(Do you know how hard it is to take a picture of yourself, center it and try to smile? I just couldn’t do it all.)
Let’s dish with some girl talk.
Women and hair are very serious business. I never knew how much until I shared that I hadn’t been to a salon in nearly two years. You all, I think being tarred and feathered might be a better option than admitting that to women…
Because women and their hair…s.e.r.i.o.u.s. business.
So, before I share the post with frugal tips for saving money on your hair (don’t worry, I won’t tell you not to go for two years), I thought I’d warm the water by completely admitting that ones hair style (and smile) helps set the tone for a positive first impression.
Now, please don’t think I am getting all superficial on you because if you knew my heart, you absolutely would know that I’m not impressed one bit with just a “pretty face.” It’s truly the heart attitude that exudes inner beauty, yet if we’re being honest we’ve all noticed great hair before.
If you’ve followed this blog for any length of time, you’ve noticed one thing, my hair doesn’t change much. Well, let’s be honest, it looks the same year after year.
I’m not a picky hair person. I keep it long because it’s easy, and I can pull it up in two seconds. I am all about ease, but that doesn’t make for fun hair. You know exactly what I am talking about, don’t you?
You all have those friends with the fun hair. The ones who are always getting complements because they aren’t afraid to try something new. You might even have “hair envy.” I love to see what they do next, but it’s never me. As spontaneous and crazy as I can be, I’m all about my safe hair because it’s easy, certifiably no maintenance, and well…virtually expense free. Yet, that is boring. I am a boring, long haired girl.
I’ve known for awhile I needed to do something different, but my “new” had to include a style long enough to put up in a ponytail (every hairdresser’s night mare phrase), and that doesn’t allow for much “difference.”
So when a fancy, schmancy salon in our area offered a 50% Groupon deal for a facial, cut and color, I decided to splurge (yes, at 50%, it still felt like a splurge.)
Since I had no real opinion on what I desired, I told her, “Keep the length, but you can do what ever you want as long as I can get it in a pony tail” (Yes, considering I have very strong opinions on most other issues, it’s odd that I would be this trusting to a total stranger, I know. It could have turned out really bad.)
Well, here’s the new me (if only for a day).
I keep looking at myself because I have never been one to have a trendy hair style, and this feels pretty trendy.
My girls went crazy. They love it so much they literally squealed. My teen boys kept shaking their head muttering things like, “I can’t believe you’re the same mom. You don’t look like a mom (yes, I took that as a complement.” But then there was my husband who walked in the door, and as only a loving husband caught off guard can question, “What in the world is that?” (He then got a very loving slug in the gut. We call it a “love tap.”)
But for one day, I was one of those fun hair friends.
Enjoy this picture because I will probably not recreate this very often. Tomorrow it goes back to being simple, but it was fun to have a sassy, sexy look for one day.
So, let’s dish…about hair.
Are you a “fun hair” kind of friend that loves trying new things or are you like me – a bit boring because it’s all about quick and easy?
(If you are just like me….quick and easy…sign up for your local groupon, watch it like a hawk, and then get yourself to the salon and have some fun. )
Before (just the back. You’ve seen enough of my previous front pics from past posts) After
Well, I, for one, think your hair is lovely either way!
I am for sure a “boring” hair person. My mom has cut my hair for 21 years! I got my first and only salon haircut when I was 20, and to be honest, I’m not even sure it’s worth the money. A willing friend, a pair of scissors, and a good pair of layering scissors are all you need. 🙂 And maybe a flatiron for those special days…
I used to go to the hairdresser once every 18 months, have it bobbed, then grow it for 18 months – it would be 2/3 of the way down my back and then it would be bobbed again. Very economical but quite boring! About 4 months ago I got it all layered, but kept a reasonable amount of length. At first it took me a long time to get used to but everybody, including my husband, really liked it. So I guess I now have to go to the hairdresser a bit more!
I love it. Very sassy. BUT when I straighten my hair my husband does not love it. He does not say anything unkind. It’s just that he likes the softer look. You know like touchable. He is southern so if I put some curls in it he LOVES that! After 18 years of short hair I grew it out for him. Such a simple little thing to make my hubby smile. Long hair. Who knew?
You’re very fortunate that you look good with long hair and that you can go that long without going to the salon. I am there every 6 weeks to cover the gray and to keep my short hair now in a bob with the longer side pieces all looking good. I am not ready to go gray…I love a touch of highlights (blonde) for summer. I do know how much it costs and that is one big splurge for me…love my hair and I do it every day! There are days when I wish I could put it up and it would look good but over all…love my hair!
BTW…your new hair looks really good! Love the highlights!!
I LOVE it Jen!! Can’t wait to see it in person next week!!
as much as I LOVE my ‘cute hair’ I miss being able to throw it up in a ponytail.
My frugal hair tip……….grow your own hair dresser like I did! lol…..my oldest is a stylist, FREE cut and color for mom! Can’t beat that!
You look fantastic! !
I am that awful combination of cheap and lazy that leads to bad hair. I love when I finally break down and go get my hair done. I feel so cute all day. Then six months later, I do it again! : – )
I grew up faithfully getting a hair cut every six weeks on my parents’ tab. Then college (aka financial reality) hit and that was out the door. I actually had a VERY unfortunate incident in middle school that involved a spiral brush, being 3 hours late to school, an emergency visit to my stylist, LOTS of tears, and my awesome mother cutting the ends off of every single spoke on the brush so that the strands could be gently pulled out, 1 by 1, with the point of a comb.
That inspired me to grow my hair out for Locks of Love. The very thought of having my hair gone absolutely horrified me. So for 2 years, it grew. Then I chopped off 17 inches at once! Since then I’ve chopped it for Locks of Love 3 times and am growing it out a fourth time!
This growing my hair out led to some not so great habits with haircuts. I decided in college to just grow it out and not get it cut for about 2 years. I’m very picky about who can cut my hair and can name for you every person who’s lifted scissors near my head! I have realized though that getting a trim on a regular basis leads to much healthier hair. My hair tends to thin out as it grows, but since I’ve committed to regular maintenance, I’ve notice much healthier hair! I do cut down on cost in 2 ways:
1. I cut my husband’s hair (and if we had male children, I’d cut theirs too!). His hair grows really quickly, so once monthly cutting it at home saves us a bundle! I was scared to try, but there’s a crazy machine called the Flowbee that makes it a piece of cake!
2. I go to the salon only once every 8 weeks instead of every 6. This cuts down on 2 trips a year (saving a total of $80 for me), but still lets me take care of my hair.
I also know finding what my husband likes is best! He really likes drastic changes in hair. When I chop off 16 inches at once he loves it!
I have safe hair too. It’s down to my waist right now because I’m to busy to go get it cut. It’s nice healthy brown hair. It’s not highlighted, colored or permed. It’s just long, brown and boring. LOL! BUT in my defense my husband thinks it’s sexy so that’s really all that matters right? LOL!
LOVE your new do though. Looks great on you.
Kim
First off, your hair looks fabulous! Not that it ever looked bad but it’s amazing what adding a few layers can do for a cut and how it can make you feel about it.
OK so I guess I fall somewhere in between. As a teen and while in college I did anything I felt like to my hair. I would cut it from shoulder length to about 2 inches long all over on a whim. My theory has always been that it’s hair and even if I hate it, it will grow back. I’ve had my hair many colors; brown, highlighted with blonde, auburn, bleach blonde, strawberry blonde, dark brown, pink……you get the picture. Now, it’s been about 3 years since I’ve had my hair professionally cut. I won’t say go to a salon because I have a friend who will just come to my house and do it for me. In that 3 years I have been cutting my own hair. GASP! LOL Nothing crazy. When it was short I would trim it up and it didn’t matter because when you have short hair like mine (very fine, thin hair) you can’t really mess it up. As it grew out I would trim things here and there. Then I cut bangs. Then my hair got too long and was beginning to look bad so I cut it from about my shoulders to my chin. I still have the same philosophy, it’s hair and it will grow back but I just don’t have the time or want to spend tons of money going to salons anymore. Not to say that I won’t, but right now I’m happy doing it myself. My hairdresser friends never tell me it looks bad they are usually in awe that I’m brave enough to cut my own hair and that it actually doesn’t look like I cut my own hair. I guess that’s a good thing.
I’m the fun hair girl. Always trying new styles, usually it’s short, some wild colored highlights, that sort of thing. I look horrible in long hair so it’s not really even an option for me. I need volume and my hair is so thin when it’s long it’s just a lost cause. Your hair looks cute either way, I’m always jealous of the girls with long hair because you have more options that I do. 🙂
I definitely fall into the category, “its just hair, it will grow back.” Yet, I have never felt like the girl with fun hair even when I changed it frequently. I have not had in colored and/or highlighted for over two years now! It is truely my natural brown and I get comments about how dark my hair has become. Before, it always had some form of highlight in it. I have also always started to grow it out, cut it, grow it. Well, i got frugral and determined to grow it long for DH and have not had it short for um 2 + years now. I still get it trimmed every 8-12 weeks, which does keep it much healthier. I really noticed a difference in my hair when I went “poo-free.” GASP! Prior to being poo-free, I have never felt like my hair was pretty or sexy. Now, it is below/at my shoulders, not highlighted, but I feel sexier than ever when I take the time to just curl the ends under. Amazing!
you’ve done the poo-free? I’m impressed. I’ve debated it, read about it, wanted to post about it, but then always went back to ” I just love the smell of freshly washed hair” lol I know….I probably should give it a try but just haven’t been brave enough too.
@Jens, Does showering only twice a week count? 😉
I, too, am a boring long haired gal. I get my hair cut maybe 3 times a year. I am fortunate that my mom colors and highlights my hair with one of those boxes from the drug store (gotta cover that gray!). I really love the new look, but I love that you can still go with the easy ponytail anytime you want. Whatever you do, it is always AWESOME!!
i love it. it looks very sassy, very trendy.
I have always lived under the philosophy that it’s just hair and it will grow back. I am a hair stylists best friend. I’ll try anything once. I have never kept the same hair style for more than 6 months. I always change it up. However, only the last 3 years have I started adding color. I stay close to my natural but add low lights and high lights. I did go through a little phase last year and added purple lowlights. Loved it – it wasn’t dramatic and actually only a few people noticed. Which was weird considering i have dishwater blonde hair. I guess i’ve always been very blessed as my hair stylist and I went to high school together and she is awesome. She knows me by now to know that I do like easy and low maintenance as I am also a single mom to 3 little ones but am always up to something sassy, fun, flirty, or just plain wild. My hair is my one area that I can have fun with. Clothes, shoes and accesories can be way to expensive to do that with when I may not end up liking them too much or they go out of style too often. BTW – i do love your cut and color. It’s looks great and I don’t think it would be too much maintenance to keep it up. A blow dry and a few strands through the flat iron and you’re good to go.
Oh, hair…I’m in on this discussion…I have always had long, thick, naturally curly hair and it was ‘my thing’! I kept it o’natural, a slight trim every 6 months just to keep it healthy and for the past number of years my husband has cut it with good success then…1 year ago (age 37) I am diagnosed with breast cancer and have major surgery and Chemotherapy…the toughest moment was losing my hair and yet, I could not get hung up there…it was going to go whether I wanted it to or not. 6 months of baldness and ‘my thing’ became dangly earrings and hats…the earrings have stayed but the hats are gone as I now have 3-4 inches of very curly short hair…not my “comfort” however easy to care for and thankful to be here, to share 🙂 ~C
Connie – this really puts it all in perspective. How are you doing now?
@connie,
Ahhh….it is ONLY hair and it does grow back 🙂 Hope you are moving forward well now!
ps Jen, you are so beautiful…inside and out 🙂 ~C
I cut my own hair. 🙂 I also cut hair for my husband and kiddos. It saves us a bundle.
Raising my hand…. boring long hair person. I say exactly what you say… gotta be able to pull it back! I wear it up at home ALL. THE. TIME. Recently, I have actually been venturing out in public and hanging out with people with my hair up. Unheard of! But, it is the number one thing people notice about me (when it is down), I think — my long hair. I get a lot of compliments. I haven’t had it cut in over a year, either. Would love some layers to take away the weight of so much hair. I do my own color, too. I use clippers on my husband and boys to save $$$. It is fun to have the full treatment once in a while, though! Blessings!
I am a boring, simple hair girl! I have very long curly hair. People tell me it’s beautiful, I think it’s a pain in the rear. I do the same “do” everyday. When it gets hot, I will regret the long heavy hair because it hurts my head to keep it in a pony tail for long. There’s only so much you can do with curly hair w/o it being a big process. I have no desire to straighten it and then try to style it. I’m one of those fairly clueless hair girls. I want to wash and go and like you, I don’t go to the salon but once every year or two. In December, I just had my husband trim it for me. It’s long, it’s curly, you can’t tell if it’s perfectly straight or not 🙂 Your hair is very pretty either way!
I’m the more fun hair kind of girl. Do highlight (every 3 to 4 months) to cover the grey. Fortunate to have THICK hair … have had it LONG and then a year ago, went short (above shoulders) now I have it long”er” than shorter but not long long 🙂 Gotta be able to go up in a clip or pony tail (can’t stand hair in my face) … I can do so many things, straight and glossy, curly, wavy or just “wild and free” 🙂 You never know what you are going to see! Wash it every 4 to 5 days (7 was just way too long to do) AND don’t spend a bunch of money on stylin products.
LOVE LOVE LOVE the style, hope you got the hair dresser’s card to go back and see her/him at least once a year 🙂 That person was GOOD at pulling the style out for your face 🙂 Beautiful!
Jen, I forgot to ask … were the boys almost like “embarassed” that their mom was looking so pretty? 🙂 That’s how mine is (18) … like, “Mom, you are my MOM” 🙂 The girls on the other hand want you to be gorgeous and all that 🙂
It’s really pretty!
I am so boring. Very “Mom” with mostly ponytails. I even cut my own hair because not only am I boring but I am cheap. LOL
I get my hair cut/trimmed a couple times a year by someone else (usually a hair place down the street), except if it is really short I can do it my self – I did that through college. I always (long or short, recently shoulder length with a tiny layer for interest), always, say to the hairdresser that I like low-maintenance hair that is wash and go. I think they cut better/differently if they know I won’t be spending time drying or curling it. But I do those things occasionally, too. 🙂 Also, I’m not sure I’ve ever been to a “salon” as I’ve never paid more than $15 for a hair cut! Crazy to most women, I know.
I used to get my hair cut and colored every 6 weeks. Just 6 months ago I started going without cuts/salon color. Everything I have I want to be able to invest in my 4 children. I do miss the pampering but I am glad to hear I am not the only one with “boring” hair. Your hair was far from boring 🙂
I went shampoo-free this summer and it is the BEST thing I have ever done for my hair! My hair is medium-thick and wavy. I used to have tons of problems w/frizz and “poof”; no more. Seriously. I also don’t have to get it trimmed nearly as often.
I use baking soda mixed w/water several times a week, then follow w/regular conditioner, so I still get that fresh-washed scent (my husband likes that aroma; the apple cider vinegar was just a little much! :). I work as a part time sous-chef, so my hair smells like food when I get home from work. I just wet it and massage my scalp w/a little conditioner. That way I don’t have “wash” it every day. And since the oils in my scalp are balanced, it does great!
For the record, it took a month or two for my scalp to get used to the shampoo-free method. It never looked greasy, just felt kind of heavy. But now it’s back to its bouncy self…only better.
Love it…and it saves $$$ (or at least, lets you apply those ECB’s toward something else :).
Love it, love it, love it! And I understand about the one day thing. I had my hair done by a girl who normally charges $35 for just a cut (she did it for me for free because it was my birthday…yay!) and it looked SOOOOOOOO stinkin’ cute. I was one of the ones with great hair. For two days (because I didn’t wash it!). I’m just not a hair maintenance person. I wish I were, because I love the confidence I feel wen my hair looks great.
About your husband’s comment, we have a running joke at my house. When Sound Man and I were first married, I went out on a limb and tried a new hair style. I had washed it and had it almost completely styled again by the time he got home from work. When I came out of the bathroom and he saw me, he said, “Well, I’d like it if it were fixed.” Ooooooh, the wailing and gnashing of teeth that caused! On HIS part! HA! I still give him a hard time about it to this day, and he still says it every time I get a cut. We both know he’s joking. Or at least he BETTER be. ; )
@Heathahlee, I just realized my profile pic is of me right after my cut! : )
Okay, that looks dorky…didn’t realize it would put my name on there! HA!
@Heathahlee,
Oh girl, I love you. Chuckling as I picture you saying this.
It looks beautiful Jen!! I can’t wait to see it on Sunday!
It looks so purty, Jen! The stylist did an awesome job. Are you on stage Sunday? I’ll check ya out! 🙂
My hair is VERY thick, so it gets very poofy if I let it get too long, past my shoulders. A few years ago I got it done really short and liked it okay until I looked at some pictures and looked like my mom! AH!! (she’s had the same hair style for 40 years…shhhh..don’t tell her I said that!) See you soon. Love ya.
I am very boring! For years I just trimmed my own hair, by splitting it down the middle and putting in front of my shoulders. Then cutting it. I think I average a trip to the salon once every 12- 18 months. I am only 29, but ever since I was 18, have had gray hair. It is only in one spot on the top, right where I part my hair. I don’t even bother to dye it. I actually like it, it is different.
Your hair looks great! I love your before picture too though.
Excellent style for you!!
It must have been the day for it. I got a new ‘do’ yesterday too. My request is always for a wash and wear haircut. I don’t blowdry or straighten my hair. I often ask if the hairdresser is a mother themselves because then they know what its like ( unlike the young things in the salon).
You always look beautiful and now is no exception. For most of my life I have had long hair. Once almost 20 years ago I had a perm. I hated it. I’ve never highlighted or colored my hair. Since our youngest was born (he is 13) every fall I had my hair cut shoulder length. I could still put it in a ponytail. The air is so dry here, I hate the way my hair feels long. But 2 years ago I let it grow again. Just before Christmas I went to the salon for a chin length layered cut. The hair dresser was afraid to cut my hair because it was so long. We agreed on just barely touching the shoulder so it wasn’t such a shock. I loved it. Now it has grown past the shoulder. I love the layers, you will too.
Through an online frugal list I was able to find not one but two ladies who cut and color hair very inexpensively which is good since I am older and color my gray every four weeks. Sometimes I go longer but have my hubby use a temporary color. The problem is I have short but very thick hair which means I use two bottles of color instead of one…about the price of going to my frugal hair stylist so I justify going more often. 🙂
Forgot to add that grandma was right. Sleeping on a silk or satin pillow can gain a few days without washing, excess styling, etc.
I am a super simple girl… and went for years without cutting my hair (mine was clear down to my butt for quite awhile) … But I go to a local hairdresser, who works out of her home – $22 for wash, dye, cut & style!! My hair is auburn, short & spikey…. I wash it in the shower…. give it a good towel drying & let it finish air drying…. rub some spiking cream in my hands & working from the bottom back UP & to the front I just spike it…. love it… so easy…. Love your ‘one day doo’ too. 🙂
I am a long haired southern girl myself…AND a hair stylist!! I only do it 3 days a week since having my kiddos but it is a true joy to make women look beautiful!! Many of my clients are also long haired beauties! Nothing like a cute pony tail sticking out of the back of a ball cap! LOL!
I have enjoyed reading the posts today! The true trick is to establish a strong relationship with your stylist! Most of my ladies have been with me for years and I have absolutely no problem working with their budget! Especially since I know I will see them every 4-6 weeks! I make a point to take care of my loyal ladies!!
I am a pretty boring hair girl too! No crazy styles or colors for me! But I sure do enjoy doing it to others!! 🙂
I’m totally with you! I finally got a haircut about two years ago; it had always been just one length, period. I wanted a little bit of “style,” but all of the benefits you mentioned – so I had them cut in a few long layers, and taper the sides. But the shortest layer/taper has to be long enough to ponytail! I love it because the layers/tapers add a bit of “movement,” but it’s still pretty fuss-free. (And I get it done at the barber shop around the corner for about $12. Once a year because I can’t even seem to remember to go twice! lol)
I’m a fun hair gal. My hair is dark brown, very fine and curly. A pain in the neck. I was a hair model in my 20’s which meant I had all kinds of crazy cuts and colors. Red was always y favorite. I’m now 49 and have to touch up my roots every two weeks. I’m always up for, what ever my hair dresser wants to do. Recently, my 25 y/o son, who has beautiful thick blond curly hair down to the middle of his back, said he was ready to donate to Beautiful Locks. I told him if he donated I would cut my long hair short. Needless to say, my hair is up to my ears and he chickened out and still has hair down his back.
I think your hair is absolutely lovely. Yes, your husband deserved a kick in the seat of the pants. I color and cut my own hair. I have for many years, but I keep the cut simple. I also cut my family’s hair. Two guys and a girl. They usually get compliments, but I have had a lot of practice. It saves a lot of money.