To grow or not to grow - that is the question

There were a few comments in my outfit post this morning regarding my hair and it's longer length http://youlookfab.com/welookfa.....st-1391520. My stylist is away and normally I get my hair trimmed every 4-5 weeks but we're at 6 weeks now and I don't have an appointment until November 20th, which will make it 8 weeks before my trim. I wasn't able to get in with anyone else in the salon in my stylist's absence (they are booked solid) but I'm now kind of glad as I'm seeing what it looks like a little longer. And I'm surprised that I really really like it.

I have fine hair but a lot of it - as my stylist has said, I will never go bald. The silver in it has given it more body than it used to have - my hair is fairly straight but has a few kinks here and there.

As it's been growing, I'm liking the softness of it. Both in terms of how it softens my face, but also the actual texture of the hair - it feels nice when I touch it. Even hubby made a comment about that the other day.

I've worn my hair very short for a while now, with varying degrees in style. I will never grow my hair long - it doesn't suit me and my narrow face - but I'm thinking of growing it out a bit more. I've added a couple of pics of what I'm thinking of working towards - sort of a hybrid between a shag and a pixie.I don't like fussing over my hair too much but don't mind having to give it a quick blow dry and flat iron in the morning.

I would love your feedback - what do you think of the longer length now? Could you see me in something a little longer like the pics? or do you prefer me in very short hair? Thanks in advance :)

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28 Comments

  • texstyle replied 9 years ago

    I like the way it looks in your recent post - and I can relate to liking the *feel* of it when it's longer too. I think it's worth growing out a bit and trying a new style. Not sure about which actual style to strive for - I'm not very adventurous with mine -  but maybe someone else will give more input there.

  • Janet replied 9 years ago

    I just saw your WIW and not only is the outfit fab, but I'm especially liking your hair! It's always looked fab really short, but I think I actually prefer it with a little more length. Somehow there's a little more softness which is a nice touch with your dramatic outfits.

  • Angie replied 9 years ago

    YES. I vote grow it a little longer in front. xo

  • Transcona Shannon replied 9 years ago

    Hmmmm....looks like growing it a bit longer is being favored :) Any preferences on the styles I posted?

  • texstyle replied 9 years ago

    I saw these on pinterest and thought I'd share:

    http://www.pinterest.com/pin/473933560760465806/

    http://www.pinterest.com/pin/321303754639941016/

  • kellygirl replied 9 years ago

    Ooh, I really like the extra length too. It's hard to tell just by looking at photos but I like the style/length of 4. It is longer than your current hair style but doesn't hang--like 1. My greys are super coarse and stick out everywhere. I'm a little worried--sounds like you aren't having that problem. You are looking great, Shannon!

  • replied 9 years ago

    I thought your hair looked notably different in today's post too - isn't it weird how one week's growth on short hair can make such a difference?  I am liking the extra length and softness too, but only because I like and appreciate change.  I also like it a lot short. You have a face that can carry both longer and shorter - and hey, it's only hair and nothing is ever permanent, so I say give it a go for awhile and see how you like it. I'm partial to 2 and 4, (because 2 is the way my hair is cut) but between the two, I'd vote 2 for you - just longer in front and not at the sides.  I'm thinking the longer pieces at the sides might not work with wearing glasses......but that's just a thought, not based on experience.  

  • unfrumped replied 9 years ago

    Yes also! I almost commented on your WIW post but forgot.
    I think it's very attractive.
    Plus, it's a no-brainer--grow out some now; you can always cut  again for a change.

    Not sure if this matters, but I think it kind of "goes" better with the slightly less strict/structured clothing.

  • ElleH replied 9 years ago

    I LOVE your hair longer. I say grow it. If you don't like it you can always cut it again.

  • Transcona Shannon replied 9 years ago

    Alrighty then (say that in your best Jim Carrey voice...)! It's a plan. Will continue to grow out the top and front, while keeping the sides a bit more shaped.

    textstyle - thanks for those Pinterest pics - will look those over again too.

    Janet - I'm really liking the softness too. I'm wondering if it has something to do with aging? As I'm getting older and my skin is changing, edgier hair seems also a bit too harsh, you know? Especially since I like a bold lip - it suddenly seems too much to have bold hair AND a bold lip.

    Kelly - don't worry about the grey being coarse. Mine was at first too - and then over time it became more silver than grey and much softer.

    Lisa - excellent point about making sure a style works with my glasses. Being that I'm blind as a bat without them and not a candidate for contacts or surgery, I gotta make it work.

    Thanks for the fantastic feedback ladies - very helpful :)

  • abc replied 9 years ago

    Funny, I remember you mentioning your stylist was going to be out.  I thought you were going to go to someone else in the same salon, but I like your idea of growing it out a bit.  Sometimes we need a little change as a refresher.  I love the inspiration photos you posted.

  • Transcona Shannon replied 9 years ago

    abc - I actually tried to get an appointment with one of the other stylists in the salon that was recommended but he's booked solid having already taken some of my stylist's clients so I'm just waiting it out. Turned out to be a blessing in disguise!

  • Suz replied 9 years ago

    Well, I am late here, but I am excited by some of these styles and really look forward to seeing the result! In fact, I might copy and steal haircut #2 for myself, too! :) 

  • replied 9 years ago

    I love the idea of your hair a little longer. The examples you've shown are lovely and in your wiw from today it's looking great! 

  • Caro in Oz replied 9 years ago

    I love your hair either way, but I think sometimes a change is just what we need :) Are you thinking of a longer pixie or a shorter bob? 

  • Marley replied 9 years ago

    Actually long on the top and front, with the sides and back short is much edgier (as well as current) than the style that you have been wearing - so I don't think it's a matter of edginess so much as just playing around and trying something new that suits your hair and style! I say go for it and have fun!

  • replied 9 years ago

    Shannon - I totally agree to the bold lip, bold hair dilemma.  I always think at "our age" we are one false move away from looking like those crazy ladies with pink glasses, spiked up and coloured hair, and big huge earrings - you know what I mean:)  That's the main reason I decided to keep the layers really long on my hair now.  I don't do a bold lip (wish I could but I look like the Joker when I do) but even so , that spiked up top look can be aging at a certain point, I agree.  

  • DonnaF replied 9 years ago

    Disclosure:  I went from darn short to a bit longer than your pics to (for the last couple of months) a style very close to what you have now.  So of course I LOVE the current length you are sporting! 

    I found that longer hair (that was technically still short) fought with my glasses, small face, and salt'n'pepper hair and was ALGO so too much for me.  I also couldn't wear earrings because they didn't show up, plus the ALGO issue again.  Collars weren't my friends.

    Now that my hair is short(er), I can go back to wearing earrings.  My silver streaks and overall texture, however, mean the general earring style needs to be cleaner.

    Of course, YMMV.  I was totally surprised that a mere two to four inches could make such a difference in what I could and couldn't wear and what felt *right*.  The great thing about hair is that it grows back if one changes one's mind.  The not so great thing about your hair and mine is that it grows at astonishing speed -- a hairdresser's dream. 

  • Elly replied 9 years ago

    I love your short hair, but I think longer can work-- I think Angie is right-- front length doesn't have to mean long in the back. I like 3 and 4 -- particularly 4--- I'm thinking maybe something near but not exactly like Viva's. I do wonder about dimensionality considering that your hair is more one color now, which your short hair adds. 

  • Runcarla replied 9 years ago

    Experiment with longer for the winter! You can always go short again in the summer or if longer doesn't work.

  • Jaime replied 9 years ago

    I say give it a try! I have found that i prefer the longer side of my hair to still be cut short around the ear, so the longer part is just really the top front on one side (I also have a fair amount of hair :-)).

  • Deborah replied 9 years ago

    I am late to the party but was one who commented on your longer do on the previous post. I like the idea of #1 or #4 that you posted here. I personally wouldn't go much longer but you could have a touch more length around the face, it's very softening and youthful looking and of course modern. I do love you hair shorter also but this could be a fun change.

  • Echo replied 9 years ago

    I don't have any suggestions on what length/style you should strive for, but I did want to comment that your hair was the first thing I noticed in your recent WIWs. I LOVE the softer look that just a little bit of extra length has given you. I would think that the straight/into your face bangs in the pictures you posted would take it right back to harsh and slightly edgy, just at a slightly longer length, but I really like the idea of a little extra length (just maybe not the styles posted). You are really lucky that you have such a beautiful face that you can wear almost any hairstyle and look great.

  • Carole replied 9 years ago

    What have you got to loose! I would love to see #1 or 4. I like the longer layers around the face and the choppy layers in 4! Big fun!

  • Debbie replied 9 years ago

    Try it. You can always shorten it!

  • Sveta replied 9 years ago

    Echoing everybody else: I also noticed the longer hair in WIW and thought it looks extra flattering. I also look the shorter do too. I would think it is more about the change - change is good and we need to shake up things from time to time.

  • shiny replied 9 years ago

    Thanks for posting these as I have a hair appointment next week, I've been playing around with frequency of appointments this past year. Honestly I could probably wait it out another couple of weeks - but then it's T-day so it'll extend too long and also I am traveling like crazy -- so next week it is, whether needed or not!

    All that you've posted are very very similar to my basic cut, though shorter, and yes I have done just that short. And after next week, may just be that short. 

    As for you, you gave me a pause when you described your face as narrow. I can see now that shorter hair offsets that. Of the photos you've posted I vote for #1 for you. And #3 as second choice. The other two? Those models do not have narrow faces. The other two are more like my face shape, which is very round, with square jaw (#2).

    I want to see you in #1!!!!

    I really love the color of your hair. 

  • Joy replied 9 years ago

    Go for it. I like #3 but have a bad imagination as to how a style will actually look.
    You are right that grey hair changes, gets softer and more manageable. Creme rinse might help for now, Kelly.

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