Hairstyle help for the hopeless!

Snuggles

I would really appreciate some advice. I really hate my hairstyle, but I also hate going to the hairdressers. I find it extremely difficult to explain what I want them to do - I have an idea in my head of what I want, but I don't know how to express it in hair-cutting terms, if that makes any sense!

Basically, I have annoying hair which is neither straight or curly, it's quite fine in texture, prone to frizz and fly-away, and is sort of wavy and full of kinks. It's naturally blonde, but not a nice glossy blonde, it's that sort of blonde that has a "dry" look, if you know what I mean. It's not actually dry, in fact I have to wash it every day otherwise it gets very greasy.

Currently it's cut into a bob, a bit shorter than shoulder length, one of those that's a bit longer at the front/sides than at the back (a graduated bob?). Now, very occasionally it looks lovely, if I straighten it and manage to get it right. I just don't have time to do this most days though (because I also have to wash and dry it every day), and it generally looks awful. I attempt to blow dry it straight, but it doesn't really go straight, the sides look like spaniels ears flopping about and the back kicks out at the bottom like a ski slope - it's a horrible mess!

What I want is to not have a hairstyle that needs to be straight, as my hair just doesn't want to do that. I also think that my face shape seems to suit something where there is more volume at the top, rather than my hair just hanging down. I don't want very short hair though. Last time I tried to explain this to the hairdresser, I ended up with something that looked like two hairstyles at once - a bit mullet-ish! It was shorter at the top but then the hair underneath was all one long length, it was bizarre, and not what I wanted at all.

So how the hell do I explain what I want?! I want to keep the current length, but I want a style I can wash, put a bit of mousse or something on, preferably let it dry naturally whilst jujjing it up a bit with my fingers to get volume, letting it just form into it's natural waves, but that won't end up looking like a mullet. Can anyone help translate this into hairdresser-speak?! I always feel such a chump sitting there trying to explain, they just look at me incomprehendingly with their perfect hair, making me feel like an idiot. I've tried looking in magazines, but they tend to just have very styled styles, which isn't what I want.

Help!!

busiscoming2

You seem to have almost described my hair except mine is not naturally blonde! It has evolved to that colour to cover the grey!!
I too dislike going to the hairdressers and am lucky enought o have a friend who is a hairdresser and does it for me at home.

At the moment and for the last few years it is in a sort of nondescript style, I shall try to explain:
It is shoulder length at the back and has long layers. I have it parted on one side and have a fringe. I wash it every day otherwise by mid afternoon it starts to feel greasy. I hate products like mousse, gel etc. I just blow dry the roots at the top of my head and fringe, which gives it some height. Sometimes I use the diffuser to dry the sides and back leaving it a bit curlier or I just keep flicking the sides back with my fingers whilst it is drying.

Not a brilliant style but its easy to manage. I have tried other styles over the years but they just don't seem to work for me. I shall watch this thread with interest to see what is suggested.

Good luck.

alyssa_liss

you just need to ask for long layers

Snuggles

alyssa_liss wrote: »

you just need to ask for long layers

Thank you, that sounds simple enough! What does long layers actually mean though? Would my hair be mainly one length with some slightly shorter lengths? I'm not sure that's what I want... You can see why I have such a problem with this!!

ERICS_MUM

Could you find a picture of the kind of style you want, and show it to your hairdresser? Or does your salon have hairstyle books that you could look through for some ideas ?

I know how you feel. I struggled for years with my hair which is thick but very soft and it can get like candyfloss! Then I changed hairdresser and by chance I found one that knows just how to cut my hair in a way that makes the most of my waves, and is easy enough for me to manage. It's amazing how much more confident I feel when I know my hair looks good.

Perhaps you could ask friends or neighbours to recommend their hairdresser ? Good luck, and don't forget to post pics when you've had it done.

Linda:T

Bronnie

You sound like you're on the right track wanting a style that will work with your hair rather than against it.

Have you experimented with your current cut first? Have you tried scrunch drying it to get a natural soft effect and maybe just smoothing fringe gently with straighteners for example?

Can you get some product recommendations on here from people with similar hair, to hold and finish your hair?

Can you find some pics of how you'd like your hair to look?

Snuggles

ERICS_MUM wrote: »

Could you find a picture of the kind of style you want, and show it to your hairdresser? Or does your salon have hairstyle books that you could look through for some ideas ?

I know how you feel. I struggled for years with my hair which is thick but very soft and it can get like candyfloss! Then I changed hairdresser and by chance I found one that knows just how to cut my hair in a way that makes the most of my waves, and is easy enough for me to manage. It's amazing how much more confident I feel when I know my hair looks good.

Perhaps you could ask friends or neighbours to recommend their hairdresser ? Good luck, and don't forget to post pics when you've had it done.

Linda:T

Thanks Linda,

I have tried looking for pics but never seem to find anything. I think the problem is I can't visualise someone else's hairstyle on me, so I never think it's what I'm looking for!

I'm not sure I want to change hairdresser, I really do hate going, so would rather go somewhere familiar. I really don't think it's my hairdresser's fault, I just don't seem to be able to communicate what I want.

Blackpool_Saver

do you ever put it up? seriously on days you can't get it right....

Snuggles

Bronnie wrote: »

You sound like you're on the right track wanting a style that will work with your hair rather than against it.

Have you experimented with your current cut first? Have you tried scrunch drying it to get a natural soft effect and maybe just smoothing fringe gently with straighteners for example?

Can you get some product recommendations on here from people with similar hair, to hold and finish your hair?

Can you find some pics of how you'd like your hair to look?

Hi Bronnie,

I have tried, but it doesn't work because it's all one length. I just end up with very triangular hair, really wide at the bottom and flat at the top - not a good look! I don't have a fringe, that's another thing I never know whether to have or not when the hairdresser asks me!!

Snuggles

Blackpool_Saver wrote: »

do you ever put it up? seriously on days you can't get it right....

It's not quite long enough for me to be able to put it up, and I don't really like it up. I have quite a round face, and I just look very severe with it up. I think the real problem is that I am rubbish at this kind of thing, not only can I not style my hair nicely, I can't wear make up either as no matter how hard I try I just can't apply it.

Maybe I'll just a get hat!

alyssa_liss

long layers basically means you keep your hair lenght but you have shorter bits on the top but they will be more ear length than mullety .. did thatv make sense , then you could scrunch blow or straightner the hair,

it also takes the weight out of your hair but the shorter the layers you just bring the bulk up your head . think mushroom head lol

did you understand any of that