Monday, May 02, 2011

SHOULD I?...


Is the question that's been rattling round my hair for a while. I've spent eight years growing my hair, treating it like a piece of bloody antique lace, gently washing it with Kerastase, getting it trimmed regularly, putting avocado oil in the ends that still get split...god! Then about six weeks ago, in the throes of yet more economising, I went to some dodgy hairdresser and got the worst trim that ever was - rounded on one side, a jump up of an inch in the middle, then cut straight across on the other side. Genius. So then I had to go to the usual super expensive hairdresser, grovelling apologies for my infidelity, and get a couple of inches hacked off to rectify the damage; then suffer the indignity of blow drying my own hair in the salon because it's much cheaper. (Did you know you can do that? I wasn't the only one doing it either.) 

The upshot of this is that I feel pretty gung-ho about my hair now.
And somehow my long hair doesn't work with the clothes that are around at the moment. Every time I see a good blunt bob I think ohhh, lovely...as my straggly tails wrap round my neck and get caught under my bag strap. I saw a picture on a blog of a girl with hair cut to chin length, wearing a hat I think, with a bag, walking along - I can't find it now but I'm sure everyone knows the exact one I mean?! Then yesterday I was pondering - shall I do it - and just at that moment I clicked over here.

So should I? I won't blame you like Bernice if it all ends in tears, I promise. 

{Photos of Clé © Le Vestiaire de Clé}

17 comments:

anna said...

having my hair cut short was the best decision I ever made.

de inktvis said...

I had long curly hair until the summer before going to university - despite everybody telling me not to, I went to the hairdresser and asked her to cut it short. I've had very short to bob-length hair over the past three years and have been happy with the changes and different looks it gave me + impact it had on my clothingstyle.

I haven't touched my hair since Spetember and am impatiently waiting for it to grow very long again. Now it is shoulderlength and I can make a cute little ponytail, but can't wait for long braids!

Anyway, I'm pro cutting, it can be very refreshing! If it turns out bad, just keep in mind that it will grow again. It always does!

danica said...

this is the dilemma to end all dilemma, in my opinion. i too have been growing my hair after sporting a bob for many years and have recently begun yearning for the days of shorter hair. although when i grow my hair and then decide on getting the chop i often end up regretting it - but that's just me.

that being said, the change may be a good one. plus, as grijze dagen points out, it will grow back. keep us posted with what you decide!

Unknown said...

I have a similar problem.. to cut or not to cut! Sometimes I feel as if my long hair looks like cousin IT... and other times I cherish it... I really can't tell! Looking forward to hearing about your choice! xxxxx

Unknown said...

oh..i am constantly growing my hair...was leaning towards a blunt and now i feel that i shall cut it again into a pixie...mais enough about me...
like natalie portman said: getting rid of dead protein is good (ie cutting hair)...so...maybe you could have a long blunt to your shoulders??? but your hair is pretty claire!!! as is...there did i add to the confusion?? ;))

anabela / fieldguided said...

I think chin-length hair is very cute and I think you should do it! One of the reasons why I'm growing out my fringe is because change can be so good, even if I was happy with my fringe, really. But I do understand the hesitation -- years ago I tried for a cute Amelie style haircut and it looked awful and took years to grow out. I'm finally happy with the length of my hair, and Amelie came out a long, long time ago...

Toni Marie said...

Oh my, I go through this on a daily basis. I have had long hair, then cut short, then grown back long, then cut short, then grown back long... you get the picture. Whenever I cut my hair I absolutely love it short for a few months, then I long for my long hair (no pun intended) and grow it back out. Then, like you, see a picture of a girl who looks free of the effort of long hair and the urge starts up all over again. I say go for it! You can always just grow it back out again... and if you're like me you probably will anyway :)

Camille said...

I had been growing my hair for a few years (after a series of unfortunate teenage hairstyles, including home-cut Amélie bangs), and long hair and bangs had become my trademark. But then I moved on my own in a really cold flat, and I got really bothered by how long my hair took to dry and how unmanageable it had gotten so I decided to grab the scissors and cut. I really haven't regretted it.
I usually get it cut or cut it above my collarbone, let it grow, and cut it when it bothers me again. All this to say go for it, although I would suggest cutting somewhere in between the first time just to get used to it.
Change can be good, and like a hairdresser once told me after one of my unfortunate hair cuts (which I liked at the time, but she didn't haha): the only guarantee with hair is that it grows back! Good luck :)

Camille said...

Would this be the photo in question: http://www.centrepompidou.fr/Pompidou/Manifs.nsf/AllExpositions/7B3BEA091F2853A6C1256E7F00436F15?OpenDocument&sessionM=2.10&L=1 ?

Claire said...

It's funny how hair unites us all! I'm going to give it another week - a stay of execution - but every time I find myself with a pair of scissors in hand I have to stop myself from snipping!

Camille - that's not the photo - but that one's better!

Camille said...

I really enjoyed Bernice Bobs Her Hair (it always makes me half-wish that someone would somehow force me to cut my hair shorter). So... you won't come and cut our hair if we say go for it?

Unknown said...

Interesting. I have long hair right now that I'm trying badly to grow out with patience. I like my hair long, but it's so fine that I feel like it won't ever look just right at the length I want it. So I can't blame you if you go and chop it all off. I just hope you make the decision that makes you happiest!

Badaude said...

I just took some length off my shaggy shoulder length 'do and got a lovely bowl cut at Gielly Green (whose prices are completely reasonable if you have one of the less high falutin' stylists). Mine was cut by this great guy: I can't remember his name but he looked a lot like a younger John Galliano and he was such a perfectionist he took 3/4 of an hour evening up the ends so I was late for about 3 meetings. Mind you it hasn't been a difficult decision for me for a while: it's either short hair or shoulder length - I don't look good with anything longer. I quote Alexa Chung in this month's UK Vogue: apparently having long hair makes her 'look like Terry Nutkin'. I also read Erin O'Connor somewhere saying she 'looked like a witch' with long hair - so there are two votes for short.

Ginta said...

Hubert de Givenchy said "Hair style is the final tip-off whether or not a woman really knows herself." I couldn't agree more! I was so dissatisfied with my appearance but the moment I got the cut everything fell into place. Hair cut was the final, missing piece of the puzzle.

Ellen Burney said...

thoroughly enjoyed the comments! .... have you done it yet? x

Claire said...

Ellen - I haven't been to the hairdresser yet and she will give her forthright opinion I know - it will either be the chop or not. I might stop using shampoo, get it to cavewoman length, then chop it. That seems like a viable option?!

Ellen Burney said...

I hacked mine off myself the night before my appointment to soften the blow. Worked a treat. x