Still agonizing over my hair

[marcmagus]

So I'm still trying to figure out what I want to do about my hair, and I'm finding it hugely stressful. I've accepted that my hair is pretty curly (and the extent to which it zig-zags rather than curling is significant, but doesn't look any different to a casual observer and probably doesn't make much difference in either how it should be treated

Comments

[marcmagus]

I'm not against getting a professional cut. It'll be expensive, but this is apparently a serious quality-of-life thing for me right now, so that's fine. It would certainly be wrong to insist (rather than ask) that anybody cut it for me. All of which is to say that more complicated is only more complicated in terms of more to think about, not in terms of actual execution. More options are good, even though a wealth of options is sometimes overwhelming. Part of the problem is that I'm kind of looking at a wealth of bad options with very few good ones (in terms of searching for photos), so expanding the pool in a directed fashion can probably only do good.

Thanks.

[_meej_]

If you're thinking of a professional cut anyway, it might be worth seeing if you can find a local recommendation for a stylist who's comfortable working with your hair type and willing to listen to goals and requirements, then make suggestions that might work for you.

That said, here's my experience: back before I grew my hair out, I spent about 3 years with it in the "ears-to-chin" length range on top, clippered short underneath. That would tuck back behind ears as needed to stay out of my eyes, etc; it also was lighter-weight than it would have been had the full head's worth been that length. It was just long enough to pull back and ponytail if needed, though it looked a little odd like that - more a convenience thing

[leiacat]

I would just like to say, the title "agonizing over hair" and the lj-cut tag "cut for length" gave me a moment's pause.

Incidentally, no idea how it would work with your particular hair, but when bfudlmint had hair length theoretically just short of shoulder, in practice gravity never actually took over, and it took a bit of persuasion (and/or product use) to get it into a ponytail.

Perhaps a gradual approach of starting with trimming off a bit, seeing if it helps or hurts, and experimenting with incremental change until you arrive at something of satisfactory length?

[miintikwa]

Growing my hair out everything between chin and top-of-the-shoulder length SUCKED. It blew into my face, every time I bent over it got in the way, and I generally HATED every second of it, because it seemed like there was ALWAYS a wisp of hair that I missed trying to tie it back.

I think that right above shoulder blade/below the shoulder length might be what you're looking for. You won't have to braid it, unless I'm misremembering, because a pony tail will keep it back without too much work. And you'll still have your long hair.

Alternately? Cut it VERY short. That will remove all your issues. And you keep your hair back most of the time, so you won't have too much culture shock.

I know there are programs online (usually for women, but hey) where you put in a face-front pic of yourself and you can try on different hairstyles. Have you tried any of those?

[mekthehatter]

Reading your post, what kept coming to mind was a slightly-longer-than-shoulder cut. Like the person above me said, then you could keep it in a pony-tail if it got in your way. That would also be cooler and you wouldn't end up laying on it/sitting on it all the time.

I haven't had much experience with in-betweens, having gone straight from ass-length to above shoulder length, and staying there. I do know that around the point where the hair brushed the top of my shoulders, that's where it constantly got in my face and required brushing back.

[mekthehatter]

PS: My hair isn't curly, but it's very fine and so very whispy, so I don't know how well that last paragraph would translate to your hair.

[soulchanger]

Not sure if I can offer constructive and new advice about a shorter hair style. However, I did just realize that I had a few coping mechanisms with my long hair that you may not have tried. Sorry I didn't think of them earlier!

If I do braid it, that reintroduces the pain I've eliminated. If I don't, it's constantly getting in my way when I try to do useful things around the house or do exercises to improve my health, and so is just generally interfering with my life.First, when I worked at the GYC and had long hair, I took to putting it in a bun. It took about thirty seconds, lasted all day, and got all of my hair out of my way. I can't say it looked great, but if I wore a hat people didn't even realize I had long hair. You basically just pull your hair back as if to make a pony tail, twist it around once, and then wrap it around itself until you get to the end. Finish with a pony tail holder. Once you get the hang of it it's easy and comfortable. The (possible) downside is that if you do it with wet hair your hair will stay wet