Active discussions

Meet the Other Phone. Child-safe in minutes.

Meet the Other Phone.
Child-safe in minutes.

Buy now

Please or to access all these features

Talk
Style and beauty

Looking for style advice? Chat all about it here. For the latest discounts on fashion and beauty, sign up for Mumsnet Moneysaver emails.

Original poster

Long and dark, to short and blonde

77 replies

iwantgin · 09/03/2015 08:34

Am bored of my hair. And get frequently annoyed by it.

Currently below shoulder length, dark brown, with a fringe. If i can be bothered to wash daily, blow dry, straighten and keep a check on it all day then it looks good.

However - i do a lot of exercise, so I often end up just washing and tying it up in a ponytail.

The length means that if I am trying to get dressed or undressed in hurry, it gets caught in my sports bra. If it is windy outside then I look like Wurzel Gummidge.

Also am noticing a few 'silver' hairs sprouting. (I am late 40s, so done pretty well really).

So fancy a total change.

To go from .. um a Davina hair on my best styling day

to short, blonde and totally different.

Something like Charlize Theron. Unfortunately I am not quite as pretty as her. Grin

anyone else done anything so drastic?

I know, it's only hair -and will grow again - but I suppose you get used to having long hair. It was quite a big deal getting a fringe cut in!

Long and dark, to short and blonde
OP posts:
Thread gallery
12
Original poster
iwantgin · 09/03/2015 17:54

Some good ideas for styles. Thanks everyone.

I think I am going to brave it. Almost called in to have chat and make appointment but it was too late when I got home.

OP posts:
Truckingalong · 09/03/2015 17:56

Unless you are young and / or beautiful then don't do it. Short hair = instant ageing.

ChopOrNot · 09/03/2015 18:14

Trucking you are wrong. I had a crop and started to let my grey show - without fail everyone has said I look younger.

aticusclaw · 09/03/2015 18:34

Actually I think Emma Watson looks stunning with very short hair. Kylie has pulled it off some times but not others.

All beautiful women though so can cope with an absence of hair.

Anyway, we're all entitled to our own opinion.

WindMeUpAndLetMeGo · 09/03/2015 18:37

Kylie's hair short back in the 90s looked great - when she was dating Michael Huntence

WindMeUpAndLetMeGo · 09/03/2015 18:37

Oooops spelt his name wrong!!!

KissyBoo · 09/03/2015 19:25

no

I don't think so.

KissyBoo · 09/03/2015 19:41

Charlize with a great pixie.

I think the point I am trying to make is that short hair can suit some women more than long hair. It isn't a case of having to have such beauty that despite the short haircut you still look great.

ChopOrNot · 09/03/2015 19:51

I think you would struggle to find a picture of Robin Wright looking better with long hair than she does short hair. She is almost unrecognisable with the long locks, And without fail looks better with the shorter hair.upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/5/51/Robin_Wright_2009.jpg

Cocolepew · 09/03/2015 19:59

I was just saying the other day Robin Wright was born to have short hair. Its always fabulous.
She's why I went blonde Blush Grin

applecrumbleandcream · 09/03/2015 20:18

Kissyboo Kylie had breast cancer and had to undergo treatment so I don't think she had an awful lot of choice Sad I happen to think she looks beautiful and suits a pixie.

applecrumbleandcream · 09/03/2015 20:20

I prefer short hair.....it looks neater and more styled. ... hate long tatty hair in a non-style just tied back all the time.

Petal02 · 09/03/2015 20:34

Someone up-thread commented that some people look like they've got spaniels ears pulling their features down - that's EXACTLY how I looked with long, one-length hair ......... Even though I'm now aiming for a little more length, I'm definitely keeping my layers!

KissyBoo · 09/03/2015 22:21

I am aware that she had breast cancer but she pixied long before that in the 1990's during her indie phase and that is what I was referring to

applecrumbleandcream · 10/03/2015 00:22

I think she looks great whenever she has a pixie 90's or later... what's the difference, she still looks great.....if Kylie can't pull off a pixie then there's no hope for anyone

mindalina · 10/03/2015 12:25

have you called and made your appointment yet iwantgin? you've inspired me and I've booked my first haircut in two years for tomorrow afternoon - it's all coming off Grin

Original poster
iwantgin · 10/03/2015 14:45

No, notyet mindaline. My hairdresser doesn't work Tuesdays and Wednesdays - and I want to call in for a chat with her first.

My hair is a state today. Just tied up as had to nip out early - and it's windy here, so still blown about and frizzy.

It will be done.

Am pleased I have inspired you!

OP posts:
BeyondDoesBootcamp · 10/03/2015 18:01

Yeah, you can do it!! :)

Here's my before and after...

Long and dark, to short and blonde
Long and dark, to short and blonde
Truckingalong · 10/03/2015 19:51

I'm so not wrong. All the women cited on here are beautiful and can carry off short hair. Mere mortals over 30 are aged by short hair.

KissyBoo · 10/03/2015 21:56

Such balderdash.

Original poster
iwantgin · 11/03/2015 08:15

Wow Beyond that looks great. So different.

Are you finding it easier to manage?

OP posts:
BeyondDoesBootcamp · 11/03/2015 08:22

So much easier. DH was having to do my hair for me before when i was ill, now even on a bad day i can manage it myself if i need to. Or even if i leave it 'undone' its pretty much the same anyway Grin

Eliza22 · 11/03/2015 09:41

Me with short hair....very easy. No need for hair dryers if you get a good cut. I miss mine but can't work up the courage to chop it again.

Me with long hair....it's taken me ages to grow and some days it looks nice, others it just dangles and is a load of faff to "do". I'd have the lot off today...it looks crap so it's ties back in a scrappy pony tail. Not a good look for the mature woman.

I'd say think very carefully. Yes, it will grow again but will take a very long time.

Long and dark, to short and blonde
Long and dark, to short and blonde
Long and dark, to short and blonde
HolgerDanske · 11/03/2015 10:08

Yes I have, and I loved it. I'm not quite pretty enough for the elfin hairstyle I like, but it was fabulous to have short hair. Wash it, scrunch a bit of product into it, dry in five or ten minutes. No fuss! Never in the way at work, and exercising was much more comfortable. I also end up tying my hair up a lot because I can't stand it getting in the way, so not having to worry about it was very nice indeed.

I'd say go for it!

mindalina · 11/03/2015 19:38

it's only been two hours since I left the salon but they've been the happiest two hours of the year so far for me! Grin I dunno, it's very subjective isn't it, how long it takes to regrow. it took two years almost exactly for mine to grow from just above my chin to a couple of inches below my shoulders, I don't think that's a terribly long time personally. love the pictures of short hair - what a good looking bunch! if anyone dithering over a big chop is in Sussex I can give you the number for an excellent hairdresser who loves chopping off long hair Grin

ps I asked my hairdresser and she said tis bollocks that only stunners can have short hair, she agrees it is the cut that counts

Long and dark, to short and blonde