Going for the big chop on Thursday

[FuzzyBlackWaves]

So, I gave it the two week rule... and I still feel the same way! On Thursday I will be chopping off five years worth of growth shudder:

I've carefully considered the pros and cons and right now I think short hair would be the best call for me for a couple of reasons:

1) My mid length and ends still have visible signs of heat, dye and rough handling damage
2) My ends are full of black dye that I can do nothing with
3) My dyed black colour reminds me of someone I'd rather it didn't
4) My hair type would hold curls better whilst short
5) It gives me a chance to grown out to all virgin hair much sooner

My partner is going to go with me and we're going to both go short at the same time! He's currently at shoulder length and I'm at hip length. He's going for full on short and I'm going for just above the shoulder! We've decided that after this big cut we're going to grow out long again.

I'm actually really rather excited. I've not seen myself with short hair since I was a teenager!

Before photos:

http://forums.longhaircommunity.com/attachment.php?attachmentid=29527&d=1513723318 http://forums.longhaircommunity.com/attachment.php?attachmentid=29552&d=1513859922

[Groovy Granny]

That sounds like a solid plan and very exciting doing it with your partner ~ Your curls look amazing as is! :thumbsup:


Good luck ~ Hope you share pics :popcorn:

[Jo Ann]

It's just me, but it looks like the darker hair is just below your shoulders, is that where you're planning on stopping? :flower:

I know you put a lot of thought into this and I do wish you the bestest! Prayers ascending that you get what you want with your stylists! And personally, I think it's SWEET (and sweet!) that your Dear SO is going with you and having HIS hair done at the same time! :crush: :bottomsup:

[PixieP]

Best of luck to you! Your texture looks amazing, it will be great short! Sometimes a chop is the right thing and it absolutley sounds like it's for you :D

[RedStripe]

Good luck with your chop! How cool that your partner is going with you -- what a fun thing to do for a little togetherness.

[lottiealice]

Good luck, I'm sure it'll look amazing - and it's a great opportunity to grow out healthier virgin hair. :)

[FuzzyBlackWaves]

That sounds like a solid plan and very exciting doing it with your partner ~ Your curls look amazing as is! :thumbsup:


Good luck ~ Hope you share pics :popcorn:

Thankyou! I only wish that it looked like that all of the time! My profile pic is after a roller set :o I don't know whether I'll get photos from him - I'll try though!


It's just me, but it looks like the darker hair is just below your shoulders, is that where you're planning on stopping? :flower:

I know you put a lot of thought into this and I do wish you the bestest! Prayers ascending that you get what you want with your stylists! And personally, I think it's SWEET (and sweet!) that your Dear SO is going with you and having HIS hair done at the same time! :crush: :bottomsup:

Most of the black is below my shoulders, yes :) I'm going for a cut just above the shoulder to get rid of as much henna as possible as well. We'll see if the hairdresser actually goes with my wishes! Thankyou for the prayers :blossom: My SO is lovely, I was surprised that he reacted so positively to the idea.


Best of luck to you! Your texture looks amazing, it will be great short! Sometimes a chop is the right thing and it absolutley sounds like it's for you :D

Thankyou! My natural texture is a bit more blegh, it's in the before pic I just put up. I have high hopes for a short 'do with my rollers though! I think it'll be easier getting it done because I know I'll be growing it out again.


Good luck with your chop! How cool that your partner is going with you -- what a fun thing to do for a little togetherness.

Thanks so much!


Good luck, I'm sure it'll look amazing - and it's a great opportunity to grow out healthier virgin hair. :)

Thankyou! It'll be nice not to be greeted with the dye damage every day when I detangle it.

[Dendra]

Thankyou! My natural texture is a bit more blegh, it's in the before pic I just put up. I have high hopes for a short 'do with my rollers though! I think it'll be easier getting it done because I know I'll be growing it out again.

Thankyou! It'll be nice not to be greeted with the dye damage every day when I detangle it.

That does sound nice! Yay for being closer to all virgin hair too. I wish you the best of luck FuzzyBlackWaves :blossom: Also, wow your texture in that before pic is not blegh! Those waves are so nice and regular :flower:

I really look forward to the 'after' shot and hearing all about your appointment (if you fancy sharing!)

[MotherofJames]

It will look amazing whichever you decide :- ) I like your reason #3. That happened to me. I don't dye my hair a certain color anymore because it reminds me of a time I was with someone I shouldnt have been with and I dont like the memories.

Your hair is beautiful and will look great short or long. I think its super nice that you and your partner are doing this together too! Best of Luck <3 Post after photos ! Take care ~

[lapushka]

Good luck on your "big chop"! Keep us posted on how things went. :)

[Dark40]

I think your hair and color on the ends looks amazing! I don't see any damaged areas at all. But whatever your decide good luck! It sounds fun that partner is going with you to get it done.

[Rhoward]

How exciting for you, I can't wait to see it!

[Flowerness]

Have fun with your new hair cut! I have had a few big chops in my life, and I remember how freeing it feels! The first few times you wash your hair, you might accidentally grab too much shampoo/conditioner (I certainly did!). Don't forget to have fun, enjoy experimenting with it, and take notice of how fast it'll dry! You'll be amazed!

You have lovely hair now, and I'm certain it'll be awesome afterwords, too. Enjoy!

[Tassledown]

Definitely sounds like you're at the right point to just make the cut back to virgin. Good luck with the chop, and I hope your future growing goes well without that baggage!

[school of fish]

This does sound exciting! Enjoy the experience :D

[Beckstar]

Above shoulder is a great length to start at. You can still do ponytails, braids, and certain updos. It's going to be beautiful.

[FuzzyBlackWaves]

That does sound nice! Yay for being closer to all virgin hair too. I wish you the best of luck FuzzyBlackWaves :blossom: Also, wow your texture in that before pic is not blegh! Those waves are so nice and regular :flower:

I really look forward to the 'after' shot and hearing all about your appointment (if you fancy sharing!)

Thankyou! :o I'm secretly hoping that it'll be a bit more textured after the chop - I seem to remember having more curl as a kid! I'll definitely post after photos whether or not I'm crying lol!


It will look amazing whichever you decide :- ) I like your reason #3. That happened to me. I don't dye my hair a certain color anymore because it reminds me of a time I was with someone I shouldnt have been with and I dont like the memories.

Your hair is beautiful and will look great short or long. I think its super nice that you and your partner are doing this together too! Best of Luck <3 Post after photos ! Take care ~

I'm sorry that you also have bad memories! Here's to us both moving forward and healing :) Thankyou for the lovely compliment.


Good luck on your "big chop"! Keep us posted on how things went. :)

Thankyou! I will do :) I'll see if I can get a 'before' from my partner today! He's a bit camera shy.


I think your hair and color on the ends looks amazing! I don't see any damaged areas at all. But whatever your decide good luck! It sounds fun that partner is going with you to get it done.

Oh my goodness, thanks so much! That's really kind of you. I think I can definitely feel the damage when I compare the dyed parts to my roots. It'll be so cool for us both to get a new style at the same time! We're not telling any of our friends and family either so we're going to surprise them with it!


How exciting for you, I can't wait to see it!

Thankyou! I'm getting nervous now!


Have fun with your new hair cut! I have had a few big chops in my life, and I remember how freeing it feels! The first few times you wash your hair, you might accidentally grab too much shampoo/conditioner (I certainly did!). Don't forget to have fun, enjoy experimenting with it, and take notice of how fast it'll dry! You'll be amazed!

You have lovely hair now, and I'm certain it'll be awesome afterwords, too. Enjoy!

Oooo, thanks so much for this exciting reply! You've got me all hyped up now! I'm definitely looking forwards to starting over again with hair that's not been processed. I've enjoyed growing it out this first time around but it's always been mitigated by my old growth because I've been too afraid to just cut it all out. Well not anymore!


Definitely sounds like you're at the right point to just make the cut back to virgin. Good luck with the chop, and I hope your future growing goes well without that baggage!

Thanks so much! I'd been toying with the idea for a while but my partner really made up my mind when he told me to just go for it. I think I'd been worried that he'd not like it short, so having him not only give me the go ahead but also join in was a huge reassurance.


This does sound exciting! Enjoy the experience :D

Thankyou :o I'll post all about it tomorrow. Short hair for Christmas! Eek!


Above shoulder is a great length to start at. You can still do ponytails, braids, and certain updos. It's going to be beautiful.

Thanks for sharing your experience! I did very briefly consider getting a pixie cut but I think I'll suit a hemline that goes beyond my chin. Plus like you say it can still be styled at that length! We're getting married next year, so I figure it should be about BSL by then too.

Thanks for the feedback everyone! I think I'm going to ask them to cut it all one length so that I don't have to grow out layers again.

[LadyCelestina]

I'm so excited for you, I remember your progress pics from the Giving up dye board! :cheer: It's going to feel amazing once you get back to natural and healthy!

[Pumpkin3826]

Ekk!! This is so exciting! :D I did the same thing when I started growing out my hair! Granted it was not as long as you have. I had an inverted bob that was black for years, then I started getting highlights to lighten the black and ended up getting close to my natural color but it was all so damaged. The front was a little past my shoulders and the back was even with my hairline. I had them even out the inverted bob so it was just a chin length bob and then my journey began! It is so nice to not have to worry about keeping up with coloring your roots, and getting that solid line of demarcation cut off will make you feel so much better! I hated having the line show where it once was colored and now was not. I think it is so special that you guys are doing this together! Good luck, it will turn out great! Those curls will pop so much better especially with it being shorter virgin hair!

[Dendra]

Oh my goodness, thanks so much! That's really kind of you. I think I can definitely feel the damage when I compare the dyed parts to my roots. It'll be so cool for us both to get a new style at the same time! We're not telling any of our friends and family either so we're going to surprise them with it!

Thanks for the feedback everyone! I think I'm going to ask them to cut it all one length so that I don't have to grow out layers again.

That's exciting! They'll be so surprised :magic:

Also, yay for layers being a thing of the past! That's the dream :o

[FuzzyBlackWaves]

I'm so excited for you, I remember your progress pics from the Giving up dye board! :cheer: It's going to feel amazing once you get back to natural and healthy!

Oh wow, it's so lovely that you remember, thankyou! :blossom:


Ekk!! This is so exciting! :D I did the same thing when I started growing out my hair! Granted it was not as long as you have. I had an inverted bob that was black for years, then I started getting highlights to lighten the black and ended up getting close to my natural color but it was all so damaged. The front was a little past my shoulders and the back was even with my hairline. I had them even out the inverted bob so it was just a chin length bob and then my journey began! It is so nice to not have to worry about keeping up with coloring your roots, and getting that solid line of demarcation cut off will make you feel so much better! I hated having the line show where it once was colored and now was not. I think it is so special that you guys are doing this together! Good luck, it will turn out great! Those curls will pop so much better especially with it being shorter virgin hair!

Thanks for the well wishes! It's awesome to hear about your hair journey and that you enjoyed your decision to do chops. I think I'm worried that I'll regret it afterwards!


That's exciting! They'll be so surprised :magic:

Also, yay for layers being a thing of the past! That's the dream :o

Isn't it just? I'm still excited today - no urges to cancel the appointment just yet!

I've found a charity that accepts dyed hair to make wigs for women and girls under 24. I'm going to send my hair off to them - I know they might not be able to use it but on the off chance that they can I'd rather it get used for something than be put in the bin.

[Dendra]

Oh wow, it's so lovely that you remember, thankyou! :blossom:



Thanks for the well wishes! It's awesome to hear about your hair journey and that you enjoyed your decision to do chops. I think I'm worried that I'll regret it afterwards!



Isn't it just? I'm still excited today - no urges to cancel the appointment just yet!

I've found a charity that accepts dyed hair to make wigs for women and girls under 24. I'm going to send my hair off to them - I know they might not be able to use it but on the off chance that they can I'd rather it get used for something than be put in the bin.

Definitely! That's really nice of you. If you hadn't found a charity then there's also someone on here that collects hair for experiments, so your chopped hair is always useful! What time is your appointment?

[PixieP]

Best of luck today! Excited to see pictures :D

[FuzzyBlackWaves]

Definitely! That's really nice of you. If you hadn't found a charity then there's also someone on here that collects hair for experiments, so your chopped hair is always useful! What time is your appointment?

Oh, yeah, I remember now! I'll trim some off the ends to send to her as well if she wants it. It's in 3 and a quarter hours now - eek!


Best of luck today! Excited to see pictures :D

Thanks so much :D

Here's a before with our faces in it - nervous! But ready to have all of this weight chopped off for now.

http://forums.longhaircommunity.com/attachment.php?attachmentid=29558&d=1513867164

[peachyleshy]

Congrats on your fresh start! :flower:

[Sarahlabyrinth]

What a handsome couple you are :) best of luck for your new look! Waiting for pictures :D :popcorn:

[Groovy Granny]

Here's a before with our faces in it - nervous! But ready to have all of this weight chopped off for now.


What a cute couple you are :)

Can't wait to the the 'after' pic' :popcorn:
I bet you will both look amazing!

[FuzzyBlackWaves]

Congrats on your fresh start! :flower:

Thankyou!


What a handsome couple you are :) best of luck for your new look! Waiting for pictures :D :popcorn:

Thankyou so much, that means a lot :o


What a cute couple you are :)

Can't wait to the the 'after' pic' :popcorn:
I bet you will both look amazing!

Thankyou! :blossom:

Well... here it is!

http://forums.longhaircommunity.com/attachment.php?attachmentid=29560&d=1513879081

http://forums.longhaircommunity.com/attachment.php?attachmentid=29561&d=1513879107

The overall experience was great! The hairstylist came to us and he was lovely, really easy to get on with and very professional. And he gave us both exactly what we asked for! I instantly felt so much better knowing that all of that dye and the history that went along with it were being cut off. We've packaged my braids up and we'll be sending them off to the trust soon!

My head feels much lighter and my hair swooshes so easily now! I'm actually really in love with this cut.

[Sarahlabyrinth]

Well, doesn't that look fabulous on you both! I bet you love it! :D

[Groovy Granny]

What a difference ~ you both look amazing :crush:

I am so happy you are pleased ~ enjoy :cheer:

[Kiiruna]

You all (you, that handsome gentleman and your hair) look very happy :) Amazing!

[torosaurus]

Wow! Your haircut looks so lovely and really flatters your face! Congratulations <3

[Jo Ann]

Woot! Woot! :beercheer:

:thudpile:

[lapushka]

You look handsome, the both of you. I like the red lip with the bob! Enjoy your new lengths, the both of you! :flower:

[proo]

Freakin darling

[PixieP]

Oh my goodness what a GREAT cut on you! You look amazing!

[CindyOfTheOaks]

Sooooo cute ! Both of you !

[FuzzyBlackWaves]

Well, doesn't that look fabulous on you both! I bet you love it!

Thankyou so much! :blossom: We both really love our new cuts! Actually, to be honest, I think I might keep mine like this for a little while before I grow it out again.


What a difference ~ you both look amazing :crush:

I am so happy you are pleased ~ enjoy

Thankyou! It's taking us a while to get used to each-other again, lol! I think we both feel a lot younger for it.


You all (you, that handsome gentleman and your hair) look very happy :) Amazing!

Thanks! :D He says thankyou as well! Not that he'll ever take a compliment - for some reason he doesn't believe me or anyone else about that. :shrug:


Wow! Your haircut looks so lovely and really flatters your face! Congratulations <3

Thankyou, that's such a relief! I was very worried that my face was too round for something so short.


Woot! Woot!

:thudpile:

Oh wow, thankyou! :bigeyes::crush:


You look handsome, the both of you. I like the red lip with the bob! Enjoy your new lengths, the both of you!

Thanks so much <3 I think bobs demand a bit more of a vintage look! We're both enjoying not having to do quite as much in a morning. Surprisingly the boar bristle brush we have is a lot more effective on the shorter styles.


Freakin darling

:oops:


Oh my goodness what a GREAT cut on you! You look amazing!

Thankyou! I'm really glad you think so.


Sooooo cute ! Both of you !

Thankyou! :blossom:

[embee]

Looks good to me! Bet he gets lots of positive comments too!

Always a pleasure to ditch bad old memories. :)

[QuietVixen]

The hair cut looks beautiful! I'm glad you said it went well and that you're doing it for great reasons. I'm proud of you for weighing the pros and cons and deciding to go with the cut. It looks fabulous!

Happy haircuts and growing for both you and your partner. :joy:

[Chiquita Banana]

You look super cute!! Congrats on the new hairstyle!

[Ligeia Noire]

Super cute.

[Beckstar]

Looks fabulous