[Toni]

Originally Posted by Elora

Thanks for the warm welcome!

I've had my hair fairly short before. It was so short that I couldn't put rollers in it. That has been a while since that was my bad experience with layers. I think the hairstylist got a little scissor happy.

My hair has a fair amount of body and holds curl really well. I've had great experiences with perms. I'm a brunette. My hair has lightened some this summer, so it's a soft brown, like chestnut. My skintone is pretty pale. I get a little sun but not much. My face shape is oval-round if that makes sense.

I've had haircuts that the longest part of my hair was just below my ears. I like that kind of cut.

I've had layers before that I liked, but it seems the shorter I want my hair the worse the layers look on me.

I do have a picture of me I'll share. It's not one of my best, but it's the only one I have on web space.

Hi again Elora,
and thanks for the picture! They really are worth a thousand words and it helps me with my advice for you.

I can certainly appreciate your hair getting too heavy as it grows out. You are obviously a mom and ideally need a style that's quick, easy and looks nice on you. You said you desire to go shorter than shoulder length and that, of course, will help take weight off. However, I would not go much shorter than that. Then you should request your hair be 'feathered' on the ends which in reality means they are putting in an angle of a very, slight layer at the bottom to allow for swing and movement. Or, if you like your hair rolled under, ask for an 'undercut'. This allows your hair to turn under quickly and efficiently either with a quick blow dry and round brush or stick some rollers in the ends. This looks is fabulous and fun. I would go a step further and suggest some feathering around the frame of your face only! With the shortest piece being no shorter than your chin. Blow dry these sides back onto your style. Your stylist can show you how to achieve this. A good stylist will know all this terminology and I want you to talk to him/her at length about these things to make sure both of you are on that same page!

The end result should be no "poofiness" along the sides yet rather some laying back from the feathering. Hair that bounces a bit on the ends or moves gracefully as you swing it around would look good on you and I think you will love it. This should still leave it long enough to clip back while at home to keep little fingers from temptation. Yet, you can feel like a woman again instead of just mom. : )
Cute baby, btw!
Hope this helps.