Apr. 22, 2006 - Should I get my hair chopped?
Should I get my hair cut?
It's very curly but fine. It's always had a lot of split ends. It tangles really really easy. I spend 5-10 minutes carefully detangling it each morning in the shower, heavily coated in conditioner. It is nearly impossible to comb or detangle when dry. Plus when I do it looks all frizzy and bad, and I have to get it really wet before it curls nicely again.
So now I've got a right hand that I can't use or get wet, and a left hand that's not real helpful.
On the other hand, ha ha!, I have been trying to grow it out and see if I could ever have LONG curly hair. I believe God desires women to have "long" hair, but how long is not real clear ... I probably wouldn't go shorter than a chin-length bob if I did cut it ... but that would undermine my trying to grow it out. Although a few trims to try to cut split ends and even up the scraggly tapered ends has meant it's only about an inch longer than this time last year ... I've waffled on whether my goal is length or health, and in so doing haven't really gained either. So ... that's frustrating.
If I got it cut I could "start fresh" with no split ends and most of the henna gone. It would be easier to deal with while my hand is incapacitated. Oh, and my husband won't say what he prefers but he's the one that suggested a cut and seemed enthusiastic ... but won't go so far as to say he wants it long or short ...
I'm just not sure I want to set my long-hair dream back 2 years. But maybe starting with nice ends, a nice "hemline" would be better. On the other hand there's no guarantee that if I start growing it with a nice hemline that it won't be thin and scraggly at the end of 2 years of growth, like it was this time. Hair, on the average, grows 6" a year, and mine seems to grow a little slower than that. So a 1/2" trim every other month would maybe keep the ends nicer but would rob me of most of my growth ... so trying to grow it while trimming would be really REALLY slow. But then again, is it really any good to have curls that are scraggly and split and frizzy, like I have now, and to deal with the problems of length while the curls disguise the appearance of length?
Here's a picture of it, wet, from February (with "Henry," Shurleen!), and dry & fuzzy. I trimmed 2" after this, but it made really no difference in how scraggly and tapered off the ends are. It's not that it's cut severely layered, it's just that between slow frowth and post-partum shedding, this is how it always ends up looking. Although I'll admit this is the first time I've purposely tried to grow it long ...
And here's one so you can see the auburn henna ends I'm growing out, and the gray that's natural:
I just can't decide.
Comments
Apr. 22, 2006 - Untitled Comment
Posted by OreoSouza
My opinion is that you are going to look great as long as you are holding Henry! Doesn't matter what hairstyle you have, Henry looks really good on your shoulder. What a handsome man!
I always think that one of your kids is my favorite for a specific reason, then you talk about a different one, and I think, "Oh no. That one is my favorite."
Oh, I like that Henry.
If it were me, I'd cut it off and start all over and let the gray show for a while and see how I can carry it off. Of course, I'm seeing your hair wet, and if I saw it dry and full and long, I'd probably change my mind.
What does Mr. A say?
Apr. 22, 2006 - Health over Length
Posted by Anonymous
I'm with OreoSouza...cut it and start over. Long hair is nice, but not at the expense of not looking healthy. And by the way, I think as long as you look and feel your best, that's what's important. It does not dishonor God to want to look and feel attractive and your best. (Everything that God ever created was the best.) My daughter B. also recommends "cutting and coloring." Not with a crayon, I think! :-)
Ultimately, it's your decision and we will love you regardless! ~Betsy
Apr. 22, 2006 - while i'm no beautician...
Posted by chickadee
i do love curly hair. i guess it's because mine is so darn straight. i have several friends with naturally curly hair and what i think looks best is a layered cut, any length and then they put this leave in conditioner or something that holds the curls so nicely and they put that in right after the hair is washed and let it air dry. it sounds so easy and looks so good i am always wishing mine was so easy.
Apr. 22, 2006 - Untitled Comment
Posted by chickadee
that is cutest happiest baby on your shoulder. if you carry him around all the time no one will even notice your hair.
Apr. 22, 2006 - Untitled Comment
Posted by rerlpr
Until a month or so ago, mine looked just like your wet pic--I had a *rat tail* of hair in the middle of the back lots longer than the rest and my ends were split badly. Like you, I want to grow it out really long, but I finally bit the bullet and had about 2" trimmed off to level it and get rid of the split ends. My hair is lots shorter now, in my mind, but it looks better, more healthy.
And that Henry is such a cutie!
Leslie
Apr. 22, 2006 - Untitled Comment
Posted by rerlpr
Oh yeah...one more thing. How come you never dream about meeting me???? eh???
Leslie
Apr. 22, 2006 - Untitled Comment
Posted by chrischips7
If it were me I'd get it cut...
Apr. 23, 2006 - Untitled Comment
Posted by mycrazylife
Ugh! Hair.. Can't live with or without it. Well you could, but it would feel a bit awkward and chilly, I would imagine. I wish I had some words of advice but, I go through the same dilemma all too frequently.
On the other hand, no pun intended. I hope your hand is feeling better. I type really badly with my left, but it seems you are doing quite well. Hope you are feeling better soon.
Apr. 24, 2006 - Untitled Comment
Posted by OreoSouza
Hey you! Your name is on the TOS t-shirt! I'm not kidding! There it is, clear as day...MuckFootMom. Too cool. I don't know how they choose these things, but I think it's so cool that your name is there. I'm buying one!
Apr. 24, 2006 - Untitled Comment
Posted by Leigh2
My vote is to cut it. I don't know why, exactly...but since growing mine out long never works, I just assume that it won't for anyone else, either. No, there is no logic to that at all. Logic is not so much for me, today.
Oh...and we really do still have chocolate. You just do not understand the enormity of my in-laws Easter Eggstravaganza. We might still have chocolate in July, when my sister-in-law will feel sorry for us and our dwindling supply and buy us massive amounts of Independence Day chocolate. People with way too much money, no children, and a strange indifference to other people's struggle with gluttony are dangerous to have around.
Apr. 24, 2006 - echoing
the thoughts of others already. Cut it if it makes you happy!
Edited by bakinmama on Apr. 25, 2006 at 6:06 AM
Apr. 24, 2006 - To cut or not to cut, that is the question
Posted by Robin
Dear Kim,
Ummmm, treading lightly here, but I personally think that what one person's opinion of taking care of thier hair, might not be anothers opinion. Some might not say I take care of mine because I do nothing but wash it and let it air dry twice a week. I also do not trim it but once a year. *shock* To me, that IS taking care of my hair. I've gone back and forth on the whole hair thing, too. Everyone seems to say the Bible means something different. Some believe uncut is right, some believe that as long as it's past your shoulders it's right and some shave thier head bald or color it green and have it super short and think that is right. Very confusing in one way, yet in another way it is not. :)
What did you decide?
Love, Robin
Apr. 25, 2006 - Untitled Comment
Posted by OreoSouza
Direct me to your sister's blog. I didn't keep the link. I'd like to read what she has to say about blogging and writing.
Jun. 25, 2006 - Untitled Comment
Posted by Anonymous
your hair would look better short. aqnd not a chin length bob i'm talkin shorter than that.your husband was probably hinting to you when he suggested a hair cut. so go on and try something new get it cut. besides with what you through in the morning is just not worth it.
