Hi Hannah
I haven't "met" you before but welcome back just the same! The more the merrier!
I know exactly what you mean about hair stylists wanting to cut, cut, cut!
My hair used to be to my waist a few years ago, but I decided to go shoulder length because I can do more with it. When I had super long hair all I did was pull it back anyway. I have very straight, teflon silky hair so nothing would hold!
Curls fell out, barettes fell out, those hair floofy things would slip out and I couldn't even keep a neat braid (plat)!
Now that it's shoulder length (sans bangs/fringe) I find that I can sleep on sponge rollers overnight and get a very nice curl in the morning. Straightening tongs worked great too, although I don't use them anymore.
Now that I've gone shoulder length, the stylists always want to layer my hair! I hate that!
I'm just not one of those 'flippy' chicks who like their ends to stick out around their head like the Statue of Liberty.
I'm more of a glossy, soft wave, Rita Hayworth kind of girl. There's nothing wrong with the former, of course, but I just have a different preference.
I'm more into the cupcake pin-up look than the rave, dancehouse look. I also found that when I lived in England, everyone looked the same so it was hard trying to break the stylists out of their templates! Highlights in bold colors were HUGE but the stylists always made them look like wrapping paper!
They'd start at the part, take an inch sized chunk and dye it, say, red on blond hair. They'd do that all around the head until it looked like someone had put Twizzlers in their hair. I never condemn people for their personal preference, but that is just NOT me at all. Trying to get hairdressers to understand that was a chore.
Lizziness, I know exactly what you mean about being afraid to say anything for fear of upsetting them or unintentionally sounding rude, but I've gotten better.
I figure that it's my hair and I'm the one who has to look at it in the mirror everyday so the least they can do is cut it the way I want it - especially at the prices they charge in decent salons!
I do find that if I explain the look I'm going for, they tend to understand better. If I just say, "I don't want it layered" they start in about all this "framing the face makes your face look thinner and longer (gee thanks!) and how it will "move" and have more "texture".
Instead, I explain that I use other methods to make it move and have texture but that I'm after glossy and sleek more than choppy and flippy. Somehow and for some reason that seems to get them all excited - I think because then they can go on about all the products they have which will enhance the curls, the gloss, the volume, et. al. add nauseum.
(That's what actually prompted me to ask my friend about salon products in the first place). I should note that I didn't have my friend cut my hair because she had a ganglean cyst in her wrist so she'd packed in doing hair until after her surgery.
Anyway, I guess it's just an ongoing dilemma for us girlies (and probably some guys too).
I just like hearing other peoples' experiences and opinions. Word of mouth is much better advertising than some TV ad!
Alisha
- when I had my last perm - my hair was still to my waist and all 1 length and the most beautiful shade of red 
- it was kind a a burnt orange? - think the color of pine tree when it dies only shiny. Anyway - I have blue eyes but wore green lenses - it was bright green like the color of grass when it is overcast - man I just loved it.
Sat AM Weigh IN
Last week I went up 2 and this week I am down 5 (3 from my ticker since I never updated)
today - will check in all of you later.
