To chop or not to chop? - YouLookFab Forum

Hi ladies! I'm very happy today as my boyfriend and I have decided to book a little holiday to NYC. My best friend lives there and we try to take a long weekend to go visit her about once a year, usually in the Spring. This year we'll be going at the end of May, for four days over the Memorial Day weekend. While the weak pound means that the shopping won't be as good as it has in past years, and I'm technically on a bit of a shopping ban, I will of course be looking to shop a bit. Or a lot. We'll see.

One fab accessory that I'm definitely bringing home with me is a new haircut: I have an app't booked at Devachan, a salon in SoHo which specializes in curly hair. I've been wanting to go here for years, but my trips to NYC never coincided with me actually needing a haircut, until now.

I wanted to get your thoughts on what type of cut I should ask for. Right now my hair is past my shoulders, weighed down by itself and pretty darn miserable. Observe:
http://i641.photobucket.com/al.....F/long.jpg

I have been toying with the idea of going short for a while now, because at 25, I feel I want something a bit more polished. I have had shorter hair in the past, most recently when I first moved to the UK almost three years ago, and it looked like this:
http://i641.photobucket.com/al...../short.jpg

I thought that cut was a bit wispy and edgy for me (also a bit long in the back), and if I were to do the chop again I'd ask for something closer to this:
http://blogs.manchesterevening.....e/SJP2.jpg

I'm not really precious about my hair (it grows back, after all) but sometimes I worry that, in cutting it off, I'd be getting rid of a good feature. On a good day when it's behaving itself, it can look great and I get a lot of positive attention for it (even from some of you ladies, when I first posted photos here). If I don't cut it short I will still probably cut about 2-3" off and get a bit more shape going on, hopefully resulting in more of those good days.

So, what do you ladies think: chop it off, or keep it long?

16 years ago

Louise

Veteran

You have gorgeous hair, I think the SJP cut would look fab on you x

Anonymous

Well I think you are stunning either way. Having it shorter does not take that away from you. I LOVE it in the picture where it is shorter and takes advantage of that fabulous natural curl. With hair and features like yours I think it would be a shame to not have fun and keep mixing it up and keep people guessing what your next hairstyle will be. Have fun, you are young and beautiful, with curls no less.

merry77

Active Member

I am always up for an adventure when it comes to hair, so I say chop it! The pic you posted for inspiration is great.

shiny

I think if you are finally able to book a salon appt at a salon you've always wanted to visit, then you should by all means plan to make a more drastic cut than just a trim. I would take the SJP photo in, and also the previous short cut, and let them know you are willing to go that short, then ask the stylist what they think. Give them room to be creative and make recommendations - that's what you're paying for.

How fun! Can't wait to see the results! (And I love your specs)

Maya

I can totally see that SJP haircut working on you. I like your short hair cut, and the SJP cut doesn't look too far off but definitely has a nice edge to it. Like Shiny, I don't see the point in going to a salon like this and just getting a trim.

My sole concern is whether you'll be able to maintain the cut when you get home. Will you be able to find a stylist that can keep it up?

BlondeAmbition

I love how you described it "I'm not precious with my hair." Too often you see girls hanging on to hair that's too long for their face and shedding tears at the salon. Since you're not afraid of trauma why not be flexible and let them make suggestions to you? My hair is fine and straight but I feel the same way about hair. I sit in the chair and I ask them for suggestions as long as it's wash n' go, and easy to take care of. Have fun with it!

susand

My gosh are you ever beautiful!!!

I too can totally see you with the SJP haircut.

But I am with everyone else...ask the professionals at the salon. Bringing in the photos will let them know you are serious about a change and they can make recommendations from there.

You are gorgeous with the long hair, but the photo with the shorter 'do is just stunning and it allows the rest of your features to really "pop"...in a good way.

I can't wait to see the after photos!

Ariadne

Wow, you're absolutely gorgeous. I adore the shorter length on you and I think Shiny's advice is great--bring in the 2 photos (short hair and SJP) and then go from there with the stylist.

casey

My advice? Let the pros at Devachan decide. My friend gets her hair cut there and they do an absolutely incredible job, it is worth the price tag and then some.

They took my friend's hair from "my hair is so curly and frizzy I'm just going to hide it by pulling it back all the time" to the very first thing you notice about her (in a good way).

I wish I had curly hair just so they could work their magic on me, but alas mine is only slightly less than stick straight.

Dawn

(website)

Go for it! The shorter haircut really highlights your lovely bone structure. Anyway, why pay for a trim when you can get your hair styled especially when you aren't too precious about the possibility for having to grow out a haircut.

I cut my hair really short at the start of this year with that attitude and it really paid off. I now have the best haircut of my life because I was willing to take a small risk with my hair.

Take a risk, and if it doesn't work out, it'll grow again.

ImogenL

You have gorgeous hair - if you want a change, let the stylist decide - they may have ideas you've never thought of.

Angie

Fashion Stylist

You pretty little thing! You're going to look fabulous either way. Have fun sporting a shorter crop :0)

Kari

My gosh, you look awesome at either length. It looks like your curls are the perfect texture/shape for the SJP cut - lucky you!

Ele

Oh, you are all so nice! Thank you SO much for all the positive comments... I love this place!

I think you've all confirmed that what I wanted in my heart (short) is a good idea. I've been leaning toward it for months, but sometimes when I mention it people look at me as though I'm crazy. (Even my old stylist did this- hence why I'm not going to her anymore!) Shiny and Maya, I think you're right that it would be a waste of this opportunity to just get a simple trim, especially when it's going to cost me a pretty penny.

Good call, also, on bringing in both photos- I would have brought the SJP one but probably wouldn't have thought to bring in the one of me. I guess that way if my stylist is doubtful or unsure if it will work on me, I've got proof! I think my plan is to bring in both, say that I want something around this length, and let them deal with it from there.

(Maya, you do raise a really good point about whether I'd be able to maintain the cut- who knows? The salon does train stylists from all over the world in their method of cutting, so I think I'll ask if they know of any Deva-trained ones in the UK.)

There will definitely be pics when I'm back!

Asha

Wow, I'm excited to see those pics. My curl is very similar to yours. I've sported a pixie for a while now, but your picture has really motivated me to possibly grow it out for the fall. I had a similar style a couple of years ago and loved it. You are gorgeous with that length hair! Or with any length hair. I think your plan is perfect - let them help you figure out what to do.

hanna

go for the chop! as everyone as has already said, if this is a really good place then you shouldn't waste your appointment on just a trim. tell them what you have in mind, then let them have their way with you! you're such a pretty thing that no matter what they do you'll still look fierce (pulling my best tyra here, people)

Vani

You look fantastic with your hair at any length! The SJP looks like it will definitely give your hair an edgy vibe. Like others here, I would make sure it is a style you can maintain with least fussing.

Steffi

Go for it, you'll feel so empowered. I wear my hair very similar to SJP or I straighten it. It is cut at more of an angle. Plus I'm a lighter blonde.

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