Get Back To One Length Hair

Bob with layers — Photo: G Allen Penton/Shutterstock

Q: About two months ago, I went to a new hairstylist for a haircut. This was a stylist that a friend recommended. I had thick long one length hair which was bra strap length. I wanted my hair cut to a blunt shoulder length bob. For some reason she cut my hair into many layers and into a short a-line bob so the front was longer than the back. My hair is too thin. The shortest layer is ear length and the longest layer is almost past my shoulders.

My hair, however, is in the awkward stage where it flips as it rests on my shoulders. It's too voluminous and is starting to have a mushroom shape. I'm trying to get back to one length hair. Is there anything I can do to survive the awkward stage? I've been making my hair wavy so that it looks decent. I'm not sure if I should even it out to the second longest layer or avoid trims all together. Should I bite the bullet and even it out to reshape it or keep growing? So far I haven't gotten any split ends as I keep my hair healthy with deep conditioning and less heat styling.

A: Growing your hair out can definitely be a challenge especially if you’re not fond of your original cut either. There is an awkward stage right in between the chin and shoulder area that seems to take forever to get past! Believe me, I know from experience. It sounds like you are growing out an extremely angled a-line bob and the longer it gets the more awkward the haircut is going to look.

I would recommend evening it out by taking length off the front. I do however think it’s a good idea to keep the front slightly longer, about half of an inch, than the back. This will help the cut grow out more evenly and avoid a mullet effect when the back starts growing in. You don’t need to avoid trims when your hair needs it, just have you stylist cut the tips only to keep your hair fresh and shaped nicely.

As far as styling, you are definitely on the right track with wearing your hair wavy or curly. The wavy texture can help camouflage any awkward layers or growth areas. Hair does tend to flip out around the neck at a certain point so embrace the flip by curling all your hair out or try to use a flat iron to smooth the hair out as much as possible. Be encouraged that hair grows on average of half an inch a month and you will soon push past this middle of the road area.

Remember that communication is very important when you go to the salon. If you feel you can’t fully describe what you want, pictures are a great way to help get on the same page with your hair stylist. Bring in a magazine with photos of what you like, print them out, or show your stylist some you like on your phone. Showing your stylist photos of things you don’t like can help, too.

Don’t be afraid to ask questions during your appointment if you feel the haircut isn’t going in the direction you imagined. Take charge of your hair by keeping it healthy and happy and help make it grow as quickly as possible.

©Hairfinder.com

See also:

How to get a good haircut

Scissor happy hairdressers

Why hairdressers cut too short

Why hairdressers never do what you want