Something has been very out of control lately and for once it is not my coffee addiction or Gossip Girl bingeing.
It’s my hair. And I think it is very much time for a long-awaited haircut.
For the record, I am good at a lot of things. I’m good at writing, picking out designer clothing I cannot afford, making a hella good vanilla soy latte and delicately informing my parents that once again I need financial assistance when it comes to my medical bills.
But there are many, many things I am not good at. I am terrible at car maintenance, cooking meat, saying goodbye to puppies and doing pushups.
I am also very, very terrible when it comes to hair.
Growing up, my mother was a factory worker. I’m actually very, very proud of her and very grateful (more than she will ever realize) for the life that her hard work and dedication gave me. She sacrificed many things so my siblings and I could have great lives. She is the best mother anybody could ever ask for and I am very blessed that she raised me.
But, because of her job, she never needed to apply makeup, or wear cocktail dresses, or maneuver updos. And therefore, I never learned much about all of those feminine things that young girls learn from their mothers, like the ins and outs of hair, makeup and styling. My mom followed a simple philosophy when it came to hair: long in the winter to keep your neck warm and short in the summer to keep you cool.
And as a result, I’ve never bothered to do much with my hair. I was actually pretty stoked when the whole being a scene kid thing was cool in high school, because it meant I could abuse the hell out of my locks with my Wet2Straight. That was simple enough that even I could do it.
Blow outs? Chignons? Hahaha, you’re funny!
And now here I am. I come to you, wise Internet, asking for help.
What the heck should I get done with my hair when I finally make a long awaited visit to the salon for my annual haircut?
Sad and somewhat embarrassing truth: it’s been about a year since I got my hair cut.
Friends rant and rave constantly about my hair’s length.
Sample transcript:
Friend: OMG how do you manage to grow your hair so long?!
Me: Well I’m a journalist so I actually just can’t afford to get it cut like ever.
Because I know literally nothing about hair (aside from the fact that you use shampoo to wash it) I have no idea what would be best for my sad and limp locks.
So, I would love your advice! Aside from getting a year’s worth of dead ends removed, what should I have done with my hair?
A few inspiration pictures:
The good thing about my hair being so long and unkempt is that it’s pretty much a blank slate minus the hair tie breakage and the dead ends.
The bad thing? There are so many options!
Keep it long? Go for a lob? Straight bangs? Sideswept bangs? No bangs? Layers? No layers? Heeeellllpppppp!
As an aside: my hair is very fine, static-y and limp. It doesn’t hold curls or volume for longer than a few hours. The photos of me above are what my hair looks like after an eight-hour work day.
Sooooo… advice for my neglected hair? Leave it in the comments!
Hi! You have really beautiful and long hair! I’m not sure if you’re willing to try a bob but I think it would look great on you! The first and third picture are my favorites when it comes to color! Can’t wait to see what you decide to do!
Thanks! I’m torn between just cutting it all off and getting a trim. Eek! Thanks again for your input!
I love your hair how it is! I wish my hair was that long… Mine is soooo frizzy
whenever I have hair that long I end up cutting it to my shoulders and I love it… The first day then I regret it and miss my long hair haha you’d think i would learn but I’ve done it sooo many times. whatever you end up doing I know you will look beautiful and I can’t wait to see the results!
Jessica
the.pyreflies.org
I’m the same way! I know I’ll regret cutting off my long hair, but it’s just so static-y and split end-y and I feel like it just looks unkempt. Thanks!
So, I’m totally terrible at picking out hairstyles, so I won’t chime in on that. My advice for you though, if you’re thinking about doing something drastic, is go to a high-end hairstylist. Pay the $100 (it will hurt) and get her opinion based on your natural hair’s texture and the shape of your face. She will have great advice, and you should listen! Then, when you need a trim after that, then you can go to a cheaper place
Cat
http://oddlylovely.com
Ahhh, I don’t even know what a high end hairstylist is! Rural college town problems, haha. I’ll look into that and see what I can find. Thanks!
Oh, I just meant go to a real salon, not a Supercuts or something
Yelp is a good place to look, and recommendations from friends are also great. Also, bring a few pictures if you’re trying to decide between a few different cuts! Then they can see what you have in mind.
Ahhhhh, OK! Thanks! I think I’m safe with the salon and spa down the street from my apartment in that case. (I warned you in my post- I literally have no clue when it comes to hair.)
Aww, your mom sounds like a wonderful woman
Thanks for sharing that! Now, about your hair, I wouldn’t take off too much length because I really think that you have gorgeous hair. I would just get it layered and maybe ask your hairdresser to make it form a “V” shape at the back so that it’s shorter towards the front. I like how you look without bangs, but I would cut the hair around your face to about your lips or maybe a bit higher so that it frames your face a bit more! Hope this helps 
xo, Dolce // http://www.mydailysweet.com/
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Thanks! I get compliments on it all the time but I just think it looks so messy and unkempt! I do definitely think layers would help though. Thank you again for your input!
Such lovely words about your mom, really sweet
And I know what you mean. My hair is to my waist and it’s all because I find going to the hairdresser to be too expensive (and I don’t necessarily trust them, either!) I think the hair color in inspiration #1 and #3 would really suit you! And bangs isn’t a bad idea.
Right?! You cut your hair… and then it grows back. Sometimes I feel like there really is no point! Thanks for your input!
personally I love your hair as is but you could always try a lob..it’s the “style of the season” haha
http://www.rosecolorglass.com
One of my best friends just got a lob and she looooves it! It’s been high on my list of considerations but cutting all my hair off kind of scares me! Thanks for your input!
Your hair is so pretty! Like I said before, it’s so scary to chop it all off but a lob could look really cute. I don’t know how attached you are to your hair though. I kind of hide behind mine so I wouldn’t do that right now haha :p Maybe when I start to have kids or something :p
classicallycarissa.com
Thanks! I personally think it looks unkempt and messy instead of pretty, and I think a lob would be really fun! But I’m like you and am kind of attached to mine for the moment. I have until tomorrow afternoon to decide!
I love your hair…you should keep the length…it ‘s so pretty!
Thanks! I’m leaning toward keeping the length and just having layers put in.
I vote no for straight bangs. I really like lobs, but I put my hair up waaaaay too much to have time for that shit.
xo, Caitlin
And Possibly Dinosaurs
Bangs look fun but are so high maintenance and I always forget how greasy they get after like three hours. Good. Call.
I love the length! I think long layers would look really good because they would keep the length but still give you a little more volume and definition. Personally I like drastically changing my hair all the time, so if you’re looking for something more dramatic you could consider a lob! Whatever you choose, I think will look great, your hair is so pretty!
Thanks! Keep long layers or go for a lob seems to be the general consensus. Maybe I’ll just flip a coin?
Randi we sound the exact same! I also go about a year in between hair cut because, let’s face it, women cuts are so darn expensive. So every time I go I tell myself that no matter what they will probably take 2+ inches off in dead/split ends alone. Then I ask myself a couple questions to help me decide: 1) What do I like about my hair now? 2) what do I definitely want to change? 3) With a busy schedule, will the changes make it longer for me to get ready? And 4) is it going to grow out funky if I do get it cut for another year?
I love crazy change so I’m totally for that. I just wanted to share how I make my annual hair decision.
-erin
Ahhhhh hair twins! And yes, for $30 to $40 a cut at Water Works there’s no way in heeellll I’m getting a cut every six weeks! I always want to get bangs but then I remind myself that they’re so high maintenance and I really don’t have time or money to keep up with them. I think that’s the problem I have now is everything has grown super funky- notably the former side bangs that now take over half of my face. I’m seriously torn between long layers and a lob!
I’m the same way with hair. I wish I had the money to get it cut – and it’s currently driving me nuts with the length that it is, but I just can’t afford it right now.
Your hair looks like it’s pretty naturally straight, so a fringe might be a good option for you. My hair is way too wavy and every time I get bangs, I love them for the first week and then I’m tired of them. They need to be meticulously straightened every day, and often throughout the day. Which is just something that I’ll never do. So that’s something to consider.
Please post pics when you get back from the salon though!
x Kathryn
Through the Thicket
Same. I always get my hair cut right around tax return season. Luckily enough we’re girls so we can get away with pushing it a little longer than guys can. I think I would love fringe bangs, but rethinking it, it’s probably a little too much maintenance for my budget and time. My appointment is tomorrow so there will definitely be photos I’m sure!
It sounds like we have the same kind of hair, pretty much straight and that is it! I quite like the long bob which I have at the moment as it makes my hair look exciting without actually really having to do much to it! Simple and easy
x
Jasmin Charlotte | UK Lifestyle Blog
Thanks! I took the plunge today and finally got my hair cut (eep)! I’ll post a photo as soon as I’m done with work.