Long or short - which is "me"?

You know what's so funny?
My strawberry blonded/red-haired best friend's name is Sara Jayne.  Not spelled the same, but still, not a particularly common name. 
Anyway, she has long, pin-straight, beautiful hair...However, she always wants it curly.  I on the other hand have short, brown, curly hair and always want it straight. 
I used to HATE my curls.  I was using the Matrix Sleek Look system of shampoos and stuff, and after months of using it, my hair actually started to straighten.  Only then did I realize I missed my curls.  I started wearing it curly again, and I actually loved it.  See, we have that versatility where we can wear it straight if we take an hour or so to straighten it, and curly if we step out of the shower and air-dry (ok, maybe with a little product).  Let your hair go curly, it'll shrink the length a few inches and that may be all the change you need.
I also recommend long layers for curly hair...it helped me out a lot.  Less thick, not as heavy and easier to straighten when I felt like bringing out the flat iron. 
Good Luck!
Christine

 Hi,

 Well, I'm sincerely glad that we are all supporting you Sarah.

 It's nice;) I wish 10 years ago I was on the net, and discovered this site, it would have spared me alot of Hair Hell, sorry for swearing,.

 So anyway, if I was blessed with your long tresses, I'd play with different updo's. Plus, it would be great to have your natural curl. In fact when my hair grows about 3 or 4 more inches (at the shoulders), I plan on getting a body wave,.. I can't wait!! I too (as Sarah You know) am also a Natural Redhead, and proud of it!!!

 I'm mostly Norwegin, then Northern Italian, then Irish, a touch of Scottish, oh and a little French too.

 I'm not a mutt, just a melting pot,;)

 Keep in touch, Love Katie;)

 Hi there Sarah(My Friend!;)

 I know You're coming off a long stretch of work on a cruise ship, so maybe your hair options are  or would make you feel better, right? If so, I agree with most, take your time, and keep posting here for support.

 I remember lots of times I regretted lopping off my own hair,....I was self concious at times. I find it ironic that at a young age(in my early twenties) I went for the "Wynonna Ryder" Look, and I got lots of compliments for it!

 However when I was starting meds(for my Bipolar disorder) My face swelled up, and I had longer hair, then wanted short hair, on and off.

 I'm now 35 yr.s, and I finally(I think, LOL) got my hair act (if you will) together!!!

 I am happy no matter what, and my soon to be hubby Steve loves me so much and I love me too,;)

 It's not easy finding yourself in such a crazy world, even if it's only hair, it's symbolic of alot of things. So Sarah,Laugh, post, and vent, Doctors orders, ok! LOL!!!;)

 You're a great Young Woman, and I don't want You to be devestated by a rash choice with your beautiful hair,... I wish I had Your natural curly hair, mines so straight, ...oh well,..

 Take care, Love ya, and God Bless You Sarah!!

 ;)  

     Ah, Sarah-Jane, now I think I get you! When life is spiraling out of control, it's tempting to do something that makes one feel that you still have *some* power over your life. Hair can seem like a splendid target! However, I submit, the limited power we humans have comes through disipline, such as what you've shown in growing back your inspiring flames over the past two years. The feeling of control that a cut would give is at best illusory, IMO. If you cut today, your ability to have model quality long hair ceases immediately. You will have *no* power to bring it all back tomorrow.

     I remember that you were tricked by phony friends into cutting your hair last time. Don't fool *yourself* this time! Any reason other than that you truly are craving short hair for yourself may be deeply regretted by you, based on reading some of your past postings. Hugs and Best Wishes, Bob

    

    

 

 

Do you chemically straighten or use straighteners?

I will have a "cooling-off" period like everyone said. What I will do is leave it 'till the end of this month, in the meantime I will stop straightening it and let it get back it's natural curl. So by the time 28th Feb comes along you won't be able to see me for my big 1980's style hair

Before you cut (or restyle) can you pst a picture of your long hair with its natural curl?

Sarah-Jane darling, sweety, luvvy......you are so much like me!!! Besides the red hair......I too go through stages of "curl repression" and am really ashamed of my hair.  I also grow my hair for a while, then cut it all off, then grow it, then cut it....you know how it goes. I am using long hair support groups this time so that I dont cut again, I have also told my husband to really talk me out of cutting when I get the urge.  The reason is.....I KNOW I will regret it.  It's happened countless times before.  It's like being really hungry and then going to McDonalds and INSTANTLY regretting it the moment you've swallowed your last moutful of cheeseburger....well, OK, it's not the same and I'm digressing..   Back to my point...I usually get to the cutting stage when I'm bored or feeling unfulfilled in some way (or one of my friends gets a WAY cute short cut and it gets me thinking).  For you, it's not a matter of either one looking better....frankly you look GREAT with short and long hair.  I think it's more about you looking at how you are feeling right now.  And last time you cut, how long did it take for you to regret it? Why did you regret it? Ask yourself those questions. And sleep on it OK? For many nights...

We're here if you want to talk

PS: SpecialKitty:

Only you can decide.

There are too many possible hairstyles for you to get long, medium, or short. Seeing one picture of one short or long hairstyle on you isn't enough for me to say you should or shouldn't do something.

I'm of the belief that if someone feels like they want a change then they should go ahead and do it. However I also think that giving yourself a few weeks to be sure is best.

Take the next 2-3 weeks and gather information. Find pictures or magazines with more than just one or two options. Unless you know what you want if you make the change. If there's a cut that you know you liked then that makes things a bit easier.

Get a piece of paper or a text file or a journal entry and make yourself a list of your reasons for and against long and short.

Ask yourself if you are wanting to change your hair because you want to change your hair or if you are wanting to change your hair because something else in life is happening. Things like stress, breakups, weather changes.

Are you at a stage right now where you always seem to cut back? Was there a length perhaps a few inches shorter that you were happier with? Or were you happier with shorter hair?

Ask yourself are you wanting to cut your hair to get short hair or are you cutting it to not have long hair? Either way you need to find a short cut that you will be happy with. There's a big difference between that pixie type cut and a chin length cut.

Is your color bothering you? Maybe you like the length but not the color?

Is your hair damaged? I can definitely understand wanting to get rid of damage. It's a valid reason to make a change.

This is a pun but I always prefer to get to the root of the hair problem.  I always said that if I became a stylist I would always give my clients multiple options. I've always hated watching makeover shows and seeing someone sit down in the chair and be told "We're going to do this" without any other options given.

Think of it this way. Your long hair is on trial. You are both the defense and the prosecution. Make the arguements so that after the trial ends you won't have to appeal.

I hope that helps.

 All I can say is that the "long" photo drops my jaw. If "attitude" is what you seek, the truth is that I admire people with  *gracious* demeanors. Those people spoiling for a tiff, walking around with a chip on their shoulders, I just ignore if possible. There is nothing about wearing beautiful long hair such as yours that will fail to earn you respect, except among idiots, perhaps. Why cater to the angry and stupid?

If by "attitude", you mean "confidence", I fail to understand why extra length would make you a shrinking violet. Aspire to be proud of who you are, regardless of your hair length. God bless, Bob

Hi Redhairedgirl, I think probably long hair is more versatile. You can always make it look "short" with updos, but not the other way around! If you are spending lots of time straightening it, maybe just let it go curly/wavy and just spend that energy really taking good care of yourself and your hair. Red hair looks gorgeous with curls/waves! Check out MissRini's hair for inspiration Good luck whatever you choose.