need a new look

Hi Nancy,My name is Debbie and I've been growing my hair since I was 6 years old, and now I'm 39. I've pretty much always had long hair. If I cut it I wouldn't know how to style it. What do you do with mousse? (Besides eat it of course, the chocolate kind). What are the best rollers for short hair?Will you have to use a curling iron now?There are sooo many things you have to do to short hair. I know you might be feeling like we're ganging up on you, especially since you're at this particular site, but that's not my purpose or anyone else's I'm sure.Please, stop and take a long look at yourself and your hair; look at your hair routine now and what it might be. Long hair is beautiful, and not many women have it. We stand out - there's no doubt about it. Just remember, Lauren Hutton has her gap tooth, we all have our long hair. You will be remembered for your hair first and your other great qualities second, after people get to know you.Trying to help,Debbie

> i have had long hair for many years.> I`m starting college now & want a new short hair> style but my mom won`t let me.> I`m sick of my long hair.How do I convince my mom> & what style shall I go for?It seems as though you have a few issues here. First, if you're starting college, you are old enough to determine your own hairstyle. I would recommend you have a calm, serious conversation with your mother - she needs to really listen to your concerns, and you need to really listen to hers. In the end, it's your hair, and should be your decision, but your relationship with your mother is also important, even if she is being unfair right now. You may also find, if you talk to her, that she doesn't mean to be unfair.If you've had long hair for a long time, you may miss it more than you realise now. (This may actually be one of your mother's concerns.) Consider carefully whether you want to go short - my mother (a very sensible person) recommended to me that before I ever decide to cut mine short, I think about it for 3 weeks to be totally sure. If you're really sure you want short hair, it should be your decision.Starting college doesn't have to mean cutting your hair, by the way. It's a fairly common misconception that a lot of people have. Actually, college was when I started growing mine in a serious way. Don't feel pressured into cutting it just because a lot of people do. On the other hand, as I said, if that's really what you want to do, you should.As to what style to try, I'd suggest looking at photos of people with similar faces to yours and hair with similar texture to yours, and choosing something based on that. Make sure you take the photos with you if you go for a cut - there is some truth to the old saying that they're worth a thousand words.Good luck, whatever you decide to do.Laura Janelswanson@sunflower.bio.indiana.edu