musings and misadventures: HTT

1.08.2008

HTT - Hair Edition

Let's spare no feelings here and get down to a nitty-gritty Hot Topic.

No, it's not abortion or euthanasia. It's more serious.

Which is better, long hair or short hair?

'Cause I have to be honest, long hair almost always looks prettier to me, but I'm a short hair gal at heart.

When I'm fat, however, I have a hard time sporting short locks as they accentuate my chipmunk cheeks, also known as "Do you have marshmallows in there?"

But when I'm decently average, I can't help but have a bob, though I've sported everything from a pixie to shag - not always by choice.

Now I face the dilemma of having a bob whilst pregnant. And since I'm still loaded up with cysts, I'm looking about FIVE months pregnant at only 14 weeks. So I'm trying to decide if I should maintain my shorter 'do or grow it out to spare my face.

What are your thoughts on hair? 'Cause I know some people blatantly refuse to even try out short hair, which I either interpret as a sign of conceitedness or fear. And then there is the fact that so many "older" women insist on having short hair when they would probably look just as good or better with a shoulder-length 'do.

Where do you stand on this crucial issue?

Is your hair short or long?

And why?

Go.

39 comments:

Jessi said...: I'm so excited to hear everyone's comments. I fall into the "fear of short hair" category but have been trying to talk myself into getting it wacked short for months now. The thing with long hair is you always have the pony-tail escape clause when you just don't feel up to styling it, but short hair is so darn cute I think it might be worth it.; 8:00 AM
stephanie said...: i am definitely a short hair girl. but currently my hair is past my shoulders, which is really long in my world. it is driving me crazy. i'm dreaming of a bob. maybe after i've lost the baby weight.

mrs. dub, i have never seen you with bad hair (except for maybe the haircut i gave you before you went to hawaii that one time. i still feel bad about that. i am sorry. but honestly, you even pulled that off.) you always look fabulous.; 8:19 AM
Ashby said...: First off, welcome back!

As for me, I'm a short hair kind of girl. I love a new fresh cut with style. On the flip side, I envy those with long hair. I feel that everytime I grow my hair long I look frumpy. Currently I am desperately trying to grow my hair out after a horrible cut I got in August. Yes, it's been 5 months, and I'm still suffering. But after that cut I'm beginning to think that I can survive with long hair if it means avoiding bad stylists.; 8:42 AM
Anonymous said...: i have short hair--a bob. I love it for me, but I have thin, fine hair. If i could pull off long hair, I would give it a try, but it doesn't work on me.

I might stick with long if I were pregnant, because there is nothing like pulling it up into a ponytail--so easy. Short hair isn't easy like that.; 8:52 AM
LCM said...: I have done both, but when my little girl got really sick I grew out my hair for the ponytail factor. I just have to watch the length around my face or I get horsey looking. I look back at my pictures and I looked good with short hair too. The key, a good stylist. I had a great one that showed me products I could use and easy ways to fix the hair.; 9:12 AM
Jen said...: I agree with all the ponytail copout fans. I love my hair to be a little above shoulder length, but thinned and whacked down to manageability. I have a stylist I love right now who helps with my bushy back and limp lifeless front. Not that I take advantage of her sweet skills more than once a year, but it's infinitely comforting to know that she's there for me.; 9:32 AM
Natalie said...: i've had about every length and style in the book - i love change and hair is a relatively paineless way to bring about a shake-up. I tend to love all styles but have a hard time sticking with one for very long. Best hair cut ever? Miss Stephanie gave me a fabulous A-line longish bob in Miss Leslie's driveway - I've been contemplating a move to AZ ever since.; 9:36 AM
Alifinale said...: I think long hair looks pretty on so many people (but definitely not everyone). I hate when people with long hair think that because it it long their don't have to have a style to it or do it.

I wish I could have long hair sometimes but the longest I have ever gone is about 2 inches past my shoulder. My hair is too thin and fine and looks like straw when it gets long. I always revert back to my trusted bob. Bobs are still in style right? But I am kind of having the same dilemma as I am also pregnant and debating a big cut.; 9:43 AM
liz said...: I think a chin-length bob is always in style and looks good on almost everyone because it frames the face.

A few years ago, I went from polygamist-wife long (except I didn't have those bangs) to activist-marching-the-capitol short (it was shorter than my husband's, and his is still missionary short). It was so fun and I loved it. I always tell people to try short, short hair if they like it -- don't be afraid! -- because it will grow. Eventually.

That short hair didn't require any blowdrying or styling except a little product and was great mom hair. After about three years, I got a little bored with it, and I've now grown it out to a layered bob which must be flat-ironed to look good and is a royal pain. It's pretty though.

I say do whatever feels good at the moment, but do it with an excellent stylist.; 10:00 AM
Cichelli said...: I've done everything with my hair, from bob to super long, to purple (I was living in London! I had to!). My husband prefers long hair so I keep it long, in part, to keep him thinking I'm sexy. But mostly I keep long hair because it's easier for me. I can throw it up into a pony tail or a bun. Short hair I have to style every day and as a working mom, I don't always have that luxury. Some days I get 10 minutes total to get ready -- shower, hair, make up, dress...

And how about a conversation about how my stick straight hair went completely curly after having babies. Did that happen to anyone else?! So weird! It took me another two years just to figure out how to style curly hair after a lifetime of naturally straight.

For the record, you're beautiful. Seriously. Go Britney on us and shave it and you'll still be cuter than me on my best days.

muah!; 10:18 AM
Rachie said...: I like long and short hair. I like having short hair because I feel a little more funky...but if it is a bad cut then I feel like a little girl.

When my hair is long, I want it short and when it is short, I want it long. I am never happy.

Currently my hair is chin length and I wish I could put it in a ponytail. I do not belive in the "mom" haircut that my own mother sports. I don't think that short, curled hair is cute. Was it ever?

Furthermore, when I am pregnant I believe in long hair because my cheeks get pretty big too.

I say grow it out.; 10:42 AM
Layton Mom said...: I always go with a drastic short do after having a baby. So right now I have pretty short hair, well at least for me. Something about a complex about my ears keeps me from cutting it really short.

I love both short and long styles and I am not opposed to either, however while you are on bed rest it may be better to have the pony tail option.; 11:07 AM
Mostly Jessica said...: This just goes to show that people are adamant about their hair and their toothpaste. Either one will change the subject lickety-split. I fall into the category of medium to long hair. I just can't pull off anything shorter due to my massive forehead (popularity dating back to the early 1600s, you know, queen Elizabeth times). Jessica; 11:10 AM
zeeny said...: I just cut ten inches of hair off and donated it to locks of love. I kept it long thinking it didn't make me look so fat, even though I never did it and wore it in a pony tail everyday. I finaly realized hair doesn't make look fat or less fat...fat makes you look fat! Now my hair is short (posh like) and I love it. I actually feel more feminine because I do my hair everyday! I always look at long hair and think it is beautiful but I just don't do my hair when it is long...pulling it back is too easy. Why not try a short do...if you don't like it, grow it back. It's only hair after all!; 11:17 AM
Kate said...: I have short hair (well a bob so medium length) and I have no fear of cutting my hair... I go to different stylist all the time so they don't get stuck in a rut... I think 'long hair makes you look thin' is an illusion... that is so untrue- I look at women with cute, short hair and I will always compliment them.. and my husband doesn't care either way...; 11:22 AM
Mary said...: You know how much I loved your hair when it was super short at Thanksgiving at Aunt Carol's house.

I also adore your hair in a medium bob.

I have almost zero memories of you in long hair, but I'm sure if you had it, I would think it was the "best hair ever!"

But ... I'm your mother ... what do I know?; 11:25 AM
Laurel said...: I'm a short hair girl. Always have been, probably always will be. For the last 8 years I have sported a spikey cute little pixie cut, but I'm trying to grow it out just because I want to have long hair at least once in my life.

Frankly I'll be surprised if it actually gets anywhere below my chin let alone shoulders because:

1. Long hair is a hassle and I get bored drying it that long.

2. Since I've always had a short specifically styled cut, long hair feels a little like everyone else to me.

3. Frankly, I don't think it will look all that good on me. My hair just gets too heavy and loses its body and life.

4. I might be getting a little too old for long hair. Have you seen Diane Cannon lately? That women needs a haircut--badly. (p.s. I'm not nearly as old as Diane Cannon--I'm just saying...)

5. The one time it got below my shoulders my girlfriend called and when I told her I had gotten a haircut she just sighed and said, "Good!"

Maybe everybody thinks I'm a short hair girl. Truth is, I always get way more compliments (from women) on my short hair than when it is long. But men...well I think they have a deep emotional affection for long hair. Why? Do they want to yank on it? Are they hoping it would keep them warm during a power outage? Don't know, but most of them do.; 11:42 AM
Page said...: I am one of the many faithful Mrs. Dub readers who found your blog through the friend of a friend. I decided it must be time to offer a comment, since my last post was about my recent major hair-chop.

I have fallen into a pattern of haircuts that I love. Once every 3 years or so I cut it short, and then grow it out long again, trying several different hairstyles in between. As soon as I get bored of one cut, it's time for the next! I love both the long and short seasons of hairstyles.; 11:43 AM
Audra said...: I have shoulder length hair and a 10 months old. I tell you this because I agree. Short hair doesn't look good on me when I am fat! I still have my baby's pregnancy weight (4th kid) and have no plans to cut my hair short till I lose the weight.

I prefer short to medium length hair, but I really think it depends on your face shape! Anyone who has hair below their waist has issues. I am constantly telling my husband to tell our daughter that he loves her hair at any length. Daddy's have more influence in this area than Moms. Just my opinion.

6 month blog stalker - first time blog comment- Thanks for your great blog mrs. dub!; 12:22 PM
Alice said...: I am definitely a short hair kind of girl. I love to get a hair cut, and I definitely look better with short hair. However, I think that there are cute styles at about any length. So personal preference, face shape, and your hair stylist play into this.

I think that whole long hair makes you look thinner is a hoax. On SOME poeple longER hair may be thinnning on them, but as a rule I don't think everyone should follow it. The same can be true, if you cut your hair some, that can be thinning too.

I am not a fan of SUPER long hair with no style or layers in it. It looks so BLAH! and defnitely not flattering to anyone's face! But long pretty hair with some sort of style can be great.

I,since I like short hair, envy shorter do's far more often than long locks.

Good luck deciding.; 12:38 PM
Carina said...: My hair is short because I have very curly hair. If I have long hair, I look like either a poodle or Slash from GNR.

It has to be short, otherwise I end up straightening it everyday and I don't have the time.

I also have to pay a ton to get a GOOD haircut so I don't end up looking matronly.; 12:38 PM
Colleen said...: I've had long hair most of my life. It was waist-length when I got married and I cut it to my chin six months later. First mistake? Getting a cheap cut for such a drastic change. I've been contemplating trying short again (it's just past my shoulders at present) but I haven't decided for sure yet... I was a lifelong natural ('cept for highlights) blond until April when I went red. I LOVE RED!!!

My hair went curly when I had my baby too. Weird. He's two and I'm still getting used to it. It's nice to have options, I guess...

Wow, what a ramble. What was the question? Oh yeah. I fully believe some people are short hair people and some people are long hair people. But deciding that for others is way easier than for yourself...; 12:45 PM
Jenny said...: my hair went curly after my first baby, too. well, some of it went curly. argh. i wish it was all or nothing, but oh well. :)

i did the locks of love thing before baby #3, and had chin-length hair for a while. never really had it shorter than that. FEAR for sure. :)

glad you're back.; 1:22 PM
Jillybean said...: My hair used to be long, almost to my waist, until my daughter was old enough to decide it was fun to pull it. I had it cut in a shoulder length cut with layers that curled under. I loved the change.
I now wear it short, but still long enough to pull back when I need a ponytail day. I loved my long hair but it made me look frumpy. I look better in short hair
My daughter's hair has always been long. It grows really fast and is currently long enough to sit on. It looks really cute on her.; 1:49 PM
Heather said...: When pregnant I follow the words of the Beatles and "let it be". Short hair does me NO favors while pg. I however, am not pg and I just got a great a-line cut to honor Vicki Beckham. I love it.

I'm kinda over long hair to be honest.; 2:03 PM
Melanie M. McKinnon said...: i recently had to deal with this problem. my hair was very lengthy and my boring natural color and it did not make me want to style it in any way. so i decided to cut it short and add highlights and now my sanity has returned. only about 10 minutes, if that, to blow-dry and less to straighten. i missed it.

i too have the marshmallow syndrome. along with a square face, my plump physique doesn't help. i don't mind a short haircut, though, because it's easier which means i have more time and it's cute which ups my self-esteem a bit.

figure out what's easiest for you and what makes you feel best. every one else can keep their mouths shut.

for the record, my marshmallow cheeks are bigger than yours! :); 2:10 PM
Bella said...: I'm in a viscous cycle of growing it past my shoulders, saying I'm not cutting it, then cutting back into my little angled bob. I love both but just can't decide.; 2:24 PM
emily said...: My MIL told me that ALL men want women with looooooong hair. Just for that I keep my hair short (ish). One day I'll get brave (OK, one day when I get skinny) I'm going with the pixie cut.

Love this HT; 3:13 PM
steph said...: oh, i can never commit, so my hair length is medium.

you ALWAYS look cute... long or short hair.; 3:54 PM
Leisha Mareth said...: SHORT! If I could get away with super-short hair I'd do it, but alas my cheeks won't allow it.; 4:53 PM
Miriam Herm said...: i am a long haired girl all the way. my hair is red. and thick. so when short, it looks like a puff when styled and a burning bush (think moses) when not (styled, that is). plus my long hair makes me feel pretty and feminine. but that's just me. (and apparently, i'm in the minority with all of these short haired girls. . .); 6:40 PM
go boo boo said...: I am a freak about hair. Seriously. I have never had the same hairstyle for more than 6 months, since like ever. The color or the length or the styles change so frequently. I tend to like pictures of me when it's long (and I think it's "prettier" too), but short is so easy and sassy. I just know that I have chopped it my last two pregnancies and regretted it, so maybe make a vow not to touch it until your little bean is like a year old (too many hormones in control!). Although I would bet you'd be beautiful any which way.; 7:50 PM
Gretchen said...: I've had both long and short hair. And I'm here to tell you, it is SO much less maintenance to have it short. My hair is long right now, and while I love it, it is a BEAST to wrestle into supermodel condition. But I do it. I'm committed to suffering for my art.; 8:24 PM
Charlotte said...: My hair is so curly... I have to have it long to drag down some of the poofiness. But as already has been said... I don't know a man that prefers short hair. I think women often prefer it because it is easy, not because it looks great. You look to be the type that can pull it off, though. I think if you have short hair- it needs to be styled, colored, etc. so it doesn't look like you just took the easy way out.; 9:02 PM
emily & david said...: Of course I love short hair, but the trouble is finding a competent stylist who can handy tricky layering. Right now i suffer with a butchered head. At least I won't need another cut for 6 months.; 10:28 PM
annie said...: I had super curly hair (think 80's spiral perm) until I had my second baby. Now my hair is 98% straight. Go figure. I'm with the gals who like change, every 6 months I get something new. Although for the record, my hubby likes long.; 10:45 AM
annie said...: I had super curly hair (think 80's spiral perm) until I had my second baby. Now my hair is 98% straight. Go figure. I'm with the gals who like change, every 6 months I get something new. Although for the record, my hubby likes long.; 10:48 AM
Lindsey from The R House said...: i have long hair, but as you recall, i have also had a pixie. i keep the long hair because the short reminds me of being sick and in the hospital with meningitis. plus, when i look at myself with short hair, i throw up in my mouth a little.

and steph, lu's hair always looks awesome, i agree. except for the whole afro bit in the ybh. oh lu, you are so brave! i was loving your hair at this last visit and liked it tons with the bangs pulled up at blue iguana.; 1:57 PM
Will Murdoch said...: Long, short, usually doesn't matter much. It's the cut that counts. Bad cut=Bad Hair.; 2:23 PM