I wore my hair short like this for more than 26 years:
Before that, I wore it very long, almost to my waist at times, and loved it. I had it all cut off the first time when I was pregnant with my oldest daughter, about three days before she was born. I just didn’t want to have to fool with hair that long while I was in the hospital, and I thought it would be easier to take care of after the baby was born. However, I hated it short and let it grow out long again.
When I turned 30, I thought that women over 30 shouldn’t have such long hair, so I had it cut short, like in the photo above, and wore it short like that until last year. In fact, my husband and a lot of my friends have never seen me with long hair.
While I don’t particularly like these photos I took today, they do show somewhat what my hair looks like now. Last year, when I started working for the park service, and having to wear the Smokey the Bear stetson hat:
I discovered that those of us who had short hair had atrocious “hat hair” at the end of the work day. Those of us who had long hair, not so much. So, I decided to grow my hair out long again. It is about half way to where I would like it to be. I know I need a trim, to give it more shape and take care of some loose ends, but it pretty much looks how I expected it to look.
I can’t decide if I want to cut bangs or not. I did have some cut back in April, but they are way too long now so I am trying to keep them neatly out of my face until my step-daughter, Becky, gets here to visit next month. She is a hair professional—I hope she will have some scissors with her when she comes. For now, I am trying to use some pretty combs I found at the mall, but my hair is too fine to hold them in.
My goal is to have hair long enough to pull back in a swishy ponytail while I am at work, wearing my hat, and be able to wear in a variety of styles on my off time. What do you think? (Oh, and I already know I need some make-up.)
Annie Jones says
August 22, 2009 at 12:33 pmI've been growing my hair out for about a year, and it's just about the same length as yours. My bangs are not quite as long as the rest, but with a couple of more trims, everything will be the same length.
I've never NOT had bangs, so I'm looking forward to trying hair that's all one length.
BTW, I love the color of your hair!
LceeL says
August 22, 2009 at 2:20 pmI think your hair looks nice, short, but longer seems to suit you, as well. I like the idea of the swishy pony tail. I'll bet it will look very attractive on you.
Karen says
August 22, 2009 at 2:26 pmAnnie: I am thinking I want the bangs, but you know how it is, once you cut them, it takes forever to grow it out if you don't like them. OH, and that is my natural gray color, I have never colored my hair and don't intend to start.
Lceel: Thank you! I really appreciate the compliment.
Cathy says
August 22, 2009 at 2:31 pmBangs are a lot of work in my opinion. They grow out quickly and take more styling than one length hair.
I really like the new look!
Dave and Janice Evans says
August 22, 2009 at 2:33 pmloved all the phases. . .and I agree that longer hair is much more versatile. . .the only thing I can't figure out, is how can I shed so much hair all over the RV, (the proof is in the vacuuming), and still have any hair left on my head?
I say that every time I vacuum. . .
Gaelyn says
August 22, 2009 at 5:25 pmI love your new look with longer hair, and no hat hair at the end of the day. Bangs are a pain, have to keep trimming them.
I agree with Janice, how can I have any hair left with all I find on the floor of the RV.
Anonymous says
August 22, 2009 at 5:35 pmI give you credit for having PATIENCE! I have short hair and would love to have long again, but simply cannot tolerate life during that growing-out spell.
If you can do, grow it long and wear it many ways … and enjoy it for me too because I know I'll never have that patience!
ramon says
August 22, 2009 at 5:56 pmI let my hair grow and let my bangs to. Much happier with myself and my hair. I can flat iron it in nothing flat and it like it. Let the bangs grow out much easier Bev
Ms. Fiddlesticks says
August 22, 2009 at 8:33 pmThe last few years I have had my hair sort of short, you know needing a trim every 4 weeks or so. Keeping some blonde highlights occasionally. Now I too want something different but to get there your hair goes through pains, almost crazy hair. I almost went and got mine cut today but I don't know. Seeing your blog made me rethink maybe I will let mine grow as well but definitely with bangs.
Linda's Place says
August 22, 2009 at 10:40 pmI'm a short hair girl, have been for many, many years and will probably be a short hair girl until I die…..looks good on you and if your hair is like mine, I know about the thin hair thing…long, straight & thin or short, straight & thin…it is Stroud hair…I have a lot of that natural color you talk about coming in, but my beautiful Niece Becky is going to give me a trim and some highlights next month…have to look good at the beach you know 😉
Bonnie Bonsai says
August 23, 2009 at 11:51 pmThere is miracle in transformation indeed and no wonder why you are called Fab Grandma. Enjoy the title!
I'm still having a long hair at 59. Once I had my hair cut short and my two little girls were crying, they were so upset and told me, "you don't look like our Mom anymore." It took a very long time for them to get over it. lol
Cheryl Ann says
August 24, 2009 at 1:28 pmKaren, I'm 57, going on 58 next year and I STILL have long hair! I just pull it in a pony tail and away I go. I do have some gray spots that my students point out, but, at least for now, it's easier for me to take care of long!
Yarntangler says
August 24, 2009 at 2:59 pmAt my Daughter-in-law's insistence I've been growing my hair out since January. It's almost been chopped several times this summer (Long hair-Tucson what was I thinking??)
I'm finally just about past the I- can't-stand-it stage and it's now long enough that I keep it up all the time! Go Figure!