WIW 6/13: New haircut and date night

I went to get my hair cut at a salon (it's been 8 months since my last cut http://goldenpig.lookfab.com/p.....ure-outfit). Hubby has been moaning all week worrying that I was going to cut it short (he really likes my long hair) so I decided to keep it long to keep him happy. The stylist thought that it would be better long anyways if I didn't have much time to style it in the morning because he said that bobs require a lot of hands-on blowdrying in the morning. He really wants me to try blow drying it with mousse in the evening and doing hot rollers in the morning (he said to put in the rollers and then get dressed/do makeup while they cool). Hmm, I'll have to see if I really have the time to do all that! Also, not sure how I'd look with wavy hair and if that would be too "sexy/glam" for work. I may be game to give it a try though--any recs for hot roller sets?

He spent over an hour cutting (I had to hold really still for a long time while he worked on my "line"), blowdrying and flat ironing it. At first I thought that was silly--I thought my hair is already stick straight!--but after looking at the before/after pics it does look flatter. I know it's not that exciting or radical of a change, but DH was relieved and said he liked the cut. I asked DH if it looked any different than me going to Supercuts--is it really worth the extra cost? He seemed to think I wouldn't get as nice of a cut at Supercuts--what do you think? The hairstylist said I shouldn't wait so long in between cuts and I promised I will try to make more of an effort to come in every 3-4 months instead of every 8-12 months, LOL!

1-5. Before and after haircut pics--what do you think of the cut?

6. What I wore to the hair salon (and dentist)
Anthro Dots Within emerald green pussy-bow blouse
Gap dark blue trouser jeans
Clarks nude wedge sandals
Dooney & Bourke yellow bag

7-11. What I wore on date night (out to dinner with DH)
Tahari magenta and black Asian-print dress
Kate Spade black ruffle trench
Seychelles black sandals (first outing)
Black dangly earrings and silver and black bracelet
Grey bag (I really need to find a better evening bag--this was just a freebie from a makeup kit)

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23 Comments

  • rae replied 11 years ago

    I love the new cut! It has a very clean look about it that fits your ladylike persona. IKWYM about hot rollers in the am... dude, that seems like a lot of work! Plus, the few times I've tried it for fancy occasions the curls fall out really fast anyway. Maybe it's different with your hair, but your hair *looks* similar to mine.

    Your date night outfit immediately made me think "demure allure!"

  • goldenpig replied 11 years ago

    LOL Rae, I know! I told him the same thing--that my hair texture is so straight and thick that the curls fall out in half an hour. He said I need to let the rollers cool completely before taking them out, and to use mousse in my hair instead of hairspray. I promised I would try the rollers, but I suspect it might be kind of like how I promised the dentist later that day that I would start flossing every day--as much as I'd like to in theory, it just ain't gonna happen! ;)

  • christieanne replied 11 years ago

    Nice haircut! I think keeping it long was a good choice for you. I can testify to the morning blow drying time of a bob. My hair gets all crazy when I sleep so doing that wash at night thing never saves me time - I have to wet and dry anyway. You are lucky to have hair that looks great with an air dry and that the stylist cut just for that. More time in the chair will save you tons of time each day. No idea on hot rollers - I have some Conair from CVS but never use them.

    Love the outfit you wore to salon - that is a chic MOTG look!! And the Tahari dress is really one of my favorites of your dresses. Such great colors for you.

  • harmonica replied 11 years ago

    love the haircut! you look stunning on date night too!

    really fun to read your "hair story". it sound similar to mine where I used to go once a year to the closest and cheapest hair dresser I could find. after some closet purging and style attempts, I heard about a really great senior hair stylist and wanted to try it out (as a way of getting more stylish, I guess). she is amazing(!!) and have quite recently dyed my hair in a way I never could have dreamt of. AND she wants me to be more creative with making wavey curls and easy messy hair updos. it's not that easy, but I've tried a few times and it is fun. we have such great conversations of fashion, style, travels and anything and we both like the messy "just-got-out-of-bed" hair style
    ETA: she actually got a lot of credit from Trinny and Susannah when they were doing a make-over program here

    I'd love to see some wavey curls on you. I think you would look great. you could also try the messy hair style, but that might be too boho for your ladylike style?

    anyway, i'd reccomend "dust it" (or something similar) and ocean spray if you want to to get some more texture to your hair. mine is also very, very straight and sleek

  • Diana replied 11 years ago

    The new hair looks great! Still the same Natalie vibe but a little more sophisticated, you know? I think your hair is similar to mine and curling/rolling has never worked for me. It's straight again within an hour.

    I don't think a bob is high maintenance though. I used to have one and, like now, I air dry my hair, sleep on it wet, and never use product. The bob was fine with that, although sometimes it was not super sleek but neither is my longer hair. Doing my hair bores me so much though - two minutes with the blow dryer and I am already super antsy and bored.

  • teeandcee replied 11 years ago

    It looks great! And I love it ironed. I totally agree with Diana on it amping up your sophistication.

    In lieu of hot rollers you could try rag rolling. My hair falls out with hot rollers too even if I let them cool completely (although it still looks better than air drying). I tried rag rolling instead and was very pleased. With rag rolling it stays curly/wavy for at least 2 days or until I wash it, whichever comes first.

    The good part is you can roll it the night before and allow it to dry overnight, which will cut down on your morning routine.

    My technique was to just dampen my already dry hair then roll it. If I rolled it fully wet it didn't dry overnight, but I have super thick hair. Edited to say I also only used 3 rags to roll; one on top rolled back and 2 on each side rolled under.

  • Kirti replied 11 years ago

    I think the haircut looks a little more sleek :-) I am like Diana, I just air dry my hair and don't use any product so I cannot give any advice about curling your hair!

  • ManidipaM replied 11 years ago

    Forget the curls, you look beautiful with your straight, dark fall of shiny hair, Natalie! I have to say the sitting still paid off though --- you've got a *sharp* line of ends as well as extra sleekness now. Very polished!

  • harmonica replied 11 years ago

    you can make curls with a hair strightener too. BUT have your hair stylist ever considered the stress of putting rollers on yourself with two toddlers early around in the morning, with the stress and rush to get to kindergarden and work at time?!? and risking that you look like a bird nest because you do not have a lot of experiennce with rollers? i'm definately not getting up an hour earlier to do my hair! i prefer Dianas method, though hair styling is fun for special occations like christmas, date or out with the girls;-)

  • Transcona Shannon replied 11 years ago

    Your hair looks gorgeous Natalie - sleek and sexy! and your date night outfit is positively dreamy!

  • HelenInCanada replied 11 years ago

    It's a decent trim and blow-out Natalie - you DO look lovely and sophisticated. You're right - not a big change, but it works with your natural hair texture and taste, and I'm happy you kept the length. BUT. I'm confused. The stylist is recommending you waste precious time using hot rollers in the morning (!) for...what exactly? So you can make your straight hair curly? To make your sleek style (and much flatter new style) more bodied? It's a surprising lack of judgement on his part, sorry! For someone who is not a "hair" person, and who is VERY busy, that was a ditsy suggestion!!! I would completely forego the hot rollers and any other silliness, and just enjoy the clean, simple line of the cut. Airdry for sure, and maybe a touch of finishing cream for the strays.

  • sarah replied 11 years ago

    Very pretty, Natalie.

  • Jenava replied 11 years ago

    Squee, I love it! Yes, it is quite different and I think it's worth it!

    And, r.e. waves being "too sexy" for work...pshaw! It's not as if you would ALSO be wearing a mini skirt or something! (-:

  • cciele replied 11 years ago

    I love it! The difference is definitely noticeable -- looks sleek and sophisticated. Love your date night outfit too -- hope you had fun!

  • christy replied 11 years ago

    I like the cut - looks smooth, sleek and healthy! Date night outfit is beautiful.

    I think you could *absolutely* wear curls at work and not worry about being too sexy/glam. I think a much more important question is whether or not you want to go through that effort. If I had hair that allowed a wash and go style, I would embrace it. Unfortunately, my hair is a disaster when left to its own devices! LOL!

    I think hot rollers would be super fun to try and would look great with your style if they hold. But I'd try it out first on a weekend when you aren't rushing to get out the door!

  • fashionista replied 11 years ago

    Lovely hair cut. Its suiting you and giving you a rejuvenated feel. Really making you look chic

  • lyn67 replied 11 years ago

    Wow, didn't think either that straightening will do such a differrence on your hair, looks fantastic!

  • goldenpig replied 11 years ago

    Thanks Rae, Christieanne, Harmonica, Diana, Teeandcee, Kirti, Manidipa, Shannon, Helen, Sarah, Jenava, Cathy, Christyg, Fashionista and Lyn!

    The more I think about it, it does sound crazy for me to add hairstyling with hot rollers to the list of AM tasks when I can barely handle getting dressed in the morning and feeding the kids and rushing off to work. And come fall I may be doing school drop off too if our nanny doesn't stay with us.

    I think the hair stylist doesn't realize how busy my mornings are--I mean I told him, but I think he still doesn't get it. For one, he's bald. And I'm fairly certain he doesn't have two young kids to take care of either. :)

    Plus, you're right, it's ridiculous that everyone seems to be told to try to fight their hair's natural tendencies--beautifully curly haired gals like MaryK spend all this time ironing out their hair while us straight haired girls are trying to add body and curls. So I think I'll stick with my wash and go for the most part--maybe the curls can just be a date night/special occasion experiment. The rag rolls sound intriguing, I think I may have to look into that because it sounds easier to do than the hot rollers.

    Thanks all for your suggestions!

  • Angie replied 11 years ago

    You look beautiful with long hair! It really suits you, Natalie. I love how the hair stylist lifted the style - it's AMAZING. Do you think you can replicate the sleek look?

  • harmonica replied 11 years ago

    GP - you crack me up: "i think the hair stylist doesn't realize how busy my mornings are--I mean I told him, but I think he still doesn't get it. For one, he's bald."

    Stick to wash'n'go! :-)

  • replied 11 years ago

    Forget the hot rollers. Just dry your hair using the dryer attachment that concentrates the air flow (I have no idea what it's called ... anyone?) and a round brush. Dry in a downward motion, but do a little lift at the roots with the brush.

    Hot rollers aren't worth the fuss at home.

    Btw, the haircut looks great, even if it WAS done by a bald guy stuck in la-la land!!! :)

  • replied 11 years ago

    It looks great! Keep washing and wearing though. I wish I could get away with that and look half as good as you do. You're lucky to have such low-maintenance hair. Plus it will stay healthy and glossy if you don't iron or curl it everyday.

  • Jonesy replied 11 years ago

    I think your new 'do looks great, and I agree that it should look fab with a minimum of fuss in the a.m.!

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