I stick with the same hair dresser because too many have messed up on my hair. I'm no longer a trusting soul.

A really short do is super easy to style and deal with on a daily basis, but requires much more upkeep with very frequent trims. It sounds like you enjoy a short cut, and it definitely looks good on you. I think that I would find a new regular stylist that has a more open schedule before going for a drastic change. Waiting five months for a haircut is ridiculous. There must be other salons around.

I definitely understand the value in a longstanding relationship with a stylist, it's just not possible for me right now, so I'm looking at different options.

I recognize the difference my hair makes in how I feel, but this is also a very low priority in my life right now.

My 18 year old daughter was diagnosed with cancer last summer. Her last year of treatments have been incredibly draining and debilitating for her. I managed to make it to two haircut appointments in that time. One to my regular stylist, one scheduled at the last minute to the salon with newer stylists. I had to cancel on the same day or day before 4 or more appointments because we never know day to day or week to week what we'll be facing health wise for my daughter and my reality is, if she needs me I'm not going to be getting my haircut...no matter how shaggy I am. I don't think cancelling that often is fair to any stylist, regardless of how unfair my life situation is.

We found out last month that she has a new tumor and this next year of treatments will be worse than before, with even longer hospital stays and more isolation. I'm trying to figure out a plan now for how to best work around this awful situation, knowing that a good, regular haircut reAlly does impact my mental health in a positive way.

It also doesn't hurt that this kid is absolutely adorable with her 1 inch of fringe all over...thus my temptations to just go at my head with clippers and guards.

Sorry for the heavy post. I think in my attempt to not "go there" I was just making my needs unclear.

Traci -- My heart goes out to you. I totally understand why your daughter's health is your first priority. (Your family will be in my thoughts and prayers.) I see absolutely nothing wrong with utilizing walk-in salon options while you are attending to your daughter's needs. There are some terrific young stylists out there who are still developing a clientele and have plenty of openings. (My first short cut -- after decades of wearing my hair long -- was done as a walk-in client. I had no regrets.)

What about a hairdresser that does house calls? We had a stylist come to our home for my grandmother, when she was too ill to easily leave the house, and even to the hospital when she was admitted (including just moving the appointment from one location to the other!). There'll of course be times when you need to have 100% of your attention on your daughter, but I imagine there'll be more time when you can sit by her and get your hair done without needing to spend the time travelling to and from the salon, waiting, etc.

That is an interesting thought, Beck. I guess I'd be nervous that a stylist who specializes in home haircuts would be accustomed to an older style of haircut.

I'll say, the more we talk about this here the more I think I may be happiest just cutting it myself. My current stylist absolutely hates it when I take matters into my own hands, so I'm really curious to see how this conversation turns out with her.

Traci, first of all I am so sorry to hear of your daughter's troubles. That is a lot for all of you to cope with.

I can see from your pictures that a pixie really suits you, and it would be so easy for you to maintain. If you can get your regular stylist to start you off with a really good cut, you could then just pop in to the other salon for a trim, as and when needed. It would just be a case of following the lines of the original cut until your main stylist could fit you in again.

I haven't read all of the replies, so please forgive me if I've repeated others' advice. Good luck with the new cut.

I'm so sorry to hear of your daughter's cancer, Traci. I can see now why you have very specific requirements for your hair appointments. I think that your hairdresser will be able to point you in the right direction.

Based on this new info, I would say that a pixie would be a good choice, because they are (I think) quite easy for a stylist to do, and they are so easy to take care of as far as washing and drying. When I had a bob, I found that it was long enough that I couldn't just let it air-dry like a pixie, but it was not long enough for me to put in a ponytail if I didn't feel like dealing with it. I think either supershort or else long enough for a ponytail is the easiest to maintain if your schedule is up in the air a lot. Since your hair is only at bob length right now, it would be easier to get the pixie.

Oh gosh, Traci. My heart goes out to you and your daughter.

That's an adorable kid!

Traci, hugs, hugs, hugs. And health, health, health for her.

Traci, I'm very sorry to hear of your daughter's illness. Best of luck to you both.

Traci, I'm sorry to hear of your daughters illness. No wonder hair appointments are a low priority. I see though that your daughters short hair is rather cute!
I second the idea of trying a home hairdresser. One of the stylists at the salon I go to does home visits for people who can't easily get to her.
I admire those who cut their own hair, you've done it before ,though, and were you happy with it then?

I'm no expert on haircuts but I believe a long or short can be hidden effectively if it goes wrong then mid range.
My prayers for your daughter's health... And for you, too.

When I've cut it before it's been smaller things, like changing or trimming bangs, not an all over cut.

The thing I'm most nervous about with a pixie is the nape of the neck. I know it starts to feel sloppy when my nape gets too long.

I'm so sorry about your daughter's illness. She does look adorable with her short-short hair, and I think you would, too, if that's what you ended up with accidentally (if a new stylist just went nuts doing a trim). I think you look so much better with short hair than the longer hair in your profile picture, and if it feels like you, I say go for it, without delay. I feel so much more like myself with short hair, and because I'm getting it trimmed every four weeks (and really, I would like to do it every 3-3 1/2 weeks) a not-perfect haircut isn't as big a deal as when I was trying to grow it out. I've had my husband use the clippers (he has a basic crew cut which I've cut for him at home the past year after years of paying for a salon cut) on the nape of my neck a few times to stretch out times between cuts and it neatens the bottom edge just enough that I can deal with the rest for another week or two. Hugs to you both.

I am so sorry to hear of your daughter's tumor. A recurrence is so hard; you all have probably just started getting back to normal (or the new normal). She is so adorable in those photos. I guess the chemo will cause her to lose her hair? Does that make it harder to think about what to do with your own hair? Sending love to your family.

Her hair loss is a small factor, but not much. She's not very attached to her hair and doesn't have many emotions about it coming and going. The o my way it factors in for me is I wouldn't want a super short cut to seem like I'm taking attention away from her, or cutting my hair in solidarity as some do. She was really adamant from the start that she doesn't want anyone shaving their heads for her.

My current leaning is very short sides and back that I can clean up with clippers and a long guard at home if need be, and some length and volume on top and front. I'll probably go pretty short on the top and front so it can grow in for a while before the proportions get weird. We'll see if my stylist agrees, or has other ideas.

Traci, she's beautiful. And looks just like you.

I vote go to your regular stylist for a fabulous short cut. Then get trims where and as needed. My stylist told me I could come in any time to have the back of the neck cleaned up -- that is pretty easy and anyone could do it. I am pretty good and doing my own bangs now, too, after years of watching my stylist. You'll feel so much better when this is done.

Hugs to you and your lovely girl.

My best wishes for your beautiful daughter, Tracy. I pray that everything will turn out fine.

And, to answer your question: in my opinion a not-too-short bob is the easiest do. You can wear it straight, wavy and pull it back in a low ponytail for a change . I wish I had the face to wear it. I wore a short pixie for ten years, it's easy because in the morning you "wash and go" but it needs to be trimmed often otherwise it looks frumpy.