Girl With Hair, Confused
Posted by Moose on June 24th, 2009. Filed under: Daily.My aunt owns a salon in Half Moon Bay and has graciously managed my hair for the last decade, ever since I arrived home from college and she discovered I’d been scraping it into a rubberband for four years straight. She essentially said, “Get over here,” and chopped my ponytail off. Then she restored my hair from its current color (Genus: Rodentia) to its former color (Cornsilk: Gleaming – a color I hadn’t seen on my own head since the age of 17.)
Her Ponytail Guillotine was so charmingly effective that many of my San Jose friends started making the drive, and one of my San Francisco friends does now as well. This fiesty young lady was abashed (maybe even cowed) when my aunt greeted her with the stern admonition that she must be brushing her hair when wet and STOP DOING THAT. My aunt’s skills in the art of hair divination are positively occult.
Current dilemma: I’m going in on Saturday morning and I have no idea what to say when she asks what I want. Waving my hand in the general direction of my head and offering a vague “whatever” has served me well in the past, but I suspect that gets aggravating after awhile. YOU’RE 30 YEARS OLD! SHOULDN’T YOU KNOW WHAT TO DO WITH YOUR OWN HAIR BY NOW? Answer: No. Not necessarily. It would be convenient if I had a job, say, running a small European country or diffusing bombs as an excuse for my lack of attention, but I’m just uninspired. That’s why I’m asking you!
This is what my hair has looked like for, oh, the past ten years:
That’s Holly on the left, and her hair always looks amazing. I’m on the right, and that’s a good length for me, because I can wash and comb it and leave it to its own devices and it doesn’t scare small children.
Here’s my hair circa two weeks ago:
Sorry for the blur. My photos are usually blurry. It’s their destiny.
It’s been growing out and has taken to flipping up at odd angles. This odd flipping could be due to the fact that I don’t own a hairdryer or any kind of hair product, and the notion of Hairstyle, Specific frightens and confounds me. For the record, my hair has also gotten paranoid lately, calling me at midnight to whisper, “The shampoo…I think it’s out to get me,” into the phone.
I guess what I’m asking is: Should I keep growing it out? Or should I chop it short again? It can’t get too long, because my hair is really fine and would start looking straggly after a few more inches. If it does stay as long as it is, or slightly longer, WHAT IN GOD’S NAME DO I DO WITH IT? (Please don’t make me buy a hairdryer. They remind me of leaf blowers, and my hair is scared of leaves.) (My hair has a very delicate constitution.)
If anyone has any thoughts (or shampoo recommendations), please share them. My hair is begging you.
June 24th, 2009 at 6:59 am
I have the opposite problem, in that my hair is thick and crazy, but I think the basic principles remain the same: what’s easy, makes you look and feel good, and requires the least amount of time. From what you wrote above, short hair sounds like your preference, and it looks adorable on you!
June 24th, 2009 at 7:00 am
I am exactly the same way with my hair–”eh, whatever you think.” Then, I get bored and want something new. I offer some vague idea, but I don’t really speak “hair,” so I have no idea how to communicate what I want. Ironically, I took a picture of Holly with me on Saturday. I left looking nothing like her, but I like it fine.
Other than, “I understand,” I’m of no help.
June 24th, 2009 at 7:02 am
I have fine, ridiculous hair as well. Slightly longer than yours. After using Pert to no positive results, I decided to bite the bullet and buy An Expensive Shampoo—that being, a $6 shampoo from Walmart. Actually, I love them: Organix shampoo and conditioner. I’m using the restorative-or-whatever one (it’s in a red container, and I think there’s pomegranate in the name)and my hair has been less rebellious than it has in ages.
Good luck!
June 24th, 2009 at 7:04 am
What about super short, like a pixie a la Mia Farrow in Rosemary’s Baby? Or more recently (and a little less scary) Michelle Williams?
http://stylenews.peoplestylewatch.com/2007/02/24/michelle-willia/
You sure have the cheekbones to carry it off. I have the fine hair too, and have the same problem re: growing it out. The short hair also has the added benefit of never needing to be anywhere near a hairdryer. But the maintenance might mean that you’d have to see your aunt more often, although she sounds like a hair goddess. Wish I lived closer (currently in Denver)–I need a hair goddess.!
June 24th, 2009 at 7:20 am
Grow it out! You look super-cute with longer hair. I’d say get it to a little longer than it is now, and maybe talk to your hairdresser about adding bangs of some sort–either sideswept ones or I bet you could even pull off some more blunt-cut ones. Like me, you have a tall forehead, so some kind of bang-type items would look super to balance things out a bit.
June 24th, 2009 at 7:50 am
I LOVE your hair short…maybe just add some bangs for a different look. But really, your hair is SUPER CUTE.
June 24th, 2009 at 8:08 am
I envy your ability to look so darn GOOD with short hair. I would look like a total douche with short hair. which is to say…I have no advice.
June 24th, 2009 at 8:11 am
We have the same hair! And what sounds like the same level of interest in tending said hair! As long as I’ve been reading your blog, I’ve really liked the short hair and wondered if I had it in me to do it too. (answer: no. especially since I don’t have a hair goddess and can only be bothered to have it cut twice a year.) But since it’s grown out a little right now, why not play with it a bit? Add some bangs, maybe a bit of layering around the face, and see how you like it. You can always chop it all off again…
And for the record, my hair really likes Trader Joe’s unfortunately named Tea Tree Tingle shampoo.
June 24th, 2009 at 9:02 am
I LOVE the short hair in the picture with Holly. I think you should do that again!
June 24th, 2009 at 9:09 am
I also have RIDICULOUSLY fine hair — growing it long always seems like a good idea until it gets about shoulder length and I sort of look like a drowned rat, even when my hair is dry. (As an aside, I enjoy the John Frieda line of Volumizing Shampoos for a bargain, and Alterna’s Volumizing shampoos for a splurge.)
As for style I say grow it out to like chin length but cut it into an angular bob…something like this but a shorter version:
http://www.shorthaircutstrends.com/wp-content/uploads/2009/04/short-angled-bob-hairstyles432.jpg
Sorry about the Posh reference, but she has had some good hair lately…
It will grow out nice and probably only require a small amount of product and 5 min blowdry to maintain. And I’m all for cute but low maintenance hair!
WOW! That was so much longer than I meant it to be. Who the hell do I think I am, Whoorl?
June 24th, 2009 at 9:14 am
Deciding on a hairstyle is so tough. I recently changed it up and chopped my hair off for the first time in 10 years. It was freeing (and so many compliments!). Why was it was so easy to be brave when with hair in high school? The older I get the safer my hair gets. So, I vote for a change from the norm. Chin length is a perfectly wonderful length for you. My vote would be chin length bob with some bangs (blunt would be so sassy, but side swept would also be lovely).
June 24th, 2009 at 10:17 am
I have exactly your hair (in the brown version), but a wider face, so I wear it a little longer to avoid looking like a pumpkin. Take a look at my pics in the “About Elizabeth” link of my site–I ask for long layers, and the pics there are what they give me. Keeps my hair from looking straggly–It looks like I style it, but I’m WAY too lazy, so actually all I do is wash it and then while it dries, put it into a bun tied with a scrunchy…(I know!! Anybody with any kind of taste is slapping their hands over their eyes and screaming. But it works for me.)
The other thing that works? Neutrogena volumizing shampoo and conditioner. It makes my hair shiny and bouncy (or at least as shiny and bouncy as my hair will ever get), and it’s only about five bucks…love, love, LOVE it.
June 24th, 2009 at 10:38 am
REVERSE MULLET!!!!!!
June 24th, 2009 at 10:43 am
I vote for the style/length in the picture with Holly. I wish I could pull that off, but, if that short, my hair tends to become clownish.
June 24th, 2009 at 11:02 am
bangs, bangs, bangs! blunt cut, even.
June 24th, 2009 at 11:06 am
My first vote would be for an angled bob (for non-Posh inspiration see here: http://tinyurl.com/nt9qtu although without the one random longer bit). But I think you’d want to grow it out a little bit more for that. Secondly I’d vote for a full on short pixie cut.
I use Burt’s Bees Very Volumizing Shampoo and we’re getting on well. If things are very dry Neutrogena Triple Moisture Deep Recovery Hair Mask is really good. Both can be found at Walgreen’s or whatever.
June 24th, 2009 at 11:12 am
Can you believe that I never even thought of bangs? Well, after that Ponytail For Four Years anecdote, you probably can. Bangs! GENIUS! (Hi, it just took three tries to type “genius” correctly. Apropos and amusing. And indicative of the 5 hours of sleep I got last night.)
June 24th, 2009 at 11:56 am
http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_h4mOtJEDlTk/Rp-pbJUXZ2I/AAAAAAAAAaA/Sw1lZCZr3-k/s400/sienna%2Bmiller.jpg
http://img.listal.com/image/537442/300-sienna-miller.jpg
http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_30PRmkOl4ro/SWyIvAJ4BXI/AAAAAAAAIBo/iDDddfCKHuA/s400/side-view-of-sienna-miller-short-hair.jpg
I think this hair cut would look adorable on you. It looks sort of similar to what you have goin on in the first photo. I’d part it less in the middle than Ms. Sienna has it in these photos, and more of a deep part swoopy thingie. But not too swoopy? I know what you’re thinking, and yes, I am a hair GENIUS. It’s obvious because of my use of highly technical terms like swoopy.
I also think you’d look fantastic with a super short pixie cut.
And bangs would be cute too!!!
June 24th, 2009 at 12:48 pm
You rock the short hair and sideswept bangs. Keep those!
I’m having hair confusion as well now . . . I let it grow out and now it is halfway down my back and hangs around like a limp ferret. I’d cut it if I had any clue what I’d want it to end up looking like. Where do I get me a super haircutting aunt?!
June 24th, 2009 at 1:31 pm
I say grow it out, for this reason: It’s super easy to cut it if it turns out you don’t like it. It’s fun to try different things with your hair! I would also recommend trying prenatal vitamins, which makes your hair grow faster and slightly thicker. Honestly though, you can’t go wrong!
June 24th, 2009 at 2:52 pm
Moose, you have such a gorgeous face and pretty natural blonde color. You really can’t go wrong! I like Holly’s suggestions of having your longest layers coming to your chin with stacked layers in the back. You’ll get tons of volume that way.
Submit an emergency request to Whoorl!!! I bet she’ll push you to the front of the waiting list!
June 24th, 2009 at 2:56 pm
Thank you, everyone!
Rebecca: It’s amazing how much I feel like I’ve cheated on Whoorl. “I can’t write about this! THIS KIND OF THING BELONGS TO HAIR THURSDAY.” But I’ve been too lazy for YEARS to send anything in. And I’d feel like a jerk sending her something that says, “My appointment is on Saturday – HELP!”
June 24th, 2009 at 3:44 pm
I think we have the same hair type.. mine is pretty thin, too, but longer than yours. I had a spur of the moment decision at the hair dresser last weekend and let her cut side-swept bangs. I LIKE them. See here
Maybe that would work for you?!
June 24th, 2009 at 3:47 pm
P.S. I am using the Pantene Shampoo & Conditioner for long hair. Works well for me.
June 24th, 2009 at 4:05 pm
I actually LOVE your hair how it was around your birthday last year (like the pic above).
And I love your aunt, too, and need to book a return appointment for July (even if I maybe per chance sometimes have STILL been brushing my hair when wet…but not nearly as much!).
June 25th, 2009 at 5:51 am
1) I am 34 and have no idea what to do with my hair.
2) GET THE GWYNETH-IN-SLIDING-DOORS cut! It is in my Hair Hall of Fame (That Can Never Be Executed on My Own Head)…It’s basically what Holly described, and attracts charming Scottish men.
June 25th, 2009 at 8:51 am
I’m voting for a stacked bob! With a swoopy bang. Get Holly to stop being so modest and British and send you that picture of her hair in a stacked bob.
My mom took it to the salon and Holly’s hair looks so cute on her! We call it, The Holly!
June 25th, 2009 at 11:18 am
The reason I drive 50 miles one way to get my hair done is because I can tell my stylist “whatever” and then she does something that is always cute and flattering. That level of trust is worth the drive.
I can’t wait to see what you decide. I clearly have no advice because I don’t ever know what to do with my own hair.
June 25th, 2009 at 1:56 pm
I love the short look on Renee Z (pick 3, scroll down): http://www.glamour.com/beauty/blogs/girls-in-the-beauty-department/2009/05/which-hairstyle-do-you-like-be-1.html
June 25th, 2009 at 2:25 pm
I actually think you have the perfect hair/face for THIS cut:
http://www.usmagazine.com/files/katie-holmes-b_1.jpg
Or something stacked in the back and slightly longer in the front with no bangs?
I LOVE “CHANGING HAIR” POSTS. I can’t wait to see what you end up doing
June 25th, 2009 at 11:47 pm
Wow your hair grew fast. I like it longer–it may be fun to play around with that medium length for a while before you chop it off again.
June 26th, 2009 at 5:57 am
We share similar hair personalities! I never know what to do with my hair, so I usually end up just keeping it long and throwing it in a ponytail every day. I second all of the angled bob suggestions. I did that when I donated my hair last year and it actually was quite flattering and easy to keep up with. Good luck!
June 26th, 2009 at 9:48 am
I say tell her you want to keep the length you have now but you want to add some long layers. The layers will help give your hair some movement and depth. Before I put layers in my hair I had what would be called, thin, straight and limp hair. It doesn’t look like that anymore. I can’t wait to see pictures!
June 26th, 2009 at 2:51 pm
Thank you, all! I have been carefully perusing your excellent suggestions. I am prepared for tomorrow! (I think.) (As long as I don’t change my mind.) (Or lose my scalp in a freak machete accident.)
June 26th, 2009 at 7:47 pm
Definitely do what May said and go for a Holly. Your hair is so beautiful short! I think a wee bit of additional layering will really add some body and interest. Good luck! You’ll be lovely no matter what.
June 28th, 2009 at 11:24 am
I like the short hair on you. I never know what to do with my hair either, hell..I’m just glad I have hair, it falls out in clumps and is thin as hell..I think old age is doing it to me. *tear
June 29th, 2009 at 6:54 am
I, too, can’t be bothered to spend too much time on my hair in the morning. So I always just point to whatever length I feel like having it and then ask for “long layers.” The result is always a flippy, easy-to-maintain hairdo that looks even more fabulous if I take the time to blowdry it or do anything beyond throw some “product” in it (which is not very often…) So, I recommend saying “long layers.” It has worked for me.
June 29th, 2009 at 8:25 am
go curls! they call it permanent but it’s really just temporary