To cut or not to cut, that is the question.

[Anywhere]

Two years ago I got a bad haircut that left me with short (chin length as the shortest) thin layers and an overall length of BSL (from my previous waist length). It only looked good when straightened and so, being the lazy person I am, I tried to let it grow out. Sometime last year I wondered whether or not I should cut to the shortest layer, which is a few inches above BSL, or to my virgin hair, which starts at shoulder.

I haven't had SL hair since 6th grade and I remember hating it (think 80's hair.. got teased for it a lot. which is why I grew it out). But I'm not sure if my hair regimen now, compared to the shampoo/conditioner every day +brush of my childhood would make it more tame.

I'm afraid of how long it will take to grow back if i don't like the cut, especially since I had been growing it out, with 2 bad haircuts, for 7 years and am finally reaching my goal length. I never got to experiment with my hair like other teenagers have because I've been so bent on growing it out... but I'd lose all my progress.

Pros:
- Might like it.
- No more stressing over dye damage.
- No more stressing over thinness brought about by layers.
- Get to experience short hair for the first time since I was little.
- Get to "experiment" with hair for my teenage years.
- hair will be thicker due to increased shedding and first layer of hair stopping at APL

Cons:
- Might hate it.
- I've spent 7 years getting my hair to be where I want it to be and it would seem like a waste to start over
- 3-4 years of growing out to get it back to this if i hate it.
- Increased need for haircuts.
- won't be able to wear up as often
- it's finally getting to a manageable length

October last year:


October this year:




I can't do anything with it until June (no hair cutting until I graduate pact with DBF) but I really just need to decide what to do before I drive myself insane.

[aenflex]

Oy. Hard to say. Were it me - I would trim the ends ( maybe 4-5 inches) and go for a blunt hemline. And then continue on my journey. But that's just me

[spidermom]

Of course I have no idea what it's like to deal with, but your hair looks pretty good, and I wouldn't cut it all the way to the shoulders unless it's so damaged that it matts together and makes your life miserable. I notice that on each side you've got a shorter length that is around BSL to waist length (hard to tell with the loose shirt you're wearing). I wouldn't cut the rest any shorter than those two, rounded to a U shape in the back.

[Angelica]

Personally I wouldn't cut it at all because it looks fabulous. Perhaps only give it mini trims, unless you are desperate to get the length blunt cut. You might really miss the length though. I wish my hair grew so well as yours.

If it does get tangled then that could mean it needs an inch or two off, but a good leave-in conditioner will also help to detangle.

I like the way your hair looks so natural.

Whatever you decide to do, I hope you are happy with the results. You did the right thing about drawing up a pro and con view as well, always good to take a balanced view on things.

[evampr18]

Trimming the ends would look fine, maybe 2 inches....I think you might regret the short hair, I cut it under my ear from a hip length. And now I am at BSL but have dye damage and I am considering cutting it. Actually, I'm getting it done, I've decided, but MAXIMUM one inch .:/ I'm scared too but I want to get rid of dye damage as well.

Good luck deciding!

P.S. You have beautiful curls

[bunzfan]

IMO you hair looks just beautiful i would love hair like that but you could do micro trims until the layers are nearly gone and then go for a blunt hemline as if you cut your hair back that severely i think you may regret it as you have spent so many years growing it. What ever you decide good luck

[Anje]

I think it looks pretty good as-is. Those wavy curls work well with tapered ends!

If you want to trim it to get rid of the layers, I'd suggest doing it yourself. If you follow Feye's instructions for a U cut, that will shorten the back and should blend it into the layers nicely. Alternatively, we've been discussing how to cut layers in this thread. Depending on where you gather the hair (top of head, forehead, nose, chin, under chin), you'll get more or less layering, with less layering when you gather hair lower down. That would allow you to trim all the layers, but you could alter the angle to decrease the difference in the lengths over time.

[autumnchild]

Well, one way to look at is you can always take more later if you decide to. Start out with a little see what you think, then go from there. I would not take too much at first, especially because you are thinking of the pro's /con's. That way you will not have so long to wait for it to grow back if you start with a small amount. But this is my opinion because last time I went for a dusing/trim (I had never been to this stylist before because of my recent move) I really regreted it she took many inches from my hair My hair takes what seems forever to grow. Good luck.

[Anywhere]

Thank you all, so far it seems people are leaning towards just trimming.

*snip* If you follow Feye's instructions for a U cut, that will shorten the back and should blend it into the layers nicely.*snip*

I don't understand the U cut completely, I'm afraid of it turning out wrong or even inverted .

One thing I hate about the curls is that they part awkwardly over my shoulder when I bend down to get things. When I was younger one friend said it was as if I only had 7 huge hairs(aka clumps of curls) on my head. I'm guessing shorter hair wouldn't look as awkward like that, especially since my hair seems to be thinning more. If I do decide cut I'll definitely go with a few inches at a time.

[Madora]

Judging from your picture, you have a lovely head of hair.

I'd trim it back to just parallel with your underarm, and see how you like it.

Since you remarked that you were lazy, I wonder if you wouldn't prefer a shorter style. Beautiful long hair requires real dedication and patience.

Just keep in mind that with shorter hair your hairstyling options are limited to a certain extent (as opposed to those of us with long hair). Also, long haired people are not as reliant on hair salons to keep a favored hairstyle looking good, etc. With the money saved, we can spend it on other things..flexi 8s come to mind! Good luck!