A Girl...

long, with swoopy bangs!

There is only one person to ask and the Internet ain't him. I'm going to go on record as saying that regardless of what Simon says to you, he really wants you to keep your long hair.*

No, really.

--Jason

*I mean, unless what i'm sayin causes trouble, because if it does, he really wants you to cut it just how you want it--you're always beautiful to him...

Not to get all psycho feminist, but Simon isn't the boss of my hair any more than I'm the boss of his. Believe me, he has made his preferences known, and I have listened and resolved to do whatever I want to anyway.

ahhh hair. the dilema is this. do whatever you want or do whatever you want. my advice, do whatever the hairdresser wants because it always grows back.

As much as I want to say magenta mohawk (because how fun! would that be), I have to admit that I would never even contemplate such a dramatic color change and subsequently could not encourage someone else to do it. I think the long hair is stunning, but I understand the need to chop and think you should go just above shoulder-length with some pretty, wispy bangs that are long enough to be pushed off to the side.

We are floating in the same boat, Leah: The Boat of Boring Blondies. My hair has a more definite frizz-factor than yours and a bit of funky wave looming under the surface, though. Unfortunately I have experienced the terror of many a bad 'do and have photos that document the mushroom cut, the canteloupe look, and the teased bangs. Ugh.
After looking at the pics you provided, I think I would vote for a cut that skims your shoulders and add a few side-swept bangs for good measure. Whatever you choose, you'll be lovely.

I love it when you tell me what I want to hear. ;)

I too think shoulder length and bangs would be cute. My hair has actually changed a few times over the course of grad school but it just happened to be back in its default mode when I bumped into a friend I hadn't seen since late high school/early college who told me I looked exactly the same. Grr.

Elvis 'do with sideburns. *nods sagely*

Who cares if it's always the same when it's SO beautiful? I have the world's most versatile hair and it is nothing but a pain in the arse.

That said, I'm going to cosign what everyone else seems to be saying: shoulder length, sideswept bangs.

Ooh, there's a part of me that wants to tell you to cut it short because then I could too! I have different hair issues, but mostly it's a boredom issue. But my daughter loves my hair so much, I fear what she would do without the little ponytail to laugh at. But anyway, I think you're so purdy, whatever you decide to do will look nice. :)

Here are my preferences, in order:

1) shoulder length, ala summer of 2004, with thick, chunky sweeping bangs, ala Nicole Richie (say what you will about her and her moronic eating habits, she has nice hair). Side part, obviously.

2) Stay long, but get chunky bangs and some fringe around your face. I'm talking bangs that are thick and not pushed to the side -- ones that come to your brow and then go slightly lower at the sides.

btw, your hair is gorgeous. Love the color, love the texture. Whatever you do, it'll be great. but if it's change you're itching for, my vote is thick bangs (either sweeping or to the brow) since you've not really done that before.

when you are THAT goodlookin', it just doesn't matter what your hair is like.

xo

Wood! My secret girl-crush when it comes to looking hip in the city!

When I got bangs last year, I wanted them sort of thick and dramatic, but the stylist looked at me like I was nuts. I have a lot of hair, but it's super thin, so there's really no getting away from the wispy without undergoing some sort of transplant. Also, I tend to feel uncomfortable when I look too pulled together--hair, makeup, outfit, shoes, purse all jiving (I feel like a prissy poseur that everyone should cast aspersions on) so I hate to go too extreme with the drama. Nicole Richie, here I come. Sigh.

Oh, jenB, shut up, you sweet lady!

I agree with JenB.

That said, I think it looks best in the "wine in 2004" picture, personally. Though I do like the shoulder-length with sideswept bangs too.

I have the same problem you do, though for me the shortest I've ever gone is just above shoulder length (and yes, the 11 inches went to bald kids). It's been a year and a half since then and I've yet to cut it. It's now about boob length. And my forehead is too small for bangs.

Sweepy bangs! Sweepy bangs! SWEEPY BANGS!

I don't think your hair is as thin and "hang-y" as you claim -- the wave in the birthday picture proves it. You just need some product, and I'm no product expert, but what about wax or something to give it texture? Maybe you need a new stylist.

but that's all a lot of work, and contrary to how I've come across here, I never style my hair and pretty much just wash n' wear it (and the washing is pretty infrequent). So, if simple is what you want, I choose the wine drinkin' 2004 style. Looks great.

Short is good, layers are better. A bit like how I cut mine maybe?...I think it would really suit you cos I have A LOT of hair too and its working out for me! Just go with the blunt and chunky and it will be a winner!

We male Internets like the long hair, but you should be doing something to your hair that is right for you. You are the one (usually) who has to wash it. You are the one who has to keep it in some kind of order on your head.

Advice:
• Keep your beautiful color!
• Maybe go shorter in stages. Nothing grows out slower than a haircut made too close to the ol' noggin.
• Keep it long enough to do different things with.
• Don't fret so much. You also look pretty good in hats.

For an exciting-but-not-too-scary change, you could try Colour Flirt or one of those other temporary mousse dyes. I like them while they last and always have a new appreciation for my regular boring hair once they wash out.

P.s. I found your blog from Amanda's.

Another vote for shoulder length and sweepy bangs here. The bangs are great for oh-so-innocently pushing out of one's eyes when going through the look at me/no don't/no please do dammit rituals you outlined so well in the next entry...

Whatever you do it'll be great. I'm very jealous of the sameness of your hairs, since the sameness seems to also be good hair. As a girl that has naturally very curly hair that's gone through many phases of afro-tasticness (as well as many shades of red, orange, brown, and now blonde...)... it would be kinda nice to wake up and know that even if my hair looked the same it still looks good (as opposed to now where it can look like a poodle died on my head).

I wish my hair was this naturally blonde, long and beautiful! Keep it long and cut some bangs!

Holy crappers your hair is more gorgeous than I remembered it.

With that said, BANGS BANGS BANGS!

It's just the picture, I tell you! The blurry picture!