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hair thursday makeover 61

Jessica’s hair:

Naturally mousy brown, but colors at home (usually lighter and/or red)
Chemically processed
Thick, but fine
Prefers chin length or longer
Uses products and tools regularly

From Jessica’s email:

Okay here is the thing…I’m 25 maried without kids and a nurse practitioner.  I look young for my age…my patients comment on how young I look all the time.  I know I’ll be glad for it someday…but would you want someone who you think looks 16 doing your annual exam?  So I really would like to look my age and professional…but without having a “mom” haircut.  Over the past lets say several months I’ve gotten a perm and colored my hair a few times…and the cut is really, I’d say, lacking in shape…but I just am not sure what to do….please help!

Jessica, it must be horrible looking so young. I mean, GAHHHHH.

(I’m kidding. I totally get what you are saying.)

The photos Jessica sent in were in her natural state, which were very helpful.

My thoughts? Adding a little shape to her cut along with a color change would be the answer to her problems. Right now, the color looks a little sun-bleached and orange-ish, which could be adding to the whole younger-looking issue. Adding a little depth to her color would be fantastic.

First, the cut. Jessica’s oval face shape is perfect for chin-length styles. This layered bob really jumps out at me.

mopshots.com

(Have you not checked Mopshots out yet? It is DA BOMB.)

As Jessica’s perm grows out, she would need to use her flat iron to smooth out any kinks. However, this style could be worn wavy or straight, depending on the time spent styling. Since Jessica already uses products and tools, I’m not too concerned with the styling time at all. Straightened, this is the perfect, professional yet stylish look.

As for the color, I feel like Jessica needs to go either lighter or darker. With her previous at-home colors and perms, I would suggest her working with a hair stylist to get these looks – at least at first, to get the feel for what she likes and doesn’t like. Take a look at these color options.

Crap. Now, I’m thinking Jessica could be darling with a longer, layered cut. However, methinks it wouldn’t be professional enough for her requests. The brain isn’t working…need coffee STAT. What do you think?

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10 comments
  1. kat

    March 19, 2009 at 11:40 am

    This is nothing against light-hair gals out there but for Jessica, I do think if she goes with a darker color (and omg she could pull it off and be STUNNING) i thik that would help with the “looking older” issue. i also love the mopshots photo and jessica could TOTALLY pull that look off. (and no perm!)

  2. rachel

    March 19, 2009 at 11:48 am

    I agree with kat. She should definitely go darker and shorter. It would look sleeker and therefore more professional which tends to make people think older. Even if she decides to grow it out and do layers, she should still go darker, I think.

  3. Jamie

    March 19, 2009 at 11:56 am

    The quickest way to look younger is to grow your hair out, and keep it long. Therefore, I think the best idea here is Option #1 – the stylish, angular bob.

    Caveat: A bob is a risky proposition for those of us with curls (natural or otherwise). It will require attention to the layers, so that it doesn’t mushroom out.

    Can’t wait to see the after on this one!

  4. Sara

    March 19, 2009 at 4:20 pm

    My first thought was darker too. I think it would be a huge improvement, and that it would also help her to look more mature.

    I’m also not loving the perm. I think she should try growing it out and going for a sleeker look.

  5. Tracy D

    March 19, 2009 at 8:32 pm

    Darker, shorter, NO perm!

  6. Jessica

    March 20, 2009 at 3:18 pm

    okay, okay…I know the perm, it was a bad idea. Beleive me I’m not going there again! Thank you all so much for your comments, I’m really itching to go get my hair done now…it’s pulled back into a ponytail right now :)

  7. Caleal

    March 20, 2009 at 9:36 pm

    For sure darker and shorter. I thought the second picture WAS her, and you were going to tell us she fixed her own hair and woo, end of post.

  8. S

    March 21, 2009 at 6:28 pm

    For sure the shorter cut and go a medium brown with caramely highlights about the face. Have a professional do up your colour and suggest an otc product that you could use for the in-between style visits.

    I have curly hair and thought a ringlet perm was the way to go once upon a time. All I can say is, thank Jeebus hair grows! That was Capital U Ugly!

  9. ellbee

    March 22, 2009 at 8:01 am

    S, I totally agree with you. Shy away from perms, or someone will write in your yearbook “I think you look like an ice cream cone.”. (not that this happened to me… :)

    I recently went short, and I LURVE my hair now. It’s the way to go for a professional, older look.

  10. Elizabeth

    March 28, 2009 at 3:57 pm

    Like many others, I immediately thought “shorter and darker.” Maybe a darker red, something Kate Walsh-ish? Actually, something along the lines of her cut, too. Good luck!