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Original poster

To chop or not...what do you think? (With photo)

30 replies

RoomForOneMore · 22/02/2020 18:51

I have a lot of hair, that badly needs a cut (and is starting to get a few greys). I'm trying to decide if I just go for a trim or to chop a load off. At the minute I wear it up 98% of the time as I'm running around after small kids but also because it takes me forever to style or straighten and I'm not very good at it.

I thought that by taking some of the length and weight out of it it would be easier to style down, but still be long enough to wear up. It would also be quicker to dye when they grey annoys me. Just don't want to chop and regret it.

Do you think I'd suit a long bob like this? It could either be straighted or be left a bit wild and wavy depending on time and mood.

Thank you!

To chop or not...what do you think? (With photo)
To chop or not...what do you think? (With photo)
OP posts:
Hamsterian · 22/02/2020 18:55

I think it would suit, especially left a bit wild and wavy! Taking away some of the length and the weight will make it easier to style and wear down.

JulesM73 · 22/02/2020 18:56

I really like the style you’re thinking of but I think it would also be high maintenance so unless you want to spend time styling it each day I suspect you’ll end up just putting it up all the time.

Toria70 · 22/02/2020 18:56

Do it in stages. I went from long hair to just below shoulder length to start, then I went up a few inches at a time so it wasn't a massive shock to the system.

I'm now happily keeping mine quite short, even though DH much prefers it long but I was just either wearing it up or in a ponytail. It's much easier to maintain short, I wash, dry and just use a straightener on the ends.

MarshaBradyo · 22/02/2020 18:57

Chop but I’ll not sure about the layers for your hair.

TheNavigator · 22/02/2020 18:58

Your hair is gorgeous. If I had hair like yours, I would keep it exactly as it is with a wee trim of the ends. You don't know how lucky you are!

Original poster
RoomForOneMore · 22/02/2020 19:08

It is really thick, hairdresser usually thins it out loads with the thinning scissors as there is just so much of it...

I've recently changed shampoos to l'oreal extraordinary oil which my hair seems to really like and it's holding a wave rather than just frizzing for the first time in ages.

I know some people would love this hair which is one of my doubts in cutting it but it can be a real handful 😂

OP posts:
helpmum2003 · 22/02/2020 19:13

I have similar hair in the same shape you are suggesting but shorter. I would definitely cut it. You'll probably get more wave/curls when shorter. Look at the curly girl method also

helpmum2003 · 22/02/2020 19:15

Just to add i don't have layers and agree these probably wouldn't be ideal. There'll be enough variation due to the curls without layers.

Beautiful3 · 22/02/2020 19:20

I have wavy hair and had a graduated long bob cut, like the one you posted. It was a nightmare styling it every time, as it looked a mess if I didn't. I instantly regretted it as the constant hot irons made my hair split and difficult to grow out again. I would say don't do it, just have a trim. Your hair is gorgeous.

MikeUniformMike · 22/02/2020 20:29

I think the long bob in the picture is nice but could mean a lot of blow drying. I'd go for cutting off a couple of inches from the ends and wear it as you do now, as it looks great.

MrsMGE · 22/02/2020 20:51

OP, I have thicker hair than you (I know exactly what you mean, it's hard going to keep it under control every day). I see the temptation, but I've made that mistake before and went for a lob and as I said, it was a mistake. It looks trendy on insta, but not in real life if you have thick hair. I'd say get layers around your face and a side fringe with quite a bit of volume. Your hair is fire 🔥

MrsMGE · 22/02/2020 20:52

Btw, Matrix conditioners are great for thick hair!

Original poster
RoomForOneMore · 22/02/2020 21:12

Thanks everyone, erring towards leaving it be and just having a trim. Collective experience seems to be pointing to a bob being a mistake...might get an all over tint to even out the colour and freshen it up a bit.

OP posts:
BobbleBun · 22/02/2020 21:15

I'd go for it without as many layers. I have similar hair to you - though not as thick and I find it straightens nicely but still looks nice left wavy.

On a side note - your skin looks amazing!

Original poster
RoomForOneMore · 22/02/2020 21:50

Thanks! Think the light might have been quite forgiving...though I have started using the Avon Distillery skin care range and it seems to be making a difference, making up for the haggard 36 year old mum of three that I am 😂

OP posts:
leli · 22/02/2020 22:13

I would do a lot for gorgeous hair like yours. Thin and flat here. Enjoy it and show it off!

GallopingGreen · 22/02/2020 22:19

Wow OP you look closer to 26 than 36! And actually I think that bob might be quite ageing on you.

I'm voting for trim and actually keeping the wavy look. I've curly hair and it's quite low maintenance keeping it this way- wash- towel dry- scrunch in some curling mousse and dry naturally. I think that'd work well on your hair.

MrsMGE · 22/02/2020 22:24

OP, you're kidding, I thought you were around 23?! You look fab. Definitely don't cut your hair too short, it would age you!

Original poster
RoomForOneMore · 22/02/2020 22:24

Finding something that holds a curl, without going crunchy or turning to frizz is definitely the holy grail, might have a nosy round superdrug tomorrow as I'll be kid free in town for once!

Maybe my kids haven't aged me too badly after all 😂 or you guys are being very kind!

OP posts:
Wigeon · 22/02/2020 22:29

What - you’re 36? You definitely look mid 20s in that photo. I was thinking maybe 25 before I saw your age.

I also think that a long bob you have to straighten all the time sounds like a big hassle, and why work against your lovely loose curls. I’d ask a hairdresser what they recommend that is easier to manage but keeps the waves.

Original poster
RoomForOneMore · 22/02/2020 22:37

Promise it's a very recent photo - took it this afternoon and yes definitely 36, feeling very flattered that I can pass as in my 20s...

All hairdressers ever seem to want to do to my hair is hack at it with thinning scissors, maybe need to look around a bit, they never have any advice for encouraging the curls, they just attack it with straighteners after the cut.

Considered going to the college to have it done for a change, used to do that in the last city I lived in but haven't tried it since I moved north.

OP posts:
Pastaforlunch · 22/02/2020 22:50

I love how "lobs" look in pictures like that, but when I tried it it did need a lot of styling if I wanted to wear it down, and was tricky to put up at first. It only took a couple of months to grow out though, so give it a try if you're feeling like a change and your hair grows quick.

You definitely look 26 rather then 36!

GallopingGreen · 22/02/2020 22:54

Good luck OP! And yes try to find a hairdresser who isn't just going to straighten and thin the hair out. Look for one who knows how to handle wavy hair and will cut it well for your hair type.

You have fab hair. Lucky you!!

IdblowJonSnow · 22/02/2020 22:57

Keep it. Lovely hair. Just a little trim would be good.

threesecrets · 22/02/2020 23:01

Keep long. I think I shorter could be aging