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[Hair today gone tomorrow]

Time for a change! This is me: 39, big and tall woman, I have a killer professional wardrobe, so the changes are mostly hair-based.

In grad school I grew out my hair to just past shoulder length and have had it so for about four years. I vacillate, in four-year cycles, between short, dykey hair and the current 'do. I'm sick of the longish hair and central heating at my new place makes it really static-prone, so I'm contemplating a return to the butchy librarian look (I am of the lesbos tribe, thus the choices of vocab.) These two hairstyles are really my only choices, as I have lots of fine hair that is difficult to discipline into anything between.

What think you? Is shoulder-length, rather lifeless hair more proffy, or butchy and blow-dried?

I also found out that I need bifocals, though not desperately (yet!) I read Ms. C's post on another thread and was jealous of her ability to do snarky looks over her glasses. Should I fill my prescription and add to the professorial look? Is it worth falling down the stairs a few times?

[%sig%]

[Optometrist]

Get multi-focal lenses.  They rule and are well worth the extra money.

[wondering]

Is that the same as progressive lenses?

[tamiam]

Start watching "What Not To Wear" on TLC Friday nights. A great haircut makes a huge difference.

I'm not a big fan of the butch haircut on a big tall woman. I'm big and tall, and I firmly believe that the hair needs to be in proportion to the body. You don't want to look like that "Beaker" guy from the muppet show. (Hey, if you're 40, you'll know what I"m talking about).

Seriously, watch that show and see what he can do. Then find a hairdresser who knows what a good haircut is. Pay whatever it costs.

You're worth it, baby...

[also....]

You have a killer professional wardrobe, which may give clues about hair alternatives. There are never only 2 styles (why limit yourself to one ANYTHING, eh??) (I too am of theTribe).  Think about the style and personality of the wardrobe, what you like best about it, and it may lead you to other hairstyles you will also like. Small cut on big woman: not good.  Overheated spaces may require hair goo of various kinds to keep the flyaways from flying away but it's worth it. I'm in humid Gulf South and use gunk that doesn't look gunkyto defrizz.  Also: make the big change in May, the day after exams, so you can get used to it before having to make it part of your public self.

[me too]

This is a hard one, I am also tall, and had drastically short cuts when I was young and thin. Now, being older and heavier, it is true that the balance is a bit out of whack, but, I think if you have a killer wardrobe, it can be done. Do you color your hair? I think that blond hair looks really good short, no matter what your physique.

[Hair today, gone tomorrow]

I can say, after trying many other styles, that my stupid hair really does just have two modes. I've paid embarrassing amounts of money in the past to have it cut and styled and it just doesn't want to do anything but these two styles 8 * ( Goo and gunk gives it a lot of body when it's short but doesn't do a thing in long mode.

I had hoped as I got older that it would do something distinguished (like miraculously become thick and wavy) but the only thing that has happened are very thick, white wiry hairs on top of my head: Very attractive!

[%sig%]

[give it another try]

Maybe you could go short but not so butch?  I too have fine hair that looks messy if long.  I drive an hour to the big-city hairdresser I trust.  The only guidance I give her is: it has to be easy but not butch.  They do amazing things with razor cuts these days, and a little color is fun too!  Three minutes in the morning, no kidding, and I'm ready to go.

[Prytania]

Keep your hair long and wear it up. Don't go short. I went short and it was one of the factors of my life being ruined. Hair grows, but it grows slow.

[tamiam]

How on earth was a short haircut related to your life being ruined? (Inquiring minds want to know!)

And don't tell me it's because people in CT hate women with short hair.

....or do we.....???

[no nonsense]

Can I just say how much I depend on product? Not only for styling, but very specific shampoos and conditioners to keep my hair in order.  

I suggest doing some homework. I'm a huge fan of Paula Begoun, who wrote _Don't Go to the Cosmetics Counter Without Me: A Unique Guide to over 30,000 Products, Plus the Latest Skin-Care Research_ and _Don't Go Shopping for Hair-Care Products Without Me: Over 4,000 Products Reviewed, Plus the Latest Hair-Care Information_.

I'm really not that interested in hair care and cosmetics, so I find treating it like research incredibly useful. Need a moisturizer? Look up what works--saves experimenting and wasting time and money.

[oh my]

Is this thread for real?
Cut it, don't cut it, stick it in a pony tail.
Who really worries about this stuff?

[andro]

For what it's worth, here's the male perspective.  Go with longer hair.  Most guys absolutely loathe short hair on a woman.  I'm not saying this is right (or wrong); it's just the nature of the beast.  If you don't care what guys think, get it cut short....less maintenance.

[Ms. Collegiality]

I'm right on the edge of needing bifocals, but not to the point where I can't just take my glasses off and see better.  My eye doctor told me to stick to that as long as possible.  He said reading glasses could be restricted to the times I wear my contact lenses (which isn't all the often these days).

We also share similar hair.  I used to get caught up in that either-or fallacy too:  limp mid-length or very short.  But in the years since I first started choosing between those two, along came something glorious called Product.  A little rubbed between the hands and onto the wet hair after the shower, a minute with the blow dryer with head hanging upside down, curling iron if I'm feeling especially stylish, and I'm done.  

Get thee to a stylist.  Pick one by keeping your eyes open on campus and choosing the woman your age who has the best looking hair that doesn't look too "done."  I'm assuming you're like me and don't want to do the big half an hour in front of the mirror thing.  Get that woman's stylist's name and make an appointment.  Then go to the stylist and say these words:  "Make me look like a rock star."

[Get the look!]

oh I think this is a sensible topic.  Ones appearance is important for a number of reasons, either in an very personal sense or professional sense (ie to potray the 'right image')

I am a woman of 40 and try to take care of my appearance: hairstyle, clothes etc... I don't want to walk around like a 'raggedy doll'.  The effort I make helps me to feel good about myself so it has a very positive psychological effect.  Furthermore, it also, I hope, send a postive message about me to others as well.  I like to dress in a feminine and elegant manner, but not over done for work.  At work at uni I dress in a professional manner and certainly would not go in jean and a t-shirt.  I think some pride must be taken and dessing 'professionally' is important.

With regard to my hair.  Well, it is just past my shoulders and in a gentle U curved cut at the back and I also have a fringe (bangs).  I think it suits me at 40 although I often look for other styles.  For women in their late 30s, 40s and 50s etc.... there is so much they can do.  Personally admire women in this age groups... their physical elegance and maturity is something special!!

Now I know some may want to jump on me for saying all this, but before you do remember this 'to each his/her own'!  If someone wants to go to work looking like they just got out of bed... go for it!  All I can say to that is 'yuk!

The author of this topic  I think, raised important issues.  It is just not hair but extended wider to ones own general appearance.

[%sig%]