Important thoughts about my hair
February 5, 2013As you all know, because you follow everything I say and do and think, I've been growing out my short hair. I've long been a fan of short hair, and in fact have had short hair for most of my life. Every now and then, though, I overdo it and get some kind of super-pixie and am promptly freaked out by how much of my face you can see. And so I attempt to grow it out.
Such was the case with this cut, which was this short mostly so we could cut off all the dyed hair. Also, I can't believe this was two years ago. Hair grows slowly. On the other hand this seems like a week ago. Time in a bottle, etc.
All I could think after this cut was NOWHERE TO HIDE. Also, OH MY GOD MY FOREHEAD. Let's be honest: I have a long face. I need, at the very least, more bangs than this. I spent a good month after this tugging at my bangs, as if that would cause them to grow faster.
So! Growing out the hair, and I've reached the length wherein I am wondering Why The Hell Does a Person Do This? The hair, she is all over. I have a LOT of hair, and I'm overdue for a trim. It feels wild and unruly. I am used to tame, not to mention ruly. I was just complaining to someone (my postal worker?) about how ungodly long it is, and then I was compelled to take a picture to complain to the Internet, and this is what I got.
Okay, never mind.
Is it possible to have Hair Dysmorphia? I really did think it was pretty long before I took this. It seems I have a way to go until it's legitimately long or even not-short. And so, I shall hang in there, my friends. I am a model of courage and perseverance.
Reader Comments (46)
Hi Alice!
I have been reading and loving your blog for a long time now. I've seen a lot of different looks with your hair and I have to say my all time favorite look on you is the pixie. I know lots of folks are liking the long hair and I do too, but its not the pixie. I don't want to sound creepy but I remember when you first posted about it, I was blown over at how much I loved your short hair. As soon as I saw you with it, I just though it was so YOU. It accentuated your face, and it brought out your eyes.
Now fast forward to this post and I can tell you when your said your hair had gotten longer, I was not prepared. My first reaction was holy sh*t, her hair is long!! I am still loving the gray hair.
I know women go through times when they want long hair or short hair - I'm a long haired girl trapped inside some above the shoulder hair at the moment. I can respect that you are wanting to rock longer locks, but in all honesty, you OWNED that pixie cut. It will always be how I see you when I see your blog in my reader.
Have a good day!
First, you work that pixie like nobody's bidness. Second, I was surprised to see your lovely long locks in a recent post with Henry. Darn you, Alice Bradley, isn't it enough that you're a great writer? You had to have the good hair, too?! ;)
Signed,
Forehead for Three Counties
You are simply adorable.
I am waiting for it to be long enough for you to sit on it.
I think your hair is very pretty. You have a lovely face!
I've had the same hair cut/style for 16 years. I have no right to weigh in, but I think you look give good forehead.
Perhaps what you're feeling overwhelmed by is the thickness? I know my full-bodied hair feels long and unmanageable whenever it achieves a certain...density.
In this photo, at least, your hair looks pretty thick (and lovely, of course, but I understand if living beneath it drives you bonkers).
Michelle, my hair is *crazy* thick. It's a lot of hair. So yes! I need a trim and vigorous thinning/texturizing, which will make me feel much more sane.
Thanks, everyone, for your nice words! I wasn't fishing for compliments, I swear, but I can't exactly say I'm not enjoying them.
I'm in the middle of growing my hair out, too, for the sole purpose of being able to put it in a respectable bun. It's shoulder-length now, but any bun I can get it into is entirely too puny.
I really like your longer hair -- it suits you well!
I'm partial to short hair (have it myself, and pretty close to your first pic). I love the "before" pic! Not to say that I don't like the "after" pic, but I think the short short hair suits you. My 2 cents.
When you're used to your hair being very short, shoulder-length is LONG by comparison. (FWIW I think the "too short" cut looks absolutely stunning.)
Hair dysmorphia!
You look so fantastic in your short hair in that top photo. You always look fantastic. You look amazing in the second photo.
If only you knew the glorious luck of looking good in short hair!!! (Or am I being like one of those chubby girls who feels annoyed when the skinny girl complains about the tiniest wobble on her thighs.)
It's OK--if you have hair dysmorphia, I shan't judge
I grow glorious thick hair. But I have a gigantic enormous head and so I can't ever cut my hair without looking like Will Ferrell in every haircut. I guess the thick, wavy hair thing is lucky but all my life I've dreamed of having short hair.
I guess if I were you I'd leave your hair alone from the second photo and then clean it up a little in about 3 weeks.
Don't forget about product! (I love saying 'product.' "And now, for some product.") Apparently product is the key to everything. There's probably some tweak--like product or an iron or a blow drying technique that will blow your mind if you can find someone to teach it to you who understands those things.
The long, sweeping, shaggy (but not shaggy!) bangs really suit you! It looks so sexy and swingy and I bet your hair has lots of movement, you hair-witch. What spell did you cast for it to do that? Hmph.
My vote: your current look. You can pull off short hair too, obviously (more witchery), but this is so alive. Yes. That's it. Alive. KEEP IT, Alice! Yeah!
You can totally carry off the pixie cut. (And as some who refuses to color over greys--I choose to pluck them--I love the way you can pull that off, too.) Given that my own hairs are many and not straight, I declare that you don't know from unruly, and therefore you must have Hair Dysmorphia. In other words, that long hair of yours looks awesome. I vote for growing it and chopping it for the summer.
I think your hair looks lovely and I, personally, like it better longer than short. It's more youthful and a bit softer, perhaps? Either way, you are a beautiful woman!
I'm in the process of growing my locks out. After highlighting and then, coloring, for the past few years - I'm not too pleased with: 1) what the coloring has done to the chemistry of my hair and 2) the need to continue coloring to disguise the roots that tend to sprout so quickly. It's a vicious cycle! Alas, as it is growing out I'm noticing that it is grey. Very grey. Much more grey than it was when I was in my 20's and wow, was that really 20 years ago?! I've also noticed that I have a patch on the very top of my head - right there at the part - that is ALL white much like a skunk. Unfortunately, I'm not at the point yet where I can cut off the colored hair (unless I want a 3-inch whiffle ... which I do not) so I'm kinda stuck in hair purgatory for at least another few months. Until then: hurrah for ponytails and hats!
Huh. I think it looks pretty cute, actually -- Leave it alone!
You and your hair look fantastic! I'm sure you've talked about this too but I love you rocking the gray.
similar grow-out, i am also questioning if i'm a medium-longish hair person. yours is lovely either length.
I have hair dysmorphia the other way. It doesn't seem long to me until it's waist-length or so. It only seemed REALLY long when it was tailbone length. I just cut it from bra-strap length to shoulder-skimming and holy crap, it's so SHORT.
In the last ten years I've had a variety of hair-styles, but the length is alwayys just below the chin (like you now) or just above the shoulder. Yeah, it can get a bit awkward between hair cuts, becuase hair that length just doesn't do well unless it's ruly, kempt and tidy. I have long bangs too.
The only thing that works for me is getting a trim and layers put in, without taking much off the length. That way it still grows long (if I'm growing it out) but it gets some shape and it feels much tidier.
Not sure if this would work for you. Tousled looks good on you....enjoy it!
is funny - my hair is the same length but because i have had waist length hair for most of my life i think it is way too short LOL