Polls are back up. If you didn’t get a chance to vote, please scroll down and add your vote in the boxes. (Like hell if I’m going to sort through your comments.)
I have a feeling y’all might know today’s participants. Let’s just call this one Attack of the Pretty Brunettes.
First off, we have the lovely Emily of Not That You Asked fame. (Now in TWO FLAVORS!)
Emily’s hair:
Natural color
Healthy – no split ends or damage
Thick
Curly
Uses a ceramic flat iron every day
Wants to go shorter
Emily and I have been email pals for quite some time, and recently had the chance to touch each other’s luscious locks in person at Blogher. (And maybe consume lots of sangria, wine, beer, cape cods, and martinis.) What I’m trying to say is, I CAN’T SCREW THIS ONE UP.
Emily had a general idea of her new cut – short, choppy bob with long sideswept bangs and a color change, and I agree wholeheartedly. (Except for the color change…it’s so warm and perfect for her skin tone! Like hot chocolate!) One of the best cuts for a heart-shaped face like Emily’s is a chin-length bob. For instance, Katie Holmes’ new bob, which is razored and choppy and super fun. However, since Emily is already proficient in using a flat iron every day (would you ever have guessed that? It’s so shiny and NON-damaged!), she could also pull off a chin-length, one-length bob. Let’s take a look.
First off, I have to apologize. I try my hardest to find hairstyles of the same color to help visualize the cut, but Jenny McCarthy’s bob was exactly what I was looking for in a one-length bob. So, just imagine it’s brunette.
(Oh, that reminds me. I really appreciate your tips regarding those online “hairstylers”, where you can try styles on your own photo, but I always find the final look in those programs to be unnatural and well, a tad hokey. I think I will stick with this for the time being, but thank you all the same!)
I equally love these two styles for Emily, and in essence, they are very similar. The only main difference is that Option #1 has the long sideswept bangs and some razored layers throughout. Here’s another photo showing her layers more clearly. This option could be great for Emily because she could use the flat iron, but also let a little of her curl come through on other days. And this look is definitely “choppier” than Option #2.
Option #2 is probably less versatile than Option #1 due to the same length all around, but this would look gorgeous on Emily. You have to rock some seriously shiny hair to pull this off. Think about it, if there are no layers to allow more of a messy look, you really have keep it straight and healthy. Obviously, Emily has the perfect hair for this and since she already uses the flat iron regularly, it wouldn’t be difficult for her to style. However, I would definitely recommend a thermal protectant before drying!
What do you all think?
The next participant is the lovely Miguelina (of the blog formerly known as Diary of a Reluctant Housewife).
Miguelina’s Hair:
Natural color
Straight and fine
Thick
Wants to keep it long (for ponytails)
Doesn’t do more than brush it twice a day (Uses a Mason Pearson! YAY!)
Loves products, but most make her hair feel heavy
Miguelina, just pipe down and brush your gorgeous hair. Sheesh.
Okay, okay. I know where you’re coming from. Although your hair is gorgeous (and your baby!), it does lack a “style”. Well, that’s easy to remedy! Feast your eyes on this!
Long layers! Long bangs! Big round brushes! CERAMIC CURLING IRONS!
Both of these options exhibit a similar style – Option #1 is just longer than Option #2. So, the question is should Miguelina add long layers only or should she add long layers and cut off 3 inches? Once she has the layers, she can blow-dry with a big round brush for Option #2’s look or use a certain person’s curling iron technique to duplicate Option #1.
(By the way, Miguelina confesses to being lazy in the hair department. I totally understand, but if you want a style, you need to STYLE it! See Hair Rule #2.)
As for the long face-framing layers, I would suggest blow-drying the top front section of the hair downwards into the face. That way, it will sweep downwards and to the side, instead of up and over, like it wants to do naturally. Just doing that will change the overall look dramatically. I think it could be exactly what Miguelina’s looking for in a style. Also, look into purchasing a light mousse for a little lift. Several hair brands have recently introduced new, lightweight mousses for natural-looking volume. They ain’t your momma’s old mousse, that’s for sure.
What do you all think?
Voting is closed.
Lucy
September 20, 2007 at 11:23 amOption #1 for Emily. I actually have this hairstyle. Is it terrible that I brought pictures of Katie Holmes to the hairstylist and said I want this? It is a very easy hairstyle, I wash my hair and brush it. That’s it, just my style.
Option #2 for Miguelina. I just like the shorter length better than the longer.
janet
September 20, 2007 at 11:39 am#1 and then #2
Mandy
September 20, 2007 at 11:52 amEmily would look awesome with option #1. Plus, if she ever wants to give into the wave a bit, it could be really cute with the choppy layers. And I also vote no color only because it’s such a gorgeous natural color. But you know, it’s her hair.
I would option #1 for Miguelina. Seems softer to me.
Have fun!
Kate
September 20, 2007 at 11:53 amI recently went from hair about Emily’s length to a shorter (chin length) inverted bob. When I went to see my stylist, I mentioned that I loved Katie Holmes hair, but also really liked the inverted bob or a shorter bob. She said to start with the inverted bob, and then, if I wanted to, the next time she cut my hair, she would do the choppier bob, ala Katie Holmes. What she said, and I didn’t think about this, was that it is very easy to go from a short or inverted bob to Katie Holmes. The opposite is not true. Since Emily is used to styling her hair with a flat iron, but not necessarily heavily layered hair (from what I can see) she may want to start with the short bob, and then if she is feeling super adventurous the next time she gets her hair cut, she can go for the layers. I should mention that my hair is naturally wavy, and I also used a straight iron nearly every day, and my hair has actually become easier to style with this shorter cut. I mention this only because I was really surprised, since shorter hair usually means more unruly hair, at least in my case. And, if Emily really wants bangs, she can always have bangs with the bob, too!
One Smart Cookie
September 20, 2007 at 12:26 pmI love option 1 for Emily. Option 2 is great, but it seems like one of those cuts where your only option on a bad hair day is to put on a hat. Option 1 seems like it would be a little more forgiving on those days. Of course, Emily doesn’t look like she HAS bad hair days so many I should have taken that into consideration. (So shiny… so jealous…)
I’m a big fan of option 2 for Miguelina.
Michelle
September 20, 2007 at 12:27 pmI’m going with Katie Holmes and Jamie-Lynn Sigler – those styles are both adorable and doable with a good cut.
Sheila
September 20, 2007 at 12:37 pm#1 and #1. And a question for the Expert about the Curling Iron Technique, since it was mentioned in this post: With hair about Emily’s length, should there be any change in how you curl it? I can’t seem to get a variety of waves, they all bend and curl in the same place, and it looks funny. Maybe I need a smaller barrel?
Isabel
September 20, 2007 at 12:44 pmI LOVE Katie’s new hair. If being married to Tom Cruise would make me look that good, I might just do it.
So, I’m going with Option #1 for Emily and #2 for Miguelina.
(I think Miguelina will love having some layers. It will make such a difference.)
Can’t wait to hear and see what they both do.
Mrs. Chicky
September 20, 2007 at 1:15 pmMiguelina’s hair is even prettier in person (if that were possible). It kills me that she wants to cut it. What is it with you ladies who have perfectly gorgeous hair and always want to mess with it?? Gah!
Okay, I’m done now.
Catherine
September 20, 2007 at 2:07 pmI read Emily’s blog (and yours) religiously, and I LOVE her hair. I like both cuts, but may I make a recommendation? I think Katie’s hair is just a little bit too layered. What about the bob with just a few layers and the bangs?? I’m no hair pro, but I thought I’d throw in my two cents.
Kim
September 20, 2007 at 3:48 pmI voted for two for Emily, but I have to say, WHY IS SHE ON HAIR THURSDAY? Her hair is perfect. I envy her hair. Seriously.
Nothing But Bonfires
September 20, 2007 at 3:32 pmEmily! (I’m assuming Emily is going to be reading the comments too.) Option One is lovely, but I do feel that you’ve had it before. Option 2 would certainly be more of a change and Whoorl is right that you have EXACTLY the right sort of hair for this. The Jenny McCarthy bob is something I was considering for myself at one time, but my hair is just not shiny and glassy enough. Yours is. It would look totally, totally cute, and it would certainly be different. That said, you can rock ANYTHING. So you really can’t go wrong.
metalia
September 20, 2007 at 5:07 pmI can attest to the fact that Emily’s hair is just as shiny and sleek in person as you’d all imagine. I think the Katie Holmes bob would be perrrfect. As for Miguelina (who also already has gorgeous hair!) I love option 2.
adriana
September 20, 2007 at 9:28 pmMiguelina looks so much like one of my second cousins. Either style would be pretty on her.
And whoorl… you have the perfect hair color, don’t dye it unless you have to, and for whatever reason, I have a feeling that you would grow in that really pretty silver shiny kind of grey hair when the time comes. Dark hair is cool!
B@B@(Sue)
September 21, 2007 at 5:00 amMiguelina will look fabulous with #2, the color and everything…
and the baby with a lot of red lip kisses on his head..he looks adorable…