Heavy thick hair

[Elora]

I have thick hair, and it gets so heavy when i have any amount of length to it. For years, I have always had my hair at shoulder level but would like a cut to go even shorter.

It's hard to get it really short without it looking like a bop. I've never been wild about layering. I guess I've just had bad experiences with layers not turning out how I thought they would look.

I usually just pull it back with a hair clip but would like to have a cut that I could just wear it down more often.

Thanks for any input you may have.

[Toni]

Originally Posted by Elora

I have thick hair, and it gets so heavy when i have any amount of length to it. For years, I have always had my hair at shoulder level but would like a cut to go even shorter.

It's hard to get it really short without it looking like a bop. I've never been wild about layering. I guess I've just had bad experiences with layers not turning out how I thought they would look.

I usually just pull it back with a hair clip but would like to have a cut that I could just wear it down more often.

Thanks for any input you may have.

Hi Elora and WELCOME, Welcome, welcome!!!
I'm so glad you're here with a great question.

Heavy, thick hair can be time consuming, give one headaches and everyone thinks the best, generic solution is to cut it all off. Well, there are those of us who would like some style and a feeling of confidence in our looks! Hello.

Elora, I'm so sorry that you have had bad experiences with layer haircuts. Unfortunately, some stylists can get into a generic mode with their cuts sometimes. However, it may not have been the haircuts at all. Tell me about your hair and if it holds any kind of a curl or bend.

You see, hair that is heavy with the weight pulling it straight for the duration of its life down each inch that is born from the scalp knows nothing else but to hang stick straight in place from the weight of the heavy length. Very often any hairstyle that has been all one length that suddenly takes a drastic change into a haircut, especially a layered one. needs time and care to "learn" new directions and behavior. My mother used to say new bangs need to be 'trained' for a while before they know what they are supposed to do. I used to laugh at that, yet certainly know now what she meant.

So tell me about how well your hair will hold any bend of a curl, what face shape you are (honestly) and what haircuts you've had that were above your shoulders before. (especially how short and what kind of layers you received). Also, the color of your hair and skintone. Believe it or not, all these things make a difference in hair, the lighting, and the movement. Without seeing your hair, I will do my best to give you some advice based on at least these factors. Just let me, and anyone else here who may have some insight, know!

[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.

[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.

[Elora]

Thanks for the advice! That is my biggest problem when getting my hair cut is using the correct terminology for how I want my hair to look. I'm always afraid to use the term "feathered" because it reminds me of the 80's look.

Thanks for the compliment on my baby. We think she's cute, but we could be biased.

[deadhead]

If your hair is really heavy , it can actually give you headaches and even backaches. You may need to go shorter just to avoid any complications later.

[Elora]

Luckily I've never had backaches but headaches I have had because of my hair. I definitely prefer it shorter and don't think I'll ever let it grow out much past my shoulders. Besides, shorter hair so much easier to manage most of the time.