Short vs Long
 

Ok I've had medium to long hair my whole life and I think I'm ready for a change. I do have some worries though about going short-I've heard in the past friends/family mention that if you are heavier it's best to have longer hair to "balance out" your entire frame. This is kind of stuck in my head so I'm worried about going too short and maybe not liking the results. Do any of you have opinions or have any of your hairdressers offered advice on this. I know I know it's ONLY hair but there is such good feedback on 3FC's that I thought I'd run it by you guys first.

Hmmm. When I was overweight, I was told by beauticians that SHORTER hair looked better.

Originally Posted by almostheaven:
Hmmm. When I was overweight, I was told by beauticians that SHORTER hair looked better.

Really? Maybe I won't wait to lose weight first maybe I'll just take the plunge! I think this 90 degree weather with 95 percent humitity is also really getting to me. Everyday I have my hair tied in a granny bun because I start exercising and get so hot from the humidity that I can't stand it. Thanks for the reply!

Go for it! I have had short hair many times and it is always a refreshing change (so easy to style!) even when I was heaviest. And by the time I get tired of it, it has grown out LOL!

I've never gone short, but you might try a chin length or just touching the shoulders length if you are too scared of a drastic change. I think I looked better with my hair mid-neck length but my DH likes long hair. I'm trying that again for a while.

Go for it! I just had 10" cut off (to just below chin lenghth) and I've been told I look taller and slimmer. I'm already 6' tall, so I don't really need that, but I'll take the slimmer.

Even my mom said the haircut looked flattering, and believe me, she doesn't give out compliments easily.

I was worried about the whole "balancing out" thing too, but I really love my new look!

I love having short hair! One of the gals here has a blog I recently read and she pointed out that if you're fat- you're fat... your hair isn't going to conceal that *LOL* point being - do what you want!

I think if you're concerned you could go in and talk to the person who is going to do your hair. I have gone in and asked them what they thought would look good -or just said do whatever you want! Usually it has good results (one horrible time I wound up with a mullet but I don't wanna talk about it *LOL*)

Yes, talk to your stylist!!

He/she should be shaping your hair to your face shape and what's age appropriate and those styles usually include either a shorter or longer style. Maybe call first and then possibly they could have you come in early and look at some styles in those books/mags they usually have in the salon and you could pick a cut!

I love new hair cuts! Let us know what you decide!

I had a traumatizing hair experience or two when I was younger. When I was six my hair was so long that I could sit on it! My mom ended up cutting it in my sleep because I wouldnt let her anywhere near me with scissors. I think i cried for a good couple of days and wouldnt go outside.

Then when I was 13 or 14, I got my hair cut to about my jaw bone (right beneath my earlobes) length. And omg, worst time of my life! My hair shot out like an afro and it was so wavy and frizzy all the time. Too short for a pony tail as well.

Now, I have hair that goes down to the small of my back, and I cant take care of it. My boyfriend styles (straightens) it for me on occasion. He's the best!

Some people (like me) just cant pull off short hair styles. I would take the advice some have given here and go to a your stylist and ask their opinion. You could even tell them to "be creative" if you're feeling really adventurous! ^-^

My daughter and I both think I look like a little boy with short hair. I really like my ponytail even if it isn't very stylish.

Well I have long hair now for the first time in my life. And yeah, it's hot, and I keep it in a pony tail during the summer just about all the time. But in the winter, I LOVE styling it and letting it hang down and show off that length. I've just never had it long before, so for me, I love having long hair now. Even with the hot weather...I've THOUGHT of cutting it a few times, but I know that I can't go right back if I change my mind, so I won't do it. I'll just keep putting it up and wait out the heat.

I'm the opposite of the OP. I had short hair almost all my life. For the last 3+ years I've been growing it out and is now down to the middle of my back. I never actually realised how wavy my hair was until now, in fact sometimes I'm still surprised.

I think I personally look better with long hair, but I've been fat and had short hair too. With the right style (and stylist!) I'm sure you could pull it off! I would recommend going gradually as well, to get more used to it :)

I've had long hair and short when overweight. In fact, it was so short that you could compare it to Natalie Portman's cut in V for Vendetta. And it was so long at one point that it was almost to my waist. It all depends on the cut and how you wear it. Good luck!

I personally look much thinner with short hair. My hair is very wavy and full and if it gets too long then I just look round. Short hair shows off my new jawline and cheekbones.

I cut my hair off a while back and it really slimmed my face. I thought it was so cute on me lol. As soon as she cut the first short part I knew that I was gonna like it. When I cut my hair off though I'm usually mad at it and just do it at the spur of a moment, so I never really cared whether it was gonna look good, but it generally did :lol: Sometimes that backfired though. What I did though was a layer, only one. I had the bottom part at my neck and the layer right above it. I think it helps slim

jersey girl - my mom was stuck with the pixie cut her entire childhood. her parents wouldn't let her change it til High School! As a rebellion- she has always had long hair as an adult. The shortest I've ever seen it is to her shoulders. My momma the rebel. :)

I always had long hair as a kid and when I was able to cut it, I cut it. I really like short to medium hair. I always thought long hair looked so plain. I just got my hair cut again and it is probably the shortest I've ever had it but I think I cut it too short for me. It is about an inch above my shoulders when dry. I really like experimenting with hair styles as well since hair does grow back :)

I've gone between both extremes. When it comes to hair I think I take more of a Madonna view point. Change it up as often and as much as you want! I really liked my pixie hair cut and I was heavy when I had it that short. I think it drew the attention to my face (and away from my body.) I've attached a picture from when my hair was the perfect "short" length. It was behaving perfectly that day.

One word about short hair though. Talk to your stylist about hairstyles with your hair texture. My hair is very wavy and I have to style it more when it is short. If you aren't willing to do anything more than comb and add a bit of product then you have to have an amazing hair cut for it to work.

I am positive you are backwards, if you are heavier you should have shorter hair, the longer hair makes you look fuller in the face. I know when I used to cut my hair short people would automatically think I lost weight. Which is nice. I am growing mine out again, it is shoulder length now, but there are days I really miss my SHORT hair...but then again there are some days I miss my REALLY long hair!

Hello! I've had everything from waist length hair to a crew cut. I find that at this weight, my round face looks better in a cut that frames the face. Long or short, I need some layering to frame the face. Something like the Meg Ryan cut.
I don't mind cutting my hair cuz it grows super fast. But some people find an extreme change to be distressing. One suggestion that I have is: go to a department store and try on some short wigs. See how they look. It won't be exact but it will give you an idea. Have fun!

I have had both extremes - I once shaved my head (not to the skin, but close) and I have had hair down to my butt. My hair currently comes down to around my lower back, but I mostly put it up. I am seriously thinking about cutting it mostly off again because it is so much easier to deal with in regard to washing after exercise.

Has anyone tried a site or software like this: http://www.thehairstyler.com/?

Originally Posted by zenor77:
I've gone between both extremes. When it comes to hair I think I take more of a Madonna view point. Change it up as often and as much as you want! I really liked my pixie hair cut and I was heavy when I had it that short. I think it drew the attention to my face (and away from my body.) I've attached a picture from when my hair was the perfect "short" length. It was behaving perfectly that day.

One word about short hair though. Talk to your stylist about hairstyles with your hair texture. My hair is very wavy and I have to style it more when it is short. If you aren't willing to do anything more than comb and add a bit of product then you have to have an amazing hair cut for it to work.

Great short cut! I have a lot of wave, curl, and frizz so I'd probably have to style a good bit but the trade off would be getting done so much faster.

I have wavy/frizzy hair and I don't do much with it other than put some product in it and let it dry. The product takes care of the frizz for the most part. I would also recommend finding a good stylist and maybe spending a little extra on your haircut. When all I need is a trim or a retouch, I go to a place that costs $10 but if I want a new style, I'll go to a place with a good reputation or a hair stylist with a good reputation and spend a little more.

Originally Posted by NotTheCheat:
I have had both extremes - I once shaved my head (not to the skin, but close) and I have had hair down to my butt. My hair currently comes down to around my lower back, but I mostly put it up. I am seriously thinking about cutting it mostly off again because it is so much easier to deal with in regard to washing after exercise.

Has anyone tried a site or software like this: http://www.thehairstyler.com/?

I've never done visited hairstyler.com but I am registered with http://makeover.ivillage.com/IVillag...ng/index.html?

It depends are your face and the hairstyle. I have a round face and look better with should length hair but i have seen others who look great with short hair. I've had long hair too and thought it looked fine, and was told it did but I thought it did nothing to flatter my face at all. But I go in between shoulder length and long...who cares what anyone says...it's what YOU like that matters.

I had my hair very short (shaved at one point) when I was younger & yes it was easier to deal with. But the growing it out SUCKED! It took almost 4 years of bad hair days before it looked good. I have very curly, frizzy hair so it needs to grow a couple inches before much growth is noticed.

Another note on the issue: in my opinion (for what it's worth) I think that long hair makes women look younger. I think it is because it seems that so many women cut their hair shorter as they get older that when you see long hair you just sort of assume the woman is younger. But maybe that is just here.

Originally Posted by Lifeguard:
I had my hair very short (shaved at one point) when I was younger & yes it was easier to deal with. But the growing it out SUCKED! It took almost 4 years of bad hair days before it looked good. I have very curly, frizzy hair so it needs to grow a couple inches before much growth is noticed.

Another note on the issue: in my opinion (for what it's worth) I think that long hair makes women look younger. I think it is because it seems that so many women cut their hair shorter as they get older that when you see long hair you just sort of assume the woman is younger. But maybe that is just here.

Looking older is one of my worries! I remember my mom telling me that "once you reach a certain age Cristy a woman should cut their hair because long hair doesn't look good when you're older". Well I think it's stuck in my head that I want to look youthful because my entire life people have thought I looked older than I am and I am determined to do what I can to keep me as young as a Feel!

Maybe I'll just try a couple of inches and if that looks good I'll take the plunge.

I always said when I get older I will never go short, short! It does seem that is something a lot of women do. Another thing I see is what I call a poddle do, no offense to anyone with one. My MIL, my mother and several Aunts do this. They go real short and get a curly, kinky perm :nono: NEVER!

I'm with ya FrouFrou on the poodle do! I think the source of the old adage about no long hair as you get older: Hair tends to thin out. Long thin hair doesn't look good. I think the perm idea is to make it look thicker. But it's not for me.

I've been growing my hair while I've been losing (and now maintaining) weight. It's now just about at my waist. I'm thinking about growing it out a couple more inches.

I have always wanted to but have been too scared to shave my head. I always told myself if I lost all the weight I wanted to -I'd do it. I have done absolutely everything to my hair - from dying it black, blue, purple, yellow, red, everything but blonde really... to cutting it super short - having it down to my waist. I think I'm punishing it for not ever doing what I wanted it to do.
My hair - as you can see from the pic, is straight and fine - but with thick coverage... it just lays their like limp dead pasta & sometimes looks greasy when I swear it isn't. It won't hold a curl, not even a perm!
I went and got bangs and I'm not sure how to get rid of them... I HATE them.

I don't care how thin or fat someone is.....if they are a certain age, long hair just looks witchy. I see so many woman that have too long of hair and it just looks terrible. Pulling it back just looks as bad. That just looks lazy.

My opinion is if you are in the mid 30's or above, your hair should be no longer than just a bit past your shoulders. And even that is pushing it.

Originally Posted by lizziness:
I have always wanted to but have been too scared to shave my head. I always told myself if I lost all the weight I wanted to -I'd do it. I have done absolutely everything to my hair - from dying it black, blue, purple, yellow, red, everything but blonde really... to cutting it super short - having it down to my waist. I think I'm punishing it for not ever doing what I wanted it to do.
My hair - as you can see from the pic, is straight and fine - but with thick coverage... it just lays their like limp dead pasta & sometimes looks greasy when I swear it isn't. It won't hold a curl, not even a perm!
I went and got bangs and I'm not sure how to get rid of them... I HATE them.

I had a shaved head before - it was great! I barely had to towel dry it :) I want to do it again, but DH says he likes it longer than that. We met when I had it shaved, so he must not have disliked it a whole lot :lol: I'm still tempted, but he says things about my job and it maybe not being the best decision. I can't get fired for it, but he's right. Every ONCE in a while when I have a really important meeting with much higher-up people, it might be nice to have some hair since I already have the arms-full-of-tattoos thing going on .... hahahha

I guess I'm the opposite, I always thought long hair aged women. I see a lot of older women (40s-50s) with longer hair but then in the 60s and up, you see them with shorter hair.

I've seen a lot of women with long hair cut their hair shorter and it always seems to me that they look a lot younger.

Originally Posted by coachie:
I don't care how thin or fat someone is.....if they are a certain age, long hair just looks witchy. I see so many woman that have too long of hair and it just looks terrible. Pulling it back just looks as bad. That just looks lazy.

My opinion is if you are in the mid 30's or above, your hair should be no longer than just a bit past your shoulders. And even that is pushing it.

Is my hair too long?
http://www.techtrek.com/Hold/AlmostHeaven/Charface1.jpg

I don't wanna be a witchy 42 year old. :D

Yeah I don't understand that :?: My mom is going to be 57 this year and has long hair and I think it looks great on her! I've even seen some older women with REALLY beautiful hair (even if it is white or gray), I mean gorgeous! And long!

BTW almostheaven I think your hair looks just fine :)

mod - I'm jealous now. I'd love to have the shaved head AND the arms full of tattoos. I always thought half sleeves on women look so adorable... if I was single and had money I'd totally do it.:)
I know what you mean about work - I work at a credit union and while there isn't a dress code or anything, I can assure you anybody higher up in the company is visible tattoo free and looks "normal"
I can't decide what to do with my hair next, but I think it's getting cut soon. Seriously - bangs... wtf was I thinking?!

Originally Posted by lizziness:
Seriously - bangs... wtf was I thinking?!

I don't have bangs right now. I'm growing them out (along with the rest of my hair). I don't like it when I don't have them though since I have all these whispy hairs. I need hair gel to keep them down and I HATE using products in my hair (or wearing makeup which I never do, but that is totally separate :lol:). I'm thinking of going back to the bangs, but I can't decide! Whenever I had them I really liked them. Right now, I have a REALLY short bob, since its still growing out from being short and kinda spiky.

It also depends on what type of hair you have. I have very naturally curly hair. I cut off about 7 inches to have a pixie cut, and I was heavier. It felt good but it looked like it was too small for my head, making me look heavier. As I grew it out, it looked like an afro or a traditional old woman hair cut. I now have it at least below my shoulders at the shortest. Some women look great with short hair:short and sassy. I have seen some women with short hair that look very manly and not at all feminine. Cut out some pictures of hair cuts you're interested in and talk to a good stylist, even if it is more expensive.

I don't know if I'll ever give in and have very short hair. I'll be 30 in a year and refuse to have the old woman poodle hair. It depends on the woman. If I look good w/ longer hair as I age, I'll keep it...I doubt I'll go very short though, it looks bad on me and I don't want to look like every other woman with short hair. It may be easier, but it doesn't always make someone look more mature or 'thier age'.