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What is the easiest haircut?

Traci

Veteran

I find that nothing puts a spring in my step like a fresh new haircut. Due to my personal life circumstances and my hairdresser cutting down to only working 1 day per week, thus booking out 3-4 months, I'm having a very hard time maintaining my haircut. There's a cute little salon in town that has tons of young stylists and the newer ones always have same day openings. I'm thinking I need to find the sweet spot between easiest and freshest haircut so I can just do same day cuts with whoever is available when my schedule opens up.

I'm also debating if I need to factor in growing out well. My hair gets really shaggy if not regularly trimmed, so even if the style doesn't need a refresh, my ends do within 3 months.

I'm considering a super short pixie, but how much of an art is there to getting that cut just right? Also, I feel like a pixie cries for a stunning color, and that's another thing to maintain that I may end up lapsing on.

Should I just get a simple bob that anyone can trim?

I see my regular stylist next week, so I'm going to talk all this through with her so she can start me off with something someone else can maintain. I'm just trying to figure out my own direction.

49 replies

Latest reply was from Sisi

texstyle

(website)

Veteran

Have you had a short pixie before Traci? Just curious as I'm not sure these are the easiest cuts to maintain. A simple bob does seem more foolproof.

Staysfit

Veteran

A pixie needs to be touched up every 3-4 weeks to stay neat. It's not a low maintenance hairstyle.

kkards

Veteran

i think the answer to this is really dependent on your hair type..for example, i have really thick straight hair, for me a bob is super easy. but my sister, how has thick but wavy hair, a bob requires a fair amount of work to maintain, and requires some skill to cut.

Traci

Veteran

I'm not so worried about low maintenance. It would actually be really good for me to go in and get a haircut every 3-4 weeks, it's just that to do it that often I'd need to be able to get in same day because my life's a little chaotic right now. If I need to go in every 3-4 weeks, I know I'll be working with a range of changing stylists who are new and haven't built up their clientele. I'm not sure if getting a pixie from a rotating range of new stylists is just asking for trouble.

One of the upsides in my head to a pixie is that if they mess it up I can just wear hats and headbands for a month until I'm due a new cut, while I'll just have to live with a messed up bob for a couple of months.

Traci

Veteran

My hair texture is somewhat fine and thin with only the tiniest bit of natural wave if it airdries.

Marilyn

Veteran

I have a bob with side fringe. Maintenance is pretty easy and cuts are easy as well. I go 6 to 8 weeks between cuts. My hair is straight and fine.

Suz

(website)

Veteran

Echoing Kkards. It depends entirely on your hair's texture and type and on what counts to you as "easy." On my hair, the easiest cut for a hairdresser would probably be a lob, because my hair is naturally extremely thick and mostly straight with a slight wave. From my perspective it also requires very little maintenance (although to look great it probably requires blow drying and possibly a flat iron -- and I prefer to wash and go). Unfortunately it's not much fun to wear...(because my hair is hot and heavy) and it doesn't really suit my long angular face.

I think pixies are fabulous and for me, very low maintenance because I don't consider the relatively frequent cuts to be a hassle. For me, the daily ease is worth it. I wash and go -- put a bit of product in and that is it! No fussing at all during the day, no worrying about how it looks -- it's just "me" -- between cuts I literally don't think about my hair. Also, unlike Staysfit, I can go a bit longer between cuts -- I tend to get mine cut every 5 or 6 weeks. When I had a slightly longer pixie style (the asymmetrical bang) it was 6 weeks between cuts and colour.

Pixies come in many permutations, though, and you need a hairdresser who really "gets" your hair and features. I would not trust any old stylist with my hair for a pixie -- especially not if it were the first time I were cutting it short.

I don't know if that is true for all hair. Mine is so thick that it needs a lot of texturizing/ layering. Thin hair would require different cutting strategies. There are so may factors.

But, I say -- go for the gusto and change!

Traci

Veteran

I have had very short hair many times. Actually, every time I cut it short I feel a sense of "ahhh...this is me" but then after a while I hanker to grow it back out. With my short hair in the past I've always had some length on top and in front, but I'm actually considering really really really short all over this time. I keep telling my daughter I should just clipper it to an inch and a half all over and she keeps telling me that is not the answer.

I'm just super fed up with it right now because it is 2 months past needing a cut because I called 3 months ago and got my girl's first available appointment. I've been calling in almost every Thursday for the last 6 weeks, hunting for a cancellation to no avail. I need a new system.

The final complicating factor is when I did get my hair cut last spring, we went all crazy and shaved the back and sides, so if I work on a bob I'll need to grow all that out. I've left it alone for the last few months in case growing it out is the direction I decide on, so it's just an extra mess.

Suz

(website)

Veteran

Absolutely!! You need a new system, new stylist.

I have to say, doing the clipper cut took a little bit of courage on my part...and isn't the way I want my hair to stay...but it did absolutely give me a sense of "fresh start!" I had worn it this short a couple of times in the past so had some sense of what it would be like, but even so, the sides especially felt really "mannish" to me at first. (Getting better now as it grows in).

If you feel "you" with short I would definitely go in that direction. But trusting to just any old stylist is probably a recipe for more bad hair days.

Traci

Veteran

This is the shortest it's been...7 years ago. I'm thinking shorter than this now.

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Suz

(website)

Veteran

So cute to see your daughter in the background there -- she is the spitting image of you!

Love you in the asymmetrical cuts.

Do you have some inspiration pics? That's also really helpful. To show the stylists, too.

Traci

Veteran

Here's what I've been pinning the last few days. Looking at them, most of them aren't much shorter than my last short. Right now I'm obsessed with all Carrie Mulligan's cuts. I notice how much more I like her pixie blonde instead of brown, though.

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Anonymous

For me, short hair is a lot of work. I'm currently growing it out, but I know I won't let it go below shoulder length. My advice to you is that if you feel more like yourself with short hair, by all means go for it. You should be able to find online pics to give you ideas.

annagybe

(website)

Veteran

Honestly if you have any sort of wave or cowlicks short hair will be more difficult to change stylists constantly. A hairdresser learns to work with your hair. With my bangs & asymmetrical mullet, I've been constantly tweaking it.
I'd say you have two options, find a regular new hairdresser. Or if you need to do the rotating availability, longer layers which can hide a multitude of sins.

Anonymous

I have 3 cowlicks. That's why short hair is more work for me.

Angie

(website)

Fashion Stylist

In my experience, the easiest haircut in the world is the one that Suz has right now. I used to have it to. WASH AND GO every single day with a dash of product.

El Cee

Veteran

The easiest cut for me with respect to daily wear has been a short pixie with very short choppy bangs. I tend to wear it "messy" and not "sleek", especially in the summer heat. Towel dry… spike it with a little pixie cream... Gas and Go! My hair is very thick but fine, and has significant wave and a few stubborn cowlicks. My stylist uses a razor to texturize the cut and to thin it out a bit. As my hair grows fast, I go for a cut every 3 weeks in order to keep the shape. I do not think you need "stunning color" to pull off a pixie… just attitude and some fun earrings (if that is your thing). My natural color is a medium reddish-brown. I periodically add a few streaks in a brighter copper color just for fun… but it is not necessary. I tend to stick with the same stylist, but I think that the cut could be reproduced by anyone who has experience working with short hair.

Cerinda

Veteran

I think the easiest haircut is the one that's "cut into" one's own hair's personality. On me, a pixie require tons of product and painstaking daily blow-drying; my current bob needs just a squirt and five minutes and lasts past dirty and itchy even when I'm wearing hats. Your bravery in negotiating style and stylists is admirable, Traci. I'm so timid about who touches my hair, lashes, brows, all that, that I book salon appointments months ahead and schedule my life and work around them.

Astrid

Veteran

Agree with Cerinda - the easiest cut is the one that works with your hair. I love my short pixie and totally feel like myself with the short hair. Right now I really can't imagine going longer again. It's easy to care for in everyday life, just needs water in the mornings. That said, I prefer a cut every four weeks and always go to the same guy who knows my naturally wavy hair. Your hair is straight though? Maybe you'll have a bit more leeway for little changes from cut to cut.

JAileen

Veteran

Traci, I think your inspiration pics are super cute and are similar to your shorter cut from before, and would look very good on you. Good luck!

Anonymous

I love my stylist and can go 8 to 10 weeks with my pixie. He knows the ins and outs of my hair and can give me a cut that works for my hair type and the fact that it grows quickly. He is pricey, but in the long run I would probably spend the same amount if I had to go more often.

Sally

Veteran

I have the same colour specialist but have been going to different places for a cut for 2 years. I found a good cheap place near my son's cricket place so may keep going there.
Anyhow I don't suit short hair so I found a Bob easy to get from different people. It was assymetrical. Most people could do a bob. I'm going for layers now...I find at my length a bad hair cut will grow out in a few weeks.
I have very straight hair and used to 3 months between hair cut but get it coloured every 6 weeks.

elpgal

Veteran

Traci, can you explain your situation and see if your stylist can recommend someone else in the salon who can tag team with her to get you in sooner?

The stylist I currently see has limited evening hours and with a young kid and a husband who travels, I was going too long between cuts. So, I leveled with my stylist and told her that I would have to alternate more expensive cuts with her with maintenance cuts from others. So far so good.

Sal

Veteran

I see the same stylist all the time. In terms of day to day maintenance I find either short or long the easiest- bobs or mid length are harder as my hair flicks around, especially if it hits my shoulders. Short cuts do need regular visits- 6 weeks is my schedule. In terms of "getting it right" - I am not sure, I think it depends on your hair. For fine hair like yourself I suspect shorter is easier than longer- my sister has this type of hair.

For colour- I get mine every second cut, and high/low lights.

Traci

Veteran

Elpgal, I am planning on brainstorming with my current stylist when I see her. Her salon tends to be more established stylists who aren't as likely to have same day openings. I really need a system that allows for me to be able to go for it when the stars align and I can take off for a couple of hours to freshen up. I'd really love a diy option, but I already know she will not be in support of that.

I'll probably feel less desperate about it after I get my next cut.

Anonymous

I like your short hair and think that the inspiration pics #1 and #5 would be good. It seems to me like if you have hair at the front that's longer, you're less likely to have a bad haircut.

Amy

(website)

Veteran

Pixies seem high maintenance to me.I have had them many times and they must be trimmed frequently. A simple bob has been my fall back when I don't want to do any styling...and it always is chic

That being said, you look terrific with short hair!

Jaime

(website)

Veteran

I am with Suz regarding the ease of a good short haircut being well worth the more frequent trims. I spend no time on my hair (wash with conditioner, scrunch in product and forget), but by six weeks it needs a trim. I think it is worth hunting a new reliable stylist and going for it!

Gigi

Veteran

I'll be completely honest...I think that jumping around from hairdresser to hairdresser based on availability is going to make you unhappy. Regardless of what haircut you choose, each stylist is going to cut it a bit differently, and you're not always going to be pleased with how it turns out. I had to rotate stylists for a couple of years due to some financial issues, and it was very difficult. One haircut would be great, the next one not so much. After a few haircuts by different people, the shape of the cut starts to change, since none of the stylists really knows what it looked like before, and it becomes difficult to get the cut you had. Of course, your permanent stylist can fix that every few months, but you're still having to deal with an unsatisfactory cut day in and day out for quite a while.

I agree with the commenters who said that it would be best to try to tag team with another stylist at your salon, even though that would require some planning ahead. I also would try to be open to the idea of finding a new permanent stylist. I think it's important for you to be able to count on a good haircut each and every time you go in...you're worth it!

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