I have always, always loved long hair and am more or less constantly trying to grow it out. About once a year, I get sick of it, snap, and cut it all off, only to regret it later. But now, looking at my hair (in pictures, in the mirror), I just feel like it doesn't look that good long. I really want it to be long, and I really want it to look good long, but I'm starting to worry that it just looks thin and kind of blah. As much as I'd like long, lustrous locks, at the end of the day, I just really want to look nice and put together.

So, I've put together the following collage in the hopes of getting some advice! The picture on the left is of me now, and the two on the right are from back when I had shorter (and darkened) hair. Please excuse the bright lipstick and green contact lenses. I was sixteen and messing around in front of the webcam. (Is it just me or do I look almost exactly the same eight years later?)

Do you think I look better with longer or shorter hair? Any suggestions for a new style? Or should I just keep it as is?



Thanks so much for any advice you may have!

I like the shorter hair better.....but then again I'm partial to short hair.

I'd go for shorter hair, a new look is always good. If you hate it, it will grow !

I like the longer hair better, seems the fashin here in Quebec. But your hair in the picture where its shorter seems so shiney. Long hair thats really shiney and soft looking and dark is very striking if you ask me. So many have fake hair extensions that real long hair thats natural is something that sets you appart. Maybe just get it styled by a salon with some hightlights. Take so long to grow out our hair. I once had hair to my waist, three years ago, chopped it all off. Was real happy for a month, then was like ok what did i do lol. There are so many neat styles the young girls here do with their long hair. Maybe browse the internet for different styles. At christmas time you can add all kinds of sparkley pins, etc while putting it up in swirles. Looks very soft and modern.

Hope that helps lol

I like it long

I actually do the same thing you do - long, short, long, short. I am in a short phase right now. I think you look much better with the long hair, so I vote leave it long!

I vote for long but think you should go to the darker colour! I think you'll be happier since ultimately what you want is gorgeous long hair. The short is also very attractive but I think you'll keep wanting long hair. I suggest get a good hair regime going and maybe go to a salon! Post pics of whatever you do!

how about a layered look?

WOW I just wanted to start off by saying you are very pretty! And I second the layered look! I <3 Layers!

I like the polished look of your shorter style, but I am partial to long hair too. How about a compromise? Cut a bit off your hair so that you get that lovely blunt hem, and maybe put a gloss of colour through it for that shiny finish?

Keep layers updated around the crown and keep it long for now...then you can wait and see if you still crave short hair.

Thank you all so much for the thoughtful suggestions! I really appreciate it. And EveLHaelf, thanks so much for that compliment! It really made my day.

I'm now leaning more towards keeping it longer, but I do want a change.

I'm kind of skeptical about layering it (at least about layering anything that doesn't actually frame my face) because I'm already worried that my hair looks on the thin side. Won't layering it make it look even thinner? If I'm completely wrong in this assumption, please tell me. I'm certainly no hair expert!

I do think that I'll color it. I'm trying to decide between a darker brown (probably around the shade of what's in the pictures) or a red, which I've also had before and really liked. Thoughts?

Here's a picture of me with red hair, by the way. It's pretty old, but I think I'm actually around the same weight AND hair length now, so it's a pretty decent example of what I'd actually look like with it red. I wouldn't necessarily dye it this shade again, but I did like it!

You're definitely beautiful regardless of what you decide. I think you look best in the short photos but I also believe it has to do with the darker hair color than with the length. If I were you, I'd leave the length and color it darker and you can always cut it later. I'd definitely layer it before cutting it short since that would seem like a compromise. Then, if you don't like it, you can always cut it further, which really looks great on you too.

With regard to your question, I think a good stylist would know how to cut layers in a way that would give you more fullness and movement. That's what I've noticed on a show called What Not To Wear....but I'm not sure so you should discuss it with your stylist first.

I hope you show us photos once you make your change!

I think you look beautiful both ways! But, I think it's always nice for a change now and then...I say chop it!