To Cut or Not to cut.....that Is the Question

One of the best decisions I made years ago was losing my ponytail only long hair and getting a real haircut with style (a ponytail is not a style). No one ever complimented my ponytail but I get positive feedback all the time about my hair cut now. I love having shorter hair. Short doesn't have to make you look older. You just need the right style. Maybe opt for a bob that's just above shoulder length at first and take it shorter next cut if all goes well.

I agree with the others on finding a great stylist who will be candid about what will/won't look good on you. You also want someone who keeps up on trends so you don't get an old-fashioned cut. An Aveda salon might be a good place to start, if you don't already have a stylist in mind.

Good luck!

Go get a professional hair cut. Talk to the stylist and tell her what you want and don't want and ask for his/her opinion.

I know exactly what you mean. You have to consider a couple of things getting a bob and dye. You need to ask yourself will I maintain the color, go back to do the roots every 6-8 weeks? If the answer is YES, move a head, if your answer is, are you crazy i got kids and a million things to juggle, then stay close to your natural color maybe some high or low lights, easier to blend when growing out. The bob, if it is a razor perfect bob so your hair swings and you look picture perfect again, will you go in for a trim every 6-8 weeks, a growing out bob is not a good look, if YES go forth and conquer, if the answer is similar to the are you crazy, listed above, go for a different short style that looks better as it grows in. That is where pictures and a great stylist come in to play. Go prepared ask LOTS of questions, tell the stylist everything you do in a day and what your real expectations are of the cut and color and your real expectations are of upkeep. Any hair cut and change of color can be uplifting when you feel you need a change. So maybe start with a trim and color and move on from there? Just don't go too extreme. Most moms get their hair cut becasue they are fed up with the look, very hot day, need something to give them a boost, just focus when you go in. Many a mom has gotten a drastic haircut because they were in the frame of mind "Just cut it all off I need a change now" then left the salon in tears. I am one of them!!

I think it depends on your bone structure and your weight. Round faces look fatter in short hair. Thin bony faces look gaunt if the hair is cut an odd shape.

I think going to a hair salon and looking at the books is a good idea, or google hair styles, I do that before a party and get ideas on how to fix my granddaughters hair.

former hairstylist here ... just cut my long hair back into a right-above-the-shoulder "bob" -- I, too, was wearing it in a ponytail every day and got tired of it.

The key to keeping it from looking like the "mom bob" is to have some fun layers/texture incorporated into the cut and also go for the angled, side-sweeping bang, very sexy. No straight-across above the brows bangs!!

Also consider your face shape to see if a bob would work for you. I have a heart-shaped face, which works well w/ a bob. And mix it up, too. Flip out the ends a little bit every now and then for a different look.

You know what I really got out of being a hairstylist? It's just hair. It grows. :)

Have fun!

And BTW, I see someone recommended going to someone fresh out of cosmetology school -- DON'T!! What you learn in cosmo school is safety, primarily, not skills and style. When I got out of cosmo school, I didn't know a thing about giving a good haircut. I assisted at an upscale salon for almost two years after I graduated and that salon held classes to train assistants how to cut/color. Go to a professional who knows what they are doing. If you don't admire any of your friend's hairstyles, then google the local hip salons in your area and read the reviews to make a choice.

Well, if you do get it cut, make sure it's long enough to still pull back-it's funny how usually our livestyles, and not ore hairstyles dictate what type of hair days we have. That being said-I'm going to share my minor horror story. I like bobs, but was in the same situation, so I found myself leaning towards a then trendy asymetrical cut. The hairstylist, who was older and very traditional, not only kinda refused,but gave me "THE" mom cut. Oh God was I mortified, but it grew back and is healthier then ever. A word of advice-if you go for something trendy, cutting edge, etc. Go to a salon where there are/is hairstylists that are fresh from cosmetology school. Funny, when it comes to doctors or haircuts, it's good to go with someone who just graduated, especially if you want a very up to date/trendy style

i would cut, but not color. I loved having red hair, but I got tired of dyeing every few weeks, so I went back to brown for the first time in 15 years a few months ago. It's been a lot easier to maintain.

I say go for it, I think the worst thing us ladies can do is to always wear a ponytail. It's soooo boring, I've been guilty too. I took more notice of it when I saw my friend's hair like that most of the time. So I try not too, sometimes it's fine but not all the time. If u cut you'll have a cute style, short hair is easy to manage too. Remember it's only hair, u can always grow it out if u don't like it. Try something new! good luck

I had longer hair and found that I tied it up all the time and didn't do anything with it , so I had it cut off , I have a graduated bob (the Victoria Beckham) as it is also called , I don't have it as short as she did and so high at the back , it's a little more subtle and blended , but it is easy to care of and is at least a style.

I went from mid-back length to a chin-length bob, and I like it! It is easier to take care of, and I think it looks more professional than a ponytail (which I resorted to almost every day). I also got some long fringe bangs cut, which I like, although it has taken some getting used to! I am all about having my color professionally done. My hair is naturally pretty light blond, but I still have highlights done anyway, and they brighten up my whole look.

I think the best thing to do is look through some magazines and try to find haircuts you like. Make sure the person has a similar hair texture to yours, and a similar face shape. Then take the picture to your stylist. That way you are sure to get what you want.

It will always grow back! Have you thought of an A-line cut rather then a bob. Bobs can either be really trendy and cute, or very outdated and mom-ish. To me, it depends on the stylist giving the hair cut to get it right.

CUT!!! hair will always grow back ,take the plunge.
Short hair tends to make you look "put together" instead of the standard ponytail look.
Have fun!

If you are in a "mom ponytail" then you technically already have a standard issue mom style. A haircut always makes me feel better and those daily ponytails can cause breakage so that you end up with those awful "baby hairs" at the front that never stay in place.

I color my own hair too but get a haircut whenever I start to feel stagnant and need a refreshing change. One of the things I always do is first tell the hairstylist 2 or 3 options I am considering and ask about the daily maintenance for those styles to look the way they do on celebrities or in magazines. The stylist can help you better understand what you are looking at in prep time and how long you have until the style turns all shaggy and you are back to ponytails or another haircut.

Updated

If you are in a "mom ponytail" then you technically already have a standard issue mom style. A haircut always makes me feel better and those daily ponytails can cause breakage so that you end up with those awful "baby hairs" at the front that never stay in place.

I color my own hair too but get a haircut whenever I start to feel stagnant and need a refreshing change. One of the things I always do is first tell the hairstylist 2 or 3 options I am considering and ask about the daily maintenance for those styles to look the way they do on celebrities or in magazines. The stylist can help you better understand what you are looking at in prep time and how long you have until the style turns all shaggy and you are back to ponytails or another haircut.

Go for it! Hair grows back. Have some fun with it.

I would look for a pic that you like and bring it in with you. Either one of you in years past or one online that you like. But here are some tips:
1. Don't be too drastic....not too short (less than 4 inches) and not to bright (2 shades lighter max). This will minimize a freak out.
2. Go to someone you trust.
3. Plus if you go short see it your hairdresser will give you one that you can do quickly. If you are used to a ponytail you don't want to get stuck doing your hair for 15 min everyday.
I hope this helps. Personally I LOVE short hair but want a change as well so I found myself in the opposite situation. I am trying to grow it out and trying to resist getting it chopped off.--I think I may be at shoulder length by Christmas!

Ok, so when ever I cut my hair off above ponytail length I regret it because it takes forever to grow it back out again, or so it seems. The color is my issue. I am mid blonde and the only way to get highlights is bleach. that has to be done by a hairdresser. The cost ads up, but it looks sooo much better if she does it rather than my self. I vote just do it for the change and see if you like it enough to keep it that way. One thing I have learned is never cut off my hair when I am having pms!!!

cut it, get a bob that is shorter at the back and goes long in front. Thats def. not a "mom" hairdo. And yeah, get it dyed there, and maybe get your nails done too, or a wax.

Gee Kat, what power you are giving me! This is fun!! As the mother of 5 and the grandmother of several I just want to ask you a question then cast my vote and be fully aware that just as many have learned recently no matter how many ote one way it can be overturned in a heartbeat.
With a short hair cut it takes time to fix it and mainttain it~ are you ready for that committment? The funpart of really short hair is the spiky and simple way to wear it but it means getting it colored every 4-6 wekks depending on your hair. If you think that you are ready to add all that to your busy life I say GO SHORT--- what 's the worse that can happen it looks bad for a few months while it grows back out.
I went from long that could be pinned up and use hairpoeces to add to it to very short~~~ I love it short but hate the time it takes to fix it so am seriously considering a wavy perm in it so that it takes less time to wash and go each day. HAVE FUN *** just as a note my hair has turned white and won't take color anymore- one lady redid it free 2 times before giving up so I envy you that you can color yours!!!

me and otherhalf both vote no. A bob looks more masculine if you want to look femine do not bob. Cut shorter if you want not keep it at least shoulder lenth

I went to a chin length bob about a month ago and plan to grow it about 3 inches longer. I like it but its a bit short. the nice thing about one length is that it grows out very easily. I say cut it and If you like it keep it, If not grow it out.

Find a good stylist and ask them what would look best with your face type. Some people look really good with short hair at any age, and I'm sure you've seen some that are not too flattering. I think short hair requires more commitment, since you have to get it cut every 8 weeks to keep it looking good, while with longer hair you can go longer between cuts. But I do think there are some cute short cuts out there. Go buy a hairstyle mag and look at all the great cuts, take it with you so you can talk to the stylist. Good luck

I agree with the other posters, talk to a stylist and get their input. If the stylist doesn't have much advise to offer you then don't let them cut. Go to a Salon for a more seasoned stylists not the "cuttery" places that are all over. I have always had long hair but if short is what you like then I say go for it, treat yourself and remember if you don't like it "It's only hair, it grows back".