Should I change my hair? - YouLookFab Forum

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Should I change my hair?

Michelle

(website)

Veteran

Angie's post today has got me thinking about the next phase of my YLFification. I have my regular 6-8-week hair cut scheduled for the weekend, and I'm wondering if I should take this opportunity to make some changes. I'm going to expand on a comment I made to Angie's blog post explaining what I seek in a hair cut, and will throw in a link to my pics in case you don't recall what my hair currently looks like. I'm definitely open to input on whether you think a change is necessary.

I’ve always been very leary of playing too much with my hair for the same reasons that I hesitate to wear colours or prints I can’t visualize. It is difficult
for me to picture the effects of different hairstyles on specific facial shapes, including my own, and I find this to be an area where people have a hard time advising me.
People understandably struggle to describe *exactly* what kind of cut they’d like to see. I also have textural issues at play. I like a cut that I can
assess and style by touch. I need to know, just by using my hands, whether the hair is flat, whether ends are sticking out in places they shouldn’t, etc.
My current style fits that bill perfectly, and I’ve had it for quite some time. I’ve always wanted to wear my hair longer, but it gets stringy and lifeless
in no time and pretty much has to be kept above the shoulders if it’s going to have any body.
The other factor for me is colour. I considered getting highlights for years, but ultimately decided not to start messing about with something that I won't be able to monitor myself. Since I can't look in a mirror and see that roots are starting to pop out, I'd rather not leave myself at the mercy of the less observant people living with me. That decision also jives well with my "less is more" hair/skin care approach. I know I'll have to start dying it if I follow my mother's example and go grey early, but right now I'm inclined to stick with my natural colour.

I’m definitely not averse to changing my style a little, I just don’t know how to go about it at the moment. My current due is just the right amount of work, but does it look ok? Do you envision something for me that might perhaps be more flattering?

http://s709.photobucket.com/al...../YLF_pics/

I'm not making any promises here, but I'm definitely interested in your input! Thanks, as always.

General

16 replies

Latest reply was from Kristen

Oneirix

(website)

Hey Michelle! Funny, I JUST did a similar post!

Your hair is very pretty! If you're up for something a little new, have you considered side bangs? They work great on every face shape and they grow out very gracefully. They're really fun if you like keeping your hair as it is but want to give it a little more impact.

Regarding the highlights, you don't have to get them from the root down; my stylist put highlights in my hair and they're not random, per se, but they aren't long streaks like more people envision. They're pretty fun to play with, but I think your hair may require layers for that particular style to work.

Have fun with your haircut! Show pictures afterwards too!

shiny

Veteran

I would not change a thing about the color of your hair, Michelle. It is quite lovely and looks amazing next to your creamy skin.

The only reason you *might* ever consider hair color is for the textural changes that color can provide. I also have fine thin hair that gets stringy and lifeless if allowed to grow too long. Hair color makes it easier to manage and it simply feels and behaves thicker. BUT I wouldn't go to the bother at your age - you just don't need it, your hair looks healthy without - wait until you get some stray grays or get older. Then, if you choose to ever color, I would color it the exact same color it already is.

As for cut, I like your cut as is. Personally I like the side part and no bangs, because I think it really shows off your gorgeous brow bone and eye shape. Your current hair cut frames your face, which is just so nicely shaped. You remind me of a 1940s movie actress! (that's meant as a compliment; 1940s was my favorite decade for movie actresses... ).

The only thing I can think of suggesting, if you want a change-up, is same cut but go a tad shorter? Perhaps angling in towards your chin? With longest part at chin length and angling along the line of your chin? Some of your pics are close to that so I'm assuming that is what it looks like after a recent haircut.

ImogenL

(website)

I'd love to give you a soft, side-swept fringe (bangs in your language) as you have a high forehead and this will soften your face, otherwise I'd leave it in a similar cut if it's easy to manage for you. Getting a fringe would make a big difference to the feel of the style.

taylor

Veteran

I'm with Shiny on this,... love your color , and the shape of the cut. I swear you are so georgeous...I thought ...LIZ TAYLOR:)

Bangs are great but can you manage them.... If you have any wave in your hair at all it will be a constant struggle for you. I vote pass on the side bang.

You are very striking, and if your hair is managable for you ,stick with it for now:)

Ana

(website)

Veteran

I agree with the ladies, I'd leave it as-is. It looks really nice, and is very soft and flattering on you. And if it's easy for you to manage, that's always a great thing!

Angie

(website)

Fashion Stylist

I LOVE the colour too. It's pretty and dramatic at the same time. You're like Snow White!

I like the idea of a soft fringe if you can manage it. I REALLY like the idea on an inverted bob that brings up the length of your hair. How do you feel about that Michelle?

Lena

I like hair as it is now, Michelle. And I love your hair color - the contrast with your skin is gorgeous.

Michelle

(website)

Veteran

Everyone is so sweet and complimentary! Thank you. Shiny, you're not the first to reference a 1940's actress, someone thought I looked like Joan Crawford (hopefully sans psycho factor)!

I'm inclined to go with the concensus and leave the hair in the same style on Saturday... But Angie, could you clarify what you mean by an "inverted bob that brings up the length of your hair." For those of you who are suggesting a fringe, how far down my forehead do you see it going? I'm not sure if I could hack it; when I had bangs they drove me batty, but maybe you have another look in mind.

shiny

Veteran

Michelle, an inverted bob is the cut I have, and I was going to mention that, but sometimes I feel like I'm always suggesting my own cut to other people, so I refrained! LOL.

However, I also have hair that sounds similar to yours: my hair is very fine, very thin, and wavy. If I grow it to my shoulders, it begins to get scraggly and just lays kinda flat and lifeless. I will inevitably start wearing it all the time in a ponytail because it looks better. I also confess to being really lazy and bad about styling the back of my hair when it's long. I think this is because my arms are short and/or tire too easily holding a blowdryer and brush to do the back. So my hair in back, when it's long, will end up with funny cowlicks because I don't patiently blow dry it straight. Also when my hair is longer in the back, the crown goes completely flat.

So an inverted bob is a cut that is shorter in the back, and longer in the front. The back has lots and lots of layers. The sides angle from the back, towards the front, with the longest layer falls somewhere around the chin. The shorter it's cut in the back, and the longer you want it in the front, the more dramatic this angling is and the edgier-looking the cut.

The beauty of this cut:

1. The texture and feel of it is wonderful, especially in the back. Sounds weird, but I love running my hands through the back of my hair!

2. You don't need to do much styling to the back. In fact, scrunching it up and letting it dry all messy can look really cute.

3. The layers in the back give incredible lift to your hair at the crown, esp if you have a bit of wave. Because the layers are shorter, it frees up the wave. You do have to blow dry with a round brush to get the maximum lift at the crown. I can add 2-3 inches to my height with this cut.

4. You still have the benefit of face-framing, longer layers in the front. You can angle your hair in towards your face, or tuck it behind your ears, or flip it out at the ends, or add a bit of pomade to the tips, or air dry for a wavy/curly look. You can flat iron it if you like doing that.

You can also have this same cut with a side swept bang. I have done that, and I liked the look but it was just too much work to maintain it. When my bangs get that short, there's no weight to keep the cowlicks under control. I ended up having to flat iron and gel and hairspray them into submission every day. Your mileage may vary!

Posh Spice made the dramatic, edgier version of this cut very popular in recent years - and it's now called the "Pob." I have had mine in the Pob; right now it is a little less dramatic than that. Kate from Jon & Kate plus 8 also has a version of this cut. So if this sounds like something you want to try, just ask for a "Pob" if you want to go the edgy route, or ask for an inverted bob if you want something less edgy.

shiny

Veteran

In case you need more explanation, here's an article:

http://www.zimbio.com/Inverted.....rcuts+2009

My descriptive powers are pretty bad early in the morning.

Angie

(website)

Fashion Stylist

You did a superb job of explaining, Shiny. How do you feel about the idea now, Michelle?

Michelle

(website)

Veteran

Shiny, are you kidding? That's a fantastic description! And thanks for the article, too; you're a goldmine!
Hmm, not sure how I feel about the inverted bob, actually. I'm going to have to think about it. I like the idea of having more volume, but can't quite picture how the look will work or feel. Let me mull it over. It' scertainly an idea that never would have occured to me without you guys! Maybe I'll case my friends to see if anyone is sporting that style. If so, I can feel it and maybe get a more accurate picture of it that way

Angie

(website)

Fashion Stylist

Good idea, Michelle. Remember, that hair grows! If you feel like a change, go for it. You'll have your length back in 3-4 months. But if it's too unsettling, keep it as is.

Above all, have fun at your hairdresser on Saturday.

shiny

Veteran

If you lived near me I'd run over there and let you feel my hair.

A year ago, this cut was so popular, I would walk into my salon and it seemed nearly every person working there was sporting this cut!!! So, you may luck out and there may be someone at your salon who can let you get a feel for it.

The cut is still quite popular, but the edgier version of it seems to be on the way out. I'm seeing more people sporting a longer version of it, with the front layers longer than the chin, and with a version that is less dramatic in the angling from back to front.

That's what my own hairdresser has done with my cut over the last 2-3 cuts, and while I do appreciate that he's probably trying to evolve my look now that the trend has peaked, personally I think I prefer the edgier, funkier version. Because I can have more fun with it and I think it suits my personality better! I also think I have an oddly shaped head, and the more dramatic angling somehow makes my overall head shape look less odd.

taylor

Veteran

WOW, Shiny , I almost fell off my chair..AMAZING description and I love the reference to Posh....excellent..

Michelle, I think Shiny covered it:)

Kristen

(website)

Veteran

I have an inverted bob as well, although I prefer less difference in the lengths from back to front. It has definitely been a cut that has evolved over time; my hairdresser and I change it up a little with every session, going shorter on the layers in back, increasing/decreasing the length in front, etc. If you do go for it, try to do it with someone you will go back to over and over so you can tweak it as needed.