be nice to do, but somehow I never seem to have enough time.

amyreh

(website)

Veteran

ha ha, well mine is dead straight too so I know what you mean! I do think this cut would be pretty low maintenance, but what I would do if you didn't have a lot of time to style is to get out the blow dryer and just give it a quick minute through to get out any extra moisture, just use a brush to shape a little, and then pick up a straightening iron to run through any bangs you get - will only take 30 seconds! No matter what the rest of my hair looks like, I always do something with my "fringe" : ) I'm not a hair dresser, but have had a life long obsession with trying to make mine look thicker, so hopefully that helps!

mumtojessandluke

Thanks Amyreh. I'd love to hear about how you made your hair appear thicker.
I've tried braiding it, then having a wavy look.. worked when I was younger.

Just posted in WIW. The pic there really illustrates how much I disliked the hair cut I got. Even through it was in Oct from memory, it has taken so, so long to grow out enough to look at restyling it.

I love the pic you choose, and I'm sure I'll come back to it & may print it out for my friend to look at. When I have a fringe, I tend to do my fringe if nothing else too. Or else, it looks scrappy or hangs in my eyes anyway. Then I generally go for the snip snip myself to cut the fringe back a little as it grows.

amyreh

(website)

Veteran

I feel your pain, I got a terrible hair cut seriously a year and a half ago, and I have regretted it ever since - my hair still isn't where I want it and it took my hair growing efforts way off track - oh well, I try to remind myself when I get upset about it that there are people out there with no hair due to cancer and other things and that helps me be grateful for what I have. But anyway!

My best tips for making hair appear thicker:
1. Volumizing Mousse! This makes all the difference in the world
2. A good cut - get the best you can afford and don't trim yourself as tempting as it is : )
3. Blow drying upside down - I know you said you don't have time, but when you do this will make a big difference. If you don't have time to fully dry, just put some mousse in and get the extra moisture out.
4. I am a huge hairspray fan - my current favorite is John Frieda Frizz Ease - now ironic that this is actually for people with curly or frizzy hair, but I swear it is the only thing that keeps my slippery hair in place and when I don't have styling time, just spray this on and shape my hair with it - http://www.johnfrieda.com/en-U.....Hair-Spray

Hope that helps!

Angie

(website)

Fashion Stylist

Are you prepared to have your hair cut more often then twice a year? I'm asking because I'd like to see a complete change in hair do. But that will require more maintenance.

mumtojessandluke

Absolutely Angie. Double smile. Especially as Luke is two (well, he is as of tomorrow) I feel ok to leave him for a while to get a hair cut. It also helps that Jess is at Kinder now too, so I have a little more time. Well, when I'm not working. So I can certainly see myself getting a hair cut every 2-3 months.

Amyreh- they sound like some really good tips, and I'll need to start doing a few of those. Thank you so much for your help.

taylor

Veteran

I would bring a photo something you really like and let your stylist express his/her ideas as to if it would work with your texture, lifestyle and how much effort it would take each day to re-create the look of the photo...then decide if it will work.
Like Angie I would like to see a complete change for you...should be fun and could change your clothing choices as well

san

Veteran

Wow, you are so beautiful and I think you could handle just about any style you want to explore. I think since your hair is long and you tend to wear it in a pony tail or pulled back in some way, it's almost like not letting your hair do any work towards your style. Ofcourse I think a short spunky style would be perfect on you. You have great bone structure.

Scarlet

Veteran

You know what, you have beautiful hair. You are very lucky. I think that what you could focus on is learning how to style it with a little volume when you want to. If you really have no natural volume, I think it is better to wear your hair on the longer side. I have a gorgeous friend with a similar hair type except that hers is straighter. When she doesn't have time, she just wears a blunt bang and wears her long blond hair straight, and she always looks polished. Given your wave maybe a side-swept fringe would work better for you? I would not take that precious mane to a student.

mumtojessandluke

If anyone has suggestions in picture form I'd love to see them. As a 'totally different' style I'm not sure where to go.
I might consider looking at a thread that isn't Realtime, so I can post a few pics of hair do's I've done.

Kristine

Veteran

If you can swing the cost you might consider seeing a senior stylist or a salon owner. They're going to have a lot of experience and will usually give you a great cut. I'd hate for you to go to your friend or a student and then be disappointed. Especially if your hair is challenging, it might be worth the cost. For a big change you want to be in good hands!

mumtojessandluke

Thanks Kristine. I'm sure my friend Fiona would be able to do it. She was a salon owner for quite a number of years. She just has her salon set up at home now. Complete with proper washing stations, towels, all the hair colors, mirrors and proper lift seats, proper hair dressing scissors ect. It's just she gave up owning the salon to have children and be full time on the farm... and works bloody hard, running the farm herself with help from her partner. She is one admirable girl.
I'd prefer to be in the hands of a friend who knows me, than take my chances and have pot luck around hear with traditional salons.

Katiepea

(website)

Veteran

Hi there M2J&L!

I'm going to jump in blindly and say that I am generally pretty clueless about hair, however, I couldn't but help notice that I am reasonably confident that your face shape and my face shape are fairly similar. High forehead, reasonably oval face with a slightly pointy chin (but not enough to make it heart shape - my chin is pointier though than yours!).

Now, if you agree and can see the similarity in face shapes, I can tell you that I'm discovering that what suits me, is to keep my hair above my shoulders in a longish bob. Even going as high up as close to jaw line, or just below my jaw is flattering.

I've been experimenting lately with having a fringe and am finding I really like it! For the first time in my life, when I wear my hair in a pony tail, my husband says "that suits you and looks stylish". A biggy I can tell you! In terms of maintenance, if you decide to do the bob type look, you will need to commit to getting it cut every six or so weeks (depending on how quickly your hair grows), after that it does lose its shape and it starts to go hay-wire.

If you are interested, go in and have a look at my personal profile, you'll find posts I've written regarding my own hairstyle and there are pictures of the results on there. My more recent WiW posts also feature my newer hairstyles with fringes (although I haven't posted many of these lately).

In terms of styling with littlies, it can be done with small children. The biggest thing is that you have to commit to it! (I have three boys and they are just under two years apart - so I know what you are saying.)

The trick for me is twofold - #1, when I wash (in general I do this every two - three days, except when obviously I swim or get sweaty!) I will properly blow dry my hair into place - not just leave it to air dry. #2, I then go over my hair using a GHD. That contraption has saved my life - I have the worst hair ever for kinks, cowlicks and general fine unrulyness! Then on the other days it is a matter of just using the GHD to smooth it out slightly in the morning, which literally takes about three minutes.

Blow-drying my fine, bob length hair only takes around 10 - 15 minutes and I figure that this is a good investment in myself. I will be honest and say that I've only really commited to properly "doing" my hair every single day these past six months or though. I feel so great every time I walk out the door though - I can't believe I used to let myself walk around with my hair all over the place!

Good luck and let us know what you come up with!

mumtojessandluke

I've really taken on some of the suggestions that were given to me here. Honestly some of them were just brilliant. Like blow drying up side down and using product in my hair to add volume.

I haven't been on for a while for a couple of reasons. One reason is that I decided to take to the scissors myself. LOL. I was actually pretty happy with the results to be honest. I loved the feel of the freshly cut ends of my hair. It also made it a lot more manageable. I guess I went against the advise of some YLF members and felt a little bit embarrassed that I actually liked it, and had fun cutting my own hair. That I think is the little girl coming out in me, yep, the one that cut all my hair off just before my Kindergarten photos! LOL.

I did a long layered cut. Using a method I found off a savings forum. Amazingly, I was able to get a nice straight edge at the bottom of my hair, and a slightly layered look without removing too much bulk. I also chopped my fringe around my face to give me a more framed look.

firefly

You're so brave, I wouldn't have the guts to cut my own hair! Do you feel up to posting a photo for us?

HeleenH

Veteran

I can't wait for you to post a picture of your new hairdo!

biscuitsmom

Veteran

Brave girl! So glad you're happy with the results Looking forward to a pic!

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