Shall I Cut Off My Tresses?

By the way, the gift card was a stocking stuffer from hubby -- ain't he a sweetie!

o dearrrr. my first impulse was 'Don't you dare!' but then you said your hair could be useful to others, so i dunno now! i cut all mine off when i was thirty and was swimming every day for exercise and it was simply too much bother to look after it. i say, if it will make you happy to donate your hair to sick people, then do it. the wonderful thing about hair is that it grows back, so those wavy shiney locks will be back before you know it.

btw, your hubby sets a marvellous standard for all other hubbies to emulate

I have very long hair. Too long. It reaches mid thigh when left open. I too am thinking of cutting off my tresses. I haven't dared till date. I too am in a dilemma.

A correction to a widely held misconception here: "Locks of Love" does not make wigs for cancer patients AT ALL. They make wigs that go to alopecia sufferers. (Take a look at their website or Google them up--they don't claim to do cancer patients at all!) And typically synthetic wigs are the choice for children, as human-hair wigs are notoriously tough to take care of. Only if you would get rid of your hair anyway is it really beneficial to donate to an organization. (It's always better to give your money or your time, and then the organization definitely benefits.)

SO I would say make your decision based on what YOU want. There are a few sites that talk about the poor business practices of "Locks of Love" (particularly at http://community.livejournal.com/longhair/, in the "memories" section). You could look into the new Pantene program that is very similar. HOWEVER . . . first, you need to figure out what YOU like and want. If YOU feel the need for a change, that's ONE thing. If you feel that people are pushing you into it, or you are just bored and want to do something, then that's not as good a reason.

I would also check in with hubby on this. Did he intend for you to just enjoy the spa pampering, or did he want you to make a change and look different? Most men enjoy longer hair on women, though there are exceptions. I find that because my cousins and I have longer hair, we have lots more options--you can have the look of shorter hair with updos and braids and other styles, but also have the "down" look. I also consider it much easier to just leave my hair alone rather than work on it with blow dryers and hot combs and "product" and so forth for a long time every morning. But that's just my take on it.

You need to figure out YOUR take on it before you do anything. I think pretty hair is a positive. Others don't. What do YOU think?

Golleee, Shalanna made so many good points I'm just going to refrain from saying anything.

Shalanna said it all. Short hair is a whole new lifestyle, and the last time mine was above my shoulders was probably 20 years ago now.

My advice, Monica, would be to go and get the pampering, and *discuss* your hair with one of the stylists there.

I like Kath's idea, I think a chin to shoulder length would be very flattering to you, but check with hubby on hair styles, men are very particular about that! Enjoy your spa day!

I sure wouldn't want to tell you what to do either as I look at those beautiful tresses. You have to feel comfortable and ready to cut your hair if that's what you really want.
Hopefully there are places that put the cut hair to good use. I always understood that locks of hair went to the children, but it seems things are not as they have been told.........

You may want to start with a trim, just to shape your long hair and style it without drastic cutting. A trim will help keep it healthy and shapely...like you! It will make you feel good too. Then if you feel ready to go shorter, go back another time and get a shorter style. I used to have long hair when I was younger and I really liked the varieties of styles I could do with it, but I don't like long hair on most older ladies my age. You have a long way to go before you get into that age group.

I cut mine off many years ago, and never looked back. I think short hair perks up your face, it is healthier (because more haircuts are required) and certainly easier and faster to maintain. The only thing I miss...no ponytail on a hot day!

To balance Sue S.'s comment:
I cut my hair short (above the shoulders) 20 years ago, and afterwards I sat in my car crying for 20 minutes, refusing to get out. Then I wore it all tucked up under a winter hat for a week. I *finally* found some barettes and things so I could pull it all back and pretend I still had hair. It was traumatic, and I'll never do that again.

I had hair down my back once, short (pixie) once, ear length frequently (bob) but most frequently, it is shoulder length. A lot of women who have long hair are not comfortable with the freedoms of short, short hair. A longish do is about the shortest you should go, should you decide to cut it.

I agree that you should do this for you, not because you want to help people. SInce you are not so young as you were when you first started to grow your hair, it will take longer to grow back, also.

Wow. Did not know that about Locks of Love. I'm really upset, because my daughter recently cut her specifically because a cousin had cancer and she wanted to do something (and for a 7 year old, cutting off all of your hair when you aspire to be Barbie when you grow up is a very hard decision).

Monica, I like long hair, and without knowing what YOU want, I would say leave it alone.

Cutting off your hair can be awfully traumatic, and you really should get your husbands opinion.

This is straight from the Locks of Love website:
Locks of Love is a public non-profit organization that provides hairpieces to financially disadvantaged children under age 18 suffering from long-term medical hair loss from any diagnosis. We meet a unique need for children by using donated hair to create the highest quality hair prosthetics. Most of the children helped by Locks of Love have lost their hair due to a medical condition called alopecia areata, which has no known cause or cure. The prostheses we provide help to restore their self-esteem and their confidence, enabling them to face the world and their peers.
http://www.locksoflove.org/

I would suggest you visit the site. All charities get bad press from time to time.

Hey SIS, I think you should keep the long hair or just go to just below the shoulder if you cut... Get the manicure and pedicure... ITS WONDERFUL!

When I was in my very early thirties, I had beautiful long hair. I also had a baby who liked to pull it. So I cut it. My hair grows fast so before long it was long again. I dyed it jet black! My life was at a crossroad and I was in need of attention, or something... One day, I looked in the mirror and asked myself if I was happy with my long unnaturally black hair. I had grown as an individual and decided that the hair had to go...it represented the old me.

That same day, I went to a random hairstylist in the phone book and made an appointment. A crowd of Beauticians gathered around my chair to cheer me on. She put it in a ponytail and SNIP!!

A loud Cheer from the hairdressers!! I laughed... They all knew why I was really there.

I felt great and was proud to wear it short and got a kazillion compliments on my new "Do".

So my advice to you is that this is a very personal decision and it's about more than cutting hair, as you can tell from the great responses you have gotten. Are you at that point? It is empowering, but you have to be ready for the power of short hair. It can be a shake up. And if it is wrong for you, it grows back!

PS - my hair is long again and my natural color....but lately....I have been thinking about reclaiming that power.

I have done shorted do's before and enjoyed them, but generally I cut it short then grow it out again. I am not a high maintenance person so keeping up with a shorter cut is not something I do for very long - except when I was a kid and had my sister cut it for free (she was a beautician and I had my hair very short and feathered on the sides leading back to longer hair - you know- the 80's look, lol). I like long hair but tire of detangling it, having it blow in my face, sleeping with it getting in my face . . . There are things I can do to help all of these things, but I don't. My husband always has said he likes shorter hair styles but wanted me to have a style I liked and thinks long hair looks good on me. I have not decided yet and prbably won't go to the spa until the end of this month - Jeff said he'd throw in another $50 so the day can really be good! I got a good one!

I'm in February already, lol.

Well, as a person who has had long hair for many, many years (I cut it to shoulder length once and not only cried for a week but I hated the look/feel/upkeep of it) I'd say "No Way! Leave it long....longer....longest!" ;o)
But that's just me--you have to do what's the best for you...
If you really, truely are sick of it getting blown in your face, tangling up around your neck when you sleep, and you can't find a good, fast detangler then maybe you'd be happier with short hair. :o)

Oh, and I don't want to forget to mention that I think your hair is just lovely now. :o)

Above all else, whatever you decide to do ha to be right for you and please your husband.

I have had long hair and short hair, and think I'll never have long hair again unless I just can't afford haircuts! I prefer very low maintenance hair, and find tht long hair is too much work to wash and dry. Well cut short hair doesn't even always require drying time (if you dress and have breakfast after you shower and comb your hair in place, the drying takes care of itself) and I can go about 10 weeks between cuts. So for me, my short style is low maintenance and easay to live with.

I've had hair to elbow and waist length in the past with short hair periods in between. Once gray hairs start showing, I think a woman looks foolish with long hair worn loose or in a pony tail. After about age 35, when my hair was long, I put it in a knot at the back of my neck, most days with a twistie but when drssing up with really pretty hair ornaments. I enjoy wearing pretty hair ornaments, but it isn't worth the day to day work of long hair, plus the other things you mention, the blowing and getting in your way when you sleep.

I think you would look very pretty with well cut hair at naybe chin length or just above, but you need advice from a good hair styist on what is best for your face, not just from a friend looking at a picture. And above all, *you* have to be happy with whatever you decide. I look forward to seeing your next picture.

My hair was to my waist and I cut it to my shoulders. That was 4 years ago. I still have long hair envy. I have been considering letting it grow out.

Yup , you have to be the one to decide what it is that you really want . One thing though is that hair does grow again , usually faster than we'd like. I had to stop growing mine long when it got thin ( I think because of my hypothyroidism) Shalanna had a lot of good things to say . I have one daughter who opted to have shoulder length hair because it is easier for her to take care of . My other daugher stayed with long hair but has it layered. She likes the long option because she can choose do wear it up when she want to go fancy for special occasions . Enjoy your day at the Spa !

Actually, not everyone feels that women with gray hair, or women who are over 40 look foolish with long hair.

Check out this bulletin board posting for interesting views on the subject, plus details about the history of hair trends over the years, including the hair salon industries reasoning behind NOT having long hair. ;o)

http://www.flickr.com/groups/longhair/discuss/72157594363561964/

And a few Groups/Sites that you may want to check out if you're still trying to decide whether or not to cut your hair:

http://health.groups.yahoo.com/group/LHSR/

http://groups.msn.com/Longbeautifulhair/shoebox.msnw

http://www.longhaircommunity.com/

http://health.groups.yahoo.com/group/rapunzellonghairarchive/

http://jjjlonghairphotopage.zoomshare.com/

http://www.longhairclub.com/Forum/tabid/65/view/topics/forumid/6/Default.aspx


Oh, and by the way.... I do have hair that is rather long....
From the crown of my head, down my back, it's 32 inches long.
If (like some of the Groups/Sites listed above) you measure from the front hairline, over the top of the head and then down the back, it's 38 inches long.

One more link....
This picture is of a 70 yr old with hair that reaches the floor (it doesn't say how tall she is, though) when she's standing.
Her hair is black, and somehow I doubt that she's dying it, the lucky woman. ;o)

http://www.care2.com/c2c/photos/view/247/882381017/It__039_s_in_the_Hair_C__039_est_dans_l__039_Hair_quot_/phomhairtofloor_001.jpg.html

DJ B - wow she does have long hair - and I would hate to have to dye it! Or wash it lol. I am still undecided and may just decide the day I go to the spa.

Beautiful tresses Monica. You could braid it and wear it around the top of your head in a crown shape like the ladies in Upper Bavaria. It looks beautiful.

Hi there - a friend of mine just let me know that your article was here, so I'm over here to say hello! I wanted to let you know that I just published an article at Pantene Beautiful Lengths where I'm talking about the "Pantene Beautiful Lengths" program. They require a shorter amount of hair, but it still goes to women with hairloss after cancer treatment. Please read it if you'd more information on that one, ok? SO... have you gone in already, or is the day still in the works?

The day is still in the works - waiting for hubby's bonus check so I can really et spoiled at the spa. I think I am ready to cut it though. Thanks for the link, Faith!