Hahaha Cyn. I'm the oldest person alive. :p Actually, someone on GW is a couple of years older than me, but I forget who.

Linelle- you have the most gorgeous hair! I thought I would let my hair go gray- but my hair has decided to go gray only around my face in a really messy way. From the back I barely have a gray hair.

So I was having issues getting into my regular gal and gave Great Clips a try today. Was a little apprehensive when I saw my stylist but remembered she didn't do her hair! I'm low maintenance and got a cut very similar to my normal. Asked for suggestions but the young gal didn't have any thoughts on a change. My hair is a longer version of Annie's. I happy with it, it wasn't that much cheaper than my regular gal, but it would work in a pinch. I need a haircut every 4 weeks or so to keep things looking nice.

Linelle I love your hair. Mine is a little more peppery than yours, I am waiting for the more white days to come!

You guys are too nice.

My hair is a little darker in the back. Until recently I still claimed my hair was brown but it's pretty darn gray/white in front. I'm just grateful to have a decent head of hair.

I was just thinking about the new hairstylist I got about a year ago when I moved. I haven't been super happy with my cuts since I started going to her. I started growing it out from very short in April. She just trimmed the bangs and back for four months. I got my first real haircut in August. I hate it so much I have gone after it with a scissors myself and it's somewhat better now.

The latest really bad situation may be an indication that I've reached the point that it's too long for me. Or maybe it's a really bad interim stage. In any case way too flat and blah. There were a couple months before that last haircut where it was really pretty good. May have to try to get back to that growing out cut.

I've been thinking that maybe after a year I should try someone else if I'm not happy by then. I did see someone walking across a parking lot with a great haircut. I was tempted to ask her where she got it cut but I didn't. Big mistake.

Linelle, I have a crush on you now. I love your color--it's really nice and what I hope I can accomplish. Lovely--thank you for sharing. And Eld6161 and Sueb20 with your cuts and color. Beautiful hair!

My hair is a big part of me and my self concept. Annie, if you showed your stylist the photo of Mariska, they completely missed the mark in terms of length, at the very least. My advice would be to find a younger stylist... I have picky, complex hair, and I've been all over in terms of stylists. And I have found younger stylists to be more receptive to different cuts and understanding of my descriptions of what I want.

Age-ism, I know. This has just been my experience.

Well, my cousin's wife is starting out in hair dressing and I may give her a try. The problem of course is, if I'm not happy and stop going to her if it will add tension to family holidays....but I've got plenty of time to decide...I've got a long time for this scalping to grow out.

It's true Lisa. It's not so much that the stylist is older, but that they might become complacent and don't keep current on the latest styles and trends.

Also, a younger person is more eager to develop a following and maybe is more attentive and doesn't take you for granted.

I once had an appointment cancelled. I really needed a cut and so I asked for another stylist in the salon. Guess what? Mine was there doing an expensive highlighting treatment! That was that.

Lisa! I should walk around with my face blurred and maybe I wouldn't still be single. :p

I've always been a hair person too. If I think my hair looks like crap, nothing else can compensate for it. In a way I'm almost sorry I grew my hair after decades of it being very short. It's this investment that's hard to let go of.

I'm reconsidering the drastic cut-it-all-off that I'd planned for next week. I do think I will get more bangs because I just need something more up top.

Linelle, one of the secretaries at our school told me at the end of the year that I am now the oldest person in the school. She meant it as an insult, but I love being my age and look forward to experiencing many older ages. Of course, it would be nice if my knees worked better. HA. They can fix that now, though, so it is all good.

I went to a cousin who was starting out in the hair biz, I only went ONCE. No tension after luckily.

Cyn, your secretary doesn't sound very nice. I'd have probably said something back at her and blamed it on my advanced years and incipient dementia.

At my church, there are lots of people older than me, so I sometimes look around the room at a meeting and think, hah! I'm not the oldest person in the room.

LisaD -- I think you're right about younger stylists. My former stylist wasn't old by any means -- close to 40 -- but she was very "traditional" and worked in a suburban salon. I always felt like I was trying to tell her I wanted something a little more edgy/funky but she wasn't getting it. My new stylist is maybe 29, in an urban salon, and she has pink highlights and tattoos. She seems way more open to trying new things and understands just that "little edge" that I am looking for (she did something cool with my hairline in back last time -- I mean, I am still a 50 yo suburban mom but I want to look like I'm a tiny bit cool).

Annie, it sure wouldn't hurt to try your cousin's wife, especially if you already have a good relationship with her. I really hate you received such a bad haircut. It is so far off the mark from the length and style of your photo, it's just incredible to me that the stylist even attempted to cover up her mistakes.

Linelle, I love your hair color. My DH has much the same hair color at 70, just like his mother's hair which I admired. She wore hers in a pixie, cut short with bangs swept to the side. Didn't even know she was stylish, but it was so cute on her. I've just turned 68 btw, and mine would be a mousy brown with some gray mixed in on top. My stylist and I have been discussing going natural. She says I don't have much gray in back, just on top and a little on the sides, which is why I have still been using color. I wear a part on one side, no bangs, so you would definitely see the grow-out. But she says she can work in some color so it won't be so obvious. Excuse this photo, taken a couple of days ago on a windy day in the Beartooth pass.

lInelle, thanks so much for posting that pic. I had bangs like yours for about two years and loved them. Then someone cut them straight across and I've been trying to explain the difference to hairdressers ever since with no luck. Now I can just show them your gorgeous pic.

Daisy, you're welcome. I had just washed and dried my hair yesterday when I took the photo. Everything, including bangs, was being compliant. The problem is, my hair, including my bangs, has a forward growth, so just one forward lean, and everything's in my face. Therefore, flicking and flipping my hair, which might be mildly annoying by an adolescent, but totally not good by a septuagenarian, IYKWIM.

Linelle, I am 72 & my hair is white!! Started turning grey in my 20's. I grew it out some a couple of yrs ago, but it has gotten curly in my older age & I thought it just looked like a hot mess. Better for me to do short & tighter to my head, IYKWIM. Your hair is very pretty.

Thank you! I feel a little better. Haven't read all the replies but I think I can say "it's not just me". I've been using the same hairdresser for 10 years. Small town, not much to choose from. Time before last the cut was PERFECT (it usually is every 3rd time). Too much to expect the same deal this time I suppose :( I never know when I walk in if I'll walk out smiling or mad! How hard can it be for the same person to cut someone's hair the same way every month? Can't she just cut it like it is only shorter? :D

I've wondered the "same thing but shorter" myself when trying somone new. But apparently it is difficult for so many. Perhaps part of the reason I like the current styist I found is that the cut I got before wasn't that far off. Had I liked the stylist's personality or had a good experience and not the sit and wait with wet hair while she had an extended discussion about extensions, appointments and costs with another customer, I might have gone back. The new guy didn't need to change much. But if you don't have a choice.... Have you noticed a difference if you book eraly in the day or late in the day?

Thank goodness I don't have to color my hair, not yet anyway. I'd probably ask for some lightening and come out maroon!

Annie that hair cut is a disgrace as it's the exact opposite of what you showed her. I don't understand how she could have gone so short, it makes no sense. I always had the person point on their forhead or nose how long they wanted bangs, that never failed to bring about a good result. I feel for you. I had that happen to me once and I was furious as I paid 100.00 for it and that was 26 years ago. She did an amazing hair cut but not the one I wanted. I have to admit I kept her style and got tons of compliments. It was for my son's wedding. On that day I realized that she made me look better than the old cut as it had grown in an inch. I hope you have better results the next time.

Ouch! That cut is almost painful. Well, the bangs. I cannot believe someone would cut the bangs so short! One thing I must have is long bangs. Sometimes I will even tell my gal not to touch them or just "snip" them. I can easily trim my bangs if needed. Mine also kind of brush to the side. Maybe you should see a dermatologist about the hair loss/scalp problem.

On the up-side, you can let it grown and then try someone else! Here's hoping for a better experience next time.

My husband once took my young daughter for a haircut.. the result was horrifying. Bangs cut close to the hairline. Why.. because his instructions were to cut the bangs short so he wouldn't need to bring the child in often. Forward many years later, my now teenage daughter persuades my husband to take her to the hairdresser for a trim.. the results were 5 full inches cut off from her hair whereas she only wanted 1 inch off. Once side shorter than the other (because apparently she asked for layering). So the lesson of this story.... always make sure I'm around when she goes to a hairdresser.. I tell the hairdresser to cut half an inch and knowing how hairdressers work, they will probably end up cutting 1 inch which is the length I needed her to cut off. This is from one of those cheaper hair salons. For more complex haircuts, I would bring her to my hairdresser who knows how to create the layering effect she'd want. I always have several photos of the haircuts I want. BTW - it was my hairdresser who introduced me to ammonia free haircolouring. Ive used it for nearly 10 years now. Its so good on the hair. Doesn't dry it out. Looks completely natural. I highly recommend non-ammonia products to keep the hair healthy.

My hairdresser is moving away! It took me a long time to develop hairdresser loyalty but I do stick with one person for a long time now and I really liked her. Trying out a new one tomorrow who works "by referral only" and books 2mos minimum in advance.

I too need an idiot proof haircut as I am terrible with my hair.

Well, four days is a long time. I got a short cut today. I've been tempted for a year but you know how it gets once you've grown your hair out. I decided I really wasn't happy with it long and ended up pulling it back just to keep my sanity. This isn't a true selfie, a couple of mirrors were involved. It turned out to be way less shocking than I'd imagined. It's actually the truer me. No regrets.

What a great haircut! That's my favorite length. Sometimes I let mine grow longer, but always like it best at a length similar to your new cut.

You have great hair, Linelle. And I am 20 years younger than you but your neck looks better than mine. I don't like you any more.

Gail, thanks. I took in 4 photos of myself with cuts I liked. All done by my current hairdresser. We decided to err on the longer side to make a less traumatic transition. I already made an appointment for 6 weeks hence because I will definitely need a trim and fine-tune by then. I'm relieved I did this. It's liberating.

Sue, hahahahahaha. It's all in the angle of the neck. Mine is actually disgusting.

Linelle I love your new do!! You have good hair, especially for a longer layered cut like that. Enjoy!

Oh dear, Linelle. I am afraid we can no longer be friends. I am consumed by jealousy. I am, however, hopeful that I will be able to overcome my envy in short order....twenty years or so should do it.

;-)

Linelle, beautiful cut! Love it. It's really a nice style.

Ida, your hair is lovely, too. I had long curly hair but couldn't manage it. (Probably because I only combed it once a day.) It never looked as neat as yours!

Annie... see, there's hope.

You guys. This is a murky photo using two mirrors. Neck and everything else look better than in strong lighting. I always feel a bit insecure when I get a major haircut and you've all made my day. Even Cyn and Sue. :p

It looks great. Is it easy to do? My fantasy would be to have wash and wear hair. No blow outs.

It's not wash and wear, but I only spend 2-3 minutes blow outs, mostly for body and lift.

I actually just like coming back to this thread to see the blurs. No one looks anything like I imagined!

Nice cut Linelle!

I love both the before and after, Linelle.. and Outside, if I didn't color my hair, it would look almost exactly like yours! Currently mine's a bit more angled towards the front-- but it's definitely the same kind of hair! (And I am still using the keratase and the Aveda hair thickening tonic)

it looks great. Take as many photos of it as you can so you can show these to your hairdresser when you visit her the next time.

Linelle,if you don't mind I'm going to show your.photo to my stylist tomorrow to see if she thinks a similar cut would work on my hair. I have tried since December to let my curly girl shine but the truth is my curls are not pretty like my two DDs are.

Both daughters love my hair shoulder length and tell me it makes me look younger. I think they both need glasses. The length draws my face down and it takes forever to blow dry it. I have to go shorter for my own sanity plus when my hair is shorter it looks more stylish. I normally get my hair cut and colored every four weeks but have only had it trimmed once since December to let it grow though have it colored as normal.

Linelle, your hair color is fabulous. I want to let my silver grow out but my DH and DDs are totally against it.

OOOh Linelle, add me to the list of lusters of your hair. I hate, hate my thinnish, curly, ugly hair. We recently became snowbirds and when I am in Arizona, my blow dry stays straight. The minute I arrive in humid Chicagoland,--- awful, tight, frizzy, curls. We were in Montana last month and my hair stayed exactly as blown. I cannot embrace these curls, try as I might. My hair starts to kink up as I am leaving the bathroom after a shower and blow dry. Annie, yeah, your hairdresser done you wrong-too short.

Westsider , I know exactly what you mean. My curls are more frizz than curl. Product does help to enhance the curls and minimize frizz but no amount of product helps in humidity. My dream is to live in AZ to have hair that behaves.

Westsider and Holly. I mentioned before about the products I use. This is not an all day, out in humid weather solution, but it works for getting into your car and going to work or to a restaurant. So, not if you are going to be outside for long stretches of time.

Aveda, Smooth Infusion Shampoo and Conditioner, or the (Dry Remedy)

Style prep on toweled dried hair. After styling, spray KMS anti humidity spray and then KSM medium hold hair stay (yes they call it stay instead of spray).

I use a Frederick Fekkai glaze sometimes after I conditioner. You leave it on for 5 minutes and then wash out. I have an Arbonne hair mask that works well too.

I just got about 5" cut off and it feels great! Spent three hours in the chair with the new hairdresser and it was worth every penny. :)

Holly-Kay, no problem!

Post a pix, Robo!

Robo, would love to see your new haircut.

Funkyart, I somehow just knew we had similar hair from our many previous talks here about hair. Mine can look lighter out in the sun too.

Thanks Ellen, I supppose, 6161.

Eld6161, thank you for the product info! I will look into them. I especially need a hairspray. For some reason I've always shied away from hairspray

i just got back from my hair stylist and she cut my hair according to Linelle's pic. It doesn't look as nice as Linelle's but at least I now have hair that has volume and it will take about half the time to dry.

My hairdresser does a poor job when we talk too much. Sometimes I just want to tell her to shut up and focus. I've had a few cuts like yours from her Annie. But I stopped trying anyone new. They are all about the same...as in your experience.