… but then I did it anyway!
A big chop, bangs, and darker color?
Who am I?!
I said I’d never cut my hair — I’ve had long hair most of my life, and I always loved it. I’ve never really cared much for hair color — I’ve only colored my hair once before. And bangs?! I always thought they’d be such a hassle.
(Well, that and I’m scarred by my early 00’s wispy bangs — I mean who wasn’t?)
But something big has been shifting in me these past few weeks, and well … I was craving a dramatic external change to mirror that internal shift. Sometimes I think that’s why hair exists — to be an outlet for those mini outbursts of madness.
I walked into the salon feeling a little nervous to say goodbye to my hair … but I also was ready to have some fun. I decided I was going to love my haircut, right there in the lobby, before I even made it into the chair.
Yes, it was going to look different. Yes, it might take some getting used to. Who cares? Let’s have fun. I practically smiled through the whole thing.
It might have freaked out my stylist a little.
So … how do I like it so far?
I’m loving it and I’m surprised that it’s so easy to live with. I thought the bangs would be annoying, but I’m really happy to learn that they don’t bother me one bit.
I’m still trying to figure out how to style it. Straight with body is easy (like in the pictures above), thanks to this texture cream. But I’m still trying to nail down the technique for curling shorter hair. That will be a learning curve, but I’ll figure it out one of these days. :) Anyone have any experience with an oval curling wand? I keep reading that it’s the golden ticket for shorter hair.
But do you want to know the best thing about this haircut?
I don’t have to pluck my eyebrows anymore.
I know, I know — thick, bushy eyebrows are all hot right now. But I have the man brows from hell, so I still have always had to pluck a bit.
Not anymore!
REJOICE!
(Insert grinch-worthy wicked smile here.)
Cardigan: Madewell
Top: Madewell
Jeans: Gap (similar)
Shoes: Aldo
Bag: Marc Jacobs
Rings: Moulton
Bracelets: Moulton
xo
Love it, Love it, Love it!!
WHOA!!! so brave. so awesome. It looks great!!! :)
I was JUST thinking of you as I browse through the Anthropologie website and am Pinning away for my Winter Capsule ideas!
You are always a beautiful young woman, and this new hair cut truly reflects a maturity and confidence that I have been seeing growing steadily in the time I have been enjoying your blog.
This means so much to me, Cosette! Thank you for your encouraging words. :) xo Caroline
“Man brows from hell” is basically my dream scenario! I used to have pretty rad eyebrows but overplucking has scarred me for life – so to speak, obviously. Your hair looks great!
You look FAB, Caroline. Good for you. I have had bangs of and on the past couple of years. I love them….but they drive me bonkers. =)
LOVE your new do!!! Looks fantastic and suits your style perfectly! I have shoulder length hair and love using my flat iron for my waves. I can do straight, wavy, curly all with just one tool.
Seriously! Your hair looks amazing!!! I keep pinning shorter cuts wondering why because I was planning on keeping it long for awhile, but this is SO temptin! I say it’s a major win!
You look fantastic! LOVE it!
hey caroline,
love your new doo. you should check out http://www.irrelephant-blog.com/ if you haven’t already, their hair tutorials and photos are stunning. but i’m sure you know of them already. i don’t like doing my hair at all but i visit their blog because it’s just so dang gorgeous. ps – i have uprooted the beast that is complexity in my wardrobe and it’s felt amazing. your blog has been a huge inspiration and now i’m tearing through other areas of life and it is so liberating! thanks for the goodness!
Thanks for sharing that site, Katie! And I’m so excited to hear that you’re feeling liberated in so many areas of life. Get it girl! xo Caroline
Something must be in the air!! I JUST chopped my hair to above my shoulders Monday, the shortest it’s been since the 4th grade (also scarred by bad bangs/hair cut). I was convinced I couldn’t pull off short hair because of how thick and curly it is, but I made the leap: and I smiled through the whole process too! I am in love with it. As a fellow newly-short-hair girl, the only thing that has bummed me out has been braid posts for long hair, haha. And the trick to curling short hair, as shown to me by my stylist, is a Bubble Wand (like this one, http://bit.ly/12Ro25s). It seriously gives it the perfect wave. Can’t wait to try the Bb Texture Cream on my newly short hair: it has been my secret weapon for my long wavy/curly hair for years!
Basically I love this post.
I love it! Your hair is so cute. I’m overdue for my next haircut, and it will definitely be a lob (long bob). Love the bangs. Once every couple years I decide I want bangs and within a few weeks I end up changing my mind and having to spend six months growing them out. But it’s been years since I’ve had the full bangs. It looks amazing on you and I hope you love them! It definitely adds an element of coolness to your outfit.
Love the haircut!!! I always had long hair and then a year and a half ago I went for a BIG chop to a bob style. It took some getting used to, but I loved it. Now I’m in a bit of a lob phase, but I don’t think I’ll ever go back to long hair again because short hair is so much easier to maintain!
Some tips for the oval curling wand…with shorter hair, I’d actual go with one of the ones that is more tapered (skinnier at the tip than at the base). It gives you a bit more flexibility, especially when you’re trying to wrap less hair around it and it gets thinner at the ends.
I’d also recommend using a sea salt shampoo because it easy adds texture to hair for those undone days :)
Kris | http://www.love-loft-life.com
I 2nd the tapered curling wand recommendation!
I’ve never tried a curling wand, but I’ve been curling my hair at all lengths with this for years: http://www.amazon.com/T3-73534-Volumize-Tourmaline-Dome-plated/dp/B003BOKIP4/ref=sr_1_13?s=beauty&ie=UTF8&qid=1418315646&sr=1-13&keywords=curved+hair+straightener
I just clamp it on my hair, twist it around once, and pull straight down like you would with a straightener. I get perfect curls every time and it goes really fast.
Love the new hair on you! Anytime I see someone seriously rocking bangs it makes me want to get some…but then I remember how dreadful I look ;)
Love it! The next time I go in I plan to lose at least three inches. Shorter really will be easier- promise! Looks great :-)
Instant style. Bravo.
You look so different but i love it! I just got myself a “lob” last week and am loving it. No bangs though.. haha – I like my eyebrows! I enjoy using a straightener and twisting it around one and a half rotations and you get a nice relaxed wave – that’s how i’ve mostly been styling my hair. My new hair is totally a whole new source of inspiration though and is making all my clothes feel new again and i’m super into the bold lips look right now!
You look absolutely fantastic!!!
I’ve had short hair forever and I really don’t like curling wands. They’re way less versitile than a curling iron. I have more limited styles with short hair and using a curling iron lets you play with different curled looks, it’s actually a lot of fun!
Loved it! You look fantastic!
Its really cute :) I might just take this picture with me in January and copy you. I’ve been living in the land of eternally long hair and it needs something special. This might be just what I was looking for.
This haircut absolutely suits you. My stylist refused me bold bangs when I asked for them… Apparently they do not suit my face shape. Alas!
I LOVE THE HAIR! It looks amazing. Good for you for jumping out of your comfort zone.
Wow! Super cute haircut! You look like a different person, but of course, still very beautiful and stylish!
Annie
The MAMA Gazette
Your hair looks so CUTE!! I just did the same thing in August… bangs for the first time since those terrible, wispy middle school bangs. Unlike you, I couldn’t stand them this time around! For my hair type they took so much maintenance, and they drove me crazy all day long. This may have been exaggerated by the hot, sticky summer weather we had at the time. I am eagerly waiting for them to grow back out now, BUT I was so happy that I did it for one reason: it was one of the most liberating things that I have done as an adult. That sounds so silly, but they really made me feel like I could be anyone I wanted to be and pull it off. As someone who struggles with insecurity, this was huge for me. I truly believe that this helped me overcome some of the confidence issues that I’ve dealt with my entire adult life. Isn’t it crazy how a simple haircut can go such a long way to make you feel empowered and free?!!
You look amazing, as always!!
The bangs are great! Good choice.
Love it lady!! Suits you so well! In other news, you have given me SO much inspiration for that Madewell tee…. not-so-secretly hoping you’re carrying it over to the winter capsule so I get even more ;)
Beautiful! Love this length. I recently went from longhair to a short bob and have enjoyed the ease, but really miss the ability to put my hair up and pony tails. I think this mid length might be good for me.
Loving the haircut! I think it makes look younger (in a good way) and I think it fits in with your chill personality and your style! That was a great decision. I went through this a year ago, shortly after getting married. Got my hair chopped into a pixie cut (I could never style it when it was longer, which for me has always been chin-shoulder length). But now that I am making a good change in my style I feel more and more like the pixie is ME. Making big changes in hairstyles is so much fun :)
I love your new haircut/color! Isn’t it so fun to change it up? I applaud you for smiling through your hair cut and for making the decision in the lobby to love your new cut. I need more of that in my life! I have been sorting through my closet for two months now since I came across your blog. (it’s a little hard to do it in one shot with a full time job and a two year old and training for a half marathon) and it has been so liberating. I love simplifying my closet and it has spilled over into many other facets of my life. Thank you for being an inspiration!
I have an oval wand for my short hair and I LOVE it. It really is wonderful. The only thing I use.
Stop it!! Love your hair. Suits you very well.
Love it! It gives you a bit of rocker edge. Makes me wish I could grow mine out now!
So cute! I have the instinct to congratulate you, is it weird to congratulate someone on a haircut? I looks really gorgeous and modern.
Oh girl, you have got seriously sexy, rock chick hair! You look amazing!!!
Wahou LOVE IT!!!!! You look very mature and confident with this haircut! It is funny how we women often need to cut our hair to look/feel that way. I guess long hair is usually the ‘non-haircut’ that we all have when we are little girls/young girls and when we actually move on and get our first ‘real’ haircut, it is a big step towards womanhood, and maturity and confidence.
I might be extrapolating, but anyway, love this haircut, you look beautiful!
“I think that’s why hair exists — to be an outlet for those mini outbursts of madness.”
SO TRUE. I’m glad this was a positive outburst of madness for you. Once after a breakup I decided to dye my hair bright red. THAT was madness. I had never really colored my hair that drastically before, and I didn’t realize that I couldn’t just – dye it back. Since I had bleached my hair my base color was now orange, and everything I did to try to fix it turned orange after a week. It took me about two years to get the red out of my hair. As annoying as it was, I also learned that it’s just hair. I didn’t like my hair color but I was still able to feel good about myself. I also learned that I can’t achieve a that kind of “new me, new look” transformation with my hair. I have thick curly hair and I’m way too lazy to straighten it every day so I cant go too short and can’t do bangs or anything that I would have to style just to leave the house.
I have a curling iron and a wand, but once I got a set of hot rollers I haven’t used either since…
Perfection! You look fabulous and yeah hair doesn’t define us so we can mess around with it and do whatever we like to it and still feel great! Keep up the good work!
x
That hair is Fab!!!! What is it about winter that makes us want to go for a change like that!? I’ve been feeling the same way about my long locks.. Love your site and the thoughts behind a Capsule Wardrobe. Always inspiring!
I think your new haircut is sassy and fun!
You are rocking that cut, Caroline!!!! Love it! I just got mine cut a couple weeks ago and I feel rather liberated with the shorter cut. Another great hair site is http://thebeautydepartment.com/.
Love the new hair. I’m a big fan of bangs. I’m actually in the grow out phase because last year I went for it and got a mohawk. Luckily my workplace didn’t totally freak out about it. So now I am letting the sides grow in and the hawk in the middle is styled to one side and looks like a half chin length bob, half super short.
When I went into my second semester of university I decided I needed a change. So I chopped off my waist long hair to chin long hair. Which was the scariest thing, but my hair has been so healthy since then, 2 years later. This year I decided on bangs too, and BEST THING EVER. I love them so much, even if I need to straighten them a little every day.
Love the new look!
I just chopped all my hair off too! I actually have always had short hair so having long hair for so long always felt foreign to me. I didn’t go nearly as short as I normally do, I think I found a happy medium, but I’m loving having shorter lengths again. It’s amazing how much bangs change our face shape too! We’ll practice curling shorter hair together ;-)
This haircut absolutely SCREAMS you! The bangs really pop and continue to bring out your style and the color?? Holy crap girl. The depth is beautiful.
I’ve loved watching your confidence in attitude and personal comfort levels skyrocket. You seem to really be settling in your own skin and understanding what it is that you love! I adore seeing your personality and personal growth in even little things like a haircut.
I don’t know exactly how old are you, but you definitely look at least 5 years younger (it’s mainly due to the bangs I think). I never really understood girls who were so afraid of cutting their hair. Cutting mine short (like really short) was the best decision of my life. Besides, I think it has a lot to do with all the minimalism ideas – you go for what’s best for you and get rid of any excess without any regrets. All in all I think you look much better (I didn’t think it was possible) :)
Looks great! It can be so refreshing to get a cut or colour. I think this was a good move.
Wait so are you taking your pictures in real time now? Or did this happen a while ago?
LOVE the hair! You look wonderful (but you looked wonderful before too). There’s a quiet confidence that radiates from you. Merry Christmas.
LOVE the bangs! They’re so YOU!
I recently did the same thing! My hair had been 3/4 down my back since for over 15 years and one day I just decided to chop it!
Before I cut my hair I had always used a curling wand, but since cutting I’ve actually started using my straightener whether I’m going straight or curly! I found it to be too hard to hang on to the ends of my hair while wrapping the strands around the wand without all the length I’d had before and it got too frustrating. Using the straightener makes it so easy to get messy imperfect waves and without burning my fingertips!
First of all, thank you because you’ve inspired me to refine my style and clean out my wardrobe. Second of all, your hair looks great! I also chopped off my really long hair and I found it very liberating! Definitely give a curling wand a chance. I love mine. It does great for curls or a more tousled wave/curl look. This is the one I got from Ulta. I think its amazing: http://www.ulta.com/ulta/browse/productDetail.jsp?productId=xlsImpprod4740069.
Love it! It gives you some edge
That’s funny! I got my hair cut almost the same way a couple weeks ago! I didn’t think I’d like the bangs, but I’m still loooving them. They make a simple pony tail look styled and polished. I like it. They are a admittedly a little high-maintenance though.
I’ve just been using my ancient curling iron. If you try out that wand, let me know how it works!! I’m curious.
Wow, your haircut looks awesome! Good for you being brave and making a change. I love the bangs! I, too, am scarred by my wispy, side-swept, frustrating bangs from the ’00s, — I sometimes wish I could go for blunt bangs, but now I can live vicariously through you!
Your hair looks awesome! The cut, color, and bangs look great – definitely a little edgy. And complements your already great style for sure! :)
I’m so with you on skipping the tweezing thanks to bangs. That alone makes up for the upkeep the bangs require! I love the new look on you.
That haircut is amazing on you! I thought you had lovely hair before (because you did) but this cut and bangs suit’s you so well too! Good move :-)
Ha! We’re twins. I just did the exact same cut. Thinking of adding some color next week too. It looks good on you! I’m still getting used to the bangs.
Looks GREAT Caroline! Cannot wait to see more outfits with this lovely new hair-do in tow. I’ve had bangs for 2+ years now… still love them :)
This really is a dramatic change! But your smile gives you away as being the same person :) I’ve been contemplating getting a bob for a while but my hair has absolutely not texture (fine) so I couldn’t pull off the bangs (flashback to the elementary years and straight across bangs). Doing my research and going to ask a LOT of questions when I go for the chop in Spring. Have fun with these new adventures!
Color is so rich! I love it. Looks great on you!
You look gorgeous!!!
What a coincidence… I also cut my bangs yesterday! And I’m loving it!
LOVE the hair!!! I am a big fan of the dramatic haircut. I’ve done it many times in my life and it always liberates! It’s an easy way to totally change your look without having to buy a new wardrobe. Plus it makes you look at everything in your wardrobe differently, which can be really refreshing!
Your new cut makes me wish I could do bangs! I’ve got too much curl in my hair, so bangs tend to be a bad idea (especially since I live in WA where there is always rain threatening to undo the work of your flat iron…). But thank you for the inspiration to mix it up! I’ve been growing my hair out for awhile but I’m feeling the itch to do something adventurous with it… :D
Love it! Love it! Love it! Can’t wait to see the different ways you style it in the coming weeks.
http://ashleylandry.wordpress.com
Love the ‘do!
Hi, love your blog! The secret to curling short hair is a flat iron…I have tried EVERYTHING before trying the flat iron…it’s the best.
Love it! Chopped mine off into a short bob a couple months ago and I’m just now starting to figure out the styling thing. So about the capsule wardrobe thing… I can’t figure out how to get started! I keep thinking “but but I NEED that piece in my closet….” Any tips?
i love it! it looks so great! love this outfit too. <3
Love the new hair! I had the same difficulty with styling my hair. Straight was easy to.do, but I wanted to figure out how to curl my hair without getting tight Shirley Temple curls. I bought a curling wand and it works great, but I also found that I can curl my hair with my straightener and it makes awesome loose curls.
I love your haircut. I always enjoying reading your posts. I love ur happy and positive approach to life! Thank you for being you!
Caroline, my jaw dropped when I saw your new hair! You’ve always been beautiful (and your long hair was gorgeous), but this hairstyle is just SO YOU! What a transformation! It seems to suit you and the way that your style is evolving so well. And those bangs just bring out your eyes LIKE WHOA. (P.S. The key to curling a long bob is definitely mastering the flat iron wave! I have one too!)
Not to pry, but I’m hoping that we might get to hear about what’s been shifting in the rest of your life, too! I’ve been in the same mode…made my New Year’s resolutions two weeks early and am already working on them! Just totally craving change in my life. Hope that what’s going on with you is a happy shift :)
Fabulous! This cut looks great on you. I love your blog, thanks for being such a wonderful inspiration!
Looks great! Check out Kate on thesmallthingsblog.com for hair tutorials. You’ll love her blog!
You look so chic Caroline! I actually got chills when I saw this post as I was reading it in the salon chair just after I got mine all chopped off too! It feels fabulous and it’s a great change for the new year!
Just when I decided bangs weren’t for me…
You look amazing with your haircut! Now I want bangs too ;)
You look fab! The darker, warmer hair color even fits the season. ;)
Your hair change really suits you and your style!
I must warn you though, once you have bangs you’ll never go back! I’ve had mine for 9 years, and it’s so bloody hard to tell the hairdresser ‘no, don’t chop it this time’!
Love your blog too, Ive dramatically reduced my wardrobe to nearly half, now left with pieces i love, and I feel much better with what I’m wearing because of it!
LOVE!
I have a shorter cut than you currently and I just style curls with a similar wand to the one you originally posted about! Depending on how I wrap my hair I can make tight curls or loose waves and it doesn’t take a significant amount of time. 98% of the time I embrace the natural texture and just leave it with the messy bedhead look, which apparently looks all beachy and edgy when you have short hair.
I love the bangs!!! (And your outfit is wonderful, as always.)
But the bangs. Rock on.
Your cut looks amazing. This is my exact haircut for the past 6 months and you will LOVE it. I was nervous about the bangs at first but somehow they make you feel chic and pulled together. Especially on those quick ponytail or messy bun days. The oval curling wand is the best. Just takes some time to play around and get your technique.
On a side note… Your blog has changed my life!! Capsule wardrobe is where it’s at!!!! Your style is similar to mine so it was easy to take some ideas and adapt my wardrobe. I love having a few options to get creative with. Most of all it’s nice to have a wardrobe with just the clothes I LOVE and will wear right now!!!! Thank you!!!!!
Hi Caroline! I just found your website after reading about capsule wardrobes, and I absolutely love it. Just wanted to say that I recently did the exact same cut from long waves, and I’ve found that using a flat iron to create waves makes the perfect bend in shorter hair without the waves/curls looking too big and bouncy. I’ve also done this look with success (although my hair was longer in the tutorial): http://whoorl.com/archives/20332
Maybe that will help? Or maybe not. ;) Regardless, love the blog, and now you totally have me wondering about an oval wand. Happy Friday!
Wow! I’m getting my hair colored for the first time today, and I think I could not have found a more perfect entry to read! I’m feeling the same amount of nerves and excitement. Yours looks great, I hope I get the same experience :D
Wow! You look amazing with that new hairstyle!
Omg I love it! Suits you so much :)
Love the bangs on you, really suits your style!
– Grace xx
P.S Would really appreciate it if you could check out my blog and maybe follow if you feel so inclined? <3
http://voguebeach.blogspot.co.uk/
Wow, that outfit and the hairstyle look great on you!
I love your haircut! I wish I could pull off that style! I have tried that curling wand you linked, wasn’t a fan. When my hair was shorter, I preferred an Amika wand similar to this: http://www.folica.com/tools/curling-irons/amika-tourmaline-clip-free-curler . It was more spendy, but it works really well. My hair is a lot longer, but I still use it regularly so it’s lasted several years.
I love getting haircuts, and you’re def rocking yours! I tried blunt bangs twice, but I could never maintain them and they always seemed to be getting in my way and I was constantly trying to brush them aside. Your looks effortless though! -Audrey | Brunch at Audrey’s
Whoa, I love this haircut! This may be the boost I need to do the same – for the last 10 years I’ve had SUPER long hair, and am starting to get massively sick of it. Also, I’m starting to realize the way I style it looks kind of adolescent – an particular issue as I’m in my early 30’s! Your haircut is pretty much exactly what I’ve been considering doing, and since we have similar hair texture I’m going to just take a pic of yours to the salon and say “gimme this” :)
Also, if you feel like sharing the name of your stylist, I’m sure she’d love the extra advertising (and for your fellow Austinite readers, it’d be a nice resource)!
I feel the SAME WAY about my hair. I’ll have the same do for like 2-3 years at a time and then just one random day I wake up, shuffle my way to the bathroom mirror, look up into my reflection and just go, “nope”. And that same day I have to go to the salon or else my head would explode, haha. I LOVE how your new do turned out! I have short hair and I always find curling it with a straightner gives me the best curls or waves. There are a ton of videos on youtube showing you how to do it for short hair :)
xo marlen
Messages on a Napkin
best thing for short hair curls that i’ve found is a flat iron (1 inch or even 3/4 inch). hands down. i’ve had “short” hair (what people are calling short hair these days is actually long hair for me!) for preeetty much my whole life, and the flat iron is the way to go. :) love the dark with bangs, too!
I love the new look! You look beautiful! I love the backdrop for your photos. It allows the clothes to pop. I would love to know how you get such good and clear shots in doors and any pointers you may have!
Thanks!
Misty
http://www.balancingahecticworld.blogspot.com
OMG I have a fringe and go months without properly doing my eyebrows. Such a blessing! Glad I am not alone. The haircut looks great by the way.
Minimalism applies to hair too! I have been getting my hair cut to the same length as yours (minus the bangs) and it has been great! I get my hair cut and highlighted by a really good stylist 3-4 times per year. (Ombré highlights, they grow out better). In the meantime I change up how I style my hair with a curling iron, products or just a simple pony. It’s an easy to live with length. I suppose a true minimalist would just shave it but that would be no fun at all!
ok WOW. This is your perfect cut… it’s AMAZING! I want bangs now (I’m also scarred by my 90s whispy bang debacle) also, to curl short hair, flat iron all the way. Wands and curlers will more often give that prom ringlet mess, but flatirons will allow you to get that beachy texture you want. I think the Beauty Department blog has some good info on styling lobs. You look dynamite!!!
WOW! You look (even more) stunning with your new hair!!
Love, love, LOVE the new hair look, dear Caroline!! As someone who regularly changes up her length/style/colour, I’ve always found it mystifying that some girls stick to the same ‘do year after year…it grows back, for Pete’s sake!! Why not have some fun with it?! And pleeease tell me that those Aldo booties are new; I’m seriously sitting here in a puddle of drool!! ;)
http://www.StyleIsMyPudding.blogspot.com
this cut really suits you! I love love love it! & your blog ;)
Love it! I said I’d never cut mine either….then I did. It’s a very refreshing thing to do :)
Your hair looks so amazing! I’m going to be visiting Austin from California next week and I’m thinking I might get a haircut while I’m there (eeeek! My hair is long and I think I’ll just take a big old leap into shorter hair!) I see that you recommend The Salon, any particular stylist(s) you love?
This is PERFECTION. I love everything about it! Just recently discovered your blog and I’m obsessed with all the great tips, and your “effortless” amazing style! So fab.
I am coveting these Aldo booties! I clicked the link, but the page is no longer active. Are they still making them? Where can I find these???
Thanks Caitlin! You know, these boots are a couple years old now, so Aldo doesn’t make them anymore. But I found a similar pair here: http://bit.ly/2cdbTQT :) xo, Caroline