Did You Regret Cutting Your Long Hair?

Updated on July 01, 2011
N.G. asks from Arlington, TX
32 answers

I have really long hair, and I'm thinking about cutting it short- I like the inverted bobs, longer in front and shorter in back, and I've had my hair like that before and it looks really good on me. But, I've worked to grow my hair so long for years, and I'm proud of it. It's so HOT outside that I put it up every morning or else it sticks to my neck, so I'm not doing anything with it currently. I'm tired of struggling with the decision, really- tell me, did you regret it? I think I'm leaning towards cutting it... talk me out of it! Or talk me into it! Either way, tell me what to do! LOL!

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P.W.

answers from San Francisco on

Hair grows, and it looks "really good" on you.

Cut it.

(Good point from Scarlett, though. Guys usually like long hair.)

2 moms found this helpful
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K.:.

answers from Phoenix on

Do it!! Everyone has long hair, it's so boring. And, I have this secret, wait for it....HAIR GROWS BACK!! It's only hair - I don't get why people are so resistant to getting a haircut. It's not the end of the world!

1 mom found this helpful
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J.R.

answers from San Diego on

If you cut it, donate it to Locks of Love. That will help minimize any regret you may have after the fact. I only ever cut my hair when I have enough to donate.

I have only ever regretted cutting my hair once, and that's because the guy styled it so terribly that I looked like a holdover from one of those 80s big hair bands. Otherwise, I'm usually pretty zen about my hair. It always grows back.

1 mom found this helpful

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M.F.

answers from Dallas on

That is funny you posted that question. I just cut about 11 inches off of my hair and donated it to Locks of Love and got the exact haircut you are talking about, shorter in the back longer in the front. I LOVE LOVE it and do not regret it one bit. Now it has only been 3 weeks but if figure if I would regret it I would have by now. Maybe it was easier for me because I knew that my hair was going to a wonderful cause. If you are having a hard time maybe Locks of Love is the way to go for you if you have a min of 10" to cut. :) I can't explain the feeling I had when I got it cut it was a happy moment instead of a sad one, I just boosted a childs confidence and self esteem is what I told myself as my long hair was being cut.

Good luck :)

4 moms found this helpful

M.L.

answers from Houston on

I'm a hairstylist and I have seen women cry over getting 1/4 of an inch cut. Beyond weird to me, their hair usually looks better with the damaged ends off.

Anyways, I would shorten it up, but do it gradually to avoid the shock.

The biggest problem with going short is not knowing how to style it to look cute when you get home... which I'm going to assume was Rachel D's issue with the wavy/curly hair and not getting a good cut for her hair type. So make sure you get the right products and know how to style your hair. Look at some good short hair magazines and pick some styles that are shown on models that have a similar face shape and hair type as you.

I like the inverted bob as well, but maybe try something a little different and modern, like a light shag? similar to this:

http://www.instyle.com/instyle/package/summertrends/photo...

3 moms found this helpful
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M.A.

answers from Charleston on

It would be cooler, look more current and it's a cut you KNOW looks good...what's the dilemma?

3 moms found this helpful
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M.K.

answers from Dallas on

I cycle through long hair and short on a regular basis. I grow it out long enough to donate, chop it off, and grow it back out again.

To do something like that though, you have to like change, and enjoy changing your hairstyle on a near continual basis. I love it, and usually have the newest style going on. :)

2 moms found this helpful
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K.D.

answers from Los Angeles on

My hair dresser offers the best rule of thumb in this matter - if you wear your hair "up", more than 50% of the time, then it's time to change your look with a hair cut.

2 moms found this helpful
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K.P.

answers from New York on

I had long hair throughout most of my life (ballet dancer), but cut it pixie-short in graduate school. It's been shoulder-length or shorter ever since! When I look back at pictures, it's pretty clear what length and shape are most flattering.

Look at the old pictures and compare it to the newer ones. Which "look" do you like better? Go with that. Personally, if I let my hair get too long, I end-up tying it back to keep it off my neck and under "control" so there's no point in having it long.

2 moms found this helpful
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M.S.

answers from Chattanooga on

I had super long hair and I did not regret cutting it. Actually, it felt liberating. I would encourage you to go for it. You don't have to go super short at first, maybe just go shoulder level and see how you like it. If you do decide to cut, please considering donating to Locks of Love. My son was recently diagnosed with Alopecia and so I have learned alot about this disorder and there are so many children with Alopecia and other disorders that would greatly benefit from your generosity. In fact, I have now donated twice. Once I had 18 inches to donate for my first major cut, and it was cut just above in the shoulder. In 3 years I was able to grow it out and then cut 11 inches to donate again. That is currently my plan, I don't do much with my hair except put in in a ponytail regardless of the length, so I have decided I may as welll just continuously grow and donate!

2 moms found this helpful

R.D.

answers from Richmond on

I have really long hair. About 3 years ago I cut it short because I was OVER it... um, HUUUUGE MISTAKE. The length of my hair weighs it down... when it's short, HELLO RED HEADED AFRO!! If your hair is wavy or curly in any way, don't do it!!

2 moms found this helpful

A.S.

answers from Detroit on

Never.

I'll let it grow, cut it all off, let it grow, cut it all off....

Like you, I do a bob of some sort.
You could try the long inverted bob (think Jen Aniston's do now) and have the stylist take thinning shears to your whole head for less weight and heat retention for the summer.

I'm on the grow it out cycle and just had mine trimmed a tiny tiny bit, but she thinned it... Feels a TON better!!! When thinning shears are used on me, it looks like enough hair to cover another head or two! Most people would never know how much I get taken out.

2 moms found this helpful
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J.D.

answers from Dallas on

If I didn't have naturally curly hair, I would have shorter hair all the time. I look like a Qtip with short hair! Yes, you can pull up long hair, but within a few hours I have a headache from the weight and it's HOT! Texas is HOT HOT HOT!!!

Hair grows and grows and grows.... cut it and enjoy the lower maintenance, cooler style for a while. :)

1 mom found this helpful

E.B.

answers from Seattle on

Every time I have cut it. After having my third and last baby I cut it shorter then it has ever been. I will NEVER cut it again. So, much so that I keep a photo of me with short hair around..So, if the wild hair ever gets up my bum again and I think to cut it off...I hope the photo deters me from doing so:)

I love being able to do whatever I want with my long hair..Bun it, pony tail. Down and wavy, down and straight down and curly...or my very favorite..down and curled with the curling iron:)

My vote is keep it long...but if you are so moved to cut it...It will always grow back:)

1 mom found this helpful

A.G.

answers from Dallas on

I love change, so I change my hair all the time - the color, the cut, the style. In January I cut my long hair off, and I loved it! The short hair gave me such style. :) Now I'm growing it out again, not because I didn't like the short hair, but because I want a change again. I'm sure I'll cut it off again at some point, too.

I vote for you to cut it off. Have fun with it. It's just hair. :)

1 mom found this helpful

H.B.

answers from Dallas on

Hi N.,

Don't do it! This Texas heat is making you think crazy! ;)

Kidding, I have had both and yes I do regret cutting my long hair into the style you mentioned. While it does look good on me, the style options are limited and I miss just putting it up in a ponytail or loose side braid (that was my hubbys fav).

Keep your long gorgeous locks and just stay in the A/C!

1 mom found this helpful
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C.J.

answers from Lancaster on

Currently I have hair long enough to sit on. Six years ago, I had a chin length bob. Hair grows back. Go ahead and cut it.

I've never regretted cutting my hair. I've had it long, short, long again, short again. Currently long. Before baby #7 is born, I may cut it again. Last time I cut my hair into a bob, I donated 21 inches of hair to Locks of Love.

If you cut it, be sure to donate.

1 mom found this helpful
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M.J.

answers from Sacramento on

I cut my long hair in college years ago and went really short. Zero regrets. I've kept it various lengths in the short category for 20+ years now and love it. When it was long, I just put it in a ponytail and, as they'll tell you on What Not to Wear, that's not a style.

Now, I get compliments all the time on my hair, which never happened when it was long. Also, it's much quicker to dry. I have very thick hair, so it was a long 20 minute drying session to get my hair dry when it was long. I also love the feeling of no hair on the back of my neck. I have the inverted bob and it's great!

I'm lucky that my husband isn't too caveman-like and doesn't care what length my hair is, as long as it's a good style and I'm happy. He's only against me shaving my head like his mom does with hers and I can't blame him on that!

If you've done it before and liked it, give it a try. You always have the option of growing it out again if you choose to.

1 mom found this helpful
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K.K.

answers from Dallas on

I usually regret it for about a year. But oh that first couple of weeks is so fun to have a new do. I say go for it. I am working on growing mine out again. But it was a nice change for awhile and really even for just the first fun week I felt on top of the world. I think a little boost even if it is very short lived is worth it. That being once I am over it, I am so over and and annoyed with my self.

1 mom found this helpful

S.J.

answers from St. Louis on

LOL! You are so funny.

I always regretted cutting my hair. To me, if you have long, healthy hair in a style that looks good, it is the best of all worlds! You can put it up when you want, or wear it down.

If you cut it in a cute style like you suggest, won't you have some pieces on your neck constantly that you won't even be able to put in a ponytail? Wrapping my hair up in a clip or bun always keeps me cool.

I (almost) always do what my husband likes with regard to hair and clothing. Who else am I out to impress anyway?

What does hubby like?!

1 mom found this helpful

M.M.

answers from Chicago on

When I cut mine, yes, I regretted it.
It takes so long to grow it back, and honestly, with the exception of a few, it makes most women look older, IMO.

1 mom found this helpful

K.J.

answers from Chicago on

I love experimenting with my hair, so I have no problem cutting off long hair. It always grows back :)

1 mom found this helpful
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B.C.

answers from Los Angeles on

If you need someone to talk you into or out of it, ask your husband. I love my wife in long hair. Before we got married she and I talked about what we wanted from each other in marriage.

She said she wanted me to finish my degree and get a job good enough so she could be a SAHM. I did that. I asked her to grow her hair long and keep it there, to love me forever and to make chocolate chip cookies, not buy them in the store.

When she is really mad at me she gets her hair cut. I hate the short hair and hate it when she's mad at me.

Good luck to you and yours.

1 mom found this helpful

B.C.

answers from Norfolk on

I'll never majorly cut my hair again.
I'll trim to even up ends, but I like having long hair.
I take care of it (I haven't had a split end in over 6 years).
I have a number of African hair clips and I have it clipped up off my neck neatly every morning and it takes only a few minutes to get it up.
I have a lot of hair toys (hair sticks, bun makers, etc), and I'm not bad at braiding (French or Dutch under braid), so if I get tired of one look, I have plenty of others to choose from.

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S.B.

answers from Denver on

DO IT! I cut my hair almost 6 years ago and haven't grown it out again. I had hair to the middle of my back and cut it into a pixie! I love it. I would always struggle with cutting my hair as well. The icing on the cake was when my husband said, "What's the point of having long hair if you are putting it up everyday?" If you hate it, it will grow back.

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C.N.

answers from Baton Rouge on

A couple of weeks ago, I got out of the shower, didn't feel like brushing out my long hair, grabbed the scissors and cut it to above my ears. No regrets whatsoever.

M.P.

answers from Sacramento on

I do and I don't - just depends on the day. I seem to grow my hair out, cut it off, grow it out, cut it off.....so it is typical for me. I just did what you are talking about. I cut 24" off my hair, it looks really cute - I did it about 6 months ago, I have already decided I am growing it back out.....LOL - it's just my cycle though. And my hair grows REALLY fast so it will be long again in no time. I think it depends on how long it takes you to grow your hair back out.

If you decide to cut it and are interested in selling it, let me know, I sold mine on a website and if you PM me I can send you the link.

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S.B.

answers from Kansas City on

I cut mine last summer. Now I'm at the point of having to decide to cut it again or let it grow back out. I'm thinking of getting layers and seeing what that does.

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P.B.

answers from Spartanburg on

It depends on the kind of hair you have. I have thick, straight but bulky hair, so when I cut it short (bob-like haircut, a little shorter maybe) I had to style it every single time I washed it...ugh!!!Not to mention what I went through while I was letting it grow again, anytime it got a little longer it would (obviously) lose its shape and no matter how much I styled it, it would look simply horrendous...and it did for a looong time (2 years!) becasue at time I would get frustrated and cut it again a little to give it some kind of shape again, so it would never grow!!! Personally, I HATED cutting my hair short.

F.H.

answers from Phoenix on

I have naturally curly hair almost down to my butt. I cut it just past my shoulders, then grow it out again. Right now its about just past my bra. I'm thinking about getting a few inches cut again just because its "easier" but hubby really likes it long and technically I just wash it, throw in some mousse and go so its easy long too. But its hot here as well (114 today!) so I tend to want it shorter so I can do a few different things with it in the summer and swimming is a little easier with it. So I say cut it and it will grow if you don't like it! Oh, that being said, a year or so ago I decided to cut BANGS and came out and my hubby and kids freaked out. My youngest actually told me to tape it back on! My daughter said I looked like Katie Perry, was that good or bad??? Not sure but I'm growing them out for sure! :o)

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S.B.

answers from Redding on

I didn't regret cutting my long hair, but boy....my son was ticked.
I loved having short hair, but I've let it grow back out. My sister, on the other hand, cut her hair and never looked back. She has the cutest cut and it looks amazing on her.
Hair does grow back....

Some salons have computer programs where they can scan a photo of you and show you what you'd look like with different styles. I've always wanted to try that.

Best wishes!

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D.B.

answers from Charlotte on

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