Hello LCMF readers! Is your summer SCREAMING by like mine is? I find myself with SO much on my “to do” list….that I’m considering just sitting down in a ball and crying a bit.
Currently, I have fairly major plans and/or obligations for every weekend until late August. And most of those plans involve prep, planning, babysitting….etc….
- A presentation to a youth group on Friday (Ummmm…better get started on that one!)
- A trip to Cancun for our 12th Anniversary
- A fun family event
- A trip with my fam
- A birthday for my son
And that’s not even including bloggie type stuff! WHEW!!
I bet your summers are going by fast as well. There’s really only about a month left before school starts up again. I might be ready for that, when it gets here!
I just returned from EVO Conference in Park City, Utah. It was SO much fun. I learned a ton and laughed even more. And that’s how it should be. I will have a wrap-up post coming up in the next few days.
In the midst of all this fun and frolic, my blog is being sacrificed. So what? It happens. I want all of you who feel stressed about getting posts up or feeling pressure to create something mind-blowing every single day. Don’t worry!
It doesn’t mean I’ll leave you hangin’. It just means that if I need to skip a post here or there. That’s totally okay! Isn’t it?
Of course it is!
Today I want to share a post I was asked to create for my super cute friend Cheri over at I Am Momma; Hear Me Roar. It’s a post about my hair. Which is kind of different for me. But it was so fun to write, and I had such a lovely response, I thought I’d share it here as well…..
My blog is not usually about my hair. It’s usually about things I LOVE….like Diet Coke, and frosting, and Mod Podge, and what-not. Notice that my “hair” is not on that list!
Why? You might be wondering?
Well….it’s because my hair and I have never really gotten along very well.
As a kid, I had SUPER curly hair. And my Mom didn’t really know what to do with it. So she just kept it super short.
And curly hair, that’s short, just turns into a giant puff ball. {read:Not cute!}
I spent most of my Junior High days growing out the puff ball and trying to figure out how to style my curly hair.
(And not be called “cobra”, which became my nickname)
And I spent most of my High School figuring out how to get my curls as CRISPY as possible so that they would stay together and not get frizzy.
(and in sub-zero temps; wet, curly, crispy hair…is almost breakable. A little known fact.)
Why all this background on my hair woes? Well, because the trials I’ve had with my own hair, have led me to TONS of practice on styling it. I have tried LOTS of different products and LOTS of different styles. And currently…..I’m rockin’ the short hair cut….and LOVING it this time.
(no puff ball hair styles…although I can totally achieve that!)
“Short hair” means different things to different people. Some people DIE that they cut a quarter inch off their long locks. That’s not what I’m talking about today. I’m talking short. Above your shoulders, and even above your chin.
Some Celebs really rock the short hair cuts. In fact that’s usually where I get all my inspiration for a new “do.” (all celebrities pics are from HERE)
The “bob” is so much fun because you can control the amount of “A-line”. (the difference in length from the back to the front) You can have a really severe A-line (like Victoria Beckham has had in the past) or you can do a slight A-line for a more sophisticated look.
I have tried this look several times. And it’s one of my FAVORITES! If you do it from long hair, it seems like a DRASTIC change. (I adore a good drastic change!)
But it’s also not quite as daring as a super short cut. So, be brave and try it. You can do it at a lot of different lengths, even almost shoulder length. But I love right around the chin line.
(here’s just ONE of the times I tried this hair cut. I also tried a kind of red-ish color that was super fun for the summer)
If you’ve mastered the “medium length” short style. Try going even shorter. This was a haircut I tried to go even shorter than my “bob” cut. The key to this cut is tons of razor cut layers. And they really are fun to play with! Especially with the right styling tools. (keep reading for my favorites!)
The next time I was ready for a change…..I found inspiration from the beautiful Rhianna. I LOVE her hair. Especially when it’s really short. The key to this one, is keeping the length on the top so you can achieve the sweeping bangs.
Here’s what I ended up with. Mine isn’t quite as short as Rhianna’s is in this picture. But we used it as a guide.
I LOVED this cut. It has been one of my favorites….ever!
Now if you’re really wanting to sport the SHORT. You can definitely find some inspiration out there. Emma Watson recently cut her’s way off. And I really like this pixie cut on Jennifer Goodwin.
I actually just cut mine. Again! Can you believe it? It’s not QUITE this short. But awful close.
I really feel like the keys to having really short hair are:
- OWN IT! Other people will love it if they can tell you love it too.
- Have fun with the color. My husband says he needs LOTS of ties because they are the only part of his daily outfits that he can change. Since short hair doesn’t have quite as many styling options….I like to use the color for a little change.
- Accessorize! The only problem I have with my short hair, is sometimes it makes me feel a little less girly. When I feel that way I throw on a huge pair of earrings. Or a fun flower in it. And that feeling goes right away!
And finally….and MOST important…..find some good styling products!
Especially if you’re like me, and have to style your hair A LOT!
(one myth is that short hair is so much EASIER to manage. Well, for me, it’s not. And there’s no “pony-tail” option when you have a short hair cut)
Good products are super important.
- I have a salon quality flat-iron. I cannot live without it. And no grocery store brand will work. I’ve tried. Most beauty supply stores will guarantee their flat-irons for at least a year. So the cost usually is worth it!
- Next, for me: because I have super frizzy hair……is a frizz serum. I like this one from Paul Mitchell because it smells super yummy!
- After that I use another smoothing product. This would not be necessary if you don’t have curly or frizzy hair. In fact, for normal hair, I’d skip the serum, and go straight to this stuff. It just helps your short layers lay down so pretty!
- And finally….the fun part! To get different looks, I use a texturizing taffy. If I want it super smooth, I skip this. But for a piece-ee or layer-ee look….this is the stuff! Some days I use it….some days I don’t. (that makes me want an Almond Joy….sometimes you feel like a nut….sometimes you don’t!)
There you have it. Some ideas for cutting your hair short. And the things I LOVE to use on my short hair! I still may grow it out one day. But I’ll tell you…..I have NEVER gotten as many comments on my hair, as I have since I CHOPPED it off! Even when it was super curly.
And plus, both my Grandpa, Dad, and husband are short-hair guys. They love it. And that makes me love it.
Don’t be afraid to try a short-do, girls!! It’s only hair.
If you don’t like it, it will grow back. But what if you L-O-V-E it? What if??? You’ll never know if you never try!
Now go out, have a FAN-TAS-TIC last month of summer. And don’t sweat it. I’m trying not to. Unless it’s SUPER HOT! Then I will sweat. Because I am gross like that.
Great post! You look fabulous in short hair. I love that Rhianna inspired style on you especially when you were rocking the heavy eyeliner and funky earrings.
LOVE your hair, and I too have short hair now. I use a Redkin Sleek and Shine and I LOVE it… helps the fly aways.. fun post. winks-jen
Redken has awesome products! When did you cut your hair? I think I missed that! I want to see!
You look gorgeous in short cuts! I use Super Skinny too and it is awesome! It even tames my crazy curly hair
You know I adore your hair!
Oh my gosh, you make me want to cut my hair!!! Love the Rihanna-like cut!
I loved all of those short styles on you. And I totally agree on the salon-quality flat iron. So worth it.
Great post! You basically described my hair to a “t”. I had super curly hair as a child, and always kept it long because the weight of my hair usually made my hair more wavy, than curly. My Mom decided to take me to JCPenny when I was 7, where they proceeded to chop it off and not style it. I think it scarred me for life, because I can count on both hands how many hair cuts I’ve had (one recently, too).
I don’t think I could go as short as you did though. I just cut off a little over a foot of hair, and I’m having a hard time dealing with it (the frizz and “poofyness”, that is). I’ll have to give the Paul Mitchell serum a try. I normally use Organix Coconut oil on my hair, but it’s just not doing anything for my new cut.
That JCPenny story….man that made me shiver in my boots. Mall cuts are NEVER a good idea for us curly haired girls. I might have learned that one the hard way myself.
I love using any kind of serum on my curls. It will definitely help! 
Love the post! And, I love your hair. Of course, I am a big fan of short hair. I had long hair most of my childhood and youth-type days. And, it was always a battle. My hair works short and I love it. I think I’m going to head your direction, though, in the longer on top with sweepy bangs. Not sure if my hair will cooperate, but it’s worth a try. If it fails, I can always cut it off.
I’m so glad you wrote this post! I’m tired of people claiming short hair isn’t feminine or attractive. You look absolutely adorable in every picture you posted. In fact, it seems the shorter your hair gets the better you look! With my silly hair being so thin and fine it just hangs and gets ratty when I let it grow out so short hair is the way to go for me. I’m going to have to save some of these pictures for inspiration the next time I get my hair cut. I love trying new things and agree 100% that if you don’t like it it’s only hair. It’ll grow back.
Yay short hair cuts!
Holy CRAP that Rhianna-inspired cut is fabulous! I’ve had a retro bob for several years, and I haven’t considered straying from it… until just now.
I did the bob for YEARS and I really did love it. But this has definitely been fun for a change.
You already know how I feel about your hair, but just in case… IT’S SUPER FABULOUS!!! Oh, and super HOT!
Shouldn’t we form an awesome short-hair club? I’ll work on some membership buttons and stickers.
Thanks Emily!
I love chopping off my hair. I used to do it a lot before I got married. My hair poofs pretty bad and I don’t know how to control it. I haven’t cut it in about a year. I am trying to grow it long. My husband prefers long hair. We have a bet going that I don’t know if I can keep haha, if I can grow it to my butt I get to have what ever breed of dog I want. This is going to take forever. I just want to chop it off haha.
Fabulous post!! I have hair like Victoria Beckham and I absolutely LOVE it!! People stop me on the street to take pictures of my hair cut. It’s always so flattering. Sometimes I get jealous of the people that can just throw their hair in a ponytail and walk out the door, but there isn’t anything some hairspray and a bobby pin can’t fix with short hair. And I totally agree with you on the coloring…I just put peek-a-boo highlights in my hair this weekend…and guess what…they’re turquoise!!! Kudos to you for chopping your hair off shorter and shorter! Short hair rocks!!
Haute To Sew
Oooohh! Turquoise. Now that’s brave! My new ones are super red. And I love them!
i have a reverse bob and have for a couple of years, but i’ve been dying to change it up for a while. i read your post at IAMHMR last week and have had the page open on my computer ever since, dreaming about how fabulous your hair will be on my head. i tried your cut about 18 months ago (even took pics of Rhianna and Pink to my hair girl), but it didn’t turn out right. so i’ve been a little scared to try it again. however, on Sunday i spied a girl at church with hair identical to yours and after church, rushed up and demanded that she tell me who does her hair. i will be getting it done in a couple of weeks and i am totally expecting it to be as adorable as yours. (i don’t sound stalker-y….do i??) thanks for the super informative post!!
I just got a short hair cur last month! At first I got a little afraid every time I saw my shadow, lol, but now I love it and I am feeling much cooler! (temp wise and socially)
Thank you so much for your guest post on IAMHMR! I saw it the day you posted it and I instantly saved the picture of your haircut. From then on, I could not get the idea of cutting my hair off out of my head. I had a chin length bob with a slight angle… well yesterday I ended up going with the messy pixie with long layers on top and swept to one side very similar to yours. Thank you for helping me be brave!! I even added some highlights and darkened my color. It’s amazing how great a drastic change feels!!! Tonight I am going shopping for new earrings and headbands! I totally love it and I feel amazingly sassy!! Thanks again!!
YAY!!!!! I’m so glad you like it! The sass factor is pretty awesome, isn’t it? I really feel like I have more style this way! You will too. You’re gonna love it. Yay you!!
I just added your pic to my Pinterest Board on hair cuts I LUV!!!!!! You are gorgeous! Thank you for sharing!
haha. i just did the same thing!
I just came upon your blog and LOVE it! Thank you for inspiring me. I am just getting back into blogging and almost ready to launch my creative new business. I enjoy sharing inspiration with REAL people like you and i have a great respect for what you do! That being said… I think you are just A D O R A B L E and you do the Rhianna cut so well. Dang it! This made me want to quit growing out my A line bob from short to medium as I’ve been visioning, and try it too ha but I’m gonna hold out a bit longer and see if it gets to where i want it before i cut it all again! Thanks also for the product tips. Us women love our products. Good luck Friday – You will do fine! …and ENJOY this busy summertime!
PS. Can you share some eyeliner tips? Cuz girl, you are ROCKIN’ the eyeliner!
Thanks so much for your nice comments! Eyeliner tips huh? I’ll totally put it on the list. You’re not the first person to ask. Funny. I never really thought about my eyeliner before.
I love this post! Thank you for sharing. I read IAMHMR but somehow missed your post. I have long hair and the desire to chop it all off has been growing steadily (right along with the rise in temperature … imagine that!) I have had short hair in the past but never really know what to do with it, and like you said, I sometimes feel less feminine. (Which I know is all in my mind because my husband happens to love me with short hair!) With all the adorable hair accessories that are out there now, I might just be able to get over my neuroses.
Thanks for the inspiration – you look fantastic!
(and I second the eyeliner tips!)
LOVE LOVE this post – I just did a blog post of my own about my own drastic short haircut, stop on by and check it out! http://momommamoney.blogspot.com/2011/07/short-hair-style-yourself-confident.html
Fab post! Us short haired girlies have got to stick together, so I wanted to share my latest obsession in the product line world! My little sis cuts hair, and she just got back from NY learning all the ins and outs of the fab line-bumble and bumble. If you have not tried it, you must give it a go. It rocks! You will totally love the texture twist for those spikey days! My hair stuff makes me happy, so I thought that I would share! Hope that you have a happy weekend!
Did I mention that you rock the short hair? Love it! Just makin sure that was clear!
Thanks Tausha! I totally will have to check out the Bumble & Bumble line. I’ve seen it. But never tried it. I’m a product junkie! Thanks for the tip. (us short hair girls…..we’re pretty awesome, right?)
I am such a hair chicken no one even notices when I get my hair cut. Your hair looks FANTASTIC in every single picture and so stylish and unique. You can really rock the short hair. Also impressed with how straight you get it. Thanks for the inspiration!
Hi Lara!! Do you have any additional pictures of your hair now? You totally rock it! I LOVE LOVE LOVE it…I think it’s totally a style I would do and would love to see how the back and sides look so I could give my stylist some reference!
Let me see if I can find some, Lia. I’ll get back to you.
do you have any pics of you with your new ginnifer goodwin inspired hair?
i love the hair tips! I’m a hairstylist so i’m alllways loving to hear more opinions and ideas on how people can style their hair… and style their hair successfully at home.
and i want to see your new shortest ‘do!
oh and i think with short hair, dangly earrings are a must.
the style projects