Help - I'm sooo bored with my hair

[bushymcbush]

I've had basically the same style for 25 years - just past shoulder length. It's mid brown, thick and wavy. Sometimes I straighten it, sometimes let it do its own wavy thing. Sometimes I have a fringe but it's hard to maintain with a severe corflick (sp). At the moment I have quite severe layers having done the mumsnet self-haircut.

I always aim for it to be more Nigella-like but it's a bit too wild / frizzy for that and I'm rubbish at blow drying etc (nor do I have time for lengthy styling).

I just want it to look ... more styled, more sophisticated, more groomed and less grotty studenty, but NOT mumsy.

I have a heartshaped face and wear glasses. I'm 38.

Any ideas? I'm open to anything - sick of the sight of myself tbh.

It's a difficult one.

I have similar hair to you by the sounds of it, except mine's very long and could really do with about 6 inches of split ends off.

I would say(if you haven't already) invest in some GHD's and learn or ask your hairdresser how to use them to create curls. I think poker straight hair can look too severe on some women. Having said that, having a heartshaped face you can pull off most styles I would have thought.

Unfortunately, I don't think you can get "more styled" looking hair, without styling it a little. It doesn't necessarily need to take lots of your time. Like I say, just a few bouncy girls using your straighteners could really give you a bit of a boost, without taking all day.

If you've got frizzy hair, i'd reccomend putting something on it before you dry it. I use Loreal Elvive serum with argan oil. Also, coconut oil is really cheap and really affective. Just a tiny bit though, cos as you would have though, it's greasy. And stick to mid to ends of your hair.

Is your hair in ok condition? Could you maybe have it coloured? Maybe even just a semi to freshen your style up a bit?.....

That's bouncy curls, NOT bouncy girls

Oooh summer, I love the idea of a few bouncy girls using my straighteners! I'm sure they'd put them to better use than me! My DH would no doubt rather enjoy that spectacle too.

Seriously, are GHDs really better than cheaper straighteners?

I already dye my hair to cover the grey. I always think very pale skinned people (like me) don't look right with hair dyed too dark. And I think red / plum / violet dye almost always looks brassy. What colour should I go for? Are honey coloured high lights out of fashion now?

I seriously do think that GHD's are better. I've had quite a few straighteners over time and they're never matched up. Also, the shape of them makes it easy to create bouncy, more natural curls.

As far as dying your hair goes, I agree that if you're pale then don't go too dark as it completely ages you and washes you out. I really don't think you should pay attention to what's fashionable. Most decent hair dressers will just look at your face shape, complexion etc to find out what will suit you. I don't personally think that honey coloured high lights will ever go out. As long as they're not statement streaks though!! Don't go to Toni and Guy cos everyone comes out there looking like clones. They don't pay attention to you, they just want to create the same 'trendy' style again and again...............in my opinion anyway. Oh and I think you need to be careful too with plumy tones with pale skin. You could end up looking gothic. I think your best bet is just go a bit lighter overall and then have some subtle honey/biscuit tones put through.

Does that help?

It does help yes - feel quite inspired - I just don't know where I'm going to find the money for the colour! I've always done it myself at home but this would probably need a professional. And GHDs are £££!

Well GHD's are expensive yes, there's no getting away from it, but you've got to think of it as an investment They really do last. Ooooo actually, if you go to Amazon you can get some good deals. Salons sell them at around £115(greedy buggers!!), but I got my last pair from Amazon for £80.

I would say that to get a decent colour, you're talking around £60 or £70. Obviously if you haven't got the cash, then there's not much you can do, but it's worth saving for if you can. Something as simple as this can really give you a much needed boost.

My hair couldn't take it unfortunately. It's so dry and like I said before, i've got a lot of split ends which i'm reluctant to cut off. If I could get away with colouring my hair, i'd have a different colour every other week!!

I also don't think you can have the styled look without actually styling - TIGI blow out balm is very good and helps with the frizz.

It's 'cowlick' btw

Cowlick? Really? Is it pronounced corflick? Or have I been mis-hearing it all these years?

It's pronounced cowlick or cow's lick - as your hair looks like a cow has licked your face and parted your fringe

I thought that corflick was another problem altogether which I hadn't heard of!!

I'm off to google brb...

uk.answers.yahoo.com/question/index?qid=20111004125919AARBjUq

None the wiser...