I’ve been doing some form or fashion of a chunky braid for the last month because it’s the only way I’ve been able to tolerate my hair. I’m way overdue for a cut, but I’ve been putting it off because I keep getting the urge to chop it off into a short, spunky bob.
Although I feel like I’m walking around with 20 pounds of hair on my head, I don’t want to do anything drastic or spur-of-the-moment, so I’m making myself wait!
So yeah. Not only does the chunky braid (or CB, as I like to call it) lift the hair off my shoulders and keep it out of my eyes, but it also tames the wayward silvers at my hairline and weaves the color of my natural hair into the colored bits in a way that isn’t jarring.
What’s your current go-to hair style at the moment? High pony? Pixie cut? Low bun? Loose waves?
Your friendly neighborhood beauty addict,
Karen
My current go to is what I call the founding father low ponytail. Minus the chic black ribbon. I need to get a ribbon…
Yes, you need to get a ribbon. LOL!
My current (Since December) has been a high pony! Some of the short pieces of over overgrown lob don’t fit in there but that’s what bobby pins are for (I was so glad to grow that thing out!). I’m in desperate need of a hair cut (more just for the shape) but I’m thinking really long side bangs and some long face-framing pieces that way if I put the bulk of my hair back in a clip, a few pieces will fall out and look nice. That’s the hope anyways, ba ha ha! You know how hair is!
Oh, totally. I love me some side-swept bangs and face framing layers! Does your stylist do free bang trims? Because if you want to keep the shape you have to be good about coming in every few weeks for a trim (experience has taught me if I don’t do this, the bangs just end up going in a clip or a ponytail!).
I have a graduated bob (shorter in back, longer in front) and I love it. With the weight from my long hair gone, my natural curls come back, so I can wash and scrunch for a curly ‘do. Or I can take 10 minutes with my straightening brush and wear it straight. Having it longer in the front means I can still wear it back in a barrette or clip, too.
I love the CB on you. It just fits, ya know?
Thanks, Suzanne!
So, re: curls. I have natural curls too and just started testing a brand for curly hair called “Not Your Mother’s” (you can find it at Ulta). Have you heard of it? Everything I’ve tried so far has been really good!
I tried their beachy texturizing spray (can’t remember the name) and didn’t like it. Too sticky. It really was like spraying beach sand in your hair, lol. But I really like their dry shampoo. I got one of those deluxe samplers from Sephora a couple of holidays ago with different higher end dry shampoos and I prefer Not Your Mother’s to all of them.
I haven’t tried their sprays yet, so thanks for the heads up on that. I’ve used their shampoo, conditioner and curl cream and was super impressed! All three of the items I tried didn’t have any silicones (although I think some of their items do have it; I try to avoid it because it weighs my hair down). I still have more testing to do but so far so good.
What kind of curls do you have? I have waves, but only on the top layers of my hair.
I don’t have full-on curls like my girls do. I’d say ‘intense waves’ I guess, lol.
Just got my hair cut into a short layered bob. I can either blow dry it sleek or let it dry naturally into slight waves.
Cute! You can get a *lot* of volume with a short bob if the stylist does it right. Did yours use a razor?
No, she used scissors. She’s Sassoon trained.
Nice! They’re supposed to be the best of the best when it comes to haircuts.
Um, so you should TOTALLY GO WITH THE SHORT BOB. They’re sooo much fun, and you can wear them wavy and it would basically be super cute on you. 🙂 With the right blending/layering on the ends they can be pretty low maintenance! That is, as long as you’re not looking for perfection/precision.
I’ve been slowly growing my hair out over the last few months (from a short, spunky bob, only because I’ve had it for like 2 years…. might change my mind soon, who knows) and am experimenting with a center part for the first time in, oh, over 15 years. Literally I think the last time I parted my hair in the center was when I was 14. 17 years ago! Ahh! So I’m trying it out. Don’t love it, but don’t hate it. When I want things to be easy, though, I generally wear my hair wavy with a side part – that’s VERY much been my go-to while I’ve had this bob! I think that’s why I feel the need to change it up. I’m getting into too much of a rut, lol 🙂
I love your short bob! The only thing that’s stopping me is that shorter hair tends to be higher maintenance for me — I don’t think I’ve ever had a shorter hairstyle that was easy because I always have to do stuff to it or put product in it. I’ve never had short hair that was just wash and wear. But I still might do it. We’ll see.
What made you decide to part your hair down the middle?
It SO depends on the right cut. Which you know! And I mean – my hair isn’t totally wash and wear. I use mousse most of the time to encourage the waves, and will diffuse my roots so my scalp isn’t wet, but I hardly even brush it and it’s so much less angst than blow drying it straight that I don’t mind it. As it warms up I’ll probably stop diffusing and see if I can’t get closer to zero maintenance 🙂
Honestly, the center part thing was inspired by watching The Good Place and seeing how Kristen Bell rocked hers, lol! That and feeling like I would need to change things up if I wanted to grow my hair out – or at least have the ability to do new things. So I’m taking it for a couple test runs. Jury’s still out on whether or not I like it!
That show is hilarious! And Kristen Bell has really cute hair, lol.
I’ve noticed that when I brush less my hair isn’t as angsty, either. I’m all about that wide-toothed comb life, girl.
I luuuv that show! Especially since I majored in Philosophy in college 🙂 And Kristen Bell is my JAM – in both The Good Place and Veronica Mars (back in the day) she’s had so many interesting and different hair looks, which I just love.
Oh, so you totally get the philosophy references right off the bat then!
I started the second season a while back but kinda forgot it after discovering the plethora of British Masterpiece Theater shows on Amazon Prime. I’ll get back into it eventually though (maybe after Game of Thrones).
Isn’t it funny how these days you can *always* find something to watch? Kids today don’t know the torture of having to wait for a week to watch the new episode of Beverly Hills 90210 (RIP, Luke Perry).
After my drastic hair loss my niece cut my hair short and even .
My Derm has me on minoxidil by mouth . It’s really helping it grow .
So right now it’s growing into a bob and I can get it into a ponytail .
Makes me very happy ?
Hi Michele,
Glad to hear that you found something that works for you. 🙂
I wear my hair down like 75% of the time but I started doing a chunky side braid inspired by yours and I’ve been getting tons of compliments!
Yay! Chunky side braid for the win. 🙂
I have a shaved portion on the right side of my head, around the ear, so usually the rest of my hair is combed over to right side and worn long and down.
Two plaits on top of my head!