Meet Lisa. Look at this lovely face.
Let’s take a gander at her hair, shall we?
It’s long. Like halfway to Crystal Gayle long, but I must admit, it’s damn pretty.
Lisa’s hair:
Loooooong
Naturally dark brown and straight
Thick, normal condition
Open to all lengths
Spends 5 to 10 minutes styling
Uses no products or tools except for a brush
When I received Lisa’s photos, I knew I could have pulled the drastic change routine. You know, the You-Must-Chop-Two-Feet-Off-Your-Hair-Immediately! kind of routine. Truth is, I HATE that routine. It reminds me of this old makeover show on Lifetime when stylists would literally butcher participants’ hair for the sake of drama. I always felt so bad…watching those poor ladies try to keep it together while some douchebag turned a perfectly good head of hair into an over-highlighted, over-layered, flippy mess.
To that, I say Hell to the No. I’m still going to recommend a good amount be taken off, but no frosted bobs will be seen today.
Let’s take a look at the options.
These are very similar hairstyles, give or take some long bangs and layering around the face.
Option #1 would take Lisa’s hair up to chest level with some light layering throughout to add some natural movement to her otherwise straight hair.
Option #2 is the exact same concept except with some cheekbone-length layers to draw attention to Lisa’s pretty facial bone structure. I would not recommend cutting bangs any shorter at this point in time. Lisa’s hair has been weighed down for so long, any sudden bang-cutting could be an initial catastrophe.
However, after the cheekbone-length layers are cut for a month or two, Lisa could have a few more sideswept bangs added to the mix which look very nice with a ponytail.
Something else Lisa could do to accentuate her lovely features is to have her eyebrows shaped. Her shiny new hairstyle coupled with shaped brows will take her from a subdued beauty to a knockout!
Tell Lisa what you think! Which option do you like best?
I must admit – I am super excited to see the results. Have a great Memorial Day weekend, everyone!
i.e.
May 21, 2009 at 11:41 amI vote #1
Linda for Ouidad
May 21, 2009 at 11:55 amLisa has beautiful, thick hair! And you’re so right about makeover shows cutting it all off. Number 2 would allow her to flaunt her natural waves! Exciting post! What’s your top choice?
Sarah
May 21, 2009 at 11:58 amI would ultimately like to see Lisa with Option #2, but she could make the transition easier if she started with #1.
She is going to look gorgeous either way! :)
lindsaywillman
May 21, 2009 at 1:33 pmI’d love to see option #2. Will she be donating her long locks?
Carrisa
May 21, 2009 at 12:46 pmI would like to write in an option 3. I think she could totally pull off that look Jennifer Aniston sported in the final season of Friend with the shorter swoopy bangs and long but not really long hair.
Of course keeping her darker color.
HollyLynne
May 21, 2009 at 12:53 pmI love the bangs idea. It would be fantastic if she could cut off at least 10 inches in order to donate to Locks of Love: http://www.locksoflove.org/donate.html
Isabel
May 21, 2009 at 1:30 pmTHIS IS MY HAIR. Oh yes, I had this hair until I went away to college and my mom couldn’t stop me from cutting my hair. Yes, it was drastic. Yes, it made me freak out. Yes, it took me years to learn how to use a round brush and blow dryer.
Yes, I’m glad I cut it and wished I would have done it soon.
Good luck Lisa. Be strong.
kat
May 21, 2009 at 7:52 pmwow that is some amazing long hair! i voted for number two. i think having some hair framed around her face will love absolutely lovely. lisa has a great shape in her face – framing that would really be awesome. i can’t wait to see this one!
Lisa
May 22, 2009 at 4:20 pmHello everyone, and thank you so much, Sarah! I actually didn’t send in my update photos on time–I ended up chopping off 12 inches to donate to Locks for Love. The photograph here is somewhat misleading as my hair isn’t quite that light (some highlights were halfway grown out) nor that wavy (had just taken it out of a bun, for the photo). The new photos I sent to Sarah (late, so not shown) were taken when I had a particularly flat hair day; it’s quite boring, really.
Right now, my hair is right about chest level as in Option #1. I had it cut with long layers and long bangs; unfortunately, the bangs were right at that bothersome length when they never stay back in a ponytail. But I’ll be adventurous and cut cheekbone-length bangs next time! (The third photo is a bit too short for someone who only goes to get her hair cut like twice a year at most. Or every 2 years, when I chopped off the 12 inches.) I do miss having long enough hair to twist into a bun, though–since it’s so straight and yet heavy, it doesn’t stay pinned unless I can coil it entirely around.
Lisa
July 9, 2009 at 10:47 pmHi there, I was just wondering who the girl is in the option pictures. She has the same colouring as I do and I just love her hairstyles! Glad to hear that Lisa had a nice change :)
Sarah
July 10, 2009 at 6:43 amIt’s Minka Kelly.
Shanique
July 22, 2010 at 12:00 pmdo u know crystal gayle should really cut her hair she will look betta that way enit people say yes if u think so to.btw that person in that picture isnt crystal gaye