short or long?

All my life, I've vascillated between short hair and long hair. I get tired of dealing with all my hair (and trust me, I have the thickest, most pain-in-the-neck hair known to womankind), so I cut it all off. And then I get tired of not being able to do anything different with my hair (not that I do anything "different" when it's long), so I grow it out. And then sometimes, before I even give it a chance to get long, I get fed up with the sort of in-between stage it's in, and I cut it all off.

Now is one of those times.

With a little luck, I'm going to be booking an appointment with a stylist this coming Friday. And I will either suck it up, and just get a trim, in the hopes of continuing to grow it out into a nice big 'fro, or I will finally just lose it and have the guy cut it all off.

Ultimately, it helps to have the end-result in mind, and actually, I think I know which way I'm going to go. I've also nagged Marcus to death, and finally got him to admit which way he would prefer (although he swears he likes my hair one way by only 51% of the vote, and the other way 49% -- so, basically, he's no help). So, I've decided to take an informal poll:

Which way should I go on Friday? Should I cut it all off, and look like I did a few years ago (albeit a few years older), as shown in the first and third pictures? Or should I just keep growing it, looking pretty much like I do now (in the second and fourth pictures), but with even more hair?

I can't promise I'll go with the popular vote, but I'd be interested in hearing which way you prefer.

Comments

[Dianne]

It looks great both ways, but I think I like long better. But of course it is your head so do what makes you feel good. :)

[Jen D.]

I agree with the first commenter.

[titilayo]

I hate the in-between stages too. I have been thinking about cutting my hair all off too, but I know that all I'd do is immediately start growing it out again, and the prospect of going through that in-between stage is a strong deterrent right now.

As to your dilemma, as a general rule I have a thing for short hair, and typically I prefer a lovely short hairdo over an equivalently lovely longer 'do. You are the exception to the rule; although you look lovely with both the shorter and longer hair, I much prefer the longer hair. It's tremendously striking, very flattering and I think it's just so *you*.

[Sylvie]

Ah the hair dilemma.... I like it both ways, but I'm leaning towards the look of the shorter do. It's sassier (is that even a word?)

[Lorri]

You look great both ways. I sort of like the longer version, but it is your head. The short do looks sassy, which I like. I guess I'm 60% long, 40% short. Sorry...not much help either.

[tracie]

Short is cute! Both look good on you- but you pull that short off wonderfully!

I vote Picture #1!

[sheilah]

I think you look great either way. If I had to choose, I think I would say you look a teesy bit better with the long (but only about 50.5% to 49.5% better).

But then I know I hate to muck around with my hair and if it is that much of a pain in the patootie I would go with the short.

[arubagirl]

Oof, this is a hard choice!

I *think* that I like the short hair better,but they're both very flattering to you.

[Joanna Campbell]

I think I like the shorter do - but I may be projecting my own inability to tolerate growing my hair out past 1/3" :)

-Joanna

[Bethany]

Having just chopped my own hair OFF-- I'll say to keep it long. Looks great on ya! :-)

[Carmen]

I'm 51, 49 towards the longer version.

I'm no help either. Sorry!!

[Polichick]

I like you best when you're smiling big, regardless of hair length. :-)

Like Marcus, I only have a 51-49 preference for the shorter version.

[Amber]

With that beautiful face...you don't need the hair. I love it short!

[Jo]

I vote for long, although my decision to grow my hair longer could be a part of my bias. Who knows?

[melinda]

I love it short. Your face really blooms with the short hair. (Does that make sense?)I have super-thick hair and am counting the days until I can cut if off for summer. (I have a wedding in may that requires an up-do).

[Nancy]

Short is SOOOO good on you...you really carry it off well...I actually like the picture of you holding Alex, with her hat on...it seems that may be just a TAD longer than short/short. It really lets your facial features be seen. And I usually ALWAYS go with a longer look...but geez, lady, you sure look jazzy in short hair! :)

[Lala]

I'm going to rock the boat and say extensions......just for fun.

[Jerri Ann]

I like it both ways too, I think by a vote of 51%, I like it short, and by 49% the fro...I'm not much help uh?

[Emily G.]

I think I like the longer hair better, but really you're just gorgeous either way, so it doesn't matter. Pick one, switch it up, either way is good.

What does Alex want you to do?

[lu]

LONG!!! Go LONG!!!

[Twyla]

it must be the planets, I've been thinking the very same thing for me.

Of course, it is far easier to make these decsions for someone else, so I think you should cut it all off. Take advantage of having beautiful facial features that allow such a style

[Meepers]

I'm going to have to go against the majority and say I really, really like it longer. Although your face IS beautifully structured so that you can easily pull off the short, I really like it long(er). If by "longer" you mean, the length it is now, or so. Mainly because you can do different things with it. But do what feels right, y'know?

[Frances]

Definitely longer!

[Georgia/Caribbean Free Radio]

Call me biased ( http://flickr.com/photos/georgiap/114972099/in/set-1563831/ ), but I say short.

[dave / higher powered]

short.