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Short hair, part II

Maya

Veteran

I'm revisiting the idea of short hair again. I love the look of a playful (and low maintenance) haircut, but it's kind of hard to have a funky, playful LONG hair style, especially with fine, wispy, straight hair like mine.

And worse yet, I can't even play with color. No other color would suit my complexion.

So...having said all that...I am very hesitant. I have had short hair in the past, and I know it looks much better long. There were a number of reasons why it looked bad:

1) It was just a bad cut. You'll see that below

2) I had another short cut which WAS layered, but it looked like a helmet! I cried when I got home. Again, I wonder if it was just the specific cut, or if short hair genuinely doesn't suit me, OR if I just hated it at the time and it actually looked good. I didn't take any pictures of it because I hated it so much, but now I wish I had. It just sort of sat flat against my head.

3) I had acne back then. Not a problem anymore though.

4) I parted it in the middle...BIG mistake.

OK, this is embarrassing, but I think it must be done. These are some pictures of me in short hair. They are VERY old. I was only 18 and 19 in all of them. You'll be in for a shock when you see how tiny I was.

I'm getting a blessing from mom before my first day of college in this picture. I thought I'd explain because it looks funny :p

http://img.photobucket.com/alb.....iiiird.jpg

This is pretty bad. This is what my hair looked like soon after I started trying to grow it out, but if you imagine it about 2 inches shorter, it looked basically the same. Very heavy at the ends.

http://img.photobucket.com/alb.....obpink.jpg

This is embarrassing for a variety of reasons, the least of which is that I am wearing a giant men's shoe on one foot. But I'm also in capri pants and wearing a wildly incorrect bra size.

http://img.photobucket.com/alb.....w/shoe.jpg

This was in Sweden. I think this was the length that I sported most of the time (my hair grows very fast so most of my pictures show it longer than it was supposed to be). I can't believe I wore that in a person's house. Oh well, I was young and ignorant:

http://img.photobucket.com/alb.....dinner.jpg

Another Sweden picture:

http://img.photobucket.com/alb.....dkatie.jpg

OK I'm done with this exercise in self-humiliation :p just give me some suggestions! If you don't think short hair will ever look good on me in a basquillion years, you can say that too. I think we can all agree that the cut I had was NOT a good one though.

You'll see more recent pictures when Angie uploads our YLF convention pics. My hair hasn't been cut in ages though and my bangs look ridiculous but still MUCH better than any of these!

General

27 replies

Latest reply was from Lucy

shiny

Veteran

Your hair color is gorgeous and suits you perfectly. I wouldn't dare get dye anywhere near your hair. Your hair looks very healthy, silky and shiny.

And I think you were MEANT to wear bangs!!! I like the straight-across bangs (what are they called??) very very much for you.

I like the length and shape of pic #1 - where your hair at the longest is chin length, and it is in a blunt cut but angled to be shorter in the back.

I would recommend - if your hair is fine, wispy, and straight - find a Vidal Sasson salon and get a Sasson cut. Pic #1 is very much a Sasson cut, which is a precision cut.

Nicole

Veteran

OK, first of all, when you say you're thinking of cutting your hair short, do you mean the length in these photos? Or you mean short, like Antje, Angie, Inge, and Ana? Because to me, the lenght in those photos was not short. Maybe in comparison to how long it now, you'd consider it short, but on it's own, I'd call that medium length hair.

I do know what you mean about loving the idea of short hair, but thinking it's not a good look for you personally. I'm not saying that I don't think you'd look good in short hair, mind you. I'm just saying that I understand how you feel.

Also, I'd like to comment on your bangs (in those photos). They are very sleek and straight. I think if you had a longer whispier angled bang, with some soft layers cut around your face, from temple down to the ends--that would make a world of difference. Something about the straight line of the bang, then hair straight down, then the ends straight across--is just too severe for your angles.

Here's a pretty good example of the hairstyle I can picture you in:
http://gimps.de/pictures/269-H.....Short-Hair

That said, I don't think there's anything wrong with wanting and having long hair. Not everyone looks good in short hair. Maybe if you're not quite ready go short(er), then you just need a new style. Also, I disagree that you cannot change the color of your hair. Obviously, you don't want to go platinum, but you could do some highlights, lowlights, or even an over dye rinse in a deep purple.

Maya

Veteran

Nicole, the picture you showed is what I have now. These pictures are very old. I didn't like the straight across bangs and will probably never sport them again. Aside from making me look like a 15 year old, I found them too severe and didn't like how they squared off my face.

I consider it short because on the grand spectrum of female hair length, that is quite short. I would never consider an Ana/Angie/Antje cut for myself. I know those would not suit me at all (though I wish they did because A/A/A look great in their super short hair).

Sorry Shiny, but I prefer my bangs as they are now. I'm also intrigued by the fact that you liked the first picture. I have the same cut in all the pictures, but I guess since you're seeing it from the side it looks nicer. I had the exact same cut in the Sweden pictures. The other two are the same cut, but a couple of inches longer because I was in the middle of growing it out.

Long hair is annoying to take care of. That's part of the reason why I want to cut it. Sure it looks great when I put 45 minutes into it every morning, but if I don't it looks like crap and frankly some days I'd like to sleep in! The color thing is also an issue of maintenance. I guess I really WANT to be lazy with my hair but don't know how to do that without it looking like garbage. It's healthy, but it's VERY flyaway and VERY frizzy unless I spend the better part of my morning blowdrying it with at least 2 products.

BTW in picture #1 I forgot to mention: Those red streaks are henna highlights that I had done in India. I can't find ANYONE who will do them here. Indian salons only seem to do full henna rinses. If I ask for highlights only, they look at me like I have 2 heads.

shana

Veteran

Maya, to me all these pictures look like the same haircut with slightly different lengths. You look like you are channeling Anna Wintour with this style. I also am not sure what you mean by short - pixie short or chin length short? I think you look super cute in the chin length bob (picture where you are seated at the dinner table) but I think you could even pull off the pixie hair and look great. I also like Nicole's idea of going for an angled bang with layers around your face. I think it looks a little less school-girlish than straight bangs (especially when you are so young!).

Why is getting a haircut so traumatic? Even though I know it will grow back, I can't help feeling a little bit of panic every time I am at my hair dresser. I have a confession to make. Hearing all the talk about shorter hair on this board, I decided to get my hair cut much shorter than normal for me. I ended up hating it and being miserable. I realized that I just like my hair shoulder length or longer. It just feels more me.

Laura

(website)

Veteran

I do like your hair chin length (and I love those henna highlights from India!).

Your hair is naturally straight, yes? How about a choppy bob style - something like photo #1's length, but less bangs and more funky?

shana

Veteran

Oops, Maya, I didn't see you response before I posted. You couldn't find anyone in Jackson Heights or Edison to give you henna highlights? I have a friend who has had them done and I'll check with her to see if I can get some info for you.

I understand what you mean about longer hair - my hair is pretty high maintenance - mine is more wavy than straight so I have to spend a good 20-30 minutes blowing it out every other day or so. But I hate how it looks otherwise so I make the effort.

Maya

Veteran

Oh no Shana I'm sorry. That's exactly what my fear is. It's traumatic because even though it grows back, it takes FOREVER to do so, and in the meantime you have to get up every day and cringe at the mirror. Bad outfits can be changed, but bad hair is a long-term nightmare. It just takes so much more effort to make long hair look polished and nice for me. If I leave it to its own devices, it looks scraggly and limp. A short, messy cut would probably suit my hair's texture, but I'm afraid it might not suit my face.

I would look silly in a pixie cut. My facial features are too big. I always preferred short hair on people with more delicate features, which I definitely do not have. I have big eyes, a big nose, and strong brows. I don't mind that but I certainly don't want to exaggerate it. My goal when I got this haircut was to emulate Audrey Tautou's hair in Amelie, but she has naturally curly hair that resulted in that adorable little flip. It was flat ironed except at the very end, so it flipped in all different directions and looked super cute.

http://www.andreas.de/amelie/pics/amelie_web7.jpg

I want to emphasize again that I really DON'T like the haircut that I posted. I am posting it simply to give some idea of what I look like with a shorter style. In fact, I'm going to go so far as to say that I hated that haircut. I'm looking for ideas for a different short cut. My hair is too wispy and fine for a blunt cut and I really hate the center parting and heavy ends. I want something playful and cute that I can push around and mess up and it will just look cute. I don't want a sleek and sophisticated style. I am not a sleep and sophisticated person!

shell

i think i'm confused with what your hair actually looks like right now...my immediate thought was precisely what nicole posted. side-swept bangs, longer layers, some shorter face framing layers. how much shorter than that photo are you hoping to go?

Maya

Veteran

OK, I didn't realize just how confusing this was. Let me try and clarify:

-I want short hair
-I don't know if it suits me
-The only comparison I can make is by showing what I used to look like in short hair, even though it was a bad haircut and not one I want to repeat. That's why I posted those pictures.

I LOVE this haircut, but it kind of scares me to go so short all at once.

http://img.photobucket.com/alb.....ure1-3.png
http://img.photobucket.com/alb.....cture7.png

But that's sort of the idea. It's kind of messy but in a chic and neat way. Does that make any sense at all?

I didn't post pictures of what my hair looks like now because you'll probably see it tomorrow or Thursday on the blog

Angie

(website)

Fashion Stylist

Did I miss part 1?

Before I even looked at the last photos you posted of the BR model, I was going to suggest an inverted, choppy bob with a side swept fringe. Voila! And there were the pictures. I guess Laura and I had the same visions for your face.

Shana, I’m glad you’re growing back your hair to what feels right. But I’m also glad you cut it shorter because now you know NOT to do that again.

taylor

Veteran

Maya, as a hairstylist I will give you my 2 cents, for what it's worth.

The photos you show with the BR model looks like a layerd, choppy slightly A-line bob with lots of texturizing.

I think givin your features you can wear this well...with your current bang.
I would suggest you bring this picture to your stylist...they help us see your vision...and she/he can always modify to better suit your needs and likes/dislikes.

Give this a try..It will give you a current and updated look as well as ease in styling that you are looking for.

Ana

(website)

Veteran

I really like the BR bob for you, Maya. Taylor gives great advice about bringing the photos to your hairstylist. I've always had better luck with that then trying to describe what it is I want. Also, it might take you a couple appointments to "perfect" the style for you. You'll have to live with it for a bit to figure out what you like and don't like about it, and your stylist can make the appropriate changes to your cut. Bobby and I are still trying new things with my hair. It's fun--I try to enjoy the process.

shiny

Veteran

The BR haircut is my haircut. It's called a "reversed bob" - but this example is on the long side. Last year that same BR model had a more extreme, shorter version... the Pob. (Posh made it famous).

The cut is super short and layered in the back, angling forward to chin length in the front, and parted on the side. It is a fun cut because you can do a lot with it - tuck it behind the ears, flat iron it straight, put in product to make it piecey, etc. The angling towards the front gives you a lot of swing and movement, and also the benefit of short hair in the back, but long (chin length) hair in the front.

The reason I got this cut initially is because I was spending all my days pulling my hair back into a ponytail, and this was damaging my hair. Also I have zero patience for drying and styling the back of my head - I think my arms are too short because when I have to blow dry the back, it looks awful and I can never get it right. With this cut, I just dry the top layers at the crown, then use my hands to scrunch the layered parts - or let it air dry and go for a messy bed-head look in the back.

I do have wave in my hair, and the wave becomes curls when my hair is this short. So if your hair is stick-straight, you may need more texturizing and layers or use of product to get the volume.

This cut gives me quite a bit of volume and height on top, which is good for me because my forehead is rather low. The cut gives me a good two extra inches at the back of my head, which adds height overall. I think it balances out the shape of my face and head. Technically my face shape is a square, but because my forehead is short, certain cuts can make my face look more like a triangle - too narrow on top and too wide and cheeky on the bottom.

This cut grows out easily and gracefully, so if you want a low-commitment, shorter cut, I say go for it. I went for two months recently between cuts, and the cut looked fine but I needed to refresh the highlights. I just had it cut and it's the same length as the BR model now; I would've liked it a little bit shorter than that (still long enough to tuck behind the ears in front though), but I suspect my hairdresser is hurting for business and wants to see me more often.

I still say you look fantastic in the straight-across bangs. I cannot wear bangs like that at all - my hair has too many cow-licks to stay straight. I envy anyone who can wear bangs like this. It really brings out your beautiful eyes and frames them. I also think it works well with your face shape. I do not think you look too young either. But I do understand about the pain of growing out bangs like this, as my DD16 spent about 9 months growing hers out. She's only just now getting past the awkward phase.

I still highly recommend going to a Vidal Sasson salon. Heck, you may even see my old hairdresser who first cut my hair like this! I am told he moved back to NYC.

Ariadne

Veteran

Maya, I think the BR cut you posted would be great for you. It would be high-maintenance for me because of the weird amount of wave in my hair, but since yours is straight, it should work really well. Be sure to bring in the pics to your stylist.

Also, don't be disheartened if the cut doesn't work perfectly the first time. I actually went back (to a different stylist) 2 weeks after cutting my hair short recently and had it cut much shorter because I wasn't totally happy with the first cut. It was a bit frustrating, but one extra cut in the grand scheme of things is no big deal, and I'm happy now.

PS I haven't seen your face before! You're so pretty!

Lena

Maya, I'm afraid I can't be of much help with picking a haircut.

I wanted to chime in about hats. In today's blog entry several people complimented your lovely hat (beret?). I second everyone's opinion - you're definitely a hat girl. So maybe this is something to consider as well? I don't know which length is best for hats, maybe it even varies with hat type.

Good luck and keep us posted.

Maya

Veteran

Wow so many replies! I wish I could keep up at work. Sigh.

Sorry Laura, I seem to have missed your post. You and Angie seem to be on the same wavelength.

Angie, I think you were in HK when I did part I. Nothing really came of it.

Taylor, thanks for your input. It means a lot coming from someone who deals with hair all day. Mostly, I would just like to have a lot of fullness at the top, no matter what my hair length. Otherwise my face looks unusually wide (which it isn't).

Shiny, didn't I once post that BR model and say she was copying you once? Well, your hair looks fairly thick and healthy so I can take that as a good sign. I guess my biggest concern is that I have such large features, which looks fine and good when my hair is long, but might look ENORMOUS with less hair. I don't know. I guess if I don't at least try it, I'm going to wonder about it forever, so I may as well go for it.

Laura

(website)

Veteran

Go for it, Maya! You definitely seem to be on the right track. And as Ana says, bring photos. When will you do 'the deed"?

Maya

Veteran

I think I'm going to get one last long hair trim. My old stylist that I really liked left on maternity leave some time ago. I went for MONTHS without a haircut because I didn't want to go to anyone else, but eventually I had to go ahead and see someone new because it was getting out of control. She did a pretty good job, but I'd like to try her out for a second time to make sure she's a keeper.

I also don't think I'm too keen on leaving the back of my neck exposed when it's so cold. So I'll probably wait until it warms up a bit.

My hair right now (when it's the right length, which is not at the moment), actually has some very short layers cut into it. The shortest hit around the top of my ears. So I can pull it back after I get it trimmed and get an idea of how it looks.

Lena, you have a point about the hat. I think hats generally look better with long hair. I guess by the time next winter comes around, if I really want to I can just grow my hair back out and have alternating lengths each season, hehe.

shiny

Veteran

Maya - my hair is actually incredibly fine and sparse. It's not thick at all. But it looks a lot thicker when it's short like this (and highlighting helps with the texture too). The shorter cut takes the weight off and then my hair bounces and looks more full than it really is. And the short layers in the back support the top layer at the crown.

Your features are not large and certainly are not enormous. You have a very regal look. I think I like the bangs because you look like an Egyptian queen! Such pretty eyes.

Nicole

Veteran

Ok I'd like to weigh in again.

It seems to me that you want a low maintenance haircut, but of course one that works well with your facial features. So, make sure you find out from your hairdresser, how much maintenance will be involved in this cut. I'm sure your hair type will affect that issue. 45 minutes is a ridulous amount of time for anyone to spend on their hair each day. Maybe your hairdresser can help you find ways to shorten your routine? For example, washing your hair the night before, letting it air dry, and then velcro rollers in the morning while you get dressed. Or blowing it dry with just your fingers until it's nearly dry, then adding product and finishing it with a brush.

One thing about that cut that bothers me--it's VERY popular right now. 3 of my friends have this cut, a few my daughter's friends have this cut, and I swear 5 out of 7 tellers at my bank have this cut. Sometimes when a cut is so popular, it becomes dated quickly.

Alecia

Veteran

Maya, I really like the cut you posted. Nicole does make a good point about discussing with your stylist about how your hair will respond and whether it will be high or low maintenance.

I'm constantly changing my hair. It's kind of a running joke I change it so much. It's become part of my persona. Anyway, I've gotten to the point where I have little fear about drastic changes. Going from light to dark or long to short. It really doesn't faze me. But it took some trial and error to get to that point. The most important factor in being comfortable was finding a stylist that I trust implicitly. I often go in and say, "I want a change." And without any input about what exactly I want my stylist will do something new and wonderful and good for my features and hair. Granted, we have a very special relationship that requires time to establish. (He can never leave me!) A relationship like this can help with some of the anxiety and is well worth the effort.

The other point I'd make is that the times I've been most disappointed in cuts was when I let my fear take over and suggested some kind of transition cut - the "I'm kind of scared to go short all at once so I'll do something in the middle to get used to it before going all the way" cut. In my experience, these don't make you feel better about going all the way. They don't look like what you originally wanted so they disappoint and then that reinforces the fear. I say if you're going to go for it, you should really go for it.

And with that, I vote for change!

Violet

Just wanted to chime in and say that I love the pictures of the haircut you posted. I think side-swept bangs would be really flattering on you. Good luck and I look forward to seeing the results!

Maya

Veteran

I'm completely inept at putting my hair in rollers. It's one of those things in life that normal people don't even have to think about, but that I struggle with--like ironing. My hair just holds in so much moisture, and the minute it starts drying, it becomes frizz city. I have to start drying it from the time it's sopping wet, which makes it take longer. I'll always have to do some blowdrying because I just don't have the texture to let it air dry, but I remember when I had short hair it took about 10-15 minutes, tops. Now I have to section it off and go over each section over and over until I just get fed up/my arms get tired.

Alecia, I guess I'm fearful because I have never had that kind of relationship with a stylist before. I was almost there with my old stylist before she decided to choose her baby over me :p

I guess it's also hard for me to tell anyway, since there is really no way I can judge my relationship until I do take some kind of dramatic risk.

Tanya

Veteran

I am late here too, but I wanted to say that you have absolutely gorgeous shiny hair that I envy you on and I think that the cut in BR photo would look great on you, it would highlight you beautiful eyes.

shana

Veteran

Maya, now that I have seen the blog post and your current hairstyle, I definitely think you could go shorter and look fab! I do really like your long hair look too but I can understand wanting something that requires less maintenance. I think some kind of chin length bob with some layers would be really flattering and would add some volume and interest to your hairstyle. I love your side swept bangs and you should definitely keep those! Funny thing is - I think we have essentially the same hair cut (mine is still growing out from my little experiment in December but this is what it usually looks like). In my case, my face is more round which I am trying to camouflage (that and the double chin Yikes!) with longer layers. Since your face is more oval, I would think that you would look good with shorter, chunkier layers.

One thing to consider in terms of easing into it vs going for it now is the weather. I know you said your hair is straight but it gets frizzy without blow drying. My hair is the same way - in fact, it's kind of a fro in the humid, summer weather and I need the weight of the longer hair to keep it down. This is less of an issue for me in the winter when the air is drier. You might want to consider getting it cut shorter now and having it grow out a little longer in the summer...

Inge

(website)

You've received expertise advice Maya, I've nothing new to add really, but just wanted to encourage you to go for it!
I'm keeping my fingers crossed that your new stylist will work out;-)

Completely off topic, but before I forget: you said you'd love some more waistcoats and I thought maybe you would like this one (I've posted it somewhere before):

It looks fitted (I think you prefer something that 'holds you in'?) and I love the ruffly details and the halterneck, that makes it more unique.
http://store.delias.com/item.d.....andFilter=

Lucy

Just wanted to add that I think this haricut would look great on you. My haircut is actually very similar to this (except I have bangs), and I can vouch for it being very easy to style and it grows out very well. In fact I am well over-due for a haircut because, like you, my hairdresser has been on maternity leave for the past 3 months. And while my hair doesn't look great at least I don't cringe when I look in the mirror every morning. Well . . . some mornings I do