Help with haircut ideas

[FlySwimmer]

I need some advice about a new haircut, please.

I’m mid-30s. I have wavy/lightly curly hair that gets VERY frizzy. In particular, I’m hating that I seem to have these permanent small strands of hair around my ears, that curl and stick out and make me look a bit crazed. I’ve always had them
to an extent but I think it’s worse at the moment as I had a good deal of hair loss postpartum, and this is probably a lot of regrowth and baby hairs. I try to tame them with serums and gels, but nothing seems to last very long.

I’ve been wearing my hair medium length, generally hitting the tops of my shoulder blades. I have long layers cut into it, to reduce volume a bit and to give some movement. I’ve also had a fringe for a number of years, which I’ve worn in a few ways: more of a side fringe, fuller fringe, etc. It’s currently more of a side fringe, though since I need a cut it’s basically growing out as a layer at the moment.

I want something that is low maintenance, but looks nice. I just do not have the time each day for an elaborate routine. In the past the most I would do would be to straighten the fringe if it needed it, and a general tidy up, and I’d probably be looking for something along those lines for a daily routine. I swim a lot so that makes it even more important for it to be something easy.

I’m open to practically all suggestions; I don’t think I’m ready for a pixie cut for example, but would consider going quite a bit shorter. I would like to be able to tie it back, even if it was only a little stubby thing. I think I’d like to keep a fringe, as I feel it helps give shape to my face: I have an oval-shaped face, but feel my forehead is quite long/large.

I feel stuck in a rut. I don’t like how my hair is currently and it makes me look a mess, in my view. But, I’m not sure what cut to go for and wondering if there’s any styles I’ve not considered that may work for me.

Your hair is the opposite of mine so I’m not sure how useful this is, but I understand that there are hairdressers that specialise in cutting curly hair? It needs a different technique than straight hair, and I’ve read people here raving about the difference it’s made to their hair. Maybe there’s one near you?

Get a haircut cut to how your hair behaves instead of trying to get your hair to fit to the hairstyle, then you can just wash it and let it dry itself.
You'll need a hairdresser who is used to cutting wavy/curly hair.
Ask someone with nice hair who cuts theirs.

Funnily enough the hairdresser I usually go to, is training in curly hair, so she could probably give me a curly cut. She did mention it as a possibility at our previous appointment.

I just don’t really understand what would be different with a curly cut? Also, I did try for a while to diffuse my hair but never liked the results, so I’m not totally convinced by the idea of fully embracing the curl. And air drying isn’t always the most practical…

With your hair being wavy and prone to frizz going short, such as a bob will require more effort daily.
My hair is thick, long, and has a natural wave to it. It always looks better long as I think the weight helps. I've had it cut short to a bob before and loved it at first. Then had to style it every day to make it look decent and I just can't be bothered. Most of the time now, I will wash it, condition it, and then spray a heat protective spray. I let it naturally dry to 90% before using a cool setting on the hairdryer. I then curl the ends if I'm wearing it down. So not much time and effort needed at all 🙂

I tried hair oil to control my waves when they go frizzy. Impressed.

@FlySwimmer , I don't mean a curly cut. My hair is wavy and some hairstylist would cut it as if it was straight hair, which meant I had to control it.
A clever stylist will cut it to work with your hair not against it.

If I get a 'straight' haircut, it will look bloomin' awful if air-dried. I left the mousse and 20 mins hairstyling every morning behind me years ago, and I don't want to live my life in fear of drizzle or humidity.