The summer before 5th grade I got a haircut that, 14 year later, continues to haunt me. I’d always had long hair, but wanted it cut to look like an older girl on my swim team whom I thought was so cool. Older Swim Team Girl had an I’m-cooler-than-all-of-you attitude, which fit because she really was cooler than all of us. (Well, cooler than ME, anyway.) Her hair was cut to about chin length and I wanted my hair to look exactly like hers, which logically would make me as cool as her.
Somehow, both my mom and the butcher stylist interpreted “chin length” to mean, “Let’s give poor Jenny a boy’s haircut that will haunt her for the rest of her life.”
Seriously, my hair was cut exactly like a boy’s. It was such a boy’s haircut, that I was OFTEN confused for a boy.
Setting: Skating party, Fall 1985, a game of Red Light, Green Light set to the always popular roller rink band, ELO.
Skating rink DJ: “And the winner is….The boy in the back!”
Me: “I’m not a boy!”
Because of this experience, I try to be VERY specific when I describe how I want my hair cut. I take pictures of people whose hair I’d like to replicate to show the stylist. I discuss and show how many inches I’d like to be cut, or rather how many inches I’d rather NOT be cut.
Which brings us to my latest haircut.
Oh sure, it doesn’t really look bad, but it doesn’t look like the picture I showed and it certainly isn’t the “don’t cut it up to my chin, like in the picture I’m showing you, cut maybe an inch or less” haircut that I requested.
I know that in discussing the photo I brought to show my stylist, I used very specific words like, “NOT as short as hers.” And “one inch at the most.” And other gems like “I want the ends to look JUST LIKE THIS, but NOT as short.” I even held in my fingers, the acceptable amount that she could cut off.
In the end, my stylist ended up cutting about two inches off around my face and about three inches off the back.
When she finished and turned my chair towards the mirror, she said, “You know, I could have totally cut it up to your chin. You could have really pulled that hairstyle off.”
:::
:::
:::
That silence you’re detecting? It’s me staring and blinking.
*******
Curious about whose hair I was trying to replicate?
Go here. (The photo that I showed my stylist is no longer the photo that is posted. FYI.) (In fact, there’s really no need to click on the link unless you’re just curious about Dooce’s current hairstyle.)
I can’t put my finger on it, but admitting that I tried to get Dooce’s haircut makes me feel kind of pathetic.
(Edited to add: I fixed the picture problem and all the grammar mistakes. GEEZ LOUISE this post is a train wreck.)
I can’t tell? Are you trying to trick me, cuz I am easily confused…??
I can’t see the picture at all. but maybe that was the plan all along??
And I’d rather see the 5th grade hated photo!!
Who wants to look like her anyway.. okay SOME might…Okay ALOT might…
Okay whatever.. but is there a real photo or is it just my puter up too late and mad?
It seriously says This photo is unavailable. Wait I clicked it and it took me to your flickr stream.. Ya’ll look AWESOME!
I am so with you on the haircut thing. When I was younger, I had hair down my back, long and flowing, and my butcher/hairdresser cut it all off and gave the hair to me in a brown paper bag. She was supposed to just change it a little and she hacked it off. So I hate hairdressers lolol.
Well, I think you still look hot! But it definitely doesn’t look like the picture and I hope the hairdresser didn’t charge you. at the least, please say you didn’t tip her.
I think the haircut looks cute! I know it can be frusturating when it does not turn out as you would expect. I have to find a new stylist here in Baltimore and I am already scared!
Michelle´s lastest post..Our New City – Baltimore
WHAT are you complaining about? Geez – if I was a woman, I’d want to look Just. Like. You. You’re beautiful.
lceel´s lastest post..Wordless Wednesday – A Puzzlement
it is beautiful. I understand your irritation with the stylist though. I’d get a new one too.
mandy´s lastest post..Kudos to our mailman!
I think you look fabulous, though I totally understand your frustration. Being told “you could have really pulled that haircut off”???!! Obviously the woman has a mental deficiency that prohibits her from getting it. So sorry.
Shelly´s lastest post..Vega$
Your haircut is adorable…and I understand how hard it is when you move to find someone to trust with your locks!!
No, it didn’t turn out how you wanted. But it does look good on you.
I’m usually pretty easy about my hair. Sometimes I have an idea of what I want, but more often I just say “I want it cut, what do you think?”. The stylists love that. Ha!
Mommy Daisy´s lastest post..My little break…kind of
It does look really cute, but I know how it is to get a haircut that is SO not what you wanted! I have very long hair and I went (in a fit of post-partum shedding) for a trim this past summer. I asked the stylist to cut 4 inches. He said “better go with 3.” HE CUT OFF 7 INCHES! I was pissed because the salon was a Locks of Love donation site, so if we were gonna chop it all off anyway, may as well have done 8 inches and donated the ponytail. I was FURIOUS. I did get a free eyebrow wax out of the deal, but still.
All that to say, your hair looks cute. Sorry it’s not exactly what you wanted, though.
Jen L.´s lastest post..No-stalgia
Ok, just this and I’m done, I swear. I said “I have very long hair.” By that,I mean it’s usually to my shoulder blades, not like Crystal Gale long. That is all.
Jen L.´s lastest post..No-stalgia
I think it’s cute! Which I realize isn’t the point, but really, it’s nice. I’m the kind of person who cuts off a few inches of her always long hair and then walks around wondering why people aren’t noticing the DRASTIC difference in length. I wish I could go short.
Mama Bub´s lastest post..Guilt
I think it looks great…but I can see how it isn’t what you described.
To get Dooce’s hair you have to come to Utah because that looks a little bit like the hair I saw on 20 gals at the grocery store yesterday.
Connie @ Young and Relentless´s lastest post..Yo Gabba Gabba New Friends
It’s happened to me before too. I said I wanted it just past my chin, and I ended up with layers up to the middle of my ears. I cried. Your haircut really looks cute though, I’d take that photo of you in to show a stylist!
Lora´s lastest post..It’s Nice To Be Needed
I agree that’s SO not the same cut.
BUT you totally pull off the new do. Totally. I really like it.
Ashlie- Mommycosm´s lastest post..Sid the Science Kid honors Earth Day
Dooce does have great hair.
ANd I think yours looks cute, but I’m sure that doesn’t make you feel any better…
The hair stylist from hell, just joking.
I have seen many girls who have a short hair before and also looks good.
Palabuzz´s lastest post..Malin Akerman for Maxim for April
Damn. Dooce DOES have really good hair in that pic.
Yours looks fantastic, but I totally know what you mean about it not being what you wanted. I feel that way EVERY time I go in. I’m pretty sure hairdressers don’t actually speak English.
Burgh Baby´s lastest post..Having the Three of My Life
1. I am totally with you on the bad/boy haircut of my youth and my refusal to get any near that short of a length again. Thus, I am also far too over detailed in my haircut instructions.
2. Always state you want less cut off than you actually do. Assume the overcut factor…
3. Do not be embarrassed about using Dooce’s haircut as an example. It’s a great style.
4. Believe it or not, and I know my opinion doesn’t matter in the least, but your haircut looks fantastic. You really CAN pull it off. Tres chic!
Susan´s lastest post..(almost) Wordless Wednesday
Bad haircuts, no matter how good they end up looking on you still haunt us. It looks really nice even if it doesn’t look anything like the way you wanted it to. In fact I am pretty sure it is shorter. And if that’s not chin length I don’t know what is.
Domestic Extraordinaire´s lastest post..Wordless Wednesday-The ‘I do’ edition
And my husband wondered why I wept when we moved away from the stylist I had used for 15+ years.
Your hair looks fab. (And day-um Dooce looks amazing in that photo. She might always look that great – I don’t know because I don’t read her or see photos of her often.) And she said she could have made it chin length? Because it looks chin length. Regardless, you look great and thankfully hair grows back if you don’t love it.
Michelle Smiles´s lastest post..Little piece of home
i always go to the hair dresser with super low expectations… and am usually still disappointed. last time i came out and my hair was so uneven that i had to fix it myself… i guess it’s my fault for going to the hair cuttery :-/
if it’s any consolation, i think the new haircut looks really nice!
It’s super cute and you definitely don’t look like a boy. I’m envious of your cute short hair, as I have enough out of control curly hair for two people.
It looks absolutely *nothing* like the picture with the exception that you both have hair.
valerie @ Robots and Candy´s lastest post..Things I Don’t Like.
Number 1: That looks NOTHING like Heather’s hair. Wait…you both have bangs.
Number 2: Have you read her book yet? I have a 3 1/2 month old and it made me feel good about my kid, she is a lot easier than Leta!
Number 3: My sister got your cut and she HATED it. When she went back to her old hairdresser (who still uses a cap to do highlights), she shook her head and said “What are they teaching in beauty school these days?”
Number 4: I think you look hot:)
Gail´s lastest post..I Leave it All to the Fonz
Your hair is so much cuter than Dooce’s.
I also have a haunting haircut memory – I think it was 2nd grade though.
I love your though! And you know, it will be EXACTLY like you want it in what, a month?
You’ll be glad then.
Moriah @ Please Pass the Salt´s lastest post..Roll me home, Jeeves.
I think it is great! Stylish, and it will grow out so quickly.
You look lovely! Admittedly I’m the owner of a lifelong haircut phobia and only get my haircut 2x/year tops. embarassing! Though I finally found a stylist who understands that an inch is an inch and that if she ever gives me anything resembling bangs we’re breaking up.
Heather´s lastest post..through the viewfinder
If you ever figure out the secret to getting a good haircut, let me know. I always feel like it looks great when I leave the salon, and then I hate it when I get home. *sigh*
Kirsten´s lastest post..Wordless Wednesday
i have no idea ever what to do for my hair….. so i don’t get it cut. which is still very crappy.
but that haircut in 5th grade you described??? ditto! except mine was in 4th grade. and it was my FIRST HAIRCUT. ever. so from very long and straight and pretty…. to bowl-ish.
maybe that’s why i avoid hair styles.
yours looks good. not boyish at all.
mpotter´s lastest post..easter is for chocolate
Obviously I’m not the first to say it, but you really look great. But still, I know how it feels not to get what you were hoping for. Better luck next time!
Shannon´s lastest post..Not That It Happened To Me Monday: The Bad Parent Edition
Nope. Not the same cut.
Yep. You look as hot if not HOTTER than Dooce.
Mission accomplished, no?
(Still chuckling about the “I’m not a boy” from the back of the alley.)
Must Be Motherhood´s lastest post..You Betta Watch Out Because I’m Gonna Say F*&ck
Haircuts makes me cry. I’ve never had one that made me happy for more then 5-minutes. I’m still trying to grow my most recent disaster (although I admit it was my fault, I will continue to blame the stylist if only to make me feel better).
That said, you look great! not the same cut as Dooce… but it so suits you so well. Now I’M thinking of getting another haircut. *oh someone stop me!*
Playard Mommy´s lastest post..It’s 1:00am!
I like the haircut…although I completely understand your frustration with it not looking like what you wanted/requested. I seem to have that same problem alot. Nothing wrong with wanting Dooce’s haircut, if my hair was straighter and more behaved I would cut mine like that too.
I think both your haircuts (yours and Dooce’s) are adorable! I really like shorter styles, but they just never look right on me.
Thanks for the awkward memories! I’ve had several traumatic haircuts throughout my life. And to this day, I still love E.L.O.!
Your hair does look cute.
and HOLY COW.
I can’t believe you wrote this post today because I went to go get about 2 inches cut off the bottom of my hair to ‘level’ it and bring it to just below my shoulders… I now have hair about an inch ABOVE my shoulders and I don’t think I’m diggin it. *sigh* it is soooo sad and I’m mourning the loss of my hair and the apparent lack of communication with my hairstylist.
rachel-asouthernfairytale´s lastest post..This Sums It Up Nicely
Honestly I think it looks amazing, but I totally understand the frustrations of stylists who don’t listen.
When I was 12, I wanted my hair cut like Phoebe from friends…you know, feathered around the front, long and straight for the rest of it? Yeah. I walked away looking like some guy from the WWF (WWE?). The asshat the cut my hair layered it all over. Horrid.
And I still can’t get anyone to cut my son’s hair. “Please leave it longer on top and short back and sides” seems to translate directly into “please give him a buzz cut”. Argh.
Mad Woman´s lastest post..After 3 weeks you’d think I’d have a good title for this but I really don’t.
LOL. I swear sometimes I think my hairdresser smokes crack before he cuts my hair. I got mine cut last week. I swear this was the first time in like 6 haircuts that he actually listened to me. They NEVER listen to what you say.
Julie @ Angry Julie Monday´s lastest post..San Clemente Carnival
I think your new haircut is wonderful and I might actually use THIS photo of you to take with me the next time I get MY haircut!
It may not be what you went in for (seriously, WHY does that always happen, even when I take pictures along?!) but it’s awfully cute! Puzzling though why she thought she hadn’t cut it past your chin. ??
Jen´s lastest post..birthday recap. alternate title: I’m a spoiled brat.
I have only 1 person I trust cutting my hair… which makes it rather frustrating when I’m only back in the States every 6 months or so.
However, she did cut a tad too many layers 3 weeks ago… and I’m trying to patiently wait for it to grow. Sadly, I’m not a very patient person.
How this one qualifies as one of those been there and done that stories for me. I have never been one to chat things up when getting the hair. I want them to do it right. Now, my honey does my hair and she knows exactly what I need.
Boris´s lastest post..A Special Thanks To Lance
I know it doesn’t mean much when you’re unhappy with your cut, but I think it looks good on you.
I just went to a stylist for the 1st time since moving out here. She totally screwed up my hair, well, nothing like I can’t go out of the house, but not what I wanted. Worst of it, I was there far longer than planned so I had no time to get it fixed.
Now to find another one in time to fix what the other did before it does look too bad.
Oh and my mom did the whole “boy haircut” thing too…I cringe everytime I see *that* school photo.
Kelly´s lastest post..Too hot for April
I can see the “not cutting it to my chin” thing didn’t quite work. And hello? I think it might be shorter than hers! But guess what else? You are way cute! Cuter than I’d ever be if I tried that look. Wait, that was supposed to be a compliment. Let’s try again… you are darn cute!
Krista´s lastest post..Saudi Fashion Show
I have a deal with my hairdresser (I’ve been seeing him for 15 1/2 years now) — no cutting front of hair above chin level!! He keeps to it to. Though my last style (12 months ago) was more Victoria Beckham than I expected, I liked it. Unfortunately my family didn’t like it, so now I’m growing it longer. My hairdresser can’t wait until it reaches my collar-bone so he can ‘play around with it’. (If I straighten it, it is at my collarbone now, I think he means when it is naturally wavily there.)
How to frustrate a man who likes cutting/styling hair? Tell him you’re wanting it to grow. It can be quite humorous that first cut watching him physically pull back from your hair with an expression that pleads to be allowed to cut more off!
I must join the others to commiserate on the pain of haircuts. Is it just that some people have great hair? Is it that I don’t explain, exactly, in detail, exactly, with specifics, how I’d like it? And moreover (!), why is it that about every 3rd or 4th time, I do get a haircut I like. Hope! There’s hope! And then the next cut brings it all crashing down…
Bah. Humbug.
Look what you’ve started!
Hip Mom’s Guide´s lastest post..The Middle School Challenge: Honors Classes?
Very cute, but I must agree, not the same look. At. All. What is it about most hairdressers? You’d think that if you bring in a picture, it should be easy enough to replicate the style? Isn’t that what they are supposed to be able to do?
I just took a major leap of faith last week, and got myself “the Alice” as in Cullen. Was pleasantly surprised that it actually looks halfway like the pic I brought in.
We’ve all been there and can completely relate, though.
I actually think that haircut looks really good!
Kevin´s lastest post..Won’t Someone Think Of The Children?
Don’t be embarrassed! I’ve secretly admired Dooce’s haircut, too. My face is way too round to ever pull it off, though. I think your new do looks quite chic, though.
Angie Six´s lastest post..Five Ways a Playgroup Can Save Your Sanity
The haircut looks STUNNING on you! Stun. Ning. I have a bouf of curly hair that I’m allowing to go gray so that perhaps I don’t look 11. And no matter who cuts it or styles it, it always comes out looking like “a brown football helmet” as described by Sally Fields’ character in Steel Magnolias. You’re so lucky!
ML´s lastest post..I’m her people