Please help me out of my hair rut - YouLookFab Forum

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Please help me out of my hair rut

suzanne

I have a whole lot of thin, fly-away dirty orange hair that I've been growing out for what feels like years (it got horribly hacked at the beginning of last year and I walked around for a considerable time looking like Joanna Lumley during her "Purdy" days. It has come on somewhat but I'm so BORED with it I could cry. I would have it savaged again, only my fiancée prefers it longer, I need to have a soft type of 'up-do' for the wedding, I can never ID my face shape to cross check styles on the web (oval? Oblong? Wide?) and I'm tall, so my proportions don't look so great when it is short. Could one of you talented and clear-sighted ladies please advise me on (a) what my face shape is and (b) what I can do with this nowhere style to at least give the impression of something more stylish. I would be SO grateful!

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20 replies

Latest reply was from suzanne

KristineK

Your face looks mostly oval to me, with a slight heart-shaped tendency in the jaw. I've always read that most hairstyles look good with your face shape, so maybe your hair texture would be a bigger factor in determining what style would look best on you. I'm not an expert, though, so hopefully Taylor or one of the other resident hair experts will weigh in.

suzanne

Thanks, Kristene - I feel incredibly stupid that I can't even ID my own face shape I know I should be able to, but when I try to analyze it, all I can think of is my mom always telling me that I need the fringe because of by broad forehead and a hairdresser telling me that I need more height in my hairstyles because of my “round” face!

Ornella

(website)

Veteran

Suzanne, don't feel like that. Most of us are here because we can't figure out something simple about ourselves and our appearances

Do you have a good hairstylist? If not, I'd recommend getting one, getting to know him/her, first do a few simpler styles and then you could ask for the opinion what to do with your hair taking into account all the criteria.

Good (hair)stylist *just knows*, through both training AND experience. You'll know pretty soon if you've stumbled across the right one, you'll be on the same wavelength. And you'll pretty much want to clone your hairstylist so the person can live in your spare room
The rest will simply take care of itself over time.

Btw, I LOVE your hair color. Over the years I've come to realize most women hate their hair and think someone else has better. But, it's the same as with the bodies - we've got what we've got, we might as well make friends with it. That's where the good hairstylist comes into play, to help you love your hair. It's worth searching for one, be it big name where you live or some hidden talent in a small salon in the tucked away street, as the state of hair plays such a massive role in our style.

KristineK

Actually, I know exactly what you mean because I have the same problem myself! It can be pretty difficult to objectively analyze your own face shape, body shape, even coloring

Dashrashi

Veteran

I actually see long & heartshaped--your length to width ratio looks to be more like 1.8:1 than something like 1.2:1 or 1:1 (for a round face), but there is breadth at the forehead and a defined jaw line which make me think heart.

(face shapes can be hard. I have a very-clearly-one-shape face (diamond) so it's a lot easier, but most people don't.)

kitty400

Have you tried any of the free virtual hair style software? There's one on the cosmopolitan web site you up load a pic of your face and try different styles. They're not perfect but it may at least give you an idea of what you may want to talk to a stylist about. I think that you may even be able to print the pic and take it with you to your stylist. I will let others chime in on shape of your face I'm not very good with that either.

another site is
http://www.cosmopolitan.com/ha.....ck=main_sr
http://www.hairstyles.knowage.info/
I have not tried this one myself but I have tried the cosmo one.

Freckles

Veteran

Love the colour of your hair! My mom and sister are redheads and there is nothing like real red hair.

I might bring a pic of my wedding dress and veil/headpiece/whatever to the salon (if you have already chosen these) and ask their advice for getting something new now that you like and still have something you want for the wedding.

Angie

(website)

Fashion Stylist

You are so pretty, Suzanne! You have lovely hair, pretty skin, sparkly eyes and a super smile

We'll wait for the hair pros to weigh in, but why don't you grow it out a little more but have it shaped as you grow it out? I bet you'd look great with a straight fringe.

Anonymous

I can't be much help as I am in a similar situation. I have shoulder length fine, straight hair and I am in the process of growing out bangs. My face is a similar shape to yours so I am looking forward to getting some ideas along with you. Having a no-style style is starting to really bug me!

Kristine

Veteran

Don't worry, I can't identify my own face shape either. Years ago I even traced it in the mirror with lipstick like some magazine told me. I still didn't know!

I think your hair is a beautiful color and you're on the verge of having a nice length to work with. I like the idea of blunt bangs, then just keeping the rest trimmed as it grows. I don't think you *need* bangs for your face shape but I think they'd look nice if you like them.

suzanne

Thank you ladies; I appreciate the input and comments. Only wish the little hair fairy had visited me over night - today is hair washday and this mop had better not *tangle* with me!

suzanne

Ooh, Dashrashi you seem the person to pump for facial shape info! I'm not sure how you work out your ratios, but my face is 18cm long and 11.5cm across the widest part (my cheekbones). My mothers bane - my forehead - misses being the broadest part by merely 1cm. I never know when I'm supposed to measure it; am I supposed to measure it when I'm smiling or when my face is relaxed? (I took these measurements with my mouth closed... which according to my fiancée takes some doing.)

Aunty

Veteran

I would wait for the hair pro's as well, but I do have to say that your hair colour is gorgeous!!

Angie

(website)

Fashion Stylist

Oh, Taaaaaylor! We neeeeeeeed you

suzanne

Angie, you’re so sweet. Today was one of those "enjoy the comfort of an elastic band" hair-days. The South-Easter was and is huffing and puffing something terrible, so I just 'ponytailed' the lot. I guess that's one of the pro's of a no-style style; one doesn't feel so guilty to ruin one’s hairstyle by just tying one’s hair up and out of the way And Kitty, I tried the Cosmo make-over site… It was interesting – I simply couldn’t get the photos to fit correctly so I usually ended up with some part of my face cut off. (I’m SUCH a Ludite) But just between us: my chin, nose and mouth look FANTASTIC with Angelina’s do!

Angie

(website)

Fashion Stylist

*chuckle*

That South Easter is quite the force of nature, Suzanne. I'm surprised the elastic band even stayed in your hair! No lip gloss for you.

taylor

Veteran

I quickly skimmed here. and looks like you have some good advice.
Why don't you wait till after the wedding for something more substantial than just a trim...If you will be doing an updo you will need the length...meanwhile shop bridal magazines for the style you would like that works with your veil and bring them to your stylist...she may cut some bang fringe or some other minor tweak, but wait till after the wedding for a major cut:)

suzanne

Thanks, Taylor! Really appreciate it. I think I expressed myself badly - I know what I need for the wedding. I'm not wearing a veil, but a flower comb (basically fresh flowers - small proteas and roses - mounted on a wire comb frame) so basically it's just the length that needs to 'get there'. What I would love to know, however is what my face shape is and hairstyles that would suit me. And I badly need a trim - the layers are really ragged... I think my hair really started bothering me when my (very opinionated) friend told me that long hair doesn't really suit me - and here I am trying my best to grow it longer.

kitty400

I thought the site was kind of fun not very realistic but fun.

suzanne

It was very interesting: I experimented with make-up as well. Thanks for suggesting it – I had fun!