Opinions wanted on cutting to goal hemline now or waiting

[HumanBean]

Hi. I've been at this for a couple of years now, and getting close to my goal of the longest length being at hip (originally was BSL but the goal got longer as is apt to happen here).

Ultimately, I want a long layered v shape hemline, like this:

http://i1237.photobucket.com/albums/ff470/Blbrady/f16d658fd53b1d123bfc7fa6038eff42.jpg

This is my hair now, with some layers but not many, in a u shaped hemline (and braid waves). My hands are at hip in the pic. I've got some thinning from a major shed last year that I'm recovering from, but it's going to take a while. I'm thinking about going ahead and doing the layers now, even though I'm not yet at goal length. I'm kind of not enjoying my hair when I wear it down right now, due to the lack of shape. But I hesitate because I'm afraid that cutting the layers now will work against me in the length goal. What do you all think?

http://i1237.photobucket.com/albums/ff470/Blbrady/b0d21de31c428cabb49ff5cab6f342d4.jpg

[Macaroni]

IMO your hair is gorgeous.

Your first pic looks like the finished cut with the Crea Clip shown on YouTube.

[spidermom]

I'd just go for it, having put off the V-cut I wanted for a year or more, finally getting it last week, and being mad now that I waited so long for what I wanted. Sometimes we regret the things we didn't do more than we regret the things we do.

[Lyv]

I'd get it now, I don't think they'd have to take much of your actual length off to add in the layers you want.

[leslissocool]

Go for it, I had layers at past tailbone. At hip and BCL my layers looked awesome, now that I changed my goal I got rid of them.

[ErinLeigh]

I love layers for shape and styling ease. I think the photo you posted is my dream hair!
I guess you would have to think about your hair type. If you cut like the original photo how would your hair lie? The most important thing I can suggest would be to find a really good stylist. Layers done wrong are a nightmare. That being said, when done right so they blend and aren't choppy I think they are stunning.

If you are unhappy with your current style when down I would go for it. Just make sure you trust the stylist. If you don't know them maybe ask for pics of their work, or go in early and watch them do someone elses hair first to see if they pay attention, or do they chat with others and snip carelessly. Also, you could start with layers a little longer than you want, just to see if you like the difference then if you do go back and add some more.

Please please please post pics if you cut. I would love to see the results.

[farmlass]

If you want to do it, then go for it. Layers won't affect the overall length, the longest layers will still be waist/hip. Your hair looks so thick that layers will look great :)

[Tini'sNewHair]

Ahhhh, I go against this. Your hair is not the same texture like the picture above, yours is more curly/wavy so it would sit verrry differently. I think you would need to have straight hair to see a cut like this stand out. But thats just my view. I LOVE your hair now, its so beautiful!!!!

[ErinLeigh]

What does your hair look like without braid waves?

[HumanBean]

I'm a wavy, mildly so, and the waves are big S waves. The shorter my hair is the more the waves show up. I did a hairtyping photo once, I'll see if I can find it. But I figure with layers and left to its own devices, it won't be any wavier than this pic, which I also like:

http://i1237.photobucket.com/albums/ff470/Blbrady/de394e2b5aa85f64ee17b8bbafaecacd.jpg

[HumanBean]

Ok here was my hairtyping thread from about a year ago:
http://forums.longhaircommunity.com/showthread.php?t=97458

And here is the hairtyping pic I had posted in that thread, clarified, air dried, no manipulation at all, so it's not nearly as wavy as that last pic above, but it doesn't have the short layers I am eyeing either, and my hair does do that flip up thing when it's shoulder length or shorter like in the above example pic:

http://i1237.photobucket.com/albums/ff470/Blbrady/8b46a710.jpg

[dulce]

http://i1123.photobucket.com/albums/l545/chicaaa1/long%20hair/DSC00048.jpg (http://s1123.photobucket.com/user/chicaaa1/media/long%20hair/DSC00048.jpg.html)I had a sharp layered v hem cut at hip length[pic] and am now at BCL hair and still love it! I can still do my lazywrap bun and a braid.It is less heavy and my curls,lost to length came back plus it has more style when worn loose.I say go for it!I'm hoping to grow to classic still keeping my v shape.Have never grown that long before so don't know if I can but a v can be worn at all lengths.Hubbie cut mine [dry] and he is not a hair dresser,curls are very forgiving to cut.Sorry for the big pic!!!I don't know why it does this.I also have had a v cut at midback length in the past.

[sourgrl]

Hello, hair twin! My hair looks like pic number one when I use heat (2inch curling iron) and looks like the pic where you're wearing red above when I don't use heat. Personally I'd grow a little more before cutting in the layers. Regardless of what you do take the time to find someone that is good at this cut. We moved a couple summers ago from Orlando to Alabama and I've yet to find someone that can cut my layers right. A bad cut will only create frustration with your hair, even if the natural wave can hide it.

[emilia1992]

So long as you have a hairdresser whom you can trust to trim layers, go for it! The only reason to hold back would be that if you got split ends with layered hair, it'd probably be too difficult to trim those out yourself, meaning you'd have to go to a hairdresser who might well take off more length than would be necessary when trimming un-layered hair.