MetaChat - Haircut help, please?

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25 October 2008

Haircut help, please? Deadline two hours!→[More:]I am really bad about getting my hair cut. I never ever seem to actually make an appointment. But today at 2:45 ET (USA), I am going to the local Aveda Institute for a cheap chop.

I'm lost as to what to ask for. I'm going to do some image searches, but I need your help!

I have fine hair, it's mostly down to my collar in back, with a little longer in front.

Currently

HALP!

post by: Stewriffic at: 11:51 | 41 comments

Are you OK with going shorter? I can see something like this or this

posted by desjardins 25 October | 12:05

argh - last "this" was supposed to be THIS

anyway, thin hair should be layered IMO to give it volume. Also, your current style draws the eye downward when you have really nice eyes and eyebrows. Bangs and volume would draw attention to them.

posted by desjardins 25 October | 12:08

Yes, no problems going shorter. Here are some that I've come up with:

One
Two
Three

posted by Stewriffic 25 October | 12:11

Also really like:
this

posted by Stewriffic 25 October | 12:17

Whoa, I definitely agree with the suggestion of the woman from Law & Order. With fine hair, your buzzword should be texture. I agree about layers -- there are very few hair types/face shapes that look good with all-one-length hair. (I know because I get stuck in one-length mentally and have to be forced to get more layers, but I'm always glad I get talked into it.)

I actually like all three of your ideas too, Stew, though I have to say the first two are better -- the third reminds me a bit of Kate from "Jon & Kate + Eight" -- with the long-ish front, short back, and poufy crown -- and it's a bit dated IMO. (It actually reminds me of how I wanted a "wedge" in the 80s -- remember those?)

I'm gonna go surf hair sites and come back!

posted by loiseau 25 October | 12:23

Oh - that one you posted at 12:17 is fantastic! I'm a bit jealous.

posted by loiseau 25 October | 12:23

I think the 12:17 one is winning so far. I'm afraid with the Mariska Hargitay one I'd be drawing all sorts of attention to my double chin.

Just say NO to double chin emphasis.

posted by Stewriffic 25 October | 12:25

I understand, I have a double chin too.

How do you feel about retro-ness? Does it vibe with your personal style?

How about fashion-forward-ness? Nothing too extreme? Thoughts? (I'm browsing styles.)

My friend once described the Jon & Kate hair as "bad lesbian hair".

posted by loiseau 25 October | 12:28

My personal style is very basic--not extreme in any way. Currently I'm wearing royal blue cords, and a black top. Think plain top, plain bottom, plain shoes.

I don't wear holiday-themed sweaters, but neither am I likely to wear anything avant-garde.

Think these pants with this shirt, and a three strand chunky necklace, for work.

And then cords and t-shirts on the weekend.

posted by Stewriffic 25 October | 12:37

Here's another one. 12:17 still winning.

posted by Stewriffic 25 October | 12:38

We sometimes around here called the bad weight line/too short in the wrong place cut the secret/accidental lesbian haircut. Because the bearers were always not secret or accidental lesbians, one way or another. Oh, irony. A friend of mine with really fine blond hair would rather go barbered short, but she's long, tall, and rather errs on the side of utilitarian punky.

Good stuff, nothing to add except maybe start off longer and see if you want to go shorter.
Too bad you aren't getting a bit of color done as well. It can really make a difference with texture/conditioning and impact.
Too many What Not To Wear reruns have absorbed into me brain.

posted by ethylene 25 October | 12:42

ethylene--it's funny. I have no worries ever about my hair (hence that it's been four months without a cut), so I don't have any concerns about starting out short.

Do you think there's any other (safe) way to damage my hair like color does, so that I can get that fantastic texture? I know myself too well, and color=upkeep.

Y'all rock.

posted by Stewriffic 25 October | 12:48

I definitely think you should go for the longer, side-swept bangs, like the last picture and the 12:17 one. I think they'd be really flattering.

I sort of have similar bangs (though they have grown out a bit too much) and I like that I can essentially part my hair in the middle and just sweep the bangs to whatever side I want.

posted by loiseau 25 October | 12:50

I really like this. I'm not sure if it's good for you, but I do like it.

posted by loiseau 25 October | 12:52

This is pretty.

But I really think I have found THE ONE FOR YOU.

posted by loiseau 25 October | 12:54

This is your new boyfriend.

OK, I am done being stupid.

posted by loiseau 25 October | 12:56

OH EM GEE! Loiseau! You WIN! It's perfect!

posted by Stewriffic 25 October | 12:58

Have you ever tried henna? It varies widely on how and if people like it. It makes some hair brittle, others thicker.
A conditioning coat or glazing might help, but i wasn't thinking anything drastic with color so much as something that could grow out, like subtle highlights with a possible color punch.

My phone is dead so i can sit and talk hair.

posted by ethylene 25 October | 12:58

Cute.

This "underbang" thing is interesting.

posted by loiseau 25 October | 13:00

I worry about using henna, personally, because once you do it you can't use any chemical colour until it's grown out, right? So I would be afraid it would look crappy - right away or eventually - and I would be stuck with it until it grew out. Also, I have heard conflicting reports about it making hair more healthy-looking vs. totally damaged.

posted by loiseau 25 October | 13:02

I think I hennaed my hair about 10 years ago once. It was messy, and the color wasn't very pleasant to me. I've seen the no-color hennas...do those work to make hair less silky?

posted by Stewriffic 25 October | 13:03

Stewriffic, I think it's razor-cutting that gets texture in there. Maybe run it by the stylist.

I have this one saved in my own "potential hairstyles" folder.

posted by loiseau 25 October | 13:05

What does your hair do when short? Mine got a bit curly, so the straight styles may not give you what you want.

That said, number three at 12:11 or the 12:17 would be good, imo.

posted by lysdexic 25 October | 13:06

Maybe this.

Can you imagine how difficult it would be to keep this style up?

posted by Stewriffic 25 October | 13:07

This is SO CUTE as a retro style.

posted by loiseau 25 October | 13:07

Mine's definitely not stick straight. It tends to curl up just at the very ends.

posted by Stewriffic 25 October | 13:08

Cute. Might be for thicker hair though?

posted by loiseau 25 October | 13:09

loiseau--good minds and all that.

OK, I have to get going. The salon is in the next town over, and there are parking difficulties. I'll be taking my laptop for reference.

I'm thinking the 12:17 is going to be the one.

posted by Stewriffic 25 October | 13:11

i went to a cosmetology school haircut with a friend who could take a hard weight line to direct focus to the eyes, but the girl doing it got really scared and scared the friend, so she ended up with a less dramatic look, but it still looked worlds better than it was before.

It's going to come down to how it looks on you, and not just your face.

Have fun. i say you see it as a Buddhist cleansing. Hey, you get to shed a few years of drugs history.

About color glazes and conditioning coats, i'd ask the professionals. They could hook you up with some samples or recommendations. Maybe you'll score a freebie if they're bored.

i've never used henna for hair personally but i have seen a wide variation in results from people who have tried henna products. i think some of it may be cultural distinction and formulas; some people seem ritually into the process, and it's historic and natural.

i've colored wildly, but my hair is almost the opposite of your hair. Different rules apply.

The cut is what is going to give you the texture, but you can build up the condition and bring out the natural tendencies of the hair

posted by ethylene 25 October | 13:12

update when you get home!! good luck!!

posted by loiseau 25 October | 13:18

I want photos when you come back!

posted by occhiblu 25 October | 13:18

YAY!

Here are the photos:

Partway through. No bangs yet.
Finishing up. Lots o' Product (4 kinds that I counted...) The student was being a bit conservative with my hair, so the teacher guy stepped in and did the hard parts.
Back at home, side.
Back at home, other side.

Thanks for helping me out and keeping me company while I decided!

posted by Stewriffic 25 October | 16:05

The guy went seriously crazy with the spray, especially. That's why he insisted on actually spraying *during* the photo.

I have a feeling that the hair will be less styled day-to-day, considering my wash and wear lifestyle.

posted by Stewriffic 25 October | 16:08

I LIKE IT.
Those people look happy to be on the internets.

posted by ethylene 25 October | 16:17

Very nice, Stewriffic! You look tres chic, and I love your beautiful chestnut colour.

posted by goo 25 October | 16:44

Yes! Very cute. MISSION ACCOMPLISHED!

posted by loiseau 25 October | 17:13

Excellant choice! It looks very nice on you. Having recently gone short myself, and also having a wash-n-go lifestyle, may I suggest a bit of mousse in it, then let it air dry? I do this for additional body and volume, and I happen to love that sexy, bedhead look.

posted by redvixen 25 October | 17:28

Dammit missed a hair style thread!

Very nice result though Stew (^_^).

posted by gomichild 25 October | 18:22

Cute!!!

posted by occhiblu 25 October | 18:48

LOVE the haircut! done perfectly! sassy autumn here you come!

posted by eatdonuts 25 October | 22:02

I'm happy! Of course the real test is going to be today when I try to style it. Red, thanks for the suggestion. I might just have to go that direction, because I don't usually dry my hair. However, now that it's short it won't take long to dry. Hm.

posted by Stewriffic 26 October | 07:59

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