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Any reasons why will I regret cutting my long hair off really short?

43 replies

MaureenL · 27/12/2015 09:54

I have had long hair all my life and quite frankly I do not want it long anymore. I have mentioned to my friends that I plan on cutting my long hair very short in a simple easy style and most are trying to talk me out of it saying that I will regret it. Only one of my friends is short and she feels it is the best thing she has done. I feel that a short cropped look would be so easy to manage, be good for my lifestyle and also genuinely suit me. I want to just get in the shower, quickly wash my hair, towel it dry and go! I want something that I can leave it for a few months between trims as it won't have grown into my eyes by then.

As you can see from my profile pictures my hair is not glam, it is just long hair which I tend to keep out of my face. To get any volume I have to mess about using my heated rollers which I just have not got the time or interest in anymore. I am not the trendy fashionable type and I no longer wish to spend so much time on hair that quite frankly with another baby due in April is a pain. I wondered what other Mum's who have taken the plunge and gone short feel, do you regret it or is it the best thing that you have done?

I fancy something like the photos I have attached but if anyone has any other style suggestions I would love to see them.

Thanks

Any reasons why will I regret cutting my long hair off really short?
Any reasons why will I regret cutting my long hair off really short?
Any reasons why will I regret cutting my long hair off really short?
OP posts:
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Kathysclown · 27/12/2015 10:06

I have gone from long to short several times over the years - it can be quit a shock for a while! Also, I don't think that short hair always equals 'low maintenance' - I end up washing my hair far more often when it is short, and it needs product and styling, no option to just stick it in a ponytail etc. I always end up with a short bob style in the end - that is what suits me best I think. Could be an initial option to try before going to a very very short Pixi, like those photos?

Having had both very long and very short, I do prefer shorter styles overall. If you go for the chop, good for you, and I hope you like it!

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LumelaMme · 27/12/2015 10:08

I cut all mine off: I'd had it long almost all my life.

What a bloody relief. So much less hassle. The only two downsides are that a) I can't do anything different with it when I go out and b) a tuft at the back sticks up if I sleep on it wrongly and will not lie down again until I wash the whole lot.

Oh, and DH preferred it long, but he wasn't the one fighting with the knots every morning.

The thing is, if you do regret it, hair, er, grows.

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calzone · 27/12/2015 10:10

Do it.

You have a lovely slim face and I think it will suit you very much.

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WhatamessIgotinto · 27/12/2015 10:11

Blimey that's brutal!! I love short hair (have never really had long hair) and though I like those styles, do you think it may be best to go for something short but not as short for your initial cut?

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HelloItsMeAgain · 27/12/2015 10:18

Do it. The worst thing that could happen is you are not keen and as PP said - hair grows.

I went from shoulder length to super short - I have actually found myself with more options style wise - slips, hairbands, slicked back, styled forwards.

If you do do it get a really good hairdresser and take lots of pics of what you like - and more importantly what you do not like. Show the hairdresser and let them work their magic. What you may have as your ideal may not suit your hair/the way it grows/falls - but having an overall feel/shape of what you like will allow them to do something that suits. Likewise - the "I hate this" pics will allow them to avoid unwittingly giving you something you hate (eg you hate long sideburns/high crowns - if they know that they can avoid it)

Only one caveat - you must post a pic for us to see Grin

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guineapig1 · 27/12/2015 10:21

I say go for it! I did and life is so much easier. Takes five mins to wash, dry and look decent. Previously had long hair which was a pain to dry and style and was always getting in the way. Every couple of months I have a pang when I have a 'do' to go for but it lasts all of ten minutes and I love my short hair. The only thing I would say is that it will need regular maintenance trims so you need to factor this in each 4-6 weeks or so (though actual appointments shouldn't take long - I just book the next one each time I go) whereas long hair can last much longer between appointments.

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Lottapianos · 27/12/2015 10:21

Just do it. I went from bra strap length to about 3 inches long all over in the summer. I love it, it takes much less time to wash and style. Have had absolutely loads of compliments. Like you, I felt ready for a change and I'm so glad I went for it. I'm sure I'll grow it out again at some point - its fun to mess about with your hair!

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GrimDamnFanjo · 27/12/2015 10:27

I've gone long to pixie about every 5 years since I was 20.
At the moment I'm long but this is probably more to do with wanting period style curls. I say go for it. Hair does grow back!

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User543212345 · 27/12/2015 10:32

I went from elbow length to short 20 years ago and haven't grown it since. Or rather, I did when I was 18 to please an arsehole boyfriend and was in the hairdresser getting it cut the day after we broke up. I love it, it's so easy to manage and suits my life/interest in grooming. I have to wash it every day as the tufty bits from sleep don't lie flat until they're washed - a soaking under the sink won't do.

I'd advise against going short in stages though. When I first had mine cut short I wanted a crop like the one in your pictures. The stylist told me it'd never suit me and gave me a Princess Di style short cut - in the mid 1990s when I was 17 and I cried my heart out because it looked utterly shit. I had it cropped properly a fortnight later, and aside from the 6 months of bastard ex, and the periodic head shaving, I've had the same cropped style since.

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burnishedsilver · 27/12/2015 10:44

For me, the short style required so much more work than mid length. I woke up in the morning looking like I'd had an electric shock. It had to be washed and styled with various products every day. It's longer now and it's much easier to work with.

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herecomesthsun · 27/12/2015 10:59

I find it much easier to tie long hair back or put in a messy bun than to manage a short cut. Depends very much on the hair and the cut though.

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MadamCroquette · 27/12/2015 11:09

My hair is very like your second two pics, and I love it. I've always had shortish hair but a short crop suits me best. I agree you have a good face for a short pixie and I think it will look fab.

I'm also tall and I do tend to wear a necklace, I often wear pink or floral prints, which adds a feminine element to play off the short hair.

My tips are - get some good products to add sleekness/texture/shape so you can style it up (even v short hair can do different looks). Got2be volumising powder, sebastian hair putty, and moroccan oil are my faves. Also, unless you have a great hairdresser already who you trust to get it right, look for a hairdresser who has funky short hair themselves, as they understand it better.

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iwantgin · 27/12/2015 11:12

Go for it.

I had mine shoulder length- natural brown colour for a few years until April thisyear.

Currently sporting a peroxided pixie cut.

Love it.

It is much more interesting. Yes, costs more to upkeep - regular, frequent trims (and a lot of bleaching for mine) but I wash it each morning - quick blast of thehairdryer and some wax. That's it for the day. When I had it long it was either just hanging around, or straightened to within an inch of its life - OR tied up in a ponytail.

Hair grows.

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MadamCroquette · 27/12/2015 11:12

I love Diablo Cody's short hair and this is the pic I take to the hairdresser's.

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HolgerDanske · 27/12/2015 11:30

You have a great face for short hair. I'd go in all the way and chop it all off in one go. I've done it before and absolutely loved it.

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ThomasRichard · 27/12/2015 11:36

I chopped off my bra-strap length hair a few weeks ago - with a live MN thread of course :o - and still really love it. I didn't go as short as those pics though.

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70isaLimitNotaTarget · 27/12/2015 14:41

I went long to short in stages. I had a wispy fringe cut in first to break up my one length bob.

The photos you put up are all dark haired with strong eyebrows and I think that's a key - you need to have a focus (make-up, brows,earrings)

I have my hair lighter now because dye is less hassel with short hair.
You'd suit a thin fringe too, but your shape of face would suit a very short style any way you'd want it.

Only thing I'd bear in mind is the "it;s only hair it grows back" - yes it does but it's a pain in the bum if you decide to do so, the 'in between' stage has you running back and screaming Cut it offfffffff Grin

Maintenence - daily wash or soak in shower, regular hair cutting and I need to make a bit more effort not to look blokey (though I have fabulous cheekbones so I'm half way there Wink )

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GuyMartinsSideburns · 27/12/2015 14:50

I had my bra strap length hair chopped to a short pixie at the beginning of November. Best thing I've done with my hair! When it was long Id just tie it back all the time but now I have a more stylish hair style every day with hardly any effort, and it's made me so happy! I wish I'd done it years ago but didn't have the confidence, but last month I thought 'sod it lets go for it' Grin Dh loves it and I've had so many compliments.

And I love quiffing up the front of it Grin

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Didiusfalco · 27/12/2015 15:05

I had my long hair chopped to a short bob about a month ago, and while i definitely dont regret it, its not totally an easy option either. Ive found i could be lazier with my long hair, bad hair days simpler to ignore, and could be tied up and washed less frequently. I still think you should go for it, but just bear in mind you probably will need to style and trim regularly to stop it looking rubbish.

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Greengardenpixie · 27/12/2015 15:40

I have long hair and have had short. IMO it is nice for a change but i think you will find that it isn't as low maintenance as you may think. With long hair you can put it up when it looks shit or dirty. With short hair, there is no such thing and when you have a bed head you have to fix it very often daily. Yes, its is quick to dry that definetly is a plus point but then there is getting someone to style/cut it that does not add years on to you.
You definetly have the features that will suit it and its nice for a change. Just beware of those few points. I think reinventing yourself can really be great and give you a boost :)

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MarmaladeBasedProtectionRacket · 27/12/2015 17:00

I am also dithering about going very short. I've done it before and I know it suits my face.

What stops me is -

  1. I really can't be bothered getting it trimmed every 6-8 weeks and it looks awful without regular maintenance
  2. yes, hair grows, but when I change my mind and want it a bit longer again I know mine looks awful for months in that growing out phase
  3. this may not apply to you, but last time I had mine cut short it seemed like I lost all the colour and the grey was very very obvious. I don't colour mine, nor do I wish to start, so that was a deal breaker for me!

    Sorry, I probably haven't helped. Short hair is great, I personally am too lazy to deal with it's upkeep! If it's what you want - go for it!
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mercifulTehlu · 27/12/2015 17:09

I have had just below shoulder-length hair, a bob and cropped hair. I'm growing out the crop atm to go back to shoulder-length.

My hair is very fine with no volume. Having it in a crop is no easier as it looks crap if I don't blow-dry it and use styling products. Whereas when it's long at least I can tie it back when I haven't got time or can't be arsed.

Also, the only time I really like my cropped hair is when it has been recently cut, but it's bloody expensive to have it cut often. Can't wait to get through the growing-out phase!

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MadamCroquette · 27/12/2015 17:29

My short hair is also fine. I wash it every day but never blow-dry - but I use a bit of volumising powder, which also gives some hold and texture and stops it being flyaway. It is true that greys show more - I dye mine, but I like trying out different shades etc so I don't see dying as a hassle.

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ASmallHenInItsLateForties · 27/12/2015 17:34

I think it would suit you, and I do like short hair but I would suggest doing it in stages. To suddenly go so short can be a big shock.

As others have said, short hair does need trimming often and styling properly every day.

I have had v short hair before but growing it out was agonisingly slow and hard going.

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Crusoe · 27/12/2015 17:40

Do it! I have gone from short to longish (and everything in between) several times. Short is great and you know what if you don't like it or get fed up with it, it will grow!

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