While we're all considering hair...

I've sported my angled bob a couple years now. Really would like a change, and have been hemming and hawing about what to do for a good while. It's really tough to find good curly hair inspiration that isn't "that curly cut that everyone has", is actually curly vs. straight hair that's been curled, AND that will work with with my fine&thin hair (all the best cuts need THICK hair!). I'd been working towards the round 70s style in #1/2 since December; I've got a variation of it currently, still with a slight angle. But now I'm really digging the bordering-80s style in #3/4.

So I'm thinking keep the volume up at eye level (which I always do anyway), then rounded shape around my head to the chin with wispier curly bits that hang long underneath. Kind of uneven. Haven't had actual bangs since I was a kid probably, not sure my hair will behave as nicely plus my forehead is quite small so it may not be possible. It'd take a while to get the length in #3/4, the final shape would probably happen near the end of summer. What do you ladies think?

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41 Comments

  • Gennifyr replied 9 years ago

    I love both looks. How much styling would you have to do? I hate dealing with my hair so that's always my first consideration.

  • Aida replied 9 years ago

    Gennifyr, I've no problem spending time styling. I already spend a good 10-20 minutes doing my hair daily :) I don't think that either of these styles would require more time than I already spend, and probably would use the same products. Bangs might be a bit of a learning curve, though.

  • Gennifyr replied 9 years ago

    Lol, yeah bangs can be a pain. I find I have to trim mine weekly to keep them looking right. I'd say go for it!

  • Caro in Oz replied 9 years ago

    I really like the second one, it is more graduated & has longer pieces in the front. The first one looks a little bulky in the cheek/jaw area imo. 

  • Gaylene replied 9 years ago

    I'm going to watch your decision with interest, Aida, because I'm also a card-carrying member of the fine, thin, curly club. I really like the second version, but am wondering how the length will affect the curl. I know that my hair gets a lot straighter when it gets below the ears--more wave than curl. But I also know that if anyone can amp up the volume on fine hair, it's you! Good luck.

  • Sal replied 9 years ago

    Awesome! I think this could be fun. How it ends up can be slightly unknown with curls - whilst my hair is only wavy i have lots of curly haired relatives, and they find their hair so individual in how a style turns out. I think this type of look would really suit you. I also love your hair now however!

  • annagybe replied 9 years ago

    I think both are done with a curling iron or a lot of rollers

  • Suz replied 9 years ago

    I am completely ignorant about curls, but I think you would LOOK great in either version. And both are fun cuts. 

  • Angie replied 9 years ago

    What Anna said. The ringlets are GORGEOUS (and would look fabulous on you Aida - no doubt about it), but it requires a lot of work up front. Friend and client Phoebe has hair like #3 at the moment and she has VERY, VERY curly thick hair. LOTS of product. 

  • Angie replied 9 years ago

    I AM LOVING ALL THIS HAIR TALK, btw. My little tailed '70s feathers are growing and I am sooooo excited to be transitioning into the new look - and enjoying the transitional look too.  

  • Mellllls replied 9 years ago

    i loveyour options but i know NOTHING about styling curly hair.  they all look so hard to maintain to me.

  • Angie replied 9 years ago

    Or you could throw back on your late '70s and early '80s Van Halen rocker wig. We need to see that again, Aida. 

  • AM replied 9 years ago

    caro of oz really captured what I was thinking.

  • Aida replied 9 years ago

    Thanks for the feedback ladies! Glad to know I'm not totally crazy for liking the second cut ^^ I might just have to talk to my stylist about the bangs, I'm just so not sure about them for me.

    Gaylene, yay another member! We're a small bunch ;) I think I'm one of the few who uses a blow drier, but then I'm all about the Big Volume.

    Anna, you're right these particular hairs are probably done with curlers/curling iron. I can get a similar (far less polished) effect with my products and blow drier, but it's a lot less voluminous (boo) and a bit more relaxed. Pretty similar to the first photo actually. Which is fine with me, just how my hair is.

    Angie, hah hopefully this is a better illustration of what I was trying (and failing) to describe to you at the New Years festival! My hair likes to ringlet (mine are similar to #1), and I don't mind doing the up front work. Phoebe's hair is super awesome! I wish mine was that thick. My version will pale in volume, but hey I gotta work with what I have. I already use loads of product 0:} And YES I do need to bust out my sweet metal wig again. Hmm I'll see if I can get an 80s outfit for a very belated decade challenge entry some time this weekend.

  • Aida replied 9 years ago

    Just had to add, the long bits in front are already almost long enough.

  • Peri replied 9 years ago

    It's funny, because your hair looks so thick I'm really kind of shocked that you say it is fine and thin. I never would have guessed that! I am fine, thin, curly too, although one of the hormone related changes I've experienced is less curl now. 

    It's also funny because you were one of my inspirations for going more for the long bob that is angled to be longer in the front. I always saw it with very mild waves, but I knew it would work with curls because of you. And now you are leaving it! So typical of me, to discover a style (fashion as well as hair) only after it's been around long enough for others to be passing on from it. Sigh.

    Anyway, you will look good with anything I think. And since I do tend to like your hair down around your face best, I think the bangs will do just fine!

  • Aida replied 9 years ago

    Peri, I really do spend a LOT of time adding volume to my hair. That's the bulk of my styling time really. I'm very happy to hear that it's paying off, sometimes I wonder if it's worth doing since no one around me seems to be able to tell the difference. I've had some sort of bob for a good portion of my life and probably will continue to in the future too; I'm sure I'll go back to the angle at some point, I really like it. Just need a little change for now :)

  • Deborah replied 9 years ago

    I like your first inspiration picture best.  And looking at your hair in the pic you posted above, it looks like some gentle shaping by your stylist would have you at your inspiration in no time.  I realise the back my still need to grow out but that in it self would create a very cool style.  

  • Peri replied 9 years ago

    I'd love to read about your volume tricks then! I do only have about half the curl you do on a good day, but maybe there is something I can borrow or adapt. Currently I just use Matrix Amplify Volume Mousse at the roots and Alterna CC leave in on the ends to smooth it out, then blow dry. The humidity hasn't hit yet and it's easier until then to do waves than to try for real curl. 

  • Missey replied 9 years ago

    I think the styles are gorgeous and sexy as heck...go for it!  Throwing some layers in around eye level will take the weight off the top and should give you more rounded volume at the sides.  Really do love the Rhiannon hair!  Pretty sure she has some extensions in though.

  • Karie replied 9 years ago

    I love both looks. Believe it or not, I had big curly hair back in the '80's. I had so may perms I think my hair just stayed that way, because now I have wavy hair when I let it go natural. 

    But the most important thing here - you have an early '80's Van Halen wig? Super cool! Please share pics!

  • jackiec replied 9 years ago

    I can't add much except that those inspiration pics are pure awesome. Love them all. You can totally rock those looks. Having said that, you have some of the best hair ever, so I can't see your hair ever looking bad, whatever length it is. 

  • Gaylene replied 9 years ago

    Peri, it was Aida who told me about Oribe Curl Shaping Mousse. I can't achieve Aida's volume and curls, but that mousse made a huge difference on my fine, thin, curly hair. For the first time in my life, I looked like I had real head of curls. I bought my can at Holt Renfrew.

    Aida is the Queen of How-To-Make-Thin-Fine-Curly-Hair-Look-Great. .

  • Aida replied 9 years ago

    Thanks for more great feedback! Feeling a lot better. Now to figure out if I can hold off a week and a half so that it looks best for the meetup in May ;)

    Deborah, I'll probably continue using photo #1 as inspiration while growing into the second look. It's a good transitional style between my angled bob and the longer look in 3/4. And I think the front part will look more like 1/2 since I can't go very short with the bangs.

    Peri and Gaylene, yeah! The Oribe Curl Mousse is my jam! :D Fabulous curl definition, and perfect for our fine/thin curls. Works best with heat. I get mine on Amazon ($27-35) or from my salon. Totally worth the price. Hmm maybe I should do a big post about all my products and methods. At the very least, the Oribe+heat will get you most of what you're after. Gaylene, thank you and I'm so happy to hear that it works well for you!

    Karie, I did an outfit with the metal wig way back in 2011 when we did a similar decades challenge. Posted here, complete with vintage 80s salmon blazer (which I think I might pull out for regular wear) ^^ Will do another outfit this weekend, though!

  • CocoLion replied 9 years ago

    Your current style looks a lot like #1/2 to me already.  Except 1/2 has color effects (as does 3/4).  Are you thinking of some color streaks too Aida?  I love the way your hair looks now, a little longer.  I love you in longer hair, I must have a thang for longer hair.

  • Runcarla replied 9 years ago

    Oh! You could do either of these looks! Just remember that it can take forever to grow out bangs. And I'm sure I don't need to remind you to make sure your stylist does NOT cut them too short! (I usually get my 'bangs' cut at chin length, but suggest the stylist NEVER cut them shorter than the end of my nose. )

  • Summer replied 9 years ago

    I really like the first one, Aida, but I see from your replies that you are inclined towards the second style.  A good stylist should be able to achieve the best cut for your hair, working from those pictures.  Looking forward to seeing the new look as it grows in.  

  • Peri replied 9 years ago

    Hey Aida, I'd love that! All this time I figured you had the thick, strong, indestructible kind of curls. Mine are so soft they straighten fairly easily...but then don't stay straight and frizz instead. And never look thick!

  • replied 9 years ago

    Aida, I'd never have guessed your locks were anything other than thick. Your hair always looks so beautiful -- though I have a special preference for your curlier looks. I think either of these styles would work on you.

  • Staysfit replied 9 years ago

    Aida, I love these looks.  I have to say that I definitely have the thick wavy, frizzy version of this type of hair, and so does my DD.  I cut all mine off in HS, but my DD embraces her curls and has kept it styled in various ways that show off the ringlets.  Hers is longer than the pics you are showing.  I think she ends up pulling parts of her hair back in the front to keep it out of her face and she does things like put it up in a pony tail or she braids it.  I would post pics but I don't have her permission.

  • Marina replied 9 years ago

    I think #1 is more or less what you described (voluminous around eyes, round around chin length). #2 is the same haircut a bit longer, stylished a little different.
    Her name is Debora Block - she's a Brazilian actress with thin/fine hair, but naturally voluminous and curly - apparently similar to yours.
    If you want to see other photos/haircuts to see if it's more or less like your own hair you may google images for "Debora Block" + cabelo

    ps.: talking about thin/fine hair, mine is also thin and fine but with natural volume, but "undefined" (not quite straight, curly or wavy, each party looks like one of those with lots of frizz). #3 is what it looks like with volume reducer leave-in and a large comb (no heat or dryer)

  • rachylou replied 9 years ago

    I kinda love it (!!) I like the roundness of the style. That's fresh.

  • catgirl replied 9 years ago

    Aida, I love that you are my curly hair twin, but I am sure whatever you do you will have the skills and moxie to style with ease. You are the best judge of your hair's style abilities for sure! I always loved a short wedge cut on my curly friends too - back in the 80s anyway. Or asymmetric like Sheila E? :D

  • Greyscale replied 9 years ago

    I'm also in the fine, curly hair club so this is a great thread to read. I would have thought your hair was a lot thicker than mine, but now I want to try some of these products! I use Beautiful Curls curl defining gel, which is light and natural, but doesn't really add volume.

  • jackiec replied 9 years ago

    Can u believe that Oribe curling mousse is $62 on amazon.ca?? Must be amazing! I see Gaylene got hers at Holts so one day I hope to give it a try...but not for $62 :(. Yes, Aida, you are the queen of hair info :)

  • Aida replied 9 years ago

    Thanks everyone! I'm enjoying the feedback and styling tips ^^

    Denise, I'm not going to add any color although that would help with dimension; unfortunately bleach strips the curl from my hair, so natural and dark it is.

    Staysfit, your daughter's hair sounds lovely! I used to do more braids and things but I'm happy with just my signature ponytail these days.

    Marina, thanks for the name of the actress, I'll have to look her up. I've had the hair style you've shown in the past, so my hair probably is quite similar.

    Rachy, yes! Glad to hear you say that. The roundness felt fresh to me too, but I haven't seen much of it around so I waffled.

    Una, I do have a little hair folder called "punk pixie" with several cuts similar to 80s Sheila E ^^ I think that's a bit too much for my environmental norms ;) Also looked at asymmetric but it's tough since my face is noticeably not symmetrical.

    Greyscale, thanks for the product recommendation. I haven't used a gel in years, but I know a lot of curly girls love the new iterations. Yours always look great!

    Jackie, what!? That's crazy! Are you coming down in May? I can grab you a bottle for $30 from my salon. If not I'm more than happy to mail you, too. Just let me know! EDIT: Truthfully I would probably spend $60 on the mouse... But also wouldn't, knowing that I could get it for $30. For me, it is that good but I might have to give up some of my other products. So glad I don't have to ;)

  • Jaime replied 9 years ago

    I do love all these curls. No advice, you will look gorgeous no matter what, but looking forward to the new do!

  • jackiec replied 9 years ago

    Seriously, Aida? Cool. I am hoping to come down in May, but there's a chance we might be hosting DS2's confirmation party that night, in which case I'm out. I'll let you know either way. Might even be worth it to get it from you by mail. I'll PM you regardless closer to the date. I got out to Sephora today and picked up your rec for dry shampoo. I was also going to get the bumble and bumble sumotech but literally gagged at the smell! I have a decent curl creme by Marc Anthony, but think I'll just keep using that until I get my hands on some oribe mousse. I got a free sample of living proof texturizing spritz so we'll see how that works. Much appreciated!

  • Angie replied 9 years ago

    I vote go for it Aida, and see where this next step takes you on your style journey. We need a little mystery now and then - shouldn't have it all worked out upfront because that's no fun either (I'm going through this right now with my own hair - enjoying the mysterious ride). 

    BRING BACK THAT WIG. 

  • Faith replied 9 years ago

    Aida, you have totally inspired me! I think our hair texture is quite similar, though mine is not dark, and I, too, have been growing out an angled bob. I have inadvertently been tending toward your first example, with the thought that I was aiming, ultimately, for truly long hair, but  responding to the need to keep a decent shape in the meantime. BUT your inspiration pics show me that I need to take some layers up a bit more to get that rounded shape, which I also find really fresh looking. So fresh looking that if I like it I may abandon the long hair plan altogether!

    I was a bit worried about my potential to achieve sufficient volume, though, so yesterday began to play around with some different products and styling (heat being key, as you point out), and did achieve a happily voluminous result. I started researching mousse as well, which I haven't regularly used in years. I loved the old Davines curl mousse, but unfortunately became allergic to one of the foaming ingredients (which is now a moot point as the whole line is discontinued and I had terrible results from the "More Inside" replacement version). I had already spotted the Oribe as being allergen-free and well-reviewed, and your endorsement puts it over the top, I just placed an order on Amazon. 

    Thank you for sharing your thought process--and a bit of your styling process, although, like Peri, I would love a dedicated post. I will update as my own experiment progresses!

  • Keturah replied 9 years ago

    Okay... Add another member to the fine, thin, and curly club!!! :)

    I thought yours was loads thicker than it is Aida.

    Love what you're doing!! So I say go ahead and cut it! I'm partial to 1/2. On myself, I don't really like longer pieces hanging. It feels straggly and unkempt. But that's me. They're both similar styles.

    I cut my hair last month. It's not quite as much volume around my jaw. More like the actress Marina shared. But if I want to, I can get it curly and big like the photos you posted. I'm just thrilled with my new cut and shorter length to be honest.

    I miss my longer length. But keeping it longer is hard with fine thin curly hair. I felt it needed to either be straightened with some big girls added, or tossed to one side so it looked right. I found it to be more work.

    And...another thing we have in common. I used to keep my hair in an inverted bob for years. I called it my flapper haircut.

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