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Keep It or Chop It?

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Six Years Worth of Long Hair

I have been growing my hair for about six years. Since January and especially since it has been getting warmer I have been thinking about chopping off my hair. But I need some help deciding whether i should just get a trim or do an extreme Halle Berry cut.

I have created a poll that will run for 30 days and at the end of the 30 days I will follow through with whatever the poll results are. So be sure to vote!

The Poll Results

The Countdown Has Ended

It is funny when I first started the Keep or Chop lens 31 days ago I had resigned myself to the possibility of having to cut my hair off. Every day throughout the month I kept changing my mind, much to my own amusement. One day I would be, "I want to cut my hair." and the poll tally would be at the "DON'T" cut point. Then the next I'd be, "I don't want to cut my hair." and the poll would be at the DO cut point. It was a weird month.

I am an emotional person but I am not overly emotional about my hair. I won't cry when it gets cut. I know I will enjoy the freedom but in the same sense I know that after the first woman I see with long hair I will be pining for it again. Then the whole growing process will begin all over. It is a good thing my hair grows quicker than average.

A funny side note, my husband admitted to voting at least three time (once on his work computer, once on the phone, and once on his home computer) all for a trim and not a chop. I told him, "See what happens when you cheat!"

Next week I will schedule the big chop and include some photos.

My Hair

the images circulate but you can click on image for commentary

For most of my young adult life my hair was this blonde then in my mid teens most of it went medium blonde except for a 1" strip on top of my head. Everyone always asked me if I dyed that strip and whenever I said "no, it's natural" they would get a look on their face like they didn't believe me. My hair went dark blonde in my thirties but I still have the blonde strip.

For most of my young adult life my hair was this blonde then in my mid teens most of it went medium blonde except for a 1" strip on top of my head. Everyone always asked me if I dyed that strip and whenever I said "no, it's natural" they would get a look on their face like they didn't believe me. My hair went dark blonde in my thirties but I still have the blonde strip.

For most of my young adult life my hair was this blonde then in my mid teens most of it went medium blonde except for a 1" strip on top of my head. Everyone always asked me if I dyed that strip and whenever I said "no, it's natural" they would get a look on their face like they didn't believe me. My hair went dark blonde in my thirties but I still have the blonde strip.
The bird's nest! This is what my hair looks like when it gets washed. It is horrendous, no matter what type or how much conditioner I use -- this is what happens when I dye your hair. When my hair is untreated I don't have a not problem at all. I have to let my hair dry like this then finger comb it out or else half my hair ends up in the garbage.
Last year I had a dye job mishap and accidentally dyed my hair reddish instead of a lighter shade of blonde. I had it repaired at the salon with lots of white highlights. This is the final result which I loved.
This is how I have been wearing my hair lately. Folded up, pinned, and the loose stuff falls back over the clip.
When I take the time and a flat iron my hair looks pretty silk soft. My face is not that red -- really it is not.
I am not new to short hair. This is what it looked like when I started growing it out six years ago.

30 Days of Hair

Or, 30 reasons to keep my hair long...

My attempt to force myself out of the same old hair do and into 30 different styles.
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"Life is an endless struggle full of frustrations and challenges, but eventually you find a hair stylist you like." ~Author Unknown

Chop! Chop!

One of the last shots of my long hair. I measured the length from the hair at the side and it measured 17 inches.

One of the last shots of my long hair. I measured the length from the hair at the side and it measured 17 inches.

One of the last shots of my long hair. I measured the length from the hair at the side and it measured 17 inches.
The first cut! A little bob will do you, not!
Trimming the bangs and sides up.
Final shaping. That is Kelly. She was the stand in for the hairdresser that called in sick.
The dye job. It is a bit redder than I would like for summer so I might go back to a bit more blonde put in.
The final cut! Kind of pixie no?
Final shot in natural light at home.
short dark hair

Winter Follow Up: Kept it Short, Went Brown! 

Reader Feedback

You do not have to be a Squidoo member to comment but each blurb is personally approved.

  • Chris Jan 25, 2012 @ 3:40 pm | delete
    Your hair looks awesome for you"neglecting" it. NO WAY would I touch it.
  • tandemonimom Aug 13, 2011 @ 10:52 am | delete
    I love long hair but I admit the short looks totally cute on you Moe!
  • daoine Jul 18, 2011 @ 5:59 am | delete
    Oh I love it Moe! Excellent.
  • BigGirlBlue Jul 23, 2011 @ 1:42 pm | delete
    Thank you! :D
  • Ylenia Jul 15, 2011 @ 1:52 am | delete
    you look amazing with both lenghts but I am really into long hair so I prefer the longest version :-) but for sure you can have fun trying different and funny shorts looks !!

    xxx Ylenia | Longuette
  • corinnemwestphal Jul 10, 2011 @ 7:28 am | delete
    Ooooh, I love the new look. So, sophisticated, fun and $exy!
  • BigGirlBlue Jul 23, 2011 @ 1:42 pm | delete
    Thanks! It will take some getting used to. Every time I see someone with long hair I get the urge to braid it! LOL
  • Jennifer Allen Jul 9, 2011 @ 11:14 pm | delete
    You look fab! GREAT cut; your eyes just pop!
  • BigGirlBlue Jul 23, 2011 @ 1:41 pm | delete
    Thanks! Now I have to make sure I keep make up on them. ;)
  • Ener-G Jul 9, 2011 @ 3:01 pm | delete
    Your voters got it right! You look great!
  • Treasures-By-Brenda Jul 9, 2011 @ 1:09 pm | delete
    Your hair looks very cute. I had no idea you had a lens about it!
  • BigGirlBlue Jul 23, 2011 @ 1:40 pm | delete
    I'm not above making a lens about anything! LOL
  • KM9999999 Jul 1, 2011 @ 11:18 pm | delete
    You looked good with short hair. You will again.
  • BigGirlBlue Jul 23, 2011 @ 1:40 pm | delete
    Thanks! I feel like I need to wear more make up now. LOL Long hair has a personality of it's own.
  • awelldressedbullet Jul 1, 2011 @ 3:57 pm | delete
    I actually just chopped all my hair off a couple of months back. Hadn't cut it in 20 years, and donating it was a great feeling. Everyone loves me in short hair, although I'm still getting used to it LOL
  • BigGirlBlue Jul 23, 2011 @ 1:39 pm | delete
    It definitely takes some getting used to! But the good thing it always grows back. ;)
  • M I A Jun 22, 2011 @ 10:52 pm | delete
    u and halle have the same facial structure...that's awesome!
    i think u should get a shoulder cut, that looked great on her and i think it would on u too.
    good luck
  • BigGirlBlue Jul 23, 2011 @ 1:39 pm | delete
    Thank you!
  • GrowWear Jun 21, 2011 @ 7:26 pm | delete
    Couldn't vote! Will say that my hair is even longer, and it's driving me crazy, and all I think about here lately is Halle Berry. LOL You look nice either way. I do think the shorter do shows off your face the best of all. Looks like it was a nice cut. :)
  • BigGirlBlue Jun 22, 2011 @ 2:54 pm | delete
    I have heard that from a few people. Not sure what the problem is but I reported it as a bug. Thank you for your kind comments
  • Load More
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THE POLL: IS CLOSED

Chop It Or Keep It

Thank you for taking the time to give your feedback. I look forward to seeing the results!

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by

BigGirlBlue

I have been the Large and Lovely Editor at BellaOnline for seven years. Stop by and see me sometime! more »

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