Shall I take my hairdressers advice and go for a drastic change?

[TFInotmonday]

Hi,

So I'm 34 with very long, thick, dark brown hair, which tbf, has seen better days. I've got a few scattered greys, which are becoming more difficult to ignore. I'm pale and whereas my dark hair used to be quite a striking feature, now I think it's ageing me.

My fashion icon was Amy Lee, but I'm worried I'm looking more Dorien from birds of a feather, these days

I had a consultation a few days ago and I said I was thinking about having a subtle balayage, but she was very blunt about my hair just hanging and said I need all of my hair lightening, plus balayage, plus a proper cut, with loads of layers.

I'm nervous for two reasons.

1. Because I have always played it safe with my hair and am worried I'll really hate it.

1. Because my hair is already quite heat damaged and I'm worried bleaching it will kill it and I'll end up looking worse!

She does have great reviews, but still. Am I just procrastinating? I do want a change, so maybe I should just go for it.

Thoughts please!

Go for it - you can always grow it back if you aren't keen, but just do it - I'm planning on doing similar when I can get an appointment!

If your unsure if a certain hairstyle will suit you or not, could you buy a wig and see what it looks like and then if you don't like it, it's not permanent

Get the cut and see after if you're happy or think you want it coloured. It doesn't have to be all at once and Balayage is very expensive...

My fashion icon was Amy Lee, but I'm worried I'm looking more Dorien from birds of a feather, these days confused

This made me laugh!
A bit of lightness really takes years off I think

I've just had about 4 inches cut off mine, and frankly I wished I'd done it years ago. It's doubled in thickness since doing it, and it's so much easier to manage and in fab condition.

I would be a bit unsure about the colouring until your hair is in better condition. I've been dyeing mine to hide the grey for years, and my new hairdresser instead puts a few packets of highlights through the T section at the front to blend the grey better. I'm much happier with it.

Balayage is very expensive...

Balayage is actually super cheap to maintain though. A purple shampoo is all you need for upkeep for a year+
Or you could get babylights whenever you fancy to break up the balayage (or for free in training classes)

Do you actually like balayage and layers? I am also an aging Amy Lee lover, and have kept my hair dark and all one length because I prefer it. I don't like bleach on very dark hair, it's hard to maintain in good condition.

God op you could be me! Also 34, very long brown hair that needs a good cut. I’m on maternity leave in 6 weeks and I cannot wait to go and spend a day at the salon getting it cut and coloured.

I’m having it still brown on top but a hidden rainbow put in underneath.

I’d do it, hair grows and can be coloured. Look at styles you like online and take some examples with you.

Do you have waves or curls, it can take a lot of blow drying to get a sleek look if this is the case.

Thanks for all the replies.

I do like the layered, balayage look, but I'm not sure if I just like it on other people.

I suppose I'm also quite sad that I can't pull off the rock chick look anymore but tbh, all I want now is to look as hot as I possibly can My hairdresser insisted this would take years off me and that's always an attractive prospect!

I do have waves and curls. Kind of a mixture of the two, but I'm used to blow drying and it usually takes a good 20 minutes or so to dry anyway. I'll have less hair, so can spend a bit more time styling.

Get a proper cut and see how you get on with that first. That will have the biggest impact on how you look.

Actually the hairdresser was desperate to cut it there and then. If I didn't need to get home, I'd have been very tempted.

Go for it.

Could be life changing and it sounds like your hair needs a good cut.

It definitely does. I've just been reluctant to go for the chop, as I hate how it seems women must have short hair once they hit 30.

I've probably been clinging on in some sort of weird hair protest

Go for it, never imo makes you feel so good as a good hair cut!

I've never really had one! I've only ever had trims, so as pathetic as it sounds, I actually find the prospect a bit scary

Can you post some pictures of your hair and examples of what she’s suggesting?

I’ve got balayaged recently and LOVE it

Do it! What's the worst that can happen? You don't like it, it grows back? So what?

FWIW I had longish dark hair forever and had a short (chin length) bob with blonde balayage about six months ago, I have had so many compliments since and it's so much easier to look after.

I think my hairdresser is aiming for this kind of look, with shorter layers around my face. Almost like a fringe I'm growing out, so the first layer finishes at my brow line

pin.it/nq22eeg2vln5da

This what I currently have. Just to give you an idea of my pasty skin tone, but my hair is probably a bit darker in RL.

Oh I love your hair OP!
I do t know that I would change it, it’s loveky and shiney and you will lose that!

The color looks like it really suits you too!

Thank you, Yoga. I think it probably looks more healthy in the picture though tbh. I don't really want to post a full pic of myself, but I think if you saw it against my facial features, you might think it was more ageing.

well, I think I would cut it first.
Long hair that is a bit damaged gets a new lease of life with a good cut.
Not short, just shorter, you could lose a good 4 inches and it would change the basic shape, or you could have more layers etc cut in.
You will gain volume and bounce if you lose some length.

I love your hair colour and think it suits your skin tone, if you like the rock chick look then keep it. Sometimes hairdressers think more about trends than personality and lifestyle, I am also 34 and currently have my hair slightly shorter than yours. I flit between growing it long and wavy, and having a chin length blunt-ish bob/ chin length choppy cut, and have done for the last 10 years or so, so if you do change it, it will grow back.