Does long or short hair suit me better (with pics for limited time!)

[ClareBaldingsHair]

I currently have a kind of layeredy bob. I feel a bit frumpy (could be to do with still carrying too much baby weight) and have never been truly happy with any hair style

So I have put some pics on my profile of my hair in roughly chronological order. I would love to just wash and go which I can do with a longer style, so I'm wondering if I should go long again (also it's fashionable innit?) However, does the long hair drag down my narrow/petite face? And am I better with or without a fringe? Hair is thick and naturally a bit wavy

please bear in mind that I will look better in the older (long hair) photos as these were taken up to 10 years ago ie: pre DC!

If anyone wants to guess my age while we're at it (from the last pic) go for it, as I also have a slight reservation about longer hair now I'm a bit older.

Do your worst. I can take it.

Agree with coco- something like pic number three would suit you. Definitely long.

Longer better.

Both look lovely but I think another vote for longer.

I have a similar dilemma...not helped that my mother keeps querying whether perhaps I think I'm too old for long hair. I'm 40 but very small and told I look younger

I look back at pics of me with short hair and think 'mumsy'!

I like 2004. In between!

Yes to pic number 3,, exactlyt what I had in mind.

I'm 45 this year and grew my hair from a pixie cut last year, I'm planning on growing it to my shoulders. I think out makes me look younger I can hide behind my fringe

2005 hair is best.

Photo 3.

I love 2009's bob, its very chic. You suit both long and short, but I slightly prefer short. Will it go back in a ponytail at that length? Even a short ponytail? I understand the need to get it back from time to time, I never go shorter than ponytail length, even if its a stubby one!

You look lovely though - very pretty and at a guess, 36?

Don't like guessing ages but I have photo 3 hair and I'm 37.

I tried it shorter for a while and with fringe but I really hated it.

Go Photo 3 hair!

The 2004 length and colour is by far the most flattering, your most recent hairstyle does say 'Mum' to me and I don't think the fringe is doing much for you.

My hair is similar in that it's very straight and fine, a length that hits the shoulders always look best.

You are a lovely looking woman though and your son is a rosy cheeked cutie.

Another vote for long. I'm growing out a bob at the moment and it is at a really awkward sticking out in every direction stage.

I think that I like the shorter styles most because you actually have a 'style' if that makes sense. If you want more length, could you have some long layers or a side fringe cut in so that it is a definite style and not just hanging down? As your hair is nice and thick you could have a fab longer style that frames you face like the shorter cuts do, but with the added benefit of being able to put it up or curl/straighten it. I would kill for hair like yours!

Longer is better, maybe add a little wave as others have suggested? I think it suits your face shape much better.

You look amazing but short and trendy would look fab, you could really carry it off

Wow, thank you for all the replies while I have been attending to work stuff. I am so grateful for the honest comments. And god lord thank you to those who said I am pretty, maybe I was OKish back in the day but I don't feel it now!

The age guesses are pretty spot on, I'm 38 (but want to look younger dammit. I feel like I've really aged since DC2)

Consensus is long but wavy/styled so I'll go with that. I'll grow out the fringe too. I thought it shortened my long face but perhaps not.

I like the pic no 3 that was linked but not sure I could achieve that naturally/with minimal effort! Would something like this work? beauty.about.com/od/hairstylephotogalleries/ss/longface_2.htm

Longer, definitely.

Everything that GaryBuseysteeth said

Yes, that looks lovely

I'd go for shorter no fringe!

Your hair in 2004/2005 looks the nicest IMO. Agree that the shorter hair looks mumsy.

Where do you live? I can recommend a fab hairdresser in Manchester that would decide for you.

With a long face, you need to add volume at the sides - I think a styled wavy hairstyle would suit you (as in pic 3).

I prefer the long.

Both nice but long more youthful!

I like it long. What you linked to is lovely. I'm 38 and you look much younger than me

I'm in East Mids Chicaguapa but thanks for the thought!

Am cringing now that I've been walking around looking so mumsy for so long

You don't look that mumsy, you just look a little mumsy.

I like both on you, but would go with long hair if I was you.

I currently have long hair, I have always grown it long enough to be tied back when my children were little, as I have no time to do it. I've decided now to keep it long for a while as in a few years I feel I will be too old for long hair.

I love my hair short, but it is a lot of work. I do think I suit it long too.

i think you look younger and prettier with long hair, though stop tucking it behind your ears!