Should I cut my hair off? I did it. See New Hair Happiness Post. - 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

Should I cut my hair off? I did it. See New Hair Happiness Post.

AM

Veteran

It has probably been 8 years since I cut my hair into something more mid-length. And before that it was bob, then grow it out, and repeat. I can't go short.

I'd like to get some thoughts on this and I do realize it is personal. But here are some of my thoughts.

I like to throw it up in a clip. Totally easy and I'm low maintenance.
I am able to achieve a range of styles but only when I put the effort into it and that seems pretty rare.
I feel like if I had the right stylish mid-length cut, it might be instantly a style after blow drying but perhaps I'm forgetting the maintenance of styling.
When I have a bob, I always feel like a tuck it behind my ears (like I do now) but somehow it just looks like a boring bob with hair tucked behind ears.
Bangs scare me as I have some wave but I'm open to it. Hair grows out.

I've included some pics of my current long hair in some different styles. And two shots (because I only have two pics of different style/length). One is ages old with a bob and the other is a wedding pic that I'm showing to give an example of longer bangs (clearly not a realistic every day look -- and we had a great photographer.)

Thoughts? And I can handle brutal honesty. And I want it. Thank you.

General

36 replies

Latest reply was from Dee

Firecracker (Sharan)

Veteran

Wow, this is a hard question. I think a mid-length style would be good to try, though I also really like your long, sleek hair. In the photos you've included here, though, I have to admit I'm really drawn to the ones where your hair is up (and the wedding photo, which I understand is not an everyday-achievable style, probably), so perhaps a mid-length style that is low-maintenance will give you the "instant style" you want--and also perhaps allow you to put it up in a clip for times you want to do that.

p.s. The fact that I like the looks of your hair up tells me that you would look great with less hair around the face, too--that's my reasoning above. I can picture you looking fabulous with less length.

Adelfa

Veteran

I love you with the long hair. I don't think I'm any help!

dashielle (Ann)

(website)

Veteran

You have gorgeous locks, but I have to say that I prefer the up-dos in these shots because your beautiful face is the focus. I say go shorter, choppier and maybe asymetrical (but I would, wouldn't i?).

Sal

Veteran

Wow what a stunning wedding pic!

Your hair is a similar texture to mine I think, wavy, thick, very lovely but also a little hard to manage...

You certainly can wear it off your face - it looks stunning.

I am all for hair experimentation..I think it is fun. I can see yours in a longer bob, maybe with some layers. I don't think too classic, I would keep some edge/rate/casual ness about it. If it was more shoulder length you could tie it back for exercise or working at home.

catgirl

Veteran

Here's my Pinterest board:

https://www.pinterest.com/masalagirl/hairstyles/

I see lots of mid length cuts that would be a good start. As you know from my chop today, I'm a spontaneous chopper and tweaker, because you will always wonder otherwise and it will grow!

AM

Veteran

Firecracker: Hmm. Drawn to the styles with my hair up. Less hair around my face. And you're for trying a mid-lenght style. Interesting. Thanks for chiming in. I realize it is just hair but this is a bit difficult. Perhaps I'm just in need of a change and it doesn't have to be better than long, just different for now.

Adelfa: Too funny. I asked for honesty. Thank you.

dashielle: Preferring the up-dos. You don't say. I'll have to look at some shorter, choppier styles. And I don't think I can do complete asymmetrical but I have liked a slight longer line toward the front of my face. But that is hair around the face vs. up-do. Hmm. Very hard.

Kiwigal: Yes, it gets hard to manage. I don't blow dry it every day. Pin it up wet is often the case. Which makes me feel less fab but totally easy. I do crave cutting some serious time off of any blow drying for going out or for leaving my hair down. And like I said to dashielle, I'll need to investigate some choppier and RATE styles.

catgirl

Veteran

Some pics

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.

dashielle (Ann)

(website)

Veteran

So, I should clarify that hair around your face isn't something to be avoided, but the weight of the length often creates a different (not bad, just different) balance. Alaskagirl's pics are spot on with what I was thinking, choppy but face lifting/lightening, if you will.

Carla

Veteran

There isn't really much difference between your 'long' hair and your 'bob' (long vs longer.). You can do all the same pull back/up-do's with the kind of length you are showing, even at your shortest. Where I see the difference is when you start cutting layers, especially around the front. Layers that might escape a clip or other tie-up when you want to pull it back and that might require some time and effort to style (like your wedding pic.)

I would suggest starting with a cut as short as the shortest bob you show, by way of reducing the maintenance time (drying) if you want lower maintenance. When you get used to having it 'short' have some long layers cut in...nothing too drastic, and that can be grown out to long enough to pull back in a month or 3, if they make you crazy. Experiment with letting it air dry in beachy waves, and with up-dos. If you want to go shorter, keep the front long, and shorten the back (like alaskagirl shows). You will only be a couple of months from growing it long enough to pull back again should you not like it.

Correct me if I am wrong, but going shorter and/or adding layers looks like it will release a lot of wave and volume and maybe even curl. My opinion is to avoid cutting a real bang or fringe.

I don't get the sense that you want to go really, truly, short.

Carla

Veteran

Some pictures of Elizabeth Shue. Your hair looks like it might behave like hers.

This post has 5 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.

Caro in Oz

Veteran

If you want to go edgier with your overall look then I think a shorter cut would work well. Your longer hair is more classic/natural than edgy imo. Nothing wrong with either, it just depends on what vibe you want

Anonymous

My first thought on seeing your post was "Oh, no, don't cut your gorgeous hair!" I love all the options you have and every one of the styles you show looks amazing on you. How wonderful to have that versatility. But styling is a lot of work, so if you crave wash-and-go, a cut makes total sense. And it's good to shake things up a bit.

Since I seriously think anything would look good on you, if you have a long-term hair stylist who really knows your locks, that's where I'd start. He or she knows your hair's texture, your lifestyle, etc. and can offer advice with all those things in mind. It's good to take photos along -- I like the suggestions others have made above-- and with your beautifully balanced features, I think you'll get close to the pictured look. But I do feel it helps to consult with someone who knows your hair. After my stylist explained how he did my current cut, I was stunned to realise that he takes into account every cowlick on my head to make it work.

Deborah

Veteran

I would love to see your hair at mid length. Say just on the shoulder. I love that you can do so many different looks by putting it up, pulling it back etc. and I would hate for you to loose that. I agree with Caro that a shorter length can make for an edgier look, which is what I think you are working towards. Mid length you can wear it smooth and straight, wavy, chopping etc etc.

Style Fan

Veteran

You have beautiful hair. I love your wedding photo but I know what you mean by living with long bangs. I recently saw a cut in Florida called the "swag". It is a long shag that looks really great on wavy thick hair. You could do it without the bangs if you wanted.

I have a version of it and I don't wash my hair everyday. I just let it dry naturally for waves or blowdry at the end for a smoother look.

I am going to test my computer skills and try to link a pininterst board but if it doesn't work just google the swag haircut. It is a new hip look.

carter

Veteran

They all look great to me. I'm such a haircut wuss. I had mine cut once into a bob with straight bangs and hated it on me. Otherwise I've grown and cut the same two inches for 40+ years...give or take some layers or "feathers" back in the day.

That said, I love the look of the pics AK posted, and I love the 2nd and 3rd pics of Elizabeth Shue that Carla posted.

Can't wait to see what you do.

Staysfit

Veteran

AM, I have nothing to add regarding the style, because I'm an awful judge of hair. Mine is unruly, hard to manage and it never dries when it's long so I keep it in a short, wash and go style. I don't own a hair dryer. I have had various short hairstyles but my rule has always been that the style has to be air dry and no maintenance. I suspect you may be like that given what you have said in your post. When you go to get your hair cut, make sure you let your stylist know that you do not like to spend a lot of time fussing with your hair. Tell them what you do and do not want to do in terms of morning hair care, etc.

UmmLila (Lisa)

Veteran

I like your long hair, in part because you often wear dark colors, so it's a big piece of light to offset the darkness.

AM

Veteran

alaskagirl: I will definitely take a closer look at your pics. Thanks. And your comment, "I'm a spontaneous chopper and tweaker, because you will always wonder otherwise and it will grow!" This REALLY resonated with me. If I continue to think about, I won't do it. So I need to take the plunge! Thank you. This is exactly what I needed to hear.

dashielle: Thanks for chiming back in to clarify about hair around the face. Very helpful.

Runcarla: Great analysis of the big difference when you add layers (that may escape the clip). But that these would grow out in a reasonable amount of time. And the tips about staging this change over a few cuts. Such good points to consider. I'm not sure I have that much curl but maybe. Thank you.

caro in oz: I do think I want to at least try something with more edge...and I can always grow back into classic, natural. Thanks for just making the distinction in these two looks.

Aliona: I think I will miss the ease of putting it up in a clip and the variety of style but (I think) I'm ready to experiment and if it means giving this up for a year, well, what the heck. And unfortunately my stylist and I don't have a long relationship but maybe a year. It took me a while to find him since we just

Deborah: Still having some flexibility but at the shoulder does seem in the direction that I'm looking for. Thanks!

Style Fan: I will definitely look at the swag! Thank you.

carter: I have only recently become a wuss. But I'm for making a change.

Staysfit: Great point. I'll definitely discuss maintenance --or lack of maintenance. Thank you!

AM

Veteran

UmmLila: You make a good point about the lightness that I can create with hair up. I'm on the fence about if I want to making it a criteria that I need to still be able to wear it up. Part of me says yes, and part of wants something shorter and more chic. Thank you for chiming in.

jackiec

Veteran

You have great hair so you can't go wrong. I like it long, yet think it will look fantastic mid length with layers. I love the pics alaskagirl posted, and the Elizabeth shue photos too. I like your hair up, and with layers around the face. You can still pull it up at mid length so might be a fun change.

Elizabeth P

Veteran

You sound so much like me, it's not funny. When my hair was long, I always prefered it back off my face. Any cut I had always "had to be ponytailable".

For me, the mid length cuts were always a lot of work... styling, blowdrying. I didn't mind this so much in winter, but it drove me crazy in summer when I want to be able to swim and have my hair dry naturally somewhat respectably afterwards.

so just think of this before you go mid-length... some people love and do well with the extra maintenance of this length. I did not.

Now my hair is short, and I have no intention of going back, at least not for a loooong time. I have the lightness of it being off my face, and the ease of a pony. Wash, muss, apply goop and go. So I'm sorry you're not interested in short hair, you might be surprised! Esp as you do look great with your hair off your face.

texstyle

(website)

Veteran

It is such a personal choice but I think mid-length is an easy thing to try - I go back and forth between longer and mid, wavy and straight all the time. I always keep it long enough to put in a ponytail (except for bangs, which I'm used to and they don't bother me or if so I just scoop them back and wear a hat).

AM

Veteran

jackiec: I do like it long but I think I just need a change. And yes, layers around the face seem to be the right change. Thanks for chiming in.

Elizabeth P: We do sound very similar. And I have this other part of me that doesn't like mid-length. I either want a shorter bob, just above the shoulder -- just don't like anything around the collar, like the movement without touching the collar -- or long, significantly below the collar. Something I'm just starting to think about more today. Thanks for make me reflect more on this.

textstyle: Back and forth of mid-length to long. Easy right? If don't like it, grow it back out...

Janet

(website)

Veteran

I agree with texstyle -- I think a mid-length would be a relatively painless way to try out a new look without going too radically different, and it will give you an idea of whether you want even more of a change a couple of months down the road. I think you will look great either way -- it seems to me that you have the features and facial shape that would work well with so many hairstyles.

You're in my area, right? Do you have a good hairstylist you like and trust? If you want a recommendation, PM me. My guy is currently on the eastern shore but is reopening a salon in Annapolis sometime in the coming year. I've been going to him for over 10 years and he's great.

AM

Veteran

Janet: Great. I'll PM you. Thanks!

Angie

(website)

Fashion Stylist

YES. Cut a chunk off. Why not? Mid-length sounds safe and very manageable.

AM

Veteran

Angie: What's a chunk? Or two? And thanks for chiming in! And for the YES.

Susie

Veteran

Gosh you're pretty

I think your long hair is gorgeous, truly. But I can relate to the desire to change it up. A "lob" (long bob) seems like it might be perfect for you. You can keep some of the length but with more of a true style.

AM

Veteran

Susie: True style. That is exactly what I am craving. I am preparing myself not to like it as much as long but just need a change. Thanks for chiming in with the lob!

12