To chop or not? Honest opinions please.

[ChopOrNot]

Please give me your honest opinions on my hair. I simply cannot decide if it is a bit "meh" or OK. Or am I just not seeing it in it's true wondrous beauty - it is actually stunning and I cannot see it ? Is it aging? Naff? A bit dry looking? Please please give me you first thoughts.

I have an appointment booked for Friday and I am going to give the (new to be but v experienced and highly recommended) stylist free reign. I kind of suit short hair (OK face shape/cheekbones/skin) Happy to go cropped. I just want something a bit...edgier? Less mumsy? Funky? Wild? Exciting?

My main motivator at the moment is to stop the constant dying - the colour you see it fake - am about 70% grey/white at the front/parting and about 30% the rest. Roots not showing that much in the pic as I have painted them with a grey-cover-sticky-things - but there is about 3/4 of an inch there. I would love to say greyed prematurely..) - but am 42. So there is a strong temptation to just buzz cut it and then grow it out.

I was, at the end of last year, planning on growing longer - but I think I would be better off doing that once the dye has gone. Also the reason I was going to grow it longer was to be able to put it up...as it suits me better....er...so....maybe I should just cut it off.

Arggghhh.... I have spent hours on pinterest. I am bored of trying to decide.

What do I dooooooooo Help me. me? midlife crisis...not me

Oh yes. Good call! You look fab

You look brilliant! That is a most excellent haircut.

It really shows off your face, which is a lot brighter with it too! And you look a lot more confident in these pics than the last ones, good choice!

I have a feeling it may look slightly more "aging" from a distance. ie someone may think I look older from the other side of the supermarket at a quick glance. But tbh who cares what random person in Sainsbos thinks .

I also say that I can only rave about Frank (who cut it) and Tessa who coloured it from http pierpointhairdressing.com in Soho.

They totally listened to what I wanted long term and their skills were amazing. Frank gave me a cut which took my natural quiffy bit/cowlick into account, my hairline, how my hair wants to fall. He seems to really get curly hair - which was a big relief - and very difficult to find! There was no attempt to sell me any products - indeed Tessa just used a bit of conditioner as a product rather than any oil/creme/gel/putty. She said that it would be just a bit of trial and error with what product would work - as curly hair is different head to head - and I should try what I have at home first before forking out for anything new. She also gave me some great styling tips.

They were fab.

Wow! You look amazing.
I always cringe a bit when people on MN seem to be forever telling everyone to get crops, citing how great people like Michelle Williams and Jennifer Lawrence look. They're movie stars!

However, you look a knockout it really suits you. you must be thrilled.

Love it.

Looks like a proper style, not just hair there, iyswim ??

Looks good with your glasses too, which is tricky sometimes. Glad you went for it!

A big thank you for all comments both before and after. It kept me strong I did not nearly walk out of the salon whilst waiting for my appointment

Wow...you have amazing bone structure. Lovely features have been revealed! Excellent choice makes me want my short short hair back

I think it looks great. I have just gone down the same route myself. I have had a crop and trying to grow out the dye. It's funny the resistance I have received from husband and friends to going grey.

Dan at Pierpoints used to cut my hair before I moved out of London. You are in safe hands. He is amazing, so I bet his team are just as good.

Looks great. How are you feeling a day in?

OK. Yesterday was a bit of a nightmare. Felt old and frumpy. Had no idea how to style it.

Tried it forward. OK but not great. (pic attached)
Tried it backward. OK not great.

Needs a dab of product but just having to try a few to find what give a nice piecy kind of texture.
Tried straightening teeny tiny fringe bit - pretty good actually.
Coupld of clips holding it to one side? Pretty and cute.

Then I realised I could see my ears. Fuck. What earrings to wear? Big dangly - urghhh...Pat Butcher. Long dangly....er...undecided. Studs...safe...and breathe...

The cut is still great. The overall colour is a bit greyer than it seemed on Friday. I have no curls . Yesterday was mostly reminding myself that I have done this for a reason (to get rid of the dye-regrowth treadmill) and it will re-grow.

This morning at rugby...horrors - had dried a bit "pouffy"
Then is has all got a bit better.

Today I discovered faux-hawks/quiffs. And that matt putty seems to be a better product that a lot of the others.

And that I can wear hats !! Wow. No more silly sideways-sticky-out-curls - just cute fringe and my face.

So a couple of pics. One with it forward (not convinced). One with a first effort at faux-hawky kind of thing - kind of like this - can see the grey (which I like) and doesn't feel old/frumpy.

Any hints/tips on how to deal with this whole new experience..product advice, earring choice etc gratefully received.

I will be honest. You have a pretty face. Lovely teeth and good bone structure. I think you neither look younger or older with the short style. I think the short style has the potential to age you if you are not careful to keep the style current. I think the bob could have been neatened up and it would have looked just as nice. I would personally hesitate going grey. Between the short cut, especially if its not kept current and the grey, i think it will age considerably.

Love the quiff definitely you look best with it off your face looks amazing and you should enjoy being able to show off your whole face like that!

Both styles look great. Your gray is going to look amazing when it is all through.

One thing to keep in mind when going gray is make-up and clothing adjustments are needed. Silver jewellery and red lipstick looks amazing as does black,navy,charcoal,white,dove grey,royal purple, and blue toned red clothing.

When you have had warm colour hair for years and have dressed in complimentary colours -if you carry on it makes the grey look dull and washes out the skin. Beige, tan, camel,coffee and khaki doesn't work anymore.

I think some thin large silver hoops would look good as well as some more artsy/organic bold silver earrings.

You look amazing - hair off your face is so fresh and pretty; in that last photo, your blue eyes really stand out. You may not have curls but you have waves, which are lovely. You remind me of a young Annette Bening!(and if you do decide to let it grow a bit longer again, I would go for something like this, where there's a bit more length to it but it's still up and off your face instead of like spaniel ears.)

you look like Kelly McGillis from her Witness days

Hair is fab. I think you will look absolutely beautiful with grey hair - the combination of grey curls and your blue eyes will be stunning.

Just a quick update - had my second haircut yesterday. Was tempted to start the growing out process but still did have a fair chunk of dye on the ends (an inch or two at least) so have kept it short.

Grey is focussed a lot at the front. Am still really pleased with the decision - just not being on that dye treadmill is fantastic.

Photo to show the grey coming through attached (excuse the humungous spot on my cheek).

Your hair is gorgeous (if I were you I would try and keep it the same if possible!) such a pretty length, lovely colour and suits your face really well....

You look amazing!

Sorry just seen the rest of the thread and your new cut - looks fab! Love it short too!

OP your new haircut is lovely and really suits you.

Blimey, what a transformation! You've got fantastic bone structure - you look all cool and Nordic now.

Latest pic. Zero dye left. Now able to actually grow it out - though will have to keep the back short for a bit to prevent the mullet look. Photo not the best as been out for a wet walk this afternoon - but cba to go and put some lippy on this afternoon...my bum is firmly stuck on the sofa.

Photo not working for me.