hairdos or hairdon’ts
I’ve been wanting to cut my hair short for several months now, and in December I even “tried” to. But I didn’t have a picture of exactly what I had in mind and my hairdresser could tell I wasn’t very confident about my decision. So she just trimmed me up.
But I’ve been perusing some pictures of styles I like, and I’m starting to feel a little more ready to go for it. I’m a fairly indecisive person, and I’ve had two bad short cuts in the past, so I’m approaching this decision with a lot of hesitation. But I want something different. I’ve had boring hair for as long as I can remember.
My hair is straight and fine, which limits what I can do with it. I’m also not sure my face shape is conducive for a short cut. AND I don’t want to have to spend more than 10 minutes styling my hair in the morning. With all that in mind, do you think I could pull it off? (Feel free to include links to pictures of styles you’d recommend!)
I’ve shared some thoughts and pictures with a few friends, and have gotten mixed responses. Some words of caution, which I appreciate. Some words of encouragement, which I’m skeptical about (as always). And then my friend Dave had this to say, which threw a whole new dynamic into my waffling: “All guys like long hair—and if they say they like short, they’re lying.” I don’t have many guy readers (or at least not many guy commenters), but I’d certainly love to hear opinions on that one!
Dave is exactly right.
Just remember that hair grows! If you do go short and end up not liking it, it can only stay that way for so long. :) (Hey, that’s what I told myself in the past with bad do’s…)
I had to laugh though… this post reminds me of one of Heidi’s newer posts that I just read.
What does your husband say?
What do you say?
My advice though is to wait until you go to America. Unless she rocks here. I for the life of me I can not communicate with my lady here. I have been to 3 different people and they keep “trimming” 1-3 inches off in a bowl pattern on my head. Seriously. I think that Africa is funny that way. So now my old hairdresser from the States is coming on the next team and I am so thankful!!!! But back to you, what if you did like a semi-short hair cut. Not like a super short one? That way you can “grow” into it?? Just a thought. But my personal thoughts on the matter is because you are so petite – you can totally pull of any hairdo. Cut or color. You have the face and frame to rock any hair. You are beautiful.
@danielleH says:
i love your long hair! i’ve finally decided to try it long again – it’s been since i was a teenager that i’ve had long hair. although daniel does like my hair short (so he can get to my neck :) ). when my hair was short it was very easy to do, i did like it a lot. i should try to send you some pictures of cute haircuts. how short are you thinking?
and i agree with krisita – i’d wait til you get to america if you want to try something new.
@ventigrace says:
Gotta love my husband and his stir-the-pot comments :) I too have had my fair share of both good and bad shorter cuts- so I know the hesitation. I’m also of the mindset that hair grows… so if you have a hankering and you’re not happy w/ your long hair… then go for it. If a not-so-great end result would be a major stressor for you… keep considering until your confident.
What I know for sure??? You’re beautiful…
Amy and I are two for two (see comment on 4minFri) [couldn't resist the abreviations hee hee hee] … I agree wholeheartly that you are a beautiful woman.
I have heard alot of guys say they love long hair.. :)
drew totally loves long hair. i cut it shoulder length (my blog pic) just before we moved to seminary (i think i was going through a life-changing all or nothing phase!!!), but now i’m growing it back out. i think i’m growing it out for me, but i’m probably growing it out for him.
anyway, my hair is also straight & fine. but i was able to work with it when it was shorter. so, no biggie!
and, yes, it will grow out – faster than you think!
I love your long hair, but have often thought that you are “cool” enough to do well with a short cut….when Krista was thinking of cutting her hair I as scared because I liked her hair long…but now I can’t even remember it long….I didn’t think Jenn should cut her’s either…but now I love it….
I say….go for it…but remember that you have to get it cut more often to keep the style…one thing me and my wallet don’t like about short cuts…. bet you didn’t think that I would have so much to say about hair…considering that mine is fairly boring :)
Well, you’ve got so many great comments! I have heard guys say the same thing as Dave. However, other guys don’t make a stinkin’ bit of difference. Your hubby is the question. What does he say? Do you trust him to be truthful? My hubby I think prefers long hair, but to him, shoulder length is long. (Weird to me, when cutting my hair to shoulder length was “chopping it all off.”) His opinion when I was in exactly the same boat as you was, “Do it! It’s just hair, it’ll grow back.” Which is also exactly what he says when I don’t like the cuts I get. :) Interestingly, the best haircut I got (which I have NO pictures of) was when I said, “you know what – just do whatever you want.” She said, “Really?!” Like a kid in a candy shop. I got so many compliments on that cut. Complete strangers would speak up and tell me they loved my hair and ask who did it. Unfortunately, when I went back to her and said, “That was perfect, do it again,” she couldn’t. :( So anyway. Now (almost 3 years later) I think I’ve got the short bug out, and I’m growing it out again.
So in your case, I say – Do it! It was nice to have the encouragement of my husband to branch out and do something I’ve always been curious about, but didn’t know if I had the nerve to do (being that there are so many ‘long’ lovers in the world). Well, now I know what it’s like to have short hair. It’s not mystery land; it’s something I’ve somewhat navigated. If I ever go back, I’ll have some maps made, and know some things to both pursue and avoid. I would advise the same. :) I think you’ll do well.
Ha! I followed your link to verklempt. I’ve never seen any of those skits, but it sounds like a riot. :)
Okay, okay. After much searching I’ve found a few (very different) options that I think would be adorable on you. Here are the links:
Option 1: Very short, but I love it. I may get this cut next if you decide not to (however, if you love it like I do – it’s all yours!) Prepare yourself for SHORT!
http://www.hairstylewave.com/_images/6343004crop.jpg
Option 2: Still short but a lot less choppy and with side bangs. I really want you to try side bangs. I think that alone would give you a totally different look.
http://gimps.de/wettbewerb/albums/userpics/10001/hairstyles-for-short-hair.jpg
Option 3: I think this may be my personal fav for you. It’s got side bangs (yay!) but not nearly as short as the others so there won’t be (as much of) a shock factor. And it will work well to cut shorter later.
http://www.shout.ru/news/ashlee_simpson.jpg
Happy browsing!
i wish all the people who emailed/facebooked me their thoughts on guys and short hair had posted their comments hair. i’ve gotten some interesting feedback, that’s for sure.
kel – thanks for the links. the meg ryan is one that i’ve had in my list of possibilities, in fact! charlize — what’s with her scary eyes in that picture?! thanks for researching for me! i appreciate it!
Hey, I say, go to an American “Salon” that is reputable, and ask them their opinion for a shorter look, not as a guinea pig, for a newbie, but for your face, lifestyle, and availability for upkeep in Africa-if you love it! You’ll be stateside long enough to master any new look, and tweak it to your liking!
Remember, “life is short”, hair grows back, and hats are cool! : )
yay! laura joined the dialogue! i liked “hats are cool”! ha.
Yeah, I like Kelly’s suggestions. The Meg Ryan thing – is not doable without a lot of stiff product. If that’s a consideration. Very cute, though.
@danielleH says:
i like kelly’s option two. it’s very cute and you could get that cut and that if you still want shorter go with cut #1 which is supercute.
what are you thinking?
Dave speaketh the truth – in my experiences.
(What does Niel say and can he look you in the eye while he says it?? )
Long and fine? Then here is my idea of the perfect woman…
http://www.wallsoffame.com/assets/images/1099silla.jpg
Cute as the one on the left is, i meant the other one!
Ok, so living in Africa that style could prove to have it’s drawbacks – not the least of which is Niel waking up one night and shooting you with a 12-guage in the foggy belief that a lion had eaten his wife while he slept and fell asleep in her side of the bed! ;-) so perhaps a less ‘idealistic’ style would be the go?
How do you feel about…
http://www.sunishs.com/wp-content/uploads/potd019.jpg ??
Yeah – maybe you’re right! still cute but no good when you’re driving. Could save a fortune on make-up and sunscreen though? :-)
Ok, then my last suggestion (personal taste here remember) Would be this:
http://www.monstermarketplace.com/Health/Landing2541a1159.html
Final comment? What truly looks beautiful on a woman?
Confidence!
We all know you are truly beautiful – outside AND inside – whatever style YOU choose wear it confidently KNOWING that you look fantastic… and if you can carry that off with a look of vulnerability and innocence no man will be able to resist you! ;-)
( thanks for the ‘invite’ – it is so nice to find another ‘southerner’ in the blogsphere ( albeit one from Long Island ;-)
love <3
bob — thanks for the tips. the most i can get out of niel is that he won’t mind either way… not very convincing, but perhaps not enough to stop me dead in my tracks either.
i loved your remark about confidence being the best thing a woman can wear. and i’m intrigued by your suggestion of a combination of confidence and vulnerability. hmph. i’m not sure i know what that looks like…
Confident AND vulnerable (innocent) – certainly not an easy look to ever ‘master’ but my thought was along these lines…
Being confident of who you are REALLY within yourself (way down DEEP) not the shallow stuff that floats around near the surface of consciousness, all fear and doubt and uncertainty and concern for the way our friends or family or even total stragers ‘see’ us – but the way HE sees us – confidence that our soul’s are full of His Love. Then having the confidnece to bring that which is within us that reflects who HE is out to show the world.
Then being vulnerable enough to show that you still might have those human doubts and fears and uncertainties, so other humans can relate to and love you for it, while not being scared off by the ‘perfect’ soul you are within that makes others feel less than perfect and inferior.
Reflecting both God and our human self to others is not an easy thing to do but those who can do it hold an ‘irresistable’ attraction to others. From what i have seen so far.. you’re close – very close! :-)
As for Niel and his ‘indifferent coments’ – i don’t know him, but being a man who has loved i can take an ‘educated’ guess…
He loves you enough to want what ever makes YOU happy because that will make him happiest… but what he really likes is you with hair down past your waist! :-)
Hope you get the ‘do’ that’s just right for you! (you’re going with my first suggestion – Right?? – I love ITT!)
love <3
Oh – almost forgot.. that confidence thing. Confidence is an ugly thing when it becomes all about the ‘me’ – i am so great – look at how great i am!
That is confidence of the ego and is something to be avoided at all costs!
The confidence i meant is from knowing that what other people think of your looks or beliefs or thoughts realy is not what matters most – it is confidence that He knows who you truly are and Loves you for it!
But you do know and practice that yourself – right? ;-)
love <3
wow, bob… you’ve given me A LOT to mull over. good, good stuff. thanks.
Geeeeepers… I clicked on the link you gave me and here I am in the hairdo’s and hairdon’ts… Ya gotta be thinking what a dip stick..! Alece, I say ya only live once and go for it! It’s only hair.. Your such a confident woman you can do anything! You are so defined by what you are inside just like what you wrote when you love your alone time… You wrote frm your heart and that stood before me so defined who you were.. I didn’t see Alece with long hair, I seen a bold confident woman… You make the hair what it is whatever style by being you… Does this make any sense? Hope this isn’t to deep… How about the hair cut that is short in the back tapering down to the front jaw line longer. It almost looks stacked in the back and then as you see from the side view it gets longer as it goes to the front jaw line… Kath had hers cut this way and it was the best cut I’d ever seen on her! And it’s short!
thanks, linda. i appreciate your confidence in my confidence! i don’t feel very confident, which is why i have a hard time imagining myself pulling off a short-do. we shall see…
ugh. I read this days after I wack my hair off from trying to grow it out. haha!
Jake SWEARS he likes it either way and the cut I chose is one he picked, so I hope that was true on his part. ;-)
When we met I had short hair. When we married I had REALLY long hair. The majority of our marriage though it’s been short. *sigh* I don’t think I’ll ever have long hair again.
and I’m so glad you did cut your hair b/c it is darn cute! and you’re half the reason I wanted to cut mine again. Everytime I see a cute short cut I want it!