I had my first pixie crop when I was fifteen and since then I have had umpteen short hairdos. After years of crops I finally managed to grow my hair to a long bob for my wedding. I actually love to see a short-haired bride but felt the longer tresses would give me more versatility. I detested the growing-out phase and often joked with my hairdresser that rather than go off on minimoon I would be sat in his chair the day after my nuptials to have it all cut off. However, instead of missing a blissful trip to Cornwall I did keep the new found length all the way through to the following summer for my sister’s wedding. And then chopped it all off.
I am now super duper bored of my hair. It’s been about six month since my last batch of highlights so the colour is dull. I’ve never been particularly adventurous when it comes to styling so whether night or day, work or play, my coiffure always looks exactly the same.
After much debate I have decided to grow my barnet. Obviously not to waist-length but maybe to my collar bone so I can be a little more experimental with my look. I know there are some people exclaiming at their screen ‘what are you on about woman? Shoulder length is short!’ Not for me. The pic you see of me on my wedding day is the longest my hair has EVER been.
When I had my shortest boyish crop (and full make-up) I actually felt really quite feminine, powerful even, but with it’s latest guise I feel distinctly average. It’s time for a change but I’m not looking forward to the weird in-between stage.
Last time I went for regular semi-permanent all-over colour. I do love the shine you get from a semi but an all-over colour does end up making me look like I’m wearing a helmet. This time I’m going to have some subtle caramel highlights to add texture and definition.
I’m going to have to shake up my styling a bit. I’ve splashed out on a Babyliss Pro Curl
Last time around I lived in a house with a poor excuse of a shower. To call it a dribble would be exaggertaing the power and so my hair never felt clean. This time I’m going to take advantage of having a power shower and invest in a few new products to keep my hair squeaky clean and in good condition. I’m currently on the look-out for a hair mask suitable for thick, coloured hair so any suggestions would be more than welcome.
Please let me know how did you keep yourself sane the last time you grew out a style? How do you deal with the awkward in-between phase? Any tips and tricks you can share to save me from doing a Britney and shaving it all off?
I could have written this post! I got 6 inches chopped off my hair in June and now I’m desperately trying to grow it back.
At the moment it’s graduated at the back but the front resembles a Lego Head bob and I really can’t seem to do much with it which is making me sad. I can’t wait to get a curling iron through it, fingers crossed that will be by the end of the year!
At the moment tend to tuck it behind one ear and then try to get some height in the crown. I can also pin sides back but I’m not overly keen on that as a look.
Need to do some research on vitamins and minerals that help with hair growth and then I’m going to swallow them ALL!
Good luck with yours 🙂
Oh Fiona I feel your pain. Luckily my hair grows pretty quickly but not quick enough!
I too am off to do research on vitamins and minerals now. Apparently we need Biotin? Maybe it will help us have Rapunzel tresses by Christmas?!
Biotin you say? *googles furiously*
Rapunzel would be great but I’d settle for a stubby ponytail 😉
I did NOTHING with my hair when it was long and now I want to be able to do EVERYTHING with it – waaaaaaah!
Lauren,
Much like you, I had all my hair chopped off when I was 17 and for the past 10 years have had a variation of short styles, as well a rainbow full of different colours! I had a long(ish) swept back blond quiff for my wedding day last year. When my sister got engaged shortly after I decided that would be a good incentive to grow my hair and go for a change. The thought of centre parting my hair and styling it into two plaits that I could wrap around my head (you know the style!) excited me an awful lot!
However, I only lasted 6 months (my hair grows very fast!) and finally chopped it all off when it got just past that horrendous growing out stage. Getting to just about shoulder length only reminded me why I cut it all off in the first place – my face is flattered by a pixie crop, but my long heavy straight style just makes my face look sad and drab.
I still do dream that one day I will save a few hundred pounds and just got and get a massive curly weave… but for now I shall remain in the short hair brigade!
I bet I end up doing the same Vanessa and getting a crop once I’ve grown it. I’m just desperate for something a bit different.
BTW your wedding hair sounds amazing x
Ah the awful growing out stage…!! I’ve attempted and failed this about 4 times since going for a very short pixie crop about 10 years ago. I love my short hair I really do, it definitely suits me more, but I do often dream of having long flowing locks and every now and then try and go for it, only to get to the just below the ear stage and scream at my hairdresser to chop it all off again! My hair is quite fine, so the image of me in my head of my long tresses are unfortunately not what I look like in reality, I even kept my hair reeeeally short for my wedding and when I look back at the photos I’m so pleased I did, but no doubt I’ll attempt growing it again sometime in the future as I always have this slight nagging feeling that I never look any different. Good luck, you’re a braver woman than me to get where you are now hehe! Xx
Thanks Kate! I wish my hair was a bit finer like yours. As it’s quite thick it ends up out of shape so quickly. x
I read this and it literally sounds like me, word for word. I am all about short hair, I by far suit short bobbed hair (always have) and even went for a pixie cut which was my last style and which I’m currently growing out. I think I’m just about past the in-between stage but I have been here so many times before, the in-between stage is difficult to ride out and I usually return to the hairdresser and chop it all off again but this time I’ve seen it through. I would happily have a pixie cut till the end of my days but the maintenance of a pixie cut is much MUCH more than with longer hair, and with two little ones I just don’t have the time. My solution for dealing with the in-between stage was throw it up and pin it up with LOTS of kirbys, I didn’t even care how many kirbys I had to use it looked way better pinned back/up that than it did down! Once it got longer I got my chunky fringe cut back in to make me feel like I had some sort of style again – a chunky/blunt fringe is always the solution I feel. I just want my hair to collarbone length (which is also long for me!) so I can get the ombré look, I love it.
Emma – you make a really good point about the maintenance of a pixie cut. So many people assume you don’t need to do anything with it but I was constantly in the hairdressers with mine getting it kept in shape.
Ombre look sounds gorgeous. Will look amazing with collarbone length.
After years of having long hair, about 2 years ago I kept going shorter every time I went to the hairdressers. When I got engaged last year, wedding planned for July just gone, I decided to grow it long so I could wear it up. I started taking Superdrug own vitamins for hair and nails as a colleague recommend them to me to try and help with my troublesome skin. It has helped a bit but what I have noticed is that my nails and hair are growing quicker, even my hairdresser has noticed the last couple of times that my roots seems to be growing out a lot quicker than normal! Just thought it might help the grow-out process for you!
Thanks so much Jenna. Great to know the can help troublesome skin too. Double winner! x
Ahh i’ve always had long hair, i did try having it shorter when i went to university (and finally my dad didn’t have a say) chopped it to my shoulders, which was super short for me and I LOVED IT. but eventually i got sad and missed my longer tresses. I can totally relate to you missing having the hair you’re used to!
I love the idea that you’re growing your hair a little to do that wave style. I think Lily collins rocked it awesome – it almost made me do the chop AGAIN!!! i got the same wand as well but do it on my longer hair & love it 🙂 extra volume & fun. I curl my hair pretty much everyday now to stop feeling bored when it feels a bit stringy!!
http://uk.pinterest.com/pin/385128205607191326/ <<< this look. I LOVE. and would be what i'd chop my hair for… 😛 xxx
Yey for everyday curls! Loving the pin Sundari. Actually really like this one where it’s a bit shorter -http://uk.pinterest.com/pin/533887730798138680/. The centre parting would be a whole different ballgame though. x
I totally sympathise with you Lauren on the in-between growing out stage. Like you I grew my hair out from a bob to just past shoulder length for my wedding and as soon as I got back from honeymoon I was straight to the hairdressers to get it chopped off again. However I had forgotten that my hair when in the ‘in-between’ stage (as it is now) simply doesnt like to behave and instead of sitting as a nice long bob, there are bits sticking out everywhere – basically the barnet does whatever on earth it feels like doing. Now debating whether to grow it long again – trouble is long hair irritates me for a whole bunch of other reasons too!
Oh no. Maybe the answer is to go even shorter Emma? 😉
I have the opposite problem to you – I am someone who has had long hair their entire life, the shortest it ever going was about jaw length – I am currently debating a really short do. My hair is currently half way down my back with a fringe and I wear it down 99% of the time. It isn’t in brilliant condition and is pretty fine so just hangs there. I have been thinking about a crop for about a year but just worry about the fact it will take years to grow it back if I hate it with many hideous growing out stages to go through. Plus I’ve never had it anything other than long – scary! I’m just not sure I have the face for it (it’s quite round and chubby!) so will probably just stick with my boring hair that I don’t do anything with forever!
I would recommend grow gorgeous cleansing conditioner if you want to keep your new length in good condition and super shiny – it’s pricey but worth it – plus you don’t have buy shampoo! That or Mane & Tail – also very good for super shiny results!
Everyone should try a crop once Bryony. What about going for something in-between to get yourself used to the lack of length.
Just reading the reviews on the Grow Gorgeous range. Looks like an amazing product so thanks for recommending.
I really want to know if the Babyliss curl thing works, my eyes lit up when I saw it on TV! I have the Big Hair styler (hairbrush/dryer hybrid that spins round and gives me smooth bouncy hair) so high hopes the curl contraption.
My friend Lisa has it and it really works on long hair. My hair isn’t quite long enough yet but I’ve got high hopes. How do you get on with the Big Hair styler?
Until the last year or two I’ve never really got my hair past shoulder length. I am now at my goal of bra strap length. This comes with more problems than I thought – I have trapped my hair in the car door several times and I lean on it without realising and can’t understand why I can’t move my head! The worst part of growing it out for me was when the ends are just the at the length to rest on your shoulder and they flicked up like Pippy Longstocking. Have you though about going for an asymmetrical style? I have seen some short bobs that look great with just a subtle difference in length
I would never have thought about the hazards Claire! You poor love getting it trapped in the car door.
About ten years ago I took asymmetric to a whole new level with a one-sided undercut. It was shaved and everything…
I think we need to see a gallery of the many styles you have had. I’m not very brave with my hair
I always think I’ll love short hair but I’m not sure my face shape could pull it off :s Did go short a while back – jaw/chin length graduated bob with my signature chunky fringe, which I loved…and then got sick of because it reached collar length and promptly flicked out in every direction!
Taylor Swift is rocking a collar length bob with side swept fringe in her Shake it Off video – http://www.billboard.com/articles/columns/chart-beat/6229263/taylor-swifts-shake-it-off-makes-record-start-at-radio – which I think is super cute!
One major draw back of having aforementioned chunky fringe…is the up-keep. My hair grows at a rate of knots so I’m always at the hairdresser getting it trimmed…thankfully my hairdresser doesn’t charge for this, but I’m starting to think they regret that decision!! :s
I’d love to know how Taylor manages to keep her fringe in that position Annie! Your signature chunky fringe sounds really cool.
Have a google for The Glamourai – she has similar bone structure to you and has in the past few years grown out her short pixie crop into a collar-bone bob. Could be great inspiration for getting you through the in-between phase. I myself have never gone shorter than collar-bone, and never will go that short again. I was so bored of my hair and just got it lopped off one day thinking it’d look like Olivia Palermo (never mind that my hair is way thinner than hers!). Instead I just felt drab and dreadful.
And you’ve reminded me I need to get to work on my highlights, currently also looking a bit grey…. I think with the autumn coming suddenly my skin and hair feel all a bit drab, something to do with the light I’m sure!
Anna, I actually took a pic of Kelly Framel to my hairdresser a year or so ago! That must have been when she was starting to grow it out. I can’t believe how long it is now! You are right, she is great inspiration for the inbetween stage.
Yey for autumn highlights. I need them desperately too. Must get booked in ASAP.
Ended up looking through the Glamourai archives and she uses an amazing L’oreal True Grip product that looks awesome. Like a dry shampoo but way more hold and texture. I must hunt down something similar x
Batiste do something similar! They have it mixed in with one of their dry shampoos – the XXL volume one (pink) – but I think you can also get it separately. Sort of a dusting powder. And Aveda does one too as well I think. I’m super lay about washing my hair so I just use the dry shampoo one which really does work well at giving volume and texture to my fine hair. Good luck!
I’ve managed to grow out my very short crop in a year but it’s still at that stage where I would like to hack it off. However constantly checking my pinterest boards and looking at styles I love keeps me inspired to carry on growing it. I also make sure I always have my hair professionally coloured- it stops be getting bored of the length and looks much healthier. I do love your hair longer by the way;) xx
Thanks Han 😉
You’ve inspired me to set up a pinterest board. I may end up pinching all your pins though and we will look like twins. Again! x
I’ve had at least shoulder length hair since I was a teenager. Mostly it’s been no longer than chin length for the last ten years. I’ve tried growing it out, but it gets to my shoulders and I can’t resist the overwhelming urge to cut it off. Right now it’s a pixie cut, I love it. Over the years I’ve had graduated bobs, the Frankie and even toyed with a bob and fringe combo for a while. But after taking the plunge about a year ago, I can see the pixie staying for a while.
I always think how I would like long bouncy hair, but I know it would drive me insane. I love the fact mine is so easy to style. Yes it requires more maintenance, but the fact I can wash and go in five minutes more than makes up for it! 🙂
Your pixie sounds amazing Alex. Unfortunately mine required a lot of teasing. I am very envious of your five minute do. x
Lauren, I swear by bleach London resurrection mask £6!!! For loads from boots and it comes in a funky tube! It’s amazing I used to spend a bomb on Philip Kingsley elasticiser before I discovered this beauty. And also Schwarzkopf osis dust it powder sounds like the texturised thing you’re looking for xxxx
This post is well timed, I’m getting my hair done on Friday. I have for years had shoulder and longer length hair, naturally mouse but with blonde highlights. I need a change and not brave enough to chop it off so thinking of a colour amendment. I’ve done some pinteresting and a thing called balayage… Something like ombre. Not sure I’m brave enough!
Do it Victoria! Balayage is a gorgeous technique. It’s so natural looking. x
I am also trying to grow out a graduated bob and it is driving me crazy. I have not had hair past my chin in over 10years and I want a change. The trouble is I seem to be sporting a mullet at the moment – why is it the back of my hair grows like crazy and is relatively thick while the front seems to stubbornly stay the same length and super fine??? Does this happen to anyone else? I went to my hairdresser last week and nearly demanded to get it all cut off but she kept me grounded and told me to persevere through this stage so I got a little trim to tidy up the ends. In the meantime, I pin up the front section off my face and leave the back down – hoping this hides the mullet!!!
Diane I know exactly what you mean. However my problem is my fringe doesn’t grow longer it just gets thicker and thicker!
Glad you’re hairdresser told you to peservere. It’ll be worth it in the end! x
Hi, so glad I came across this post. I’m getting married in April and I have the Frankie style haircut, really short one side, long the other. I’ve frantically googled to see how she had her hair on her wedding day but I’ve not found any photographs. I’ve only got 6 months to grow it if I decide to do that but I want to look like me on my wedding day and I prefer short hair. Any ideas very much welcome. Xxxx
Check out invati by Aveda, prices to make the eyes water but sooo many good reviews.
I also used ‘FAST’ (very original name) shampoo and conditioner set and definitely saw an improvement to how fast… my hair grew!
I completely understand! I am currently growing my hair for my wedding in August, mainly so that I can have more options to glam it up, but it is taking so long. I think that pretty much every day, at least once, I feel like just getting it cut short. But my hair takes so long to grow, and I am enjoying having it “long” i.e. just above the shoulders for once… So difficult isn’t it?