Please help me decide on best style (pics)

[WoeIsMyHair]

I need advice and help with my hair. I can't decide which style suits me best.
Pic 1 is of a style I had at a local salon, which I liked, but preferred it when grown out so a bit longer then in the photo.

Pic 2 was just after I'd been to a so called top London salon and it looked a frizzy mess (IMHO).

Pic 3 was above style a few days later styled by me and tonged.

Pics 4 (next post) was earlier this year when I last had it longer (but got bored and cut it off).

Hair is naturally thick and wavy.

What should I do, which style do you think looks best? I'd like to grow my hair again but when I do it always feels mumsy and boring.

From the photos, the first one has the most shape and your hair looks great in it.

It's a bit hard to judge only from the side as I can't see how it frames your face. Based on these pics, I like the first one best but a bit longer IYSWIM.

The first one, the second does look like a frizzy mess, top salon in London you say? . You've got great hair!

Yes Wiggle - awful isn't it! I have added a 4th pic with longer hair from earlier in the year - I felt mumsy at the time but looking back it seems ok

By the way, I seem to have accidentally started 3 threads - have asked MN HQ to delete the other two... It would appear I am as cack handed at a PC as I am selecting a hairdresser.

The 'top London salon' in pic 2 has apologised and refunded me.

I used to be a big fan of 'sleb' salons... however, ironically haircut 1 was the cheapest cut at a local salon! So no more so called 'top London salons' for me.

1 and 4 look the best to me.
My DM has her own local salon and is exceptional at styling (prob as she was taught in the "olden days" ), so in my opinion it's not about a brand of salon or the price you pay, it's the technical ability of the stylist that counts. My DM will always say to customers, yes I can cut your hair like that picture but with your hair type or face shape etc. It's not going to look like that. Then she offers an alternative that will work and she has had customers coming for over 40 years. Most just say to her do what you think is best!!

No 1 and No 4 look fantastic. Lovely style in No1 - shows off your neck - and colour. No 4 looks very sophisticated and again, lovely colour.

No 2 & No 3. Just no.

4 looks beautiful.

Number 3 and 4.

So, concensus so far - either go for chop (more laters) to get back to style 1; or aim for style 4 again - which is clearly more growing but maybe also few more layers in the meantime?

Thanks very much for everyone's comments so far by the way :)

Does anyone else look back at photos and think 'that actually looks OK' when you distinctly remember not liking it at the time...?

Yes all the time!

Imo number 4 is gorgeous. 3 is not good as you said and 1 is too structured and looks a bit old fashioned.

Sorry I got that wrong!! I can on,y see 3 pics so the shorter one (I think photo 2 not 1) is the one that's a bit too structured for my taste.

Number 4! Nice length.

I really like no1. Looks chic and stylish.

Definitely number 4

Dolores err, where is your DM based?!!

tousled looks fab
great hair btw

No 1 looks ageing. No 4 suits you best imo.

4 is great
1 is bit Nicola Sturgeon (sorry)
3 quite edgy

Definitely number 4! Agree that 1 looks a bit ageing.

1 and 4 both great.

1 looks nice for somebody 50+ 4 looks nice whatever age.

4

I think 1 as your hair looks healthiest in it