Hair Today
So it’s decision time. A few months ago, I decided I needed to go a bit softer than the Jean Seberg-esque cut I’d been wearing, so I’ve been in growout mode.
This is what my hair looks like today, after air drying. As you can see, it’s very thin/fine with a slight bit of wave. As I cannot be objective about my hair, I am asking for your help. I know that growing it much longer is probably not an option, but am not sure about which way to go. My requirements are simple: I must be able to dry/style it in under 5 minutes (or even better, air dry) and it must remain at least earlobe length on the sides.
Or longer layers like this (though I worry this would require actual daily styling):
Readers, I’m asking for your input. A, B or something else?
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I’ve let my hair go grey, and I last summer I found a stylist who gave me a great short cut ( even shorter than your option A )
I love it, got lots of compliments. It feels strong and liberating somehow. Like I know who I am and I’m not trying to please others anymore.
So my vote would be try the short style. (Plus if you don’t like it, it will always grow out.)
I wish I could help, but hair is an ongoing mystery to me. I still haven’t decided if I even like my short cut, and I did it a month ago.
Of those two, I vote for A. B IS going to require styling and such. I also think that A gives you a little more latitude and time as it grows out.
I vote for A.
A, for Narya’s reasons. B. is gong ot go limp in humidity and just look like grown out scraggly hair. A. depends on a little lift and volume, so ask for the right product. Materfamilias and her daughter introduced me to TiGi Curls Rock – gives more lift and distinct pieces, even if you don’t have super curly hair.
Other options? With your classic oval face you could wear the short bob but it would mean gritting your teeth to grow the allover length even for the shortest version- and probably more than 5 min. to style if you want it absolutely smooth.
I like the colour very much!
A
I’ve been reading and loving your blog for some time, but this is the first time I’ve contributed – maybe because I’ve been agonising over what to do with my hair as well so can empathise. I think A is better. I like B but to achieve that effect would take time, otherwise it could just look messy, rather than stylish messy. A bob would suit you but is time consuming if you want it to look good – I know, I’ve got one, which is what is causing the agonising.
I love your hair colour – it’s subtle and chic and really suits you.
Sheila
Miss Pseu, Miss J really likes it as is. “A” looks high-maintenance, B seems easier.
my instinct was B, but then I started doubting myself reading through the commenters — ’til I got to Karen and she agrees — yay!
Truly, I think you’d look great in either, but A seems to rely too much on perkiness, whereas B taps into your edgier-intellectual side (I know I’m over-thinking this). And would they really be that much different in maintenance?
btw, Duchesse, pleased to know that Curls Rock’s working for you. I’ve since been trying the Aveda Curl Up and a new AG product, but nothing does the trick like that TIgi blue cylinder pump of Curls Rock!
Of course, this is all going through the lens of how I view my hair: love A, it would be pretty simple to style if you have some wave in your hair.
View B looks pretty on her. But in real life, I fear it would tend to look scraggly. And how would those shaggy bangs work with your glasses?
It seems to me that B would require more styling, but your hairdresser would know better. I like both options.
Thanks so much for all of your input! A quick question: for those who have mentioned “high maintenance” are you referring to daily maintenance and styling, or to frequent salon trips to keep the style?
I actually meant BOTH types of high maintenance; the second looks like it requires a certain amount of blowdrying and styling each day, and, because of the way the lengths are arranged, especially with bangs, will be less forgiving of infrequent salon trips. The first one looks like a good stylist could go a little short and create a cut that will look good as it grows longer.
OTOH, I’ve had long hair for nearly all of my 50 years–as in past my shoulders, not layered or feathered or anything–precisely so I don’t have to worry about these things, so I could be wrong.
I’m for A too.
When I laughingly told my husband of your enquiry he expressed happiness that there was one husband in the world tonight who was not being put through the agonies that apparently I regularly put mine through in relation to the length of my hair!
Definitely A for all the reasons already mentioned – cool, liberating, easy maintenance ie. use wax or putty in the morning and it stays like that all day, highlights cheekbones, puts a twinkle in your eye, lifts the face and is generally very very flattering to over 40s. Go on – discover your inner pixie!
I vote for A. That is a very chic cut.
I think B, with a little more chunks cut into it. A is a little too sculptural, and sculptural requires more upkeep and makes a person look older. Also, that type of wispy bangs was trendy a little while ago and now looks less fresh. Less sculptural=more sexy. But the highlights in A are nice. So my opinion is: highlights from A, cut from B.
You have fantastic bone structure and I think B would look awesome on you and it is much more feminine and flirty than A. I think really short hair can look severe if it isn’t cut and styled just right. If you grow out to B and don’t like it….you can try A!!! I vote try B first!
Haircut A all the way–perfect for your face and the wave you’ve got. Not to mention H.O.T. You’ll look fab.
Longer layers would probably require more styling than your five minute limit, but the first look seems to require more product. The eternal quandary.
I love the first one too. Like Northmoon, my hair is also shorter than your A photo, and I love it because I just don’t have to think about it. Good luck, and be sure to show us the results!
1. Talk to your stylist – a good one will know which cut will work best with you hair – they look at the direction your hair grows and therefore how easy and quick it is to to.
I think A is very perky and cute, but could probably do with a slightly longer fringe for you and maybe a little more length at the back (like the B cut at the neck).
B the fringe is too long and would get in your eyes and be perennially annoying. It looks like it needs to be slightly shorter.
I’d like a combination of the two in a way.
I have a bob – and it takes me 3 minutes to dry because my stylist cuts it so well, it is easy to do – that is the joy of a great cut, no matter what the style.
Une Femme: I like the Kiera!!! You’re face is so pretty you could really wear either, but the longer is sexy and hip. I love it!
PS–You’re hair looks GREAT air dried!!! You makeup looks great today too!
A, for sure…a lot of women that I have seen “changing their look” lately have gone for B and they just look to me as though they got a bad haircut, or are growing out a worse one. I’ve been thinking about a change, too, I am not into doing my hair, and somehow have ended up with platinum blonde Marilyn Monroe, hot rollers every morning and “I don’t want to get my hair wet”. and then I think, where the devil did that come from??? Anyway, your color is great, A will suit you, you can probably even go out and it will dry by the time you get where you are going…unless it’s raining, but that’s another story…
Am I the only person that thinks that short hair requires more time and effort than long hair. I like both A and B but I think that both require more than 5 minutes to look that good.
WendyB stole my comment. The first look is great, but looks high-maintenance. Hard to say though, and I’d ask your stylist.
Northmoon – thanks. I agree that short hair feels very liberating. I’ve had mine quite short for a while and am trying to find that happy medium between short and soft.
StyleSpy – I know how you feel. I tend to like my hair right after I get it cut, then start to second-guess myself.
Narya – thanks for the input. From a purely aesthetic POV, I love B, but am afraid it would mean a daily date with the blowdryer and round brush…
Anon – thanks for voting!
Duchesse – yes, it’s the “limp and scraggly” effect that worries me, as my hair seems to want to go there once I have some length. I’ll check out that product, thanks for the tip!
CoutureAllure – your short hair (in your picture) looks très chic! I love the ease of very short hair too.
Karen – I actually like the look of Kiera’s better too; my concern is whether it will work with my hair. Thanks for the lovely compliment on the makeup, though I am off today to try your GA.
😉
Anon @ 7:48a – thanks for the input!
Sheila – I’m so glad you’ve de-lurked! Thanks for reading and for the compliment. The color is one thing I’m very happy with right now. Hair Guy keeps wanting to add highlights, but I’m holding off. When I was little, my mother never wanted to let me grow my hair out (had a pixie cut all through my childhood) because she said it looked “stringy” and she was right. I’m at the point where I can tolerate a little casual messiness, but I’m not sure my hair has enough body to manage style B without looking lank.
Miss Janey – thanks! It’s funny, I look at A and think wash/product/scruch/go. Maybe it’s not as easy as it looks?
Materfamilias – as I replied to Karen, I actually like B better, but am not sure I can make it work with my hair. I’ve always envied women with curls, but I understand that you all struggle just as much. I LOVE your current “do!”
Nancy – thanks, I have the same concerns about B. I’d probably go a little shorter with the bangs, but yes, I worry about the “scraggly” effect.
Wendy B – thanks, I think you’re right.
Sal – thanks. I’m going to bring both pictures, but I think I already know what he’ll say (A).
gp – that’s so funny! I stopped asking my husband about my hair years ago. If he had his druthers it would be shoulder-blade length or longer. I tried growing it out for him once, but it looked terrible.
Stephanie H – thanks! I can’t deny I’d like to find something chic.
Anon @ 1239p – thanks. If I did A I’d probably go for a little bit longer bangs. If I did B, I imagine Hair Guy would add some shorter layers near the top for volume.
Anon #2 @ 1239p – Thank you, you’re very kind! I’ve had my hair super-short for most of the last 18 months, have started to feel it was too severe, hence the growout. Softer jawline, softer hair?
Writingbabe – thanks for the vote and for your lovely compliment!
Thomas – exactly! I’m not a fan of huge amounts of product, or the greasy look which stylists seem to love these days.
Imogen – I think you’re spot on. I can’t tolerate bangs that go past my eyebrows, and my days of super-short bangs are probably over. I’m definitely going to get Hair Guy’s input, but I think he’ll be happy that I brought him pictures this time instead of just saying “what do you think?”
Maravonda – Ooh, but Marilyn Monroe hair sounds so glamorous! Maybe you could find a way to get a similar effect without having to do the hot rollers?
Belle – oh, you’re absolutely right. The problem is that my hair looks like eight kinds of hell once it gets past a certain length. If I had your gorgeous hair, I’d wear it long for sure.
Belle-carys – thanks for the input. I also envy women who can wear super-short hair (like Audrey Tatou’s recent cut).
I am very opinionated about how to deal with thin, fine hair – I’ve had to deal with it for over 50 years now! First, layers do not work for that kind of hair. I’ve tried many layered cuts and NEVER been happy with the result. Layers require volume that we just don’t have. So, cut A looks nice, but would require tons of gel, and would be way more maintenance than you might think. B would look too flat & scraggly. A good choice might be an asymmetrical cut, the side your part is on would be cut shorter, have the back cut in a wedge, and grow out the non-part side so it’s all one length, slanting down to just above your chin. POSSIBLY a little layering just at the crown, but otherwise, a blunt cut. You would air-dry this & probably use a curling iron to smooth out the long side. That’s my take!
I’d go for A.
It might require a bit more styling than B, but I seriously think that B is one of thos cuts that only looks efortless after you put in alot of time styling it. Plus, I also think it draws more attention to the fact that your hair is a bit on the thin side.
Objectivity aside, I simply love the A cut and envy everyone who can wear short hair cuts, which I definitely can’t. So I’d say, go for it 🙂 Maybe a little variation of it, as Imogen suggested, but definitely rather on the short side.
If you put your thumb over the face in B the hair is not all that. It’s Keira Knightly that gives the allure. Without her impeccable face and huge eyes it’s whole different story.
I have to agree with Rita — layers and my fine hair don’t agree. I wear a blunt chin-length bob that I just let air dry most of the time. Blunt cuts enhance the shine of fine hair, IMO.
Looks to me that neither one of those do’s is going to work for you. Your “look” is already good, just needs shaped up. Thin hair is the worst and everyone I know with thin hair spends a lot of time and money to maintain their look. I have thick curly hair and I can blow it out straight with a layered cut in 10 minutes. I also have an excellent stylist who constantly trains and expensive products. And I have my hair visit every 4 weeks to maintain this.
I can’t imagine air drying my hair. But I am a slave to my hair.
By the way, love your blog.
Both of those options are good ones, Pseu, but I honestly think your current cut is adorable. I’m liking the longer bangs! It’s a hybrid of the two options and it’s a good look on you. Nice color, too.
You are so beautiful…I think that is the first time I have seen a photo without a camera blocking your face. I am voting for A. It reminds me of Sharon Stone’s haircut…so cute, yet vixen-y. Laura
wit hwarmer weather coming , maybe 1 would be easier to deal with?
After cutting my waist length hair ten years ago, I have had my hair short and sassy, and everyone loves it. Mais maintenant, I feel a need to reclaim the blatant femininity of longer hair – so I’m letting mine grow to my shoulders. In reading what you have written, I sense the same feeling in you. Perhaps it is not tres practique, but sometimes une femme ….just has to be une femme. I vote for B, and layers should give you some volume.
The Makeover Guy – http://www.goldivas.com/articles/article.aspx?id=26 – says, “Layers don’t add volume, layers will add layers. Backcombing will add height” I totally agree, he knows what he’s talking about.
Rita and Sue – I tend to steer away from very geometric cuts, as I’ve had these in the past and don’t think they flatter my face. I think these cuts work best on women with more angular features than mine. That said, I’m not adverse to letting the layers grow out a bit.
fmcgmcllc – oh, I envy your hair type. I used to try perms, waves, mousse, anything to get more curl and body into my hair.
Duchesse – that’s true, and I try not to be swayed by the youth and good looks of the models when I’m considering hairstyles.
susand – the first one would probably be much easier, yes.
Dea – thanks! I think I’ve ruled out going any shorter, at least for now, and I do like the longer bangs better.
L – thank you for your kind compliment! Sharon Stone really rocks the short hair, doesn’t she?
Rusoika – yes, that is how I’m feeling, you’ve expressed it so well!
Karen – looser and more unstructured is what I’m aiming for, and what I think will be more flattering at this point in my life. I have to get my roots touched up every four to five weeks, so really the frequency of cuts isn’t an issue, but I hear what you’re saying about a shorter cut overall.
Rita – backcombing is something I’m trying to avoid at this point, but I get what he’s saying.
I think the pixie cut is only good on very young women, honestly. It could be construed as matronly if you don’t have a very gamine type face. So much more of your face is exposed, so your makeup and grooming must be impeccable.
THe longer cut seems easier to maintain, younger and looser.
The short cut will take more money to upkeep also, as you will need cutting every four weeks to keep it looking sharp.
I vote for A. I think you could get more lift in your hair with the right products. I think B is lovely too, but I think would require more work. You look so pretty!I just cut all my hair off, it is the shortest it has ever been. I am never happy with it.
Hm….. I think B would look very nice around your face–attractive, stylish. But you might find yourself having to blow-dry every day…depends on what your hair does when it air-dries. Also, of course, those bangs will fall in your eyes all the time.
If you have a fair amount of natural wave, a slightly shorter version of A probably would be maintenance-free and very, very cute. Mine is sorta like that…only drawback is you have to run in to the stylist every four weeks or so.
Dear Deja
I personally love the first photograph Treas chic!
Not really styling as I see it. Towel dry, light blow dry, and texturizer from Rusk…. Voila! Tres jolie!!
Much fresher abd sassier!!
How do I join your blog?
Cecile
Cecile
The A style will be easier to style, because the B one has those longer layers that tend ti get cought in the collars and scarves.. Just an observation..
Cecile
The stylist is an excellent sourcr for product information, Deja, but the lady at the Beauty Supply will have a lot of experience!
Cecile
Beauty Suppliy shops are loaded with product advise.. A lot of experience!!
Cecile
Julianne – thank you! How are you liking your hair now?
Cecile – I should clarify that I’m not adverse to blow drying. Most days I do blow dry my hair, but I don’t want to have to spend 20-30 minutes with a blow dryer and a brush styling it. I’ll ask the ladies at my favorite beauty supply store what they think too.
Hi—I’m just a passing reader of yours but I can’t resist throwing in my two cents– go with A), by all means! First as one of your friends said, Keira Knightly’s annoyingly perfect face is the only thing that makes B) tolerable,( and I’ll bet she’s growing it out from that WW2 film she made a year ago.)Second: A is adorable AND more importantly it will look adorable on you! You’ve got the oval face, the colouring, even the same hair texture…and it looks european, and chic, and shows off the neck and shoulders… what more can une femme ask?
I vote for A! very cute, chic and I bet it will make you look younger and even more fabulous.
A. Definitely A.
Hmm… tough call. I think both will look good on you, but the weather would have a bigger say in B.
Hello! I’ve read you for a while but this is my first comment. I’m moved to action because I too am growing my hair!
I vote for B, but with a close-cropped back instead of the messy little layers on the neck. That would be pretty versatile — if you style your hair back or up you can kind of go back to the pixie cut feel, and it would look soft but neat.
I’m a passing reader also, but going for a cut and color similar to “A” on Monday — so I’d vote for “A.”
The first cut has more style. Second cut will go flat and limp. As you stated your hair is a bit thin already you need the layers (like me) for height and illusion of more hair. The key to wearing A will be attitude, keeping it trimmed up and the right product.
Go for A. Live dangerously!!
Your photo shows hair almost like picture B if you fiddle with a bit of wax or gel. I like A if it’s a bit longer and you’ll have to work the curls a bit. Play up the eyes and keep lipstick light with B. It’s all about the skin at one point as we get older and smiling!!
My hair is very straight and very fine, and I’ve found the only way to get any volume is color. Keeping the cuticle a little damaged works well, and doesn’t mean damaged looking hair. I’d try some highlights, as you say, and wonder if you have considered some well cut length … shoulder length perhaps, or even a little longer? I look back at pictures of myself when my hair was very short, and (on me) it was so ageing. Not for everyone, but while you’re growing it out, you might well find a great style in between.