Umm almost tailbone to almost waist - yeah, I did that today...

[julliams]

After months and months of thinking about going shorter or not going shorter, loving my length, then not being sure about it etc etc, I finally went and got my hair cut today. To cut a long story short, I've gone from almost tailbone to almost waist in one swoop!

Was that what I wanted? Well, to be honest, I didn't really know what I wanted. I wanted my hair to look and feel healthy. I wanted to feel young and I wanted to feel fabulous. So when my hairdresser and I talked about what I wanted I knew I wasn't being really clear about what exactly I wanted taken off. I was mostly talking about health and shape etc.

So why did I do that? Well in the past, I've gone to the salon specifying exactly how much I want trimmed and telling them that I measure using photos so I'm going to know!!! And that's worked fine, except that I've always come out of the salon with hair that looks exactly how I went in. And I've paid $100 for the privilege.

So this time I wanted there to be a change and I think I've been thinking about what it would be like to get back to this length for some time now anyway.

The condition of my hair was pretty good but it was quite dry on the ends which I was managing with treatments and there were splits everywhere which I was managing with S & D.

In any case, now it's not quite waist and I'm fine with it. I feel a little like I have a fresh start and with my nice fresh ends, I can keep up my moisture treatments and keep it looking super healthy.

It's funny how I think it's so short now and people are telling me that it doesn't look that different (really???)

I went to a hairdresser that specialises in cutting curly hair so he cut it all dry and blended long layers so that they are seamless. He gave me the option of leaving it as is to airdry or having the full blowdry which wasn't going to make any difference to the cost so I went for the whole experience. What amazed me is that there was NO steam coming off my hair with the blowdrier. In fact, he had it quite cool and was using the brush and technique to get the effect. I was quite impressed with that. We had agreed on about 4 inches but I think it's a little more than that - but I'm ok with it. It is amazing that when you are in the chair, you really don't have any idea of how much they are cutting off back there unless you get really pedantic and keep checking over your shoulder - which I didn't.

So anyway, I didn't spend any time taking decent photos but here is the difference and obviously the shorter version is after a blowdry so it's going to look more like the first shot once I wash it (not for the next couple of days though).

I'm guessing there is going to be some "you shouldn't have done that" thoughts going through people's minds here on LHC but, hey, hair grows and growth is an ongoing saga. So in about a year it will be back to what it was and I'll be back in the same boat wondering what to do with it...

http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8429/7800088196_f59bc8450e.jpghttp://farm9.staticflickr.com/8287/7800089198_348ddc169b.jpghttp://farm9.staticflickr.com/8284/7800089036_144988f0cb.jpg

So......I'm back to the "will I be waist by christmas" group - and that's fine with me!

Oh and BTW - he said I had lots and lots of fine and medium hair. He said the few coarsies that I have don't classify my hair as coarse. Who would have thought???

Editing to add before and after - natural texture

http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8429/7800088196_f59bc8450e.jpghttp://farm8.staticflickr.com/7113/7835566832_190819123b.jpg
As you can see I'm still at waist - alot of length was taken up with the flippy blowdry. Not 100% thrilled but it's ok and I'm ok with the length. Just not used to the before pic being longer - lol!

[Silverbrumby]

It looks amazing. I'd love to hear the upside of hair cut so far. I'm thinking now about the perfect length of me not how long I can go.

[Ticky]

It looks great, I'm glad you're happy with it. :)

[vanillabones]

I don't think your hair looks all that coarse type either, but I wonder that about a lot of mediums vs fine on here sometimes :P
I love your cut, it looks great, and you got the treatment all polished and shiny blowdried, I love getting that at the salon, lucky it was in the cost!
If you end up missing the length no worries and now you have fresh ends - perfect!

[cindy58]

It looks SO pretty!

I've been doing just what you described for the last few years -- back and forth, trim and grow. It's long and pretty, no need to stress about it.

[pink.sara]

So pretty.

And good to hear a positive salon experience :)

[leslissocool]

I don't think there is anything wrong with cutting back! In fact, it's SO PRETTY!!!:crush:

I LOVE IT :cheese: I am so happy for you. Your hemline is to die for!

[morrigan*]

I love it :D

[bratz81]

I think it looks great and I love your hemline after the cut.
Your hair is really pretty and as long as you're happy with it that's all that matters :)

[minxe]

It looks beautiful! :)

[onlyforhim]

I believe your hair looks beautiful either way and as you said it is hair it will eventually grow I do have to admit that your hair after the cut looks really fresh it is definitely beautiful :)

[long&blonde]

You are one of my hair heros.
Your ends look so fresh and healthy!
I did a salon trim in May, from tb or bcl, to allmost waist length.
First I loved it for a few days, then I missed the length for a few days:3 months later, totally grateful I went for it, love how much healthier my ends are.
Wow, do your photos ever highlight the benefits of no heat for awesome curl and wave!

[TiffanieJean]

I think the new cut looks great! Very healthy and the hairdresser did a wonderful job.

[WaitingSoLong]

It looks gorgeous! I coudl never afford $100 for a haircut...YOU GO GIRL.

You are really not helping me chopping urge at ALL. lol. But that is my problem. I have been fighting it for a year or more and finally came up with a plan but now I am thinking I want short hair again, at least for awhile....and by short I mean APL or so.

[blondie9912]

It looks stunning, and I think you made the right decision by cutting it, hands down. I love the shape, and it will bring out your curls beautifully :)

[schweedie]

It looks amazing! And I want to see how your waves react to the new cut when they come out again, too. :D

[Chamomile betty]

Your hair is beautiful both lengths.
Stunning color!

[Lauram]

So pretty! I love the color, and your hemline is perfect:)

[FrannyG]

Wow, it looks beautiful. The layers look perfect and your hemline looks so thick and lush. :crush: I think you made a great decision. I find that once hair is a certain length, people in the real world don't really notice when a few inches are taken off.

Now you can grow again, and decide what length is really your happiest length. :)

[pepperminttea]

I don't think I've ever seen a photo of your hair I didn't love, but your hair looks wonderful - so healthy and shiny! :crush:

[WyrdWay]

I love hearing about a good salon experiance! And your hair looks so pretty :D


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[millyaulait]

Your hair is *beautiful*, it will look soooo amazing at waist!

[BrightEyes]

Your hair is gorgeous! I would love to see it now in it's natural state.

[Aqua Gal]

Your hair is so pretty. It looks great wavy or straight.

Sometimes a bigger cut makes everything feel so fresh. I had 5 inches cut off 6 months ago and my hair felt amazing after. Enjoy the feeling and see where the hair journey leads you.

[Firefly]

Very pretty!

[Florida Mom]

Your haircut is beautiful! And I know what you mean. A couple months ago I cut back from nearly classic to past hip and my hair has been amazing since. The healthy ends are so worth it to me, It quickly grew back to tailbone, and I just trimmed another inch off. Enjoy your hair!

[jacqueline101]

Your hair looks great.

[lapushka]

You lost quite a bit of length, wow, but as long as you're happy with it... that's what counts! :)

[Kizuna]

Your hair really looks lovely! I'm glad you had a good experience!

[spidermom]

Oh what a lovely result!
Well done!

[SpinDance]

Looks great! As others have said, I do look forward to seeing how it looks with the natural waves and whether you like the cut as much without the blowout. All that really matters is that you like it, of course!

[lundmir]

I love it! your hair looks very beautiful.

[CurlyCurves]

Your hair is amazingly beautiful.

[johani]

It looks fantastic! :)

[hellucy]

Your hair is gorgeous, I love your colour it's so shiny & it looks so healthy & pampered.
I'm glad you were happy with your decision in the end, sometimes a big(ish) change is just what you need.

[mrs_coffee]

It looks absolutely beautiful. So shiny and healthy!

[molly_grue]

It looks beautiful before AND after. Your hair is shiny and gorgeous.

[UltraBella]

Great cut !! It looks really lovely and I bet your ends feel amazing. I think you made an excellent choice :)

[einna]

Your hair looks great - as always! I really hope you will post pic's after you wash it and have your curl back. :D

[Kristin]

It looks gorgeous! So glad you're happy! I've been contemplating a change, too...This may have put me over the edge! :)

[jeanniet]

It looks beautiful! I agree with you--hair grows back. That's not to say that someone should cut their hair if they don't want to, but I don't think there's a need to agonize over a cut that you want. It's so nice to have fresh, healthy ends, isn't it?

[jojo]

I think your hair looks amazing, I've just trimmed myself from hip to just above waist for the same reasons and couldn't be happier. Your hair looks so glossy and thick, you made a good choice!

[katfemme89]

Wow, it looks WONDERFUL! I love it. I just wanna play with it lol! Keep us updated with pics, I'd love to see what it looks like now wavy, also.

I think that's one of the things that a lot of long hairs struggle with, is trying to decide between length and the actual health of the hair. Quality vs. Quantity. I am of the opinion that the health of the hair should not be sacrificed in order to just keep it long. I am a strong advocate of trims (and cuts) because the product looks soooo much more kempt and beautiful instead of floor length hair with a bunch of fried ends! (ew!)

So I think you made a great decision.

[kidari]

Your hair is stunning! Loved your pictures and really enjoyed reading your post.

[momoftwo708]

Looks way better awesome hair I miss mine :(
Your lucky

[sun-kissed]

Ooooh, so shiny and such a beautiful hemline! I hope you love it, and even if you don't, healthy ends are the best kind to grow out. :D

[julliams]

Hi everyone,
Thanks for all your supportive and lovely comments. It is nice to hear that it still looks long and nice. I have updated the first page with my new cut with natural wavies. Here it is again in case it gets missed back there on post 1.

http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8429/7800088196_f59bc8450e.jpghttp://farm8.staticflickr.com/7113/7835566832_190819123b.jpg

I'm mostly ok with it. I'm not 100% with the shape. It looked really nice blown straight but I think I need more shaping when it's wavy which was the point of going to a curly hair specialist in the first place.

So, now I have nice ends and in 6 months I'll be back to hip if that's what I want. I'm all about making my hair look it's best rather than achieving a certain length. Having gotten to tailbone was a massive milestone for me and I'm glad I was able to achieve that. Interestingly, my mother didn't hold back to tell me that it looked so much better now and that it was way too long for me at my age etc etc. She said I didn't want to look too young from the back and people get a scare when I turn around - yeah thanks for that mum! I told her I'd like to look young from one angle at least if I could!!

In any case, it's done, I'm fine with it and every day it will grow more into a V shape which I like much better. I think my next cut will be more of a V shape.

[kidari]

There's not really any shrinkage with the waves! It still looks long, just thicker and fuller. I think when you reach tailbone again if you choose to, it will be with a fuller hemline this time around. Maybe next time they could cut your hair when it's dry and with your natural texture?

[Nymphea]

It's beautiful! It looks so thick, fresh and healthy! And the most important thing is that you are satisfied, or that it is what you've wanted at the moment. Hair does grow back and it is that journey that is also inspiring and uplifting - not just the length result.

And yes - so nice to hear a quite good hair salon story!

[julliams]

There's not really any shrinkage with the waves! It still looks long, just thicker and fuller. I think when you reach tailbone again if you choose to, it will be with a fuller hemline this time around. Maybe next time they could cut your hair when it's dry and with your natural texture?

I tend not to get any shrinkage at all (thinking of Seinfield and laughing) as the hair at the nape of my neck is almost straight. The stylist did actually cut my hair dry and with my natural texture but the problem with wavy hair is that it looks totally different one day to the next so who knows...

I don't think he caught what I was saying about keeping the V-shape. I did have that full hemline at hip it looked too full and I felt like I was wearing a cape. (you can see pics in my album) So I had layers cut into it and that's how it looked in the photo you see above (only grown out for several months). I thought this would be a "holy grail" cut but I guess it's not. Don't get me wrong - it's fine but it's not making magic things happen.

[jojo]

Hi everyone,
Thanks for all your supportive and lovely comments. It is nice to hear that it still looks long and nice. I have updated the first page with my new cut with natural wavies. Here it is again in case it gets missed back there on post 1.

http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8429/7800088196_f59bc8450e.jpghttp://farm8.staticflickr.com/7113/7835566832_190819123b.jpg

I'm mostly ok with it. I'm not 100% with the shape. It looked really nice blown straight but I think I need more shaping when it's wavy which was the point of going to a curly hair specialist in the first place.

So, now I have nice ends and in 6 months I'll be back to hip if that's what I want. I'm all about making my hair look it's best rather than achieving a certain length. Having gotten to tailbone was a massive milestone for me and I'm glad I was able to achieve that. Interestingly, my mother didn't hold back to tell me that it looked so much better now and that it was way too long for me at my age etc etc. She said I didn't want to look too young from the back and people get a scare when I turn around - yeah thanks for that mum! I told her I'd like to look young from one angle at least if I could!!

In any case, it's done, I'm fine with it and every day it will grow more into a V shape which I like much better. I think my next cut will be more of a V shape.

I love it! The waves are more pronounced and the hemline thicker. Your hair is beautiful, it truly is at whatever length you go.