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Style and beauty

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Original poster

Make over help - with pics (gulp!)

41 replies

Haircuthelp72 · 13/12/2023 11:19

Help need make over 😀. Finally have a bit of time now youngest is in nursery so I want to take myself in hand and get a good hair cut and colour.

This is me now: 51 years old, feeling my age and a few stone overweight (but I’m currently working on that) and primarily a carer / SAHM. I have some grey (maybe 25%) and lighter ends from when I used to box dye my hair red.

Im thinking a Wavy Lob haircut that isn’t too time intensive (30 mins) twice a week to style might work? I have a few mins max each morning for maintenance styling to get ready and Ideally I need something I can put up in a bun or ponytail so not too short.
I can get to the hairdressers every 8 weeks or so …I’d like golden/ red lights put in but no idea what to ask for ( full head / half or bayalage (sp?). Might consider a full or half fringe as my forehead is massive!
Also have really high prescription glasses that I wear most of the time now … they are quite clunky but the thinnest lenses for my blind mole like eyes! I used to wear contacts but now with middle age I can’t read in them very well and can’t be doing with that!
to complicate matters I don’t really like hairdressers … feel very self conscious with that big mirror stuck in front of me and I’m not the best at communicating what I want so any help with lingo most appreciated!

Here’s some ideas I like.
What do you think might suit me?

OP posts:

Original poster

Haircuthelp72 · 13/12/2023 11:21

Btw hair is fine / lots of it/ and has a slight wave but can be frizzy!

OP posts:

nokobonoko · 13/12/2023 11:28

You have lovely hair. I'd go for slightly longer bob and balayage, something similar to your natural colour with golden highlights (not red) and a long fringe that you part in the middle - this should be low maintenance

DuploTrain · 13/12/2023 11:28

My hair is quite similar to yours - wavy but not curly. I’ve had bobs of varying lengths over the years.

I think the two pictures with the shorter hair would be a bad idea - they’ll look awful without intensive styling everyday (well they would on me anyway). I would go for more shoulder length with some layers.

Fringes also very high maintenance. Some shorter layers to “frame your face” as my hairdresser says would be nice though.

DuploTrain · 13/12/2023 11:30

Also I think you’d suit cooler toned highlights rather than warm red/copper.

Appleblum · 13/12/2023 11:34

Do you have makeup on in your photo? Because from just that one photo I don't think red hair would suit you. I think a darker brown base with some highlights would look great!

Also a shoulder length bob with some layers.

Original poster

Haircuthelp72 · 13/12/2023 11:36

Loving the comments so far … thank you very much! I’m going to include a picture of me with red hair (and less weight) so you can see my skin tone better… it’s freckly and I think I have warm tones???

OP posts:

ShirleyPhallus · 13/12/2023 11:38

I agree with the others, don’t go red toned, it’ll quickly look cheap, you would be better with some golden highlights

i don’t think you need a bob either, have some layers cut to your hair and a few inches off. No fringe. Try and dry it “curly” to find the wave pattern - get it very wet, add mousse & curl creme, scrunch and use the diffuser. I bet you have a lovely pattern.

Then I’d probably shape and dye your eyebrows for a bit more definition

You have a nice face and hair!

madeinmanc · 13/12/2023 11:46

I prefer the length shown in the second photo to the examples in the first. It really suits you that length.

Octowussy · 13/12/2023 11:46

I would suggest getting a balayage from mid lengths as you won't have to maintain it as much. I got a low balayage and only need to see my hair dresser every 4 months

PepsiMaxLime · 13/12/2023 11:54

You’ve got incredible skin OP <misses point of thread>

Original poster

Haircuthelp72 · 13/12/2023 11:56

Aw you guys are being so lovely … making me a bit teary thank you! In my head I’ve turned into full on crone! 😂

OP posts:

DuploTrain · 13/12/2023 11:58

The lighting in the two pictures is throwing me off - I’ve got no idea if you’re warm or cool toned now!

The length of hair in your second picture suits you.. a trim with some layers would be good.

I’m sticking to my recommendation of no fringe though, you have a nice forehead, perfectly in proportion.

DuploTrain · 13/12/2023 11:59

And great eyebrows too.

OhComeOnFFS · 13/12/2023 12:01

There's a lot of scope when you've got long hair. How much time are you able to spend on it?

That grey jumper isn't doing you any favours. I like grey but if you see the other photo, your skin responds much better to the other outfit. Have you ever had your colours done?

Torganer · 13/12/2023 12:01

I think the middle bottom style you posted would look great.

SacreBleugh · 13/12/2023 12:04

51? You look much younger than that!

CallmeSand · 13/12/2023 13:02

I agree you need that bottom section cut off but I wouldn't go in straight for the short ones straightaway. It's hard to see if you have some layers right now but it looks like you might benefit from some hair conditioning treatment. I use these at home regularly and they do the trick.
There are a variety by L'oreal. You have such a lovely smiley face @Haircuthelp72 .

https://www.amazon.co.uk/LOr%C3%A9al-Professionnel-Resveratrol-Coloured-Vitamino/dp/B09717S8L5/ref=asc_df_B09717S8L5/?tag=googshopuk-21&linkCode=df0&hvadid=536027790125&hvpos=&hvnetw=g&hvrand=9377722564000601406&hvpone=&hvptwo=&hvqmt=&hvdev=c&hvdvcmdl=&hvlocint=&hvlocphy=9045865&hvtargid=pla-1403776491774&psc=1&mcid=e8c97b99b0f13f9492446d7b3a42ecb7

https://www.amazon.co.uk/LOr%C3%A9al-Professionnel-Resveratrol-Coloured-Vitamino/dp/B09717S8L5/ref=asc_df_B09717S8L5/?linkCode=df0&hvadid=536027790125&hvnetw=g&hvrand=9377722564000601406&hvdev=c&hvlocphy=9045865&hvtargid=pla-1403776491774&psc=1&mcid=e8c97b99b0f13f9492446d7b3a42ecb7&tag=mumsnet&ascsubtag=mnforum-style-and-beauty-4962336-make-over-help-with-pics-gulp

restingrichface · 13/12/2023 13:58

You look much younger than 51. You have fabulous skin!

I agree with PP that red lights will fade and look cheap very quickly. Go for a warm toned golden blonde - very almost copper to compliment your skin tone but not full on red. Red/auburn always seems to look better all over but as we all know, it's incredibly difficult to maintain.

Love the idea of some curtain bangs on you too.

MerryChristmasToYou · 13/12/2023 14:14

The bobs will be high maintenance and they've been heavily styled.
I'd get a good trim.

The grey jumper doesn't suit you, but you look young and attractive

AutumnOcean · 14/12/2023 15:03

Your skin is amazing!

Aworldofmyown · 14/12/2023 15:07

Curtain bangs definitely and get your eyebrows tinted. Makes a huge difference.

Gonnagetgoingreturnsagain · 14/12/2023 15:13

I’d probably go for a lob and high or low lights. My hairdresser the other week said unless they’re done very well she doesn’t like balayage.

I had long hair chopped by an inch to a more of below shoulders bluntish cut and it looks much better! And more natural highlights.

tomatoontoast · 14/12/2023 15:34

I would keep your hair as is but dye the grey hairs.

Invest in a Revlon brush to give yourself some volume and to remove the frizz.

You are missing mascara!!!! The Maybelline sky high is great. Buy it in brown if you think black is too harsh!.

Roussette · 14/12/2023 15:39

God I wish I could wear red lipstick like you wear it. Sorry... I'm derailing

Princessfluffy · 14/12/2023 20:51

I'm think you would really suit the pic of the chin length bob with a fringe that you posted OP.

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