Would short hair suit me but more importantly should I cut it?

[SarahJayneD]

Well I am a 36 year old woman who has had the same long hairstyle all her life. I was definitely going to cut it after I got married, but I decided to wait till after I had children, then I felt I would wait till I was 30 and then of course I chickened out! My hair is flat, thin and poker straight and I have been going to the same stylist for years to have the ends off, she is dying to do something stylish with it and every time I am there she always jokes about doing something, anything with it!! About 3 years ago I saw the short style below and I really love it and I think I would feel so confidant once it is short. I have shown it to my stylist and she feels it would be ideal as my hair type seems similar and she feels it would suit my face. I would so love to have a total new me but I am just so nervous about doing it, the thought of being at the salon and actually having my long hair cut short is so so scary. What do you all think, should I or shouldn't I....... and has anyone else had a similar quandary...........

[FetchezLaVache]

You have such beautiful hair! I would be terrified of chopping it all off and regretting it if I were you - can you do it in stages? Maybe start by going for shoulder-length?

[Imscarlet]

I'd go shorter a bit at a time. Have a few inches cut off and see how you feel about it, then more the next time. Short hair is a big change. I did it when I was 14 and hated it and spent the next few years growing it back and thinking I looked like a boy. If you cut it that short you need to be prepared for very regular trips to the hair dressers to keep it. If you regret it for any reason (my aunt found out her ears weren't level!!!) it'll take a long time to grow back.

[FetchezLaVache]

PS your hairdresser is obviously more experienced at knowing what styles would suit people, but I have a similar shaped face to you and when I had a similar short style in my early twenties, it just didn't really work for me... made my face look a lot rounder... :(

[NattyGolfJerkin]

Honestly?

I think the 'new' style is a bit too short for your face shape, going by the photo you've supplied. Also, it's a bit dated, a bit Lisa Stansfield circa 1990.

I agree that you could stand to lose a fair bit of length from your hair to freshen things up a bit and agree that starting with something mid-length might be a better option.

[SarahJayneD]

We have chatted about a Bob many times but that is still a longish look that would be similar in the sense that it would look thin and still hang straight and lie close to my head. I also feel I would like a total change as if I am going to summon up the courage I would really like a new look, I am open to other style options if anyone has any ideas that they feel would be good.

[Assam]

That style is a very dramatic change and very unforgiving!
I would definitely recommend going short but maybe choose something softer and more feminine to begin with then you can work up to it if you like it!

[squoosh]

You should definitely cut it, it's not really doing anything for you at the moment. I'm not crazy about the fringe on the short hair pics you've posted, it's a bit George Michael circa 1990.

What about Michelle Williams or Ginnifer Goodwin's hair? A more modern look.

[squoosh]

x post with Natty's 1990 comment!

[FurryTurnip]

Go for it! But agree with Squoosh, something slightly longer like the pics above,as the style you showed is a bit severe for you. One word of warning though, as someone with short hair, it takes a lot of looking after. If v short (like your pic) would need cutting every 4-5 weeks to keep in style, so a bit longer would be a bit easier to deal with and can get away with being a messy style when a bit longer.

[lifeisjustadream]

Yep definitely cut - it looks thin and straggly ATM. A long graded bob?

[SarahJayneD]

Yes, I see what you mean about a more modern fringe, so something a bit more side swept may be better....

[NotTodaySatan]

I think your face would really suit a cut like the ones in squoosh's photos.

You look younger than 36 and are really pretty but your current hair is doing you zero favours. I say go for it .

[wowfudge]

Go short - the style Assam posted would look great. I have a round face and very similar hairstyle although my hair is much thicker. Your long hair isn't doing much for you at the moment, I'm afraid. It's also ageing. When you do take the plunge you could donate your hair to charity to be used in wig making for those suffering from hair loss.

[wowfudge]

Chris Jenner does short dark hair really well whatever you think of her - she always looks up to date.

[Vixxfacee]

I don't think you should cut but get rid of the middle parting. The short cut you showed is very old fashioned.

[PotOfYoghurt]

I love the picture of Michelle William's cut. I agree that you should cut it as its so fine the length is dragging it down and making it hang there. You would look great with something shorter!

[FeedMeAndTellMeImPretty]

Agree with others, a less harsh short style would definitely suit you. I don't get the love for long hair, it inevitably drags you face down and end up being scraped into a ponytail for practicality. Far better to have less hair but make it work for you.

Whatever you decide, do consider donating your hair to the Little Princess Trust to be made into wigs for girls who have lost their hair during chemo. You could even be sponsored as it's such a drastic change, people would probably be willing to donate for you to do it (especially if you don't make a big deal about wanting to do it for ages anyway!)

[curlywillow]

I don't think your current style really suits you but TBH I think the pictures you have posted would look a lot worse. Its a very unforgiving style and I think your face isn't elfin enough to carry it off. Since your face is round you need something a bit longer with some movement. I also think its very dated.

I'd go for something shoulder length at first and get some body and movement into it. Lots people have hair which just hangs there if you don't use products on it and style it. Get some velcro rollers and have a play about. Or even a babyliss big hair, it doesn't work for me since my hair is super thick but it's supposed to be good on thin hair.

[SarahJayneD]

Thanks everyone, most people feel I need a longer fringe, I liked the idea of something mid length so it would not get in my eyes when it grew, but if that's a bit 90's I would like something trendier, a few more style options would be good. Thanks

[GrouchyKiwi]

I'm rubbish with my hair so will ask a hairdresser to give me a cut that will suit me. It's almost always a nice cut. If you trust your usual stylist you could try the same approach?

[Bilboteabaggins]

How about this it suits most face shapes and I think it's pretty timeless

[lasttimeround]

Given the lack of body I would go with proper short and not a bob as the bob would lie too flat. Shorter and you can use product to lift if more easily.
Looking at your hair now I don't think you'll get a shock regarding how much more prominent your face will be with short hair. I think short suits the feeling I get from looking at you. There's something lovely and whimsical about you - short hair will accentuate that beautifully. Go for it!

[ILostItInTheEarlyNineties]

I think your hair is crying out for a full side swept fringe, hitting the top of your cheekbone.

If you went for the fringe, it would give you more of an idea how your hair would look short, and you would look more 'styled' if you wore it up.

I'm all for shaking up how you look every so often!

[Youvegottobekidding]

This. I think you'd most likely regret going too short, perhaps not straight away, but shorter styles, in my experience take more effort to style.