Hair Today, Gone Tomorrow...

My last haircut was about 2 years ago. A few months ago, my hair started giving me fits and I figured it was time for another stop at the salon. Problem was, I wasn't sure what I wanted to do with my hair. Keep it long? Shave it off? I've tried mid-length and wasn't very fond of it, but I wasn't sure if I'd like short hair (it's been more than 15 years since I've had short hair) or if it would look good, but I was tired of the same 'do.

Old style - in a knot on top

A couple weeks ago I had Greg make an appointment for me with his stylist (Jamie's also been my stylist for the last 4-5 years, but since that makes approximately 3 haircuts I'm not sure if that counts...). Then I was talking to Greg about my dilemma. What if I cut it short and totally hate it?!? Just trimming it leaves me with the same look, only a tad shorter. But that's something I know how to handle... Short - I can grow it back, but it might take a while. Long - depressingly the same. What to do? I still hadn't made up my mind, so I told Greg maybe I'd just have Jamie whack it in the middle and be done with it. His suggestion was to cut enough to donate to Locks of Love - if I don't like it short, I can always get extensions... =) What a smart man!!

Old style - flappin' in the breeze

The Big Day came, and I was still undecided. I looked at some of the pictures in the magazines, hoping to find something that looks nice and works with curly hair. I took some of the examples back with me and discussed options with Jamie. Criteria: 1) Something new; 2) Low maintenance; 3) Fun; 4) No Triangle Head; and 5) No fuzzy hair. She said she could do it, so I let her have her way with the scissors. I was concerned that a short 'do wouldn't look good with my round face, but Jamie pointed out that if I'm wearing it up 90% of the time I already have a much shorter 'do... Good point!! Because of all the playing with my curls (and their shock at the cutting), Jamie styled my hair straight... What a change!!

New 'do done straight

That was Wednesday. I have to admit that there were a couple people at work that took a while to recognize me. I'm going to try that style more often! Thursday, I was going to try for the same, but I'm just not coordinated enough to do the comb/blow dryer combo - I think I need the straight iron (which I got Thursday night). So the top was still straight, but the rest was curly. (And I was late to work because I spent so much time trying to do and redo my hair.)

And Friday I decided to try ALL curly. I actually used a comb in my hair. For those of you with long curly hair, you know this is an impossibility. I don't even own a brush (well, until last night - when I bought one with the straightening iron). I always use (used to use!) loads of shampoo and conditioner, then spray on lots of leave in conditioner (as a detangler), then add bunches of goo to give lift and deter fuzz. All that has changed. Bonus: the morning routine is shorter, and I can probably shave more time off as I get better at my new style. AND I've already had three different styles, instead of my standard two. I have an appointment in 3 weeks to get a touchup (if needed) and some tips on what I can do with my new self.

It's taking some getting used to, but I like it. Believe it or not, my hair seems even curlier than it was. Jamie said the curls might relax some after they're used to not having so much hair pulling them down. I suppose we'll see...