Pandemic quarantining as an impetus for a hair project - YouLookFab Forum

Category

General

Welcome! Read about what to wear and how to wear it on the YLF Blog. Join the YLF Forum to ask specific questions or just chat about fashion and personal style. Or check out the curated list of things we love in YLF Finds.

Outfits Ensembles Trends Advice

Pandemic quarantining as an impetus for a hair project

Runcarla

Veteran

So, 6+ months in, how are your hair projects? Who’s growing out coloured hair and going natural? Who’s growing hair long(er)? Who’s changed their hairstyle? Who’s managing to keep their same style?

If it hadn’t been for quarantining and Covid related activity restrictions and my stylist going on maternity leave, I would probably be sporting the chin length curly bob I adopted shortly after retirement. Instead, I’m letting my hair grow out into a longer style that I will be able to bundle into a pony tail. The bangs and some side hair are still too short for this, but the overall length is about 4 inches longer than my pre-Covid hairstyle. I had my last short bob haircut the end of January 2020, and a trim with some shaping layers in the middle of July. Whereas I used to be able to get an appointment for a cut on short notice - the stylists are booked up 6 weeks in advance. My stylist will be on leave until the new year, and with two under three years of age, might not be back if Covid isn’t manageable. If I book now, I might be able to get a trim before Christmas with a different stylist.

With curly hair, there is ‘shrinkage’ so the overall appearance of my hairstyle ATM is a curly, above shoulder bob. I’m going to let it grow longer and reassess when it hits shoulder length. Right now it feels like a whole lotta crazy hair!

How are you coping?

#1 hair today
#2 hair in January 2020
#3 hairstyle goal?

This post has 3 photos. Photos uploaded by this member are only visible to other logged in members.

If you aren't a member, but would like to participate, please consider signing up. It only takes a minute and we'd love to have you.

General

35 replies

Latest reply was from Harrysalvatore

slim cat

Veteran

I like your hair both ways - slight preference for longer, current version since I'm unable to grow my hair .
I was cutting my own hair during the full shutdown with intent on keeping my pixie cut recognizable. I've got haircut in mid August - same pixie with shorter back side and will be having another one tomorrow.
No coloring for now. I'd like to go back to some fun colors I did before but it's not going to happen until probably December ( semi permanent - blue or purple ).

Joy

Veteran

I am truly wondering what to do. I have 8 moths growth of my natural grey and had always intended to grow the hair back out to be able to put it up...the easiest do ever. Maybe now is the time but I don’t know if I am ready for as the it as the hair up is pretty from the side and back but not from the front. So I hesitate and do not know if my salon is even open yet. DH says it is getting long but looks ok.. I can do a bun or French roll practically in my sleep...clean or needing a wash, without a mirror. But the look is classic senior citizen. Shall I go back to an asymmetric bob not?
What would you do? Carla, I wish I had your curls.

JAileen

Veteran

Carla, you know how much I love your crazy hair. If you grow it out and don’t like it, it’s not like it’s a lifetime commitment.

I’ve had two haircuts since the pandemic started. I usually get it cut every four weeks. In between, I‘ve cut it myself a little. The look on my stylist’s face the first time, when she saw what I had done, was priceless.

Cardiff girl

Veteran

I like your whole lot of crazy hair!You have fabulous hair so why not have it alittle longer and show it off.
As far as my hair goes l had some root showing how grey I was and wondered about adding to this and going even greyer but my hairdresser is anti grey!lm not sure why.l did wonder if he was concerned about losing the cash from me colouring it but I wasn’t going to stop the colouring just change it so I’m back to foils but I did get some red thrown in to give me an autumnal vibe!
l have stocked up on a couple of semi permanent Home colours for the next lockdown and had my usual shoulder length cut.l have another appointment booked for early December but I am. not assuming that I will be able to go the way our cases are rising again.
My hairdresser says that if he shuts again he won’t re open so I am already thinking about where I could go in that case but it will be a real shame.

Anonymous

Wow your hair grew a lot! It looks great!
Mine was last properly cut in January, I've just snipped off split ends here and there. I'm hoping if I just leave it alone it will get to waist length- though my hard water doesn't help. It doesn't seem like it's grown very much. I did box color it, just once I think, and it needs it again. But I don't want to waste a sunny fall day coloring my hair when I can be out paddling, hiking, and playing Robin Hood in the woods

nemosmom

Veteran

You have the most delicious curls! Both lengths are stunning on you, and I love the direction you are going with your hair goals - you find the BEST hair inspo!!

My hair is wavy and extremely thick/coarse. The last cut was in February, before our last trip. It was razor cut into a 70's-inspired mid-length wavy shag, with thick fringe... a style I have sported in some variation for a while.

I had an appointment in July. The salon said they were taking precautions, like no blowdrying or shampooing, but when I arrived for my appointment, there were multiple dryers going, none of the stations had been properly spaced, and there were more clients there than my comfort level allowed - so I walked out.

Nowadays, my hair has lost most shape and wave, due to weight, and looks larger (not longer) than ever. I can get by for a few more months in a bun of some kind, but look forward to going back to some type of shag cut like this:

This post has 2 photos. Photos uploaded by this member are only visible to other logged in members.

If you aren't a member, but would like to participate, please consider signing up. It only takes a minute and we'd love to have you.

AndiB

Veteran

Your curls are stunning, and the added length really highlights that. Looks so healthy and youthful. I’m going grey in COVID (last color early February, and I was due for cut and color when things shut down). I’m keeping some length for the grow out, because putting it up helps camouflage the demarcation line between grey and brown. I mostly wear it up in a high messy bun or a pony, like you’re trying for. I work out a lot like you and really need to pull it off my face for runs and yoga mostly.

nuancedream

Veteran

Carla, your curls are enviable. I hope you let your hair get to shoulder length because you would rock a fabulous mane of luscious curls. I always wanted to have an edgy curly style (longer on top very closely buzzed on sides and back) but I would lose patience in the awkward growing out phase and would just go back to a close cropped style. Covid forced me to develop patience and acceptance of my hair over 4 months without a haircut. Now, my hair looks the way I have always wanted it to look.

MsMaven

Veteran

I like your curls! Will added length let them stretch out a bit?

My hair is now to my collarbone, longer than it’s been for decades. I’m glad I already let the natural color grow out. I like it more as it gets longer.

Just yesterday DH looked at me and said,”You look like a different person.“ He likes it too.

I’ve been thinking about all the years of conditioning that told me that after that certain age women had to keep their hair shorter than shoulder length. Just yesterday I read somewhere that “it will drag you down.” Now I think that I think I’ll make my own decision on that.

Stagiaire Fash

Veteran

I love that hair goals pic, am jealous that you can do it.

I’m basically back to where I was a year ago, when I told myself I was going to be more careful about regular trims. Those haven’t happened, and the 5” or so that I got chopped off then is almost all back again. (I can tell because when I roll over at night, it gets stuck behind my back or clamped in my armpit & I wake up struggling, lol). I’ve got to get a trim, but will just do that through the winter, then go for a big change-up when spring approaches again.

I can’t tell the difference between short hairstyles. If we can visit my parents, I will book an appointment with the stylist who has cut my hair since I was in middle school and she was in vocational school. She knows I like it wash-n-wear and that I don’t style it with heat. I trust her to come up with a good cut for me. If I don’t see her, there’s somebody else who I might let decide. We were planning to visit each other before Covid brought shut-downs, will probably get together when it’s over. I usually get my back up when a woman mentions changing her appearance for a man, but in this case I really don’t care, just want it short. “Letting” him decide would be a way to offload decision-making into someone else.

I have been putting a little more effort into styling by braiding or pulling it back/up different ways and want to keep that up over the winter.

celia

Veteran

Due to quarantine I let my bangs grow and even after having a haircut recently I didn't go back to them.
I did, however had some blonde highlights at the ends(don't know the technical term) just for the fun of it.

kkards

Veteran

Other than growing out my bangs, once we reached the stage where salons could reopen, I’ve been pretty much back to my regular schedule and matentance. I’m not ready to go grey yet, and based on what.i saw during the initial lockdown, i had a lot of dark black hairs mixed with the gray, and it was not really a pretty, or flattering color.
Clara, Go for it, if you don’t like it, you can always cut it.

Style Fan

Veteran

I love your long curls, Carla. Both the long and the short look great on you.
I started going to a local stylist in January. I had been making the trip to my old stylist 3 hours away, but it was becoming too much for me. I had been going to her since 1985. I am sad to end that relationship. We were like friends. She also knew how to cut my hair.
Since January, I have had my hair cut by the local person three times. The first time was excellent. The second time at the end of June was okay. And the third time, which was yesterday, was okay. Passable. The bangs hang funny. And she cuts too much off. So I am not very happy at the moment. Fortunately, my hair grows.

Angie

(website)

Fashion Stylist

Your curls are GORGEOUS, Carla. Perfectly big and round. Nice project! Keeps things interesting.

I just cut it all off....

Helena

Veteran

Carla, your hair inspiration picture looks great and wow, your hair grows fast! Your curls are gorgeous!

I am sporting my usual lob, which I refreshed at the end of the summer. The colour is growing out a bit, but I've pushed my appointment out until November as I am still working of repairing some of the pool damage! I've been using blue shampoo to get rid of the brassiness, and will do a root touchup kit just on the "stripes" of gray at my temples. DH and my kids don't care about my roots so I'm just trying to ignore them - and am hoping they will help a new stylist match to my natural colour more closely in November. (both my regular and back-up stylists are on mat leave, and my back-up to my back-up is out due to family reasons).

For styling I just let it airdry, 'bend' it with the flat iron, and it's done!

cindysmith

Veteran

I bought a bottle of crisco and removed my own extensions. I've taken over my hair color, too. However, I'm tired of so much purple; now I want to tone it with icy white toner and only have purple at the tips. I'm a hot mess LOL

I love your curls, Carla <3

jasmine

I think your hair looks great both ways, Carla. Before the pandemic struck I had a layered bob and would visit the hairdresser about once a month to get my grey roots covered and have it trimmed. I stopped going in March and haven't been back since; salons have been open most of the time in Tokyo but I don't feel comfortable being inside around other people for long periods of time at the moment. It's grown out to shoulder length, and I have managed by trimming it myself and using semi-permanent dye on the roots, then switching to permanent dye that my hairdresser was kind enough to send me recently. I am quite enjoying the longer length but it's a hassle doing everything yourself at home!

LaPed

Veteran

Love the extra length on your curls, Runcarla! I am on Team Grow-out too, for now. Down to shoulder length for the first time since... college? It's been a long time. I'm enjoying all the pony/bun/updo options. It's also a great time to buy hair accessories; there are tons of scrunchie/claw/barrette options right now. I find it really useful to be able to put my hair up for mask wearing. It's either that or a short pixie like Angie's.

I am collecting pixie inspo photos, but probably won't make any big changes until the spring or summer. I'm too sensitive to the cold to cut off all my hair right before winter. My poor ears and neck. Or maybe I'll keep riding the long hair train for a while longer. I definitely need to trim it, but I am enjoying all the new styling possibilities. And I must admit I'm a little curious to see just how long I can get it before it stops growing altogether...

Echo

Veteran

I LOVE your hair with the additional length, and your curls are enviable. As Jaileen said, it isn't a huge commitment if you decide it is too bothersome, so why not keep growing?

I, too, haven't had a haircut since before March. My hair is getting longer than I've ever worn it, but it is to the point where I almost exclusively wear it up, so I'm considering cutting it again. But given that my state has the worst situation with the virus right now, I think I can stand it a little longer!

Jaime

(website)

Veteran

I love your curls Carla. Short and long. I think I would need many more pictures and a full questionnaire to state a preference . As for me, well, after deciding to grow it out evenly and suffering miserably for several months, I decided to go back to my one true hairstyle that always looked right. But we are under lockdown and the hairdressers are closed! So I let my daughter cut my hair! I will post later when I have a good picture.

Jane

Veteran

I love your hair - it feels like it has its own voice. An interesting project and one that could reap rewards.

I have cut back on hair cuts and colour, and I am happier than I was before because somehow it feels like me. The problem is wet and windy days, when my hair absorbs moisture and no matter how much taming I do it just gets wilder! No matter. I am happy with it!

Mainelady

Veteran

Carla, your curls are gorgeous, no matter what length they are! I really like the longer length and your inspiration sketch. IKWYM about the shrinkage. Hang with the grow out, you may find the length gives you some versatility.
I have been able to get to the salon a few times, to have my stylist trim my hair to enhance the curls, so I have more layering than I have had for several years. As you know, curly, wavy hair really does what it wants, so I have days of fabulous hair and days of “maybe I should have pulled it back”. Overall I am pretty happy with the length and the curls. A recent trim left the front layers a tad short for a low ponytail, but I can pull everything up into a bun, or high pony. A half up is a good option for me, too. I am going to keep my hair long for as long as pandemic teaching continues. We are outside for much of the day and with the wind and elements, I know I would be frazzled and fighting with my wayward wind blown pieces. I have zero time to attend to my hair one the day begins. The most I can do is whip an elastic out of my pocket and contain my hair so it doesn’t blow in my face. That sometimes straightens my curls, but I can live with that.
Good luck with hot grow out and please post more pics!

Stagiaire Fash

Veteran

Maine Lady, stylists so often insist on tapering up around the face! It drives me crazy for exactly the reason you mention—hair falls out of pony tails. “Cleopatra” seems to be a magic word to get them to stop that. I wonder what would happen if one asked for “Cleopatra layers that free up the curls”.

Anonymous

Carla - you have such glorious hair that is such a big part of your look . It looks great at any length you’ve had - you’re a lucky woman !

I haven’t missed a beat , really , as salons here reopened in early May . I’m not trying anything new style wise anymore - my hair is no longer what it was , and I’m just trying to maintain decent looking hair for now . I * am* debating starting the process of going natural in terms of colour . It’s getting more and more expensive to cut and colour and I feel like I’ve reached my breaking point - no pun intended .

Runcarla

Veteran

@Joy - go for it! MaKe some up-dos, and post the pics.

@MsMaven - I’ve not had hair below should length since Jr. High, but at shoulder length it is just as curly as at shorter length. It is kind of like C
Sarah Jessica Parker’s hair as ‘Carrie’ in SATC.

@celia - is it called ombré?

@shevia - we need pics!

Roberta

Veteran

I went back to coloring my own hair, and felt so good about the results -and the savings - that I don't think I'll go back to my colorist (which then made me feel really guilty). Should I send her a card in explanation?

I also found someone that would give me the messy pixie that I craved and found so difficult to describe to stylists. I wound up at Floyd's Barbershop (a chain) and am so happy with them. My hair is fine and thinner every year, and most products irritate my scalp, so the cut is EVERYTHING.

Now if I had your thick curls . . .

Greyscale

Veteran

The longer length looks great! For my hair which is thinner and less robustly curly than yours, there’s a sweet spot between long and short where the curls are defined but loose. Mine is too long now to hold its curl as well. I’ve been considering cutting my hair to the length in your goal sketch. Salons here just reopened three weeks ago, and my stylist decided not to go back to my salon because of concerns about her long commute on public transit. So for now I’ve been trimming curls myself when I notice them getting too long. It’s long enough that I can do that but i haven’t managed to keep the layering as good as a real haircut!

Barbara Diane

Veteran

I vote yes, grow it out.

My hair was already gray so no change there. I’ve just been letting it grow. It is the longest it has ever been. I probably won’t get it cut until I decide if I just want a small trim or a bigger change. My current stylist is expensive. I might have my previous one trim it.
I’m not sure if my stylist is open. I wasn’t a frequent client so I imagine that I would be low priority. She is alone in her space so I would just need to feel comfortable.

Laurie

Veteran

I love the longer length on you. It's soft and flattering to your face.

I have had 2 hair cuts, 1 with color, since March. I went shorter, then instantly regretted it due to humidity, a couple of months ago with the idea that should we go into lockdown again I would have room to grow it for a considerable time. We've had some glorious fall days with low humidity in late Sept and Oct, and I've been liking the shorter length so I think I'll stick with my strategy.

Color is a different story - I suddenly have much more grey showing up. I get highlights that don't cover all the grey, so I think the goal is to work on having a good blend going on, and keeping it natural enough to weather a long period between salon visits again.

12