So i need your advice...

I need your help.


It's an emergency.


Ok. So it's been a while since I've had my hair cut.  I went in October, because my hair was out of control.  I maintained the general length but the stylist added a few layers. Since I have the straightest hair known to man, you couldn't really tell. But that's besides the point.


My mane is now beyond long.  Like hella long. Hippy long. And when straighter than straight hair gets this long it's gets boring, dull and heavy. It just....hangs there. No oooomph. No pizazz.  No moxie.


And I want my hair to have moxie, people.


Now, I know I want to do something with my hair.  And I have some gift certificates saved from birthdays and holidays to afford the hair appointment.  But I just don't know what I want to do with my hair.


To give you some background: I have a kind of love-hate relationship with my hair.  I get bored with it easily. So over the course of 20 years (that is, the years I have had control over what happens to my hair, as opposed to the iron fist of my parents [which, by the way, resulted in some awful haircuts in which I may or may not have been mistaken as a boy. On more than one occassion. But that's fodder for another post. I digress]), I've run the gamut of styles. I've had it long. I've had it short. I've had it medium. I've tried layers. I've tried blunt. I've tried the bob. I've tried bangs.


And yet, I can't pinpoint which style I like best on me. I can't tell you how many times I've been in the salon chair, the stylist finally turning my chair to face the mirror so I can view the finished product, only to have my stomach drop and vomit tickle the back of my throat as I hold back the horrifying scream, "WHAT HAVE YOU DONE TO MY HEAD?!?" I've had my hair all but bushwhacked by inexperienced hairstylists. I've had stylists not listen to my requests, only to give me the exact haircut I did NOT want.  I've been too timid at times, resulting in a more tame cut when I secretly wanted something more adventurous.  When it's long, I want it short. When it's short, I curse myself for deciding to cut it and long for length.


::sigh:: Yep. I'm that person.


As you can imagine, I feel a bit paralyzed in this decision.  I have no idea what route to take.


So, that's why I am coming to you.  I need your opinion on what you think I should do. To help you make an informed decision, I've compiled a portfolio of past Steph Hairstlyes. Below are some pictures of my hair at different lengths. I did my best to present an array of styles (some from different vantage points, to get a good grasp of the style).  Some of the pics are older, some are more recent. I wanted to give you a complete hair profile before you give me your advice. 


What can I say? I'm nothing, if not thorough.


It's also an impromptu journey through the last 10 years of my life. Can you handle that?


Oh, and for those of you whom I've never met in person or who have never actually seen my mug...well...welcome to me...

My present style: long and boring. Or is it?

Mid-to-long length with sweeping bangs that are growing out:

(PS -  isn't Hubby the cutest?)

Mid-to-long length WITHOUT bangs:
(Note: this is 5 weeks post Little Chica's birth. So excuse any puffiness)

A layered short-to-mid length cut 

(it's actually a VERY short cut that is growing out. And I love those 2 girls in the pic with me):

(This pic gives a good side view of the layers. 

Note: we were playing an impromptu game of Turkey Bowling 

in the parking lot of a shopping center. 

Don't ask. Unless you need the rules so you can play yourself. 

Mid-length WITH bangs:

(Before Little Chica could walk, talk, demand and throw tantrums)

(These girls are my sistas.  

The one on the right was getting married the next day. 

I was sick with swine flu. I think)

Mid-length WITHOUT bangs:

(2 words: baby weight)

\

(This was Halloween a few years ago. 

My friend, Linzee, was dressed as Wendy. 

I was a suburban mom.  I think my costume was unconvincing)

Crazy short and sassy:

(This haircut was an accident. 

In that I asked for the stylist to "trim" my past-chin length hair 

that I had been growing OUT from a short cut. 

This is what I came home with. To say I cried is an understatement)

(The awesome short cut I used to have in all of it's glory.  

We're in Colorado here.  We're kinda weird sometimes. 

And by weird I mean awesome)

(A more boring version of the above awesome short cut. Again: Hubby = cute)

I'm not really narcissistic. I'm just scared to death of coming home with a really bad hair cut. You can relate, right?

So, PLEASE. Weigh in. Leave a comment on which style you think looks best.  Short? Mid-length? Keep it long? Bangs? No bangs? Shave it all off and start from scratch?

If you have a completely unmentioned style you think I should try, send a link to an example picture.  I'm hoping to make the appointment soon - so share your thoughts asap!

Thanks in advance.

I told you it was an emergency.

Cheers,