New Hairstyle?

Parent Cafe
1

<p>The over 50 looks thread, the dressing young thread, and last week’s What Not To Wear have inspired me to try to update my look a little. </p>

<p>I think I need to do something with my hair. Have a special occasion next week (leaving Wednesday) and have made a hair appointment for Tuesday. I usually walk into SuperCuts or other similar walk-in places, unscheduled.</p>

<p>Hair is about shoulder length, with bangs. It is very thick/lots of body, and has some wave. Usually I blow dry/air dry and then pass over it with a straightener to get a few bumps out, and then curl under the ends. I am a natural blonde but started coloring it my natural color when the gray started. I color it myself. Very fair complexion, blue eyes (burn easily). </p>

<p>I am frequently told what great hair I have, but I think they mean the actual hair, not the hair style. </p>

<p>Growing up, went through the usual trendy hairstyles - Dorothy Hamill, Farrah Fawcett, Princess Diana, so I have worn it both short and longer. My senior year of college I grew it out into a bob, with bangs. Wore it that way until I had my first child, who pulled it, so I cut it very short. When I was about to turn 40 I grew it longer again, and have been wearing some version of the bob with bangs, sometimes with some layers, for the past 11 years.</p>

<p>How does one pick a new hairstyle? I don’t want to change just to change, but sometimes think my hairstyle is too young for my age. I’ve been told I look younger than my age (and choose to believe them) but am feeling the need for some more style/maturity.</p>

<p>One of my co-workers came back from lunch the other day and her hair looked really good. She’s about 5 years younger than me, but her hair has similarities (some wave, about shoulder length, bangs, etc.). I asked her where she went, and she had just tried the studio her sister (who I have never seen) goes to. I’ve heard of the studio before and it has a good reputation, so on a whim I called and made an appointment for Tuesday.</p>

<p>I’ve been searching websites for inspiration, but have a hard time making the connection between what looks good on other people to what is the best hairstyle for me.</p>

<p>Am looking for some suggestions on how to prepare for my appointment on Tuesday.</p>

<p>And, just a side note: twenty years ago (when I wore my hair short) I went in to get a trim and came out almost bald. It wasn’t what I intended, but it didn’t look horrible, was very easy to take care of, and I knew it would grow out eventually. So while I would like to look nice for this special occasion, if it doesn’t work out, I won’t be traumatized.</p>

<p>Thanks in advance for the expert guidance!</p>

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<p>Maybe you can find three pictures, all of which appeal to you and are on people of similar age and face structure, but each of which is somewhat different in length and style. Then ask the hairdresser’s opinion about which she thinks would look best on you.</p>

<p>I also have gone to photo albums and gotten pictures of myself in a cut that I really liked and brought that in as an example. I have worn my hair pretty short since high school so it’s more a matter of treatment over the ears and amount of layering.</p>

3

<p>I’m useless because my hair is very, very thick and coarse and only looks good about three ways: Very short, very long, and past shoulder length with layers (what I have now.) Anything else looks like a wig, and it is too coarse for the styles you mentioned.</p>

<p>It sounds like you’ve been blessed with perfect hair. I guess you can decide how you want to look.</p>

<p>Maybe lowlights and highlights would give the color some more depth and make it look more glamorous.</p>

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<p>I find thick blond hair does well shorter with a great cut. I know, I have it too. In fact, I am glad that it is not quite as thick as it used to be. It is much easier to handle. I changed my stylist before my son’s wedding and I have never gone back. But I must say I used to have long blond hair and then a bit shorter and then short. It is all in a good cut. I don’t have grey but my color has darkened some. Used to be very light. I use highlights and that works well in my case. Color matters.I never used to spend money on things like this but I sure do now. I spend on clothes as well and keep them tailored, fitted and smart. As you age, this all helps.</p>

5

<p>How does,your hair look if you just air dry it? More wave? Lately it seems we all take a straightener to our hair but the wave and curl can be super cute IMO especially in the summer. My hair is short, wavy, thick, curly…my hairdresser cut it short and close in the back and then angled the sides - one side slightly shorter than the other side - I am wearing it full on curly for the summer!</p>

<p>I think a good idea is to go in with photos if you can find some (Pinterest is a good place to search for hair - search, “wavy hair” or shoulder length haircut"-whatever you like) and tell the hairdresser how much shorter you are willing to go, how much time you are willing to spend on it and most importantly, THAT YOU WANT SOMETHING MORE UP TO DATE! I think some hairdressers are quick to put a woman ore 50 on a more conservative, blah hairstyle.</p>

<p>Good luck!</p>

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<p>Since you are going to a special occasion, do you have a “dress up style/look” that’s slightly different from your regular everyday hair style? I’m always envious of women who can style their hair into something special.</p>

<p>In terms of using a new hairdresser, be mindful he/she doesn’t know your hair. Once I went to a friend’s haridresser because I loved how she looked, but I discovered our hair is very different from mine. (Fortunately the hairdresser warned me.) Hers actually does what it’s supposed to do. Even though I almost always pleased with how a hairdresser styles my hair by the time I walk out, sometimes the real test is how it looks the day-after or the week-after.</p>

<p>I like the idea of looking through a magazine/online to find styles that appeal to you. i think you should also find photos of past hairstyles that shows how a style “fits” your face and how your hair behaves.</p>

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<p>True confession: one of the most upsetting things about Princess Di’s death was that she was a woman roughly my age who wore bangs. I looked great in all of her hairstyles and I had planned to go through life pretty much imitating whatever style she had at the time.</p>

<p>I was going to a very nice “salon” (read: expensive). But no matter what picture I took in, I got a bob. I always said I could take in a picture of a mohawk, or a buzz with a peace sign shaved into it, and I would get a bob. I finally took my picture into a place that was marketing itself to the drill team girls, and I got what I wanted.</p>

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<p>I have very short brown hair. It is very thick and wavy and I get a lot of compliments on it but i have noticed lately, not so much. I have had the same hairstyle, pretty much, since i was in my teens. Mainly because it is SO thick, i can’t wear it long. It is too heavy and, like Mythmom, it looks like a wig if it isn’t styled just right. I would love to change it up a bit but have no ideas at all. I also find myself looking at pictures of people and thinking I want their hairstyle but I actually want to LOOK like the woman in the picture. Lol. Thre’s a big difference!</p>

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<p>EPTR: I am very happy with my long, layered look with bangs. The layers and the bangs take some of the heaviness out of the rest of it. I have dark brown/black hair.</p>

<p>I had lightened it with highlights because I liked the way Mariska Hagarty looked on SVU, but it got to be too much work and I just put it back to its natural color.</p>

<p>It looks good short, too, but I have found that every time I have tried short hair it looks good, but I don’t feel like myself.</p>

<p>It used to be curly/wavy, but is getting straighter and straighter. It still has a light wave.</p>

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<p>I could have written this post. I have no idea what to do with my hair either. It’s reddish brown (mostly fake these days), wavy to curly and tending to frizz as I get older. My face is long and thin, nose turned up, faded freckles. I’ve worn it really short, but it’s long now, which at least makes dh happy. I am the laziest person with my hair - never use the blow dryer. In the summer it’s in a ponytail most of the time. The most I usually do is dry it put in a little Moroccan oil or gel to increase the curl.</p>

<p>missypie, your post made me laugh. I think finding someone with a similar facial structure is a great idea, but I’m always baffled who I look like!</p>

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<p>Mythmom,
I did wear my hair like that for a brief time in my twenties. The thought of going through the growing out process intimidates me though. I will give it some thought though. Having my forehead wrinkles covered is appealing!</p>

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<p>Looking for someone with similar facial structure is a good idea. I’m thinking of changing my hair do (which I’ve had since 5th grade). Found a recent photo of Meg Tilly–and thinking of taking it to the hairstylist to see what she thinks.</p>

<p>Maybe we can nominate each other for “What Not to Wear” and get a great hairstyle from that…</p>

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<p>Out doing errands this morning, thanks for all the posts!</p>

<p>My H and D HAVE nominated me for What Not to Wear, but I don’t think I’m quite in the league with some of people I’ve seen on the show. At least I hope not. I’m mainly boring.</p>

<p>If I air-dry my hair it’s wavy, but has parts that are curly-er than other sections, so I usually feel the need to add more waves to even it out or straighten it to look more uniform.</p>

<p>Right now there’s no hairdresser who ‘knows’ my hair, so that’s not an option. </p>

<p>It’s hard to figure out who I look like to try to emulate. I think others look nice, but not sure it will translate.</p>

<p>The special occasion is my parents’ 60th anniversary. So I really don’t need to impress anyone, just want to be able to see photos and be happy. I don’t plan to wear my hair up or anything.</p>

<p>I tend to be cheap and don’t want anything too high maintenance. One thing I like about the current style is I can let it go and get away with it. When my hair was short I had to cut it every 5 weeks.</p>

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<p>I cut my hair because I got really tired of putting it in a ponytail, felt that was too young, but didn’t want to spend any more time on it.
Hair cut not only depends on type of hair and how much time you want to spend maintaining it, but face shape, neck length, overall body type & size, and your personality. Hair color can also make a traditional hairstyle look more au courant.:wink: I hear ombr</p>

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<p>A good cut will grow out well, too. So while you might have to cut it every 5-6 weeks to maintain the length, you shouldn’t have to cut it just to look good.<br>
An experienced stylist will be able to evaluate your overall face shape, hair condition, etc., and give you a flattering style that is easy to maintain. That’s why it’s worth it to pay the $60-$70 for a good cut with a professional stylist rather than the cheap version at a super-cut type of store. Tell the person what you’re after, and get their suggestions.
At our age, I’d go with something slightly shorter than shoulder length if you are looking for a change. Chin length might be a good start depending on your face shape- not too radical, but still a length that gives the impression of ample hair while being more mature looking. You may have to work with the stylist for a few cuts to get the “perfect do,” but it’s worth it.</p>

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<p>If you like the new do, take a picture while it is still freshly cut, and get someone to take a picture of the back too. Way easier to refresh on what kind of cut with pics.</p>

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<p>Thanks for the photo suggestion. Will need to remember to get some photos. It will also be helpful in attempting to re-create the look!</p>

<p>S’s hair looked really great in his senior pictures. He now shows the pictures when getting his hair cut to let the stylist know what he wants. It’s been very helpful in achieving the look he’s going for! He’s also become pretty good about getting his haircut the right time in advance of a special occasion so it has time to grow out just a bit.</p>

<p>My D has the most gorgeous hair – a beautiful shade of red, ringlet curls. My parents both have great hair too. At least I have the right genes on my side!</p>

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<p>The photo of Meg Tilly on her blog is the haircut that I am thinking of trying…I hope my H won’t be going into paroxysms of laughter when I come home with the cut!</p>

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<p>ellemenope: Cute cut! Would never work with my hair. Never saw Meg Tilly’s blog before. Her son looks so much like his dad only bigger!</p>

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<p>I was in such a rut with my hair. Wavy but unfortunately frizzy which makes it pretty ugly. I can straighten it but it seemed to really take a toll on my hair. My daughter then sent me a link to a video which changed my hair life forever. “How to curl your hair with a sock bun”, yes, I know it sounds funny but it really works. You start with a high ponytail and do a sock bun and then sleep on it. Because it is a high ponytail it will not disturb your sleep. Anyway, I tried it and although I don’t get the curls that the girl in the video gets (my hair is shorter) my hair is full of body which stays all day and the best part is there is NO frizz.</p>

<p>[How</a> to curl your hair with a sock! No heat - YouTube](<a href=“How to curl your hair with a sock! No heat - YouTube”>How to curl your hair with a sock! No heat - YouTube)</p>