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Cutting it off! Need support...

Printed From: HairBoutique.com
Category: Long Hair Happenings
Forum Name: Long Hair Support
Forum Description: Growing it long takes commitment and support.
URL: https://talk.hairboutique.com/forum_posts.asp?TID=951
Printed Date: August 03 2025 at 10:10pm


Topic: Cutting it off! Need support...
Posted By: thepals
Subject: Cutting it off! Need support...
Date Posted: April 14 2004 at 10:06am
I have waist-length hair, grew fast during my 3 pregnancies (always wore it mid-length growing up).

Decided I'm tired of always having the stark updo with a knot on top of my head and it's time to cut it. Haven't found any styles aside from all down that make me feel pretty with this long hair, and as a stay-at-home-mom I just can't wear it all down. Both my husband and I HATE the knot or messy ponytail.

Need a little BTDT compassion! I'm waiting to do a nice, glamour photo shoot of me with all my hair before I cut it off.

Also, I'd like to sell it. Any resources on doing this? Everyone I know donates theirs to Locks of Love, but I don't think I'll ever grow it out again and would like to try to sell it just this once! It's lightened and grown out again. I need to see some guidelines for sellable hair and a place that buys it.

Thanks! Fun community here. In some ways it makes me wish I still liked my hair, and in others it makes me glad I don't have to deal with it much longer!

Here's my hideous knot:
http://24.243.233.17:81/YellowPeasant.jpg - http://24.243.233.17:81/YellowPeasant.jpg
(taken about 6 months ago)

and my hair down, what a difference!
http://24.243.233.17:81/GrayNursingBlackSkirt.jpg - http://24.243.233.17:81/GrayNursingBlackSkirt.jpg
(taken about 2 years ago, it's not so layered anymore)

Emma in Austin, TX



Replies:
Posted By: Bob S
Date Posted: April 14 2004 at 12:52pm
You came to the wrong board, Pals. I think you look amazingly beautiful both with your hair down *and* with the topknot. I am sure you'll look fine with short hair, but your long hair looks so elegant and majestic on you. No short cut could possibly look better. I hope you came to this board because you really wanted encouragement to keep it long. All I can say is that right now, your hair would cause my jaw to drop to my knees. Whatever you decide, good luck, and I hope it makes you happy.
BTW, I don't think that women can procure much money for their ponytails today unless they are extremely long. Too much hair on the market. And LoL is a deceitful, secretive group which uses at *most* 3% of the hair they receive for wigs. The rest is discarded or sold. Hugs, Bob

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Posted By: Nyght
Date Posted: April 14 2004 at 4:58pm
I think you are gorgeous, knot or no knot. Think long and hard about cutting it - I've regretted it many times. Have you experimented with braids, French twists, etc.?

Good luck!

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1b/n/ii
4/27/36+


Posted By: Unregistered Guest
Date Posted: April 14 2004 at 5:21pm
I suggest you go out to your garage or basement and find a hammer. Now place your hand on a firm surface. Are we good? Now take the hammer and slam it into your finger. Does it hurt? Good do it again? Still hurt? Try the other hand. Now repeat the process again. Now Remember that feeling of pain... It will be long gone and forgotten before you recover from a short haircut (years). I have seen your picture..You look great!!! Don't let fleeting emotions cause you long time regret. Just remember the grass is always grenner over the septic tank. It is damp and may collapse.


Posted By: thepals
Date Posted: April 14 2004 at 7:16pm
LOL! I knew I'd have purists encouraging me not to cut it. Honestly, I'm ready! I've been mulling it around for over a year, and really waiting until I'm totally ready! And I don't want it to my ears, just past my shoulders is good.

And I know this is a forum for growing hair, but since it's Long Hair Support, and I have long hair and need support, well...

It just seems people with long hair or trying to grow it out understand what I'm going through and would have some good counselling!

I'm sure I'll miss those "majestic" moments when my hair is all down and I feel like a queen, but it's just not worth all the "ugly" days I endure with it a scraggly and in my face.

And I want one more child, so if I really do regret it it'll grow fast during the pregnancy!

But this is the only time in my whole life I've had long hair, so I know how it is on the other side! The grass WAS always greener with long-haired dreams, but now I know better! Each has its own drawbacks and benefits.

And LoL does sell a lot of hair that's not suitable for their wigs, to pay for the manufacture of the wigs. One reason I'd rather sell it; even a little money is better than none. Or I could donate it and take fair-market-value on my tax return!

Just wondering what others' experiences have been, especially those who like long AND mid-length hair, or "play" with it at differing lengths!

Emma in Austin

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Posted By: Jaci Danger
Date Posted: April 14 2004 at 11:07pm
I just came across this...

But any ho,
I saw your pics and yes, everyone is right your hair is
gorgeous.

This is not an attempt to deferr you from making the big cut

just a little insight.

First If you cut your long hair short (like pixi short like I did ) do not expect it to be easy to style.

It becomes a huge pain in the REAR!!!
all of the styling products with the gals w/ the cute short hair
yeah it's b/c they need it!!

then when you start letting it grow out again
it's really hard to keep it. You'll get in to these transitional phases that turn in to a BLACH!! let me just cut it to look normal again.

I have enjoyed lots of the different lengths and styles over the past few years .

But even short hair gets old...

my natural hair is a drk. drk honey color a little wavy.
It was really easy to care for when it was long, wash twist and pin up to dry in nice waves.

Then about 4 years back I cut it shorter than short.
Am holey moley! was it ever a pain to style!!!
if you go short invest in gell and clippies.
Any ways I got tired of it and colored it mahogony brown.

I really like the color

and now it's about shoulder length
I really like it and I'm not sure tht I'll ever grow it back as long as it once was.

other suggestions.
If you don't already have a regular salon
find a moderatly priced place to get it done
not some where so cheep that they will indefinatly screw it up

but also not any where that will make you feel foolish for paying a lot for a cut you hate.In case you hate

also ask people with cuts you like where they got their hair done and if it's hard to style.

also If you go short I'd do it on a weekend. like a friday night home or some day that will give you enough time to play with it and figgure it out.
Also see if your sylest wikll show you some techniques to syle it.
If you go sort and have wavey hair invest in a good blow dryer w/ attachments and a round brush.
also to tame waves try redkien glass 19$ at the outlet malls ( head to toe beauty) in San Marcos...the lrge size shoud last about a year or try frizz ease.

If you go med length with one of the cute fringgy cuts and your hair is wavy invest in a CHI flat Iron they cost about 100-150$
Holy ba Geez I thought But I love mine!! you might find one cheeper on e- bay

Moral of the story short hair is not easy to deal with unless it's is really curly or really straight and then it's still not easy.
but it does allow you to change things up a bit.
And even thought it takes a long time...
It does grow back.


P.S. Im a big fan of locks of love- I would see shat you could get just to see( it probably wont be as much as you would think ,nothing personal hair's just not wort as much as people would think ) but then donate it.






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Posted By: duke
Date Posted: April 15 2004 at 3:23am
You look great, "messy knot" (okay, messy knot not visible in the picture) or not. You may have made your decision. May I suggest that you cut it shorter (let's say shoulder to bra-strap length) but don't get a new style (layers, much shorter etc)?


Posted By: Viktoria
Date Posted: April 15 2004 at 10:24am
In your first post, I got the impression that you were ambivalent, why else would you want a "glamour shot" before the cut? And seriously: great hair, a beautiful face, wonderful colour - and I am a big fan of buns, why does it have to be messy? Making a neat bun will not be more of a hassle than styling a short hair, more like the opposite. The only hasslefree shorter hairstyle is "page"-hair, donīt know what that style is called in english. Itīs not really a bob, just straight cut below the jaw. It would look great on you, but the thing about it, it always looks the same, rain or shine.

Think about it, will you? Explore the alternatives. Then cut it, if you must.

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The more you complain, the longer God lets you live.


Posted By: enfys
Date Posted: April 15 2004 at 10:46am
Originally posted by Viktoria Viktoria wrote:

The only hasslefree shorter hairstyle is "page"-hair, donīt know what that style is called in english. Itīs not really a bob, just straight cut below the jaw. It would look great on you, but the thing about it, it always looks the same, rain or shine.


I know what you mean. In Wales it has the same name. And it does always look the same.

My opinion: If you want to cut it, long hair support is not the place to get support. It is a place where you will be discouraged from cutting off more than you feel you need, to minimise any regrets you may have.

I think you have gorgeous hair, but even a few different sytles will be simple, quick and sturdy. Before you cut it just play for a while. It is totally beyond me why people only play with their hair after they cut it. There are many good sites with step-by-step instructions, and there are some on this site.

Something I'm not sure of is what you want support with. You have, it seems, already decided to cut your hair. Still, whatever makes you happy.

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http://www.myspace.com/waltzin_with_the_open_sea - http://www.myspace.com/waltzin_with_the_open_sea
Ah-ha, a place I can soon add hair pics...once I do some


Posted By: Bob S
Date Posted: April 15 2004 at 1:22pm
I only have one more thing to say, Emma. I wish I could see thousands of such "hideous" looking topknots in my neighborhood every day. How great would that be!
I haven't convinced *you*, but at least my wife is keeping her hair long (for life, I hope!). She isn't skinny, by any means, but as her hair has gotten longer (3" above waist now), she's been getting hit on again. And she's 44 now! In one ten block daytime walk last week, two guys asked her if she needed a ride! And no, I'm not jealous; they should be jealous of me now! (lol) Bob


Posted By: Erinlynn
Date Posted: April 15 2004 at 2:56pm
The paigeboy cut...if I am thinking along the same lines as you in the states ive heard it called the paigeboy cut. And in spite of the "boy" part its ment for girls.


Posted By: Katherine
Date Posted: April 15 2004 at 8:01pm
Emma,

I for one will give you support, but I have to warn you that I have gone back and forth from bra strap length to shoulder length (or shorter) several times over the past 10 years. I also have the (exact) same face shape and nose as you. I have found that my best style is shoulder length with the sides slightly tapered, and with (not too heavy) bangs. My hubby really loves long hair, and I did growing up (I even vowed to never cut my hair and grow to be a gray-haired granny with a bun, but that only lasted until I was 16!). But it just doesn't look that great once it gets to bra-strap length. It also doesn't look great in short layers, which I've done a couple of times, too, because my face looks too big! I also have 3 children, and it did grow fast during pregnancy and for a couple of years afterwards while still breast-feeding and on those vitamins!

So, anyway, with that knowledge of where I'm coming from, I say go for it, but not too short, unless you really want to experience that for a change. Have fun, with the Glamour Shots thing and anything else you can think of. Maybe your hubby would want to help with the cut. And, like you say, you can always grow it again, especially if you do have another child. (My most recent long hair was at age 42, and now I'm halfway between shoulder-length and bra-strap length again, at 44).

Hope this doesn't offend the other posters, but you did say you wanted support!

Love to all!
Katherine


Posted By: arch94
Date Posted: April 15 2004 at 11:09pm
I'll get booed off this board...but i'll support you...it's just hair, cut it! It's not an arm...it WILL GROW BACK if you choose.

My two cents.


Posted By: duke
Date Posted: April 16 2004 at 7:56am
arch94: Boooooooooooooooooooooo!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!



Posted By: Bob S
Date Posted: April 16 2004 at 2:39pm
That's OK, Arch and Katherine! For the record, I think that virtually all the short- tressed women at hairboutique and elsewhere would look far more spectacular if they grew theirs out. The longer the better! But, to each, her own. Bob


Posted By: enfys
Date Posted: April 16 2004 at 4:18pm
Originally posted by Erinlynn Erinlynn wrote:

The paigeboy cut...if I am thinking along the same lines as you in the states ive heard it called the paigeboy cut. And in spite of the "boy" part its ment for girls.


Hmm...paigeboy. That rings a bell. Is it possibly an Old English phrase for a boy of sort of Medieval times or something? I'm not too great at History, but it's possibly from the male hairstyles that were fashionable then.

I know, I know...off topic.
Sorry

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http://www.myspace.com/waltzin_with_the_open_sea - http://www.myspace.com/waltzin_with_the_open_sea
Ah-ha, a place I can soon add hair pics...once I do some


Posted By: duke
Date Posted: April 17 2004 at 4:21am
A page boy was a boy who was begining his education toward becoming a knight. He would help his elders out with this and that and be like a little butler or something at first, I think, and maybe also get a general education in chivalry etc but again I'm not sure. Later, he'd be a squire (like a knight's personal batman, would help him for battle etc) and as a young grownup would be officially dubbed a knight. In those days, many men wore bobbed hair, and might wear bangs, hence "page boy style". It's not spelled paIge, that's the spelling of a modern girl's name.


Posted By: hairalways
Date Posted: April 18 2004 at 8:17am
Hi Emma - I also have a face shape like yours. I am the mother of 4 kids, ages 2, 4, 6 and 8. My hair is currently about 22 long from crown to back with layers throughout that start at the chin.
For the last 10 years I have had my hair from long pixie to waist length and I agree with you, each length has it's good and had points. When it's short, you have to style it, and if it grows out from the cut it looks like crap until you go to get it cut again.
When it's long ( for me that's as soon as it is long enough to pull back ) it's up in a pony or messy knot all of the time....24/7...only on week-ends if we are going out and it's not too hot is it down.

I have cut it off for this reason so many times. Just because I was tired of wearing it up.
But the fact of the matter is, I am not going to go down that road again becasue when it is short, I simply do not look or feel sexy at all...nor do I feel pretty.

So, make sure that if you do cut it, that the style will make you feel like yourself. Especially if you have small children and or are pregnant...Being at home with kids all day has a tendancy to make me feel pretty unsexy. So I find that my long hair helps me to feel sexier.

Anyways, I ramble...If you want to look and some styles, thei website has alot of nice ones.

jacqui

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Posted By: DaveDecker
Date Posted: April 18 2004 at 8:22pm
Hi Emma,

Welcome... I am of the impression from several other posts you've made here that you love your long hair... so I don't understand why you want to cut it. I personally don't think your updo is "hideous", but I do think your hair worn loose is very pretty. I wear my long hair back almost all the time. My most flattering look? Not a chance. But I can let the mane flow anytime I might want to do so. The "updo" (braided ponytail, in my case) is functional and easy to do.

Oh, and despite what Bob S wrote, you have come to the right place... the long hair support board. You do still have long hair, right?

Viktoria and Nyght offer solid suggestions. Experiment with other styles. And ask here if you have questions about anything related to long hair -- styles, care, etc.

(BTW, it is not legally permissible to write off the "value" of donated hair on a US federal tax return).

I hope this message is of help.


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Posted By: Bob S
Date Posted: April 19 2004 at 1:19am
Heh heh! Of course, I really DO think Emma came to the right place, for sure! But if she truly wants encouragement to cut her sensuous hair, it does seem a bit odd to ask long hair lovers for encouragement to do so. Bob


Posted By: Erinlynn
Date Posted: April 19 2004 at 7:01am
Duke, lol, i was wondering about the spelling of "page". Concidering how awful a speller I am I just satisfy myself that even if I misspell a word people will know what Im intending to say...hopefuly. I used to get full letter grades off my english papers thanks to my spelling.

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Posted By: LongBraidz
Date Posted: April 23 2004 at 10:54pm
Hiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiii Emma...your hair is gorgeous! I suggest that you just leave it alone!!!! *smacks your fingers* I'am sure that once you cut your hair your going to be depressed no matter how flattering the new hair style is. I'am thinking that perhaps your just looking for a change. How about completely redecorating a room in your house? Find a new hobby? Take a vacation? As for your hair...maybe doing the girl thing *shopping* will lift your spirits. Try buying a new things for your hair...such as salon hair products, a new expensive hairbrush, hair barettes, etc...Lastly...try pinning your hair up as to where you originally want it cut and wear it that way day and night for about 2 weeks. I bet you get tired of it and wish your original hair length was back. Please keep us posted as to what decision you made.

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"Forget not that the earth delights to feel your bare feet and the winds long to play with your hair." ~Kahlil Gibran~



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