Take a look at our first participant, Kim.
Kim’s hair:
Dry
“Poofy”
Thick, with fine texture
In the process of growing it out, but doesn’t mind short hair
Afraid of layers because they have “poofed” in the past
Kim is dealing with what I would describe as triangle hair. This occurs when thick, all one-length hair forms a triangle- giving the appearance of flatness around the crown and bulkiness at the bottom. The best way to remedy the triangle is layering.
Kim, I have a feeling your palms start to sweat at the thought of layering considering your past poof issues. Well, I can promise you that your past poof was a direct result of your hair stylist, not your hair. If someone cuts layers into the hair and doesn’t take the bulk out afterwards, your hair will absolutely look like a cotton ball. I know this from experience, trust me. A couple of years ago, a stylist cut several layers into my hair, and immediately started blowdrying. I looked like this.
Um, no. No no NO. After your stylist cuts the layers, they THEN need to pull out the texturizing shears and get after it. (Preferably NOT the ones that look like they have little teeth. Crunch, crunch.) You will know they did a good job when the floor is literally covered in your hair.
Let’s get this straight. We are trying to accomplish this, right?
Okay, then. Let’s find some photos that you can take to your NEW stylist.
See the difference in the overall shape of the hair? Take out the bulk, baby!
Oh, and hairstyles only. By no means am I insinuating you should become a blond.
Our second participant is Emily.
Emily’s hair:
Natural color
Normal condition
Curly
Air-dries her hair
Open to all lengths
Layers to help give curls movement
Emily has great curls! You know, the shiny ones that lay relatively flat to the head. I luh-huve these kinds of curls. Part of me wants to tell Emily to keep up the good work with the layering and just trim it once in awhile.
But then I see those unbelievably gorgeous EYES and start visualizing a shorter cut to show off those peepers. Maybe a little Carrie Bradshaw bob? Are you with me?
So, yeah. These are both of the same haircut- just styled differently (and a little more length on #2). This cut would look great on Emily, and by the looks of her photos, I think her hair would be very accepting of a flat iron. (Hello, flat iron! Give me a hug! I am accepting of you!) You know, to change it up once awhile for special occasions.
What do you think? Cut it short?
Sara
November 2, 2007 at 5:21 amI have the same hair as Emily. So this was kinda like my own Hair Thursday. Thanks :-) The Carrie Bradshaw ala Season 5 look is awesome! And flat irons? They are a gift from above. Yumm. Yumm.
Meg
November 2, 2007 at 5:10 amEmily has great hair and great eyes! I would like to see some long bangs or some side swoop action like Carrie Bradshaw #1!
Emily R
November 2, 2007 at 6:37 amEmily’s curls are just TDF. I like short hair, but I think it would be a crime to lose those glorious curls.
Not The Mama
November 2, 2007 at 6:42 amBrilliant as usual! I love both the suggestions, and really want to see the “after” pictures for both!
Ashlie
November 2, 2007 at 8:09 amKim: Beautiful hair color- veerrry shiny. You have to embrace layers girl! Its all about the flat iron….
Emily: Gorgeous ringlets and even prettier eyes. I think the shorter bob would work great. Maybe not quite as short as the carrie pic, but the invertedness rocks.
Am jealous.
courtney
November 2, 2007 at 12:00 pmNice suggestions! I love Kim’s hair color. As for Emily, I agree to go short with the layers…but maybe not as short as SJP’s.
slynnro
November 2, 2007 at 1:01 pmOkay, the triangle anology is just brilliant.
Emily
November 2, 2007 at 3:13 pmAw yeah — I’m on Hair Thursday! And I’m not even offended that you referred to me as Kim on a couple occasions. :-P You were just so nice with the compliments and all, really.
I too once had the curse of the triangle cut, and from that moment on I always ask my stylists to PLEASE DON’T PYRAMID ME. They always know exactly what I’m talking about, even though pyramid is not a verb! Phew.
Well, with 88% of the voters urging me to go short, I don’t think I can refuse. I’ll submit “after” photos for the Hair Thursday archives! Thanks a million!
Ack! Sorry, Emily. I did this late last night and was a little frazzled.
sizzle
November 2, 2007 at 6:44 pmi soooo want emily to do option 1. it’ll make the focus go on her eyes i think – which hello, are gorgeous!
your suggestions for kim are right on target. i’d love to see a little swoop bang and layers. a good hairstylist can make or break us.
All Adither
November 3, 2007 at 7:14 amYes, long bangs for all.
Spandrel Studios
November 4, 2007 at 11:12 amRemoval of bulk is critical in a new style for Kim. I suffer from the same issue – and thinning out the layer line so the hair hugs the line makes all the difference. I think option 1 with the bangs will look di-vine!
Emily’s eyes were the first thing I noticed, and was thrilled to see you’d suggested the Carrie Bradshaw bob.
Can’t wait for the results for both – lovely suggestions, Whoorl!
Maya
November 4, 2007 at 10:13 pmAs someone who (unwillingly) sports the bottom-heavy triangle EVEN AFTER MY HAIR HAS BEEN RECENTLY DE-BULKED (sorry, that deserved a bit of a shout) ….I am…..sad. Because I am growing my hair out and right now it’s just IN the stupid, annoying triangle-y phase and yea verily, doth it suck.
So maybe you should/could/would do a post or two about Living With It; Hair Thursday the Remidial version? Perhap?
drea
November 6, 2007 at 11:26 amthis is so fun!!!
Aimee Greeblemonkey
November 7, 2007 at 6:29 amTriangle = Awesome.
Kim
November 7, 2007 at 8:19 amJust my luck – it’s my turn when I’m in Nowhereville, NE with no cell phone service or internet access (oh, the humanity! how did we live back then??) so I had to wait even longer for the Whoorl wisdom.
I always figured the triangle hair came from the kinky, curly, annoyingness that is my hair since it’s there with every single haircut I have ever had. Ever. Even though in those pictures it’s pretty straight, it’s so not. But if it would go that straight, with the layers… ooohhhh that could bring me upside-down-triangle happiness. So I’ll send pictures. Once I stop traveling every freaking week and can attempt to find a decent stylist. Anyone have a good one in Northern VA??? I’m afraid to start looking…. :)