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Dear Ones,
It is Friday night and I had not planned to blog tonight but I need to vent. I had my hairs cut today…all of them. I have come home and washed it and now I am Googling ‘how to deal with a bad haircut’. If that tells you anything. So I am going to pour myself a glass of wine and pour my heart out here. And then maybe I will feel better and look better in the morning.
In mid-June, I cut my hair. I went from this…
to this…
with a few snips of the stylist’s scissors. I wanted it short for summer. And messy because I am no good with hair. And I don’t have a whole lot of hair to be good with anyway.
I look a little like a chihuahua. But not in a good way.
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See the resemblance? Would be exact if I had brown eyes.
I washed my hair and ‘styled’ it in the very loosest sense of the word. And here I am the next day.
Ever so much better. Not. But I kind of liked the change. For some reason.
Over the next few weeks, it began to grow as hair does. Even mine.
Evidently I lost an earring in the picture on the right. Or it just got lost in all that hair. I am such a fashionista.
In early August, I decided it was time for a trim. This time the difference wasn’t quite as drastic.
Or maybe I was just getting used to it.
Not bad.
And then today, I got a wild hair. In more ways than one. I decided it was time for a haircut.
I took this picture from early August into the salon and asked that my hair be trimmed and shaped up to look like this again.
I told her that I like to be able to wear it tucked behind my ears with that little flip on either side. And I like the bangs here. Maybe a tad short but I like them angled like that.
I should have known I was in trouble when the stylist said she was going to use a razor to clean up the back. A number 8 blade. I have never had the back cleaned up with a number 8 or any other number razor blade ever. But I thought, hey, this might be what’s been missing all these years!
Then hair started falling all around me. And to use one of my mother’s favorite expressions…she was going at (my hair) like she was killing snakes. Chop, chop, chop. Three inch pieces cascading to the ground. Then snip, snip, snip little wisps of hair floating behind the larger pieces.
When she showed me my cut, the hair was wet and unstyled. She twirled the chair around and handed me the mirror to check out the back. I couldn’t really tell much other than it was quite a bit shorter.
I came home and didn’t want to get out of the car to show PC. In the pics above, I am trying to tell Brennyn about my haircut in the photo on the left. My PC took the photo on the right. See how … what’s the word … jacked up the back is, too? I have no hair left.
I ask you, does this look like the picture I showed her? In anyway?
I have since washed it and it doesn’t look any better. If anything, it looks like it shrunk some more in the shower.
Ugh.
I guess there is a teeny tiny little flip behind my right ear. Get out your magnifying glass. And what are those tits of hair hanging down in the back? And why do I look as broad as a linebacker? Ok, can’t blame that on the haircut, I guess.
So, what do I do with this mess until it grows out some. For starters, pray that it does grow out. FAST. But here are some other suggestions I found through my panicked Google search.
- Everything I read says bobby pins are my new best friend. But with no hair, I am not sure what I am supposed to do with said bobby pins. Cosmo recommends “Twist a few sections away from your face and secure it with a pin to create a quasi-updo”. Is a quasi-updo anything like quasimodo?
- According to All Womens Talk, volumizing will help my short bangs. “Style them using a hairdryer and a round brush in case you want to wear them down but have no desire to look like Ugly Betty or tease and hairspray them well and through and put up in a pompadour! Even the shortest of bangs can be pinned up or fluffed to look good if volumized properly so give it a go and do share your results!” Pompadour, not feeling that. And there’s that mention of pins again.
- An article on Bustle suggests wearing hats more. Or at least wide head bands. “Big headbands look great on everyone and can cover up those annoying short layers that simply won’t reach all the way to your bun.” What bun? No bun is going to be happening here in the next six months.
- The bottom line comes from the folks at Her Campus. “Nature has to do its thing. Hair grows from between a fourth to a half an inch a month, but it depends on the person.” Stylist Benjamin Manistta at Dino Palmieri Salon in Cleveland, Ohio offers “Try to forget about it—chances are you don’t actually look like Peter Pan with the pixie cut! You may learn to live with your new style, or you may forever hate it, but in any case, you’ll see length in about a month to six weeks.” I’m thinking Peter Pan is a pretty darn good description of what I have going on.
I can try bobby pins, hats and headbands over the next few weeks and stay in a lot. And then maybe my hair will grow out to look the way I wanted it to look after my cut.
Alison Luterman has written a humorous article entitled “10 Ways of Looking at a Bad Haircut” for Salon.com. I was able to forget my misery for a few moments as I read it. But now I am sad and depressed again. Think I will go hide under the covers for a few weeks.
See you in October.
Hugs and kisses,
mayra
Your beautiful inside and out….overall it is shorter but doesn’t look bad
Leslie Roberts Clingan
Hey you! Thank you for stopping by. I am still avoid mirrors this morning. P was pretty mortified. Lauren came for a visit last night and was sweet but I think Bren must have called to warn her. Ugh.
How are you? Would love to catch up. I have ridden my bike by my old house and yours a few times this summer and remembered some of our good times together. I am off on Thursdays and Fridays. Could I meet your for lunch? XO
Andrea@WellnessNotes
A less-than-ideal haircut can’t detract from your beauty! But I can totally see why you would be shocked because you didn’t expect this cut…
Your hair definitely doesn’t look like the cut in the photo you brought! It’s so frustrating when you bring a photo and what you get is totally different than the photo… I think the back is quite pretty (even though it’s different from what you had wanted), and I don’t think the front is bad either. Maybe trying to add some more volume and playing with it by styling it to one side or the other may help you like it more?
Leslie Roberts Clingan
You are SO SWEET! What a beautiful thing to say. I can’t say the haircut is exactly “growing” on me but at least I was able to leave the house without wanting to run and hide. I kind of like the back, too. Tried your good advice of adding volume and trying to spike it up a little in the front and it is ok. I woke up this morning and decided that I am just blessed to be well and to have hair. It is certainly not worth worrying over and will grow out. Thank you so, so much for your thoughtful message.
Mary
Leslie-you hair doesn’t look THAT bad. I’ll grow. Time for a new hair salon, tho!
Leslie Roberts Clingan
Thank you, sweet Mary. I am ok until I look in a mirror. Oh. My. It will grow back, though. And the sooner, the better.
Andrea Nine
Oh sweetie, I know it’s driving you nuts and there’s nothing worse than having our crowning glory not look the way we want it to. Believe me, I’ve been there I was just talking to another blogger about how the loan time I had my hair colored at a salon, she colored it gray! I had to go a week without like that and it was six years ago and I swear my hair has never quite been the same. So at least it’s a cut and not a botched color and I’m sure you’ll be smiling even more with that pretty smile of yours when it grows out in a few weeks. In the meantime just play around with some cute hair accessories I like the bobby pins that have a pretty little accent on the end.
Leslie Roberts Clingan
You are so understanding! Thank you for your empathy. I guess we have all had that bad cut or color but it does just knock you for a loop when it happens to you. I look in the mirror and feel so distressed. I want to hide. And I never considered myself THAT vain. But glory, this cut is really distressing me. I just need to be grateful that I am healthy and have hair and get a grip! Thank you for sharing your story with me. You always look picture perfect. It’s hard to imagine you ever having a bad hair day. XO
Carrie @ Curly Crafty Mom
Oh goodness, it does NOT look like the photo at all! I would NOT be using that stylist again! I think it is A LOT shorter and VERY, very layered… but it doesn’t look bad. I’m not sure about the whips of hair in the back on your neck? I would maybe go and get those trimmed so its flush with the rest of your hair. I can see why you are upset, you weren’t expecting this cut! At least it WILL grow out and hopefully since its shorter it’ll be a snap to get ready in the morning! Sorry! I don’t think I helped. I’ve been there though… Thankfully the stylist I have now really knows me, I think I’ve been going to her for about 5 years. It is SO hard to find a good stylist.
Carrie
curlycraftymom.com
Leslie Roberts Clingan
Oh, Carrie, thank you for your support. I need to grow up and get over it but I really hate looking in the mirror and getting ready for to go out. It was very hard to go to work on Monday. But goodness knows, there are so many who struggle with real problems. This is such a silly, minor thing. It is easy to get ready for work. What little hair I have left looks better if I don’t try to comb or brush it…so it doesn’t get much easier than that.
Michael Ann
Oh, Leslie! Can you tell a story or WHAT?!? You had me chuckling out loud. WITH you, mind, not AT you! Deary me! You certainly didn’t get what you asked for, but I like the length of it! If you wanted to “adjust” it a little bit you ask someone (someone DIFFERENT) to trim off the wispy bits in the back. That might make you feel better. (I like a clean line in the back too.) Wear it with confidence, pretty lady! Sending big hugs! (I just had to change hairdressers, and we’ve worked through our first cut and, more recently, our first highlighting appointments. Breathing a little easier since they both went well!)
Leslie Roberts Clingan
Yay, YOU, for finding a new stylist who is working out well. I think I will take your good advice and get those wisps snipped. But almost afraid to get this head near another pair of scissors! Your message was so sweet and so supportive. Thank you for taking a moment to make me feel better and brighten my day. XO
Sheila DelCharco
Oh you poor thing! Vent away! We all understand and have been there! I just got back from the hairdresser myself. The last cut he gave me my husband didn’t like. Said it was too “old lady.” I like the cut he gave me this time although I said I wanted it a bit longer but he did cut the back. So many of my friends go to him that I had high expectations. My last hair dresser passed away. He was a bit of a crusty guy but he sure did my hair well! I miss him and his skillful hands! It’s so hard to find someone new! I agree with Carrie: trim off the wispy things in the back. I think that will go a long way in making it look like a short and sassy do. Wear it with confidence! In about 6 weeks you’ll be feeling better but I do suggest going to a new person! Love you and those gorgeous eyes of yours! (the short hair highlights them!)
Leslie Roberts Clingan
What a dear message. I will carry it in my heart to lift me up when I look in the mirror! Everyone has been so kind. And I know I am being vain and silly but it was just such a shock. I am sorry you have lost your dear former hairdresser. It can be like losing a long time friend. Glad you felt satisfied/pleased with the work of your new hairdresser. I am off tomorrow so I think I will go to have the wispy long ends in the back snipped and then will just hope it grows quickly. Thank you for the kind words about my eyes. I guess there is some good with the bad. And I am so fortunate to be healthy and happy and blessed in so very many ways. How silly to let something like a haircut get me down! Love you, friend. Thank you again, Sheila.
christy
Oh no! I can see your need to vent. Nothing is more frustrating then given them a picture and they do nothing like the picture. She cut your hair off, plain and simple. IMO you should have gotten a free cut. With that being said, I actually like the short hair on you. Think of the positives… less time to blowdry, easier to style, it will show off the back of your shirts, you can continue to grow it out while trying out different lengths….. Hang in there, like you said. Hair always grows.
Leslie Roberts Clingan
I never spent long on my hair before and now I hardly comb it! Ha! Love your list of positives. Hadn’t thought of the back of the shirts thing but it’s true. I looked at the back of my workout top and sports bra and liked seeing all of the criss-crossed straps going on back there that my hair would have normally covered up. You are so smart! Thank you.
Sarah @ Foxy's Domestic Side
OH goodness! My poor lady, I have been there done that, but with longer hair. I feel your pain, but you still look great and you’re still wearing that fantastic smile of yours!
Leslie Roberts Clingan
What a sweet thing to say. I am getting adjusted to my hair and it is just hair, after all. I am so thankful that it was just a
bad haircut and not some illness or chemo or something dreadful that took my hair away. Thank you, Sarah.