Should I just get a new hairstyle and ignore what people at work say..........

[Leedsavril]

I am in my mid 40's and have had the same hairstyle for about 25 years! It is a typical below the shoulder style, its very thick, highlighted and with a few soft layers in it. For about a year now I have been mulling over having a change for a few reasons. I don't think it looks as bouncy or as healthy as it used to, I am fed up spending 30 minutes blowing it every morning after its daily wash and probably the main reason is that I would love a big change after all this time.
I like the look of stylish short hair and I saw a style that I really liked so I thought I would ask a few friends both family and at work what they thought.
Here are a couple of pics of me and what I'd like.
www.flickr.com/photos/115088476@N06/
I was just not prepared for some of the comments and strong opinions. My girlfriends were mainly supportive and offered advice, some feel I will regret it some say go for it....I can take that but the comments from some of the guys at work were just shocking. I got remarks like "You will look like your mum"......"Don't cut it as you will loose all your sex appeal"....."You'll look horrible with short hair"............."That's not fancyable" I am unsure if I find these comments rude, insulting or just honest but I can't believe that something as trivial as a new hairstyle has provoked such a strong reaction from the guys. I am now a bit unsure what to do, I feel I would like the new style but I want to be sure I am doing it because I want to, not because some guys at work have made comments that I do not like.
Has anyone else had this sort of experience.......what do you think?

I'm sorry but I think it won't look nice at all. I think you should do something different. Colour, shape, grow it... Just don't try and attempt your short cut. The woman in the photos on the right has very different features I think.

yes yes i have really short hair now and love it , and my face shape is a lot like yours (see profile)

I used to have very similar hair to you and had it cut short like your photo but with a slightly longer fringe about 2 years ago. I'm 43

IMO it's the best thing I ever did. I think it looks much more "done" than my old do, has taken years off and is far far easier to maintain.

Have to say though, it's not universally popular. On the whole women like it but some men really had strong feelings about how awful it was (not DH). Many men it seems conform to the stereotype of preferring long blonde hair regardless of whether it's limp and lifeless or suits you at all (me, not you)

But I love it and that's what counts

Hi everyone, thanks for your support and advice, I appreciate it. I understand that a style is all about opinion and what we want. Anyhow I have just booked the appointment for Monday and I will give it a few days to get feedback and let you all know how I go on. I will get some pics done and show you.

Which style are you going for?!

Feel free to ignore me but......

Those hair cuts are awful. Only the most beautiful and elfin women in the world can get away with those styles.

You have lovely strong features OP (and lovely hair) and imo those haircuts will in no way flatter you. I think it's a one way ticket to a frumpy middle-aged woman look.

I think the Kimberly Wyatt cut linked above is lovely.

To the person saying they've never met a man who prefers short hair, my DH does, which is handy because I wouldn't grow mine long even if he didn't.

As a hairdresser... I don't think the cut you linked to would suit, I agree with the others who have said a longer fringe and more shaping around the face I think the photos you linked to would be too severe on you, but your hairdresser will see you in the flesh and advise accordingly, it is difficult to tell from a photo!

OP - I wouldn't go for such a radical cut. Keep a fringe if possible and just remember that to get that natural touselled look, you may well have to spend just as long faffing and blow-drying you hair every morning, or else risk looking like an extra from "Prisoner Cell Block H" . Many women 'of a certain age' (mostly 50-somethings) go for this style and without a great deal of care it can look cliched and rather 'Oh fuck it, that'll do' utilitarian .

In defence of the 'funky mum bouffant look with red highlights' however, this tends to be the last resort of women who have hair which is not only rapidly greying but falling out in handfuls and thinning horribly on top. It really is the only way of disguising the worst post-menopausal hair ravages. Several of my mates have had no option but to go down this route and believe it or not, they have been given these 'Do's' by very very expensive and skilled hair stylists. Just remember these styles are not as easy-care as they look and can be ruinously expensive to maintain - cut and colour every 3-4 weeks minimum without fail.

Ignore every single opinion apart from your own. Obvs. (Short hair is fabulous. Please ignore that).

I have my very short pixie cut hair cut and coloured every 6 weeks (with a free trim every 3 weeks). It takes a lot less time to maintain every day than my long hair did.

And my hairdresser says that I looked Mumsy before, but fabulous now . I luffs him agree.

You could do a longer version first then go for the chop.

then you won't be so disappointed if you don't like the shorter do.

FWIW I think the short cut would look fab on you.

Came across this on pinterest - there are loads of pixie cuts on there. I used it when looking for a suitable style for me as I now have a pixie bob after having had long hair for years and I love it. It does require some maintenance but I do feel more put together.

Do come back and tell us how it went on Monday.

I would definitely go for a style that's a bit longer at the front, like statisticsthicko linked to. It's easy to ditch the longer fringe later if you don't like it. I would also definitely go for the chop! I used to have hair right down my back, but it shorter when I had DD1, then with DD2 I went for a pixie cut so I could wash it in 2 minutes by sticking my head under a running tap! I love it short, much easier to look after, quicker to style by far, and I always look like I've got a hair style, whether I make an effort or not.

Did you have it done?! Picture please!