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 big nose + short hair: can it be done?

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fickle View Drop Down
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Joined: Jul 09, 2006
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Posted: Jul 09, 2006 at 7:09am
Hello, everyone -
 
I know you probably see tons of questions like this, so your patience with me is very much appreciated.
 
My current problem is this: I am toying with the idea of getting my hair cut very short. This decision is something I'm not taking lightly. I'm giving it a ton of thought, and I need good input, because I don't want to do something I'll regret. (I've gone from long hair to bobs and while I initially loved it, I always ended up regretting it).
 
My hair is just past shoulder-length. It is very fine and wavy. I usually blow-dry it straight every day. Humidity makes it very frizzy. I would love to have long hair, but thruthfully, I get so sick and tired of fighting with my hair. It's so tempting to just lop it all off. If I did cut it all of, it would mostly be for convenience. However, I don't want to pay the price by looking hideous.
 
My main concern with doing that is my face shape and my features. I would say that my face shape is a mix between heart and oblong. I have a prominent nose and let's just say that my chin isn't exactly "delicate".
 
So my question is....would it be a major no-no for someone with my features to have very short hair? I have a feeling the answer is yes. But can it ever be pulled off?
 
Thanks for any input you can give!
 
Here's a profile picture of me:
 
 
 
 
fickle2006-07-09 11:02:20

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SanFranBrent View Drop Down
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Joined: Jul 03, 2005
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Posted: Jul 09, 2006 at 7:09am
Welcome to the boards!

My answer would be to go to a hairstyling professional.
Go to a good hairstylist and have him or her show you different photos of short hairstyles that would look good on you.

Best wishes lady!

SanFranBrent2006-07-09 11:59:05

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fickle View Drop Down
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Joined: Jul 09, 2006
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Posted: Jul 09, 2006 at 7:09am
Thanks, Brent. I might try that.
 
One question, though - will it cost me to see a hairstylist just for a consultation?

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shorthairissexy View Drop Down
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Joined: Jun 27, 2006
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Posted: Jul 09, 2006 at 7:09am
By your description I expected a lot worse when I looked at your pic.  Your chin certainly doesn't look prominent to me.  Do you have any front pics?  Hard to make a call on it.  There are options for people with not delicate facial features but I think 'Brent offered the best advice.  A hiarstylist should not charge for a consultation - call ahead and make an appointment - you might want to bring some ideas with you (pictures).

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fickle View Drop Down
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Joined: Jul 09, 2006
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Posted: Jul 09, 2006 at 7:09am
Thanks for your input. Here is a front picture:
 
 
It's not the most recent, but I don't think I look much different than I do now. (The only difference now is that my hair is a bit shorter and it's not dyed).
 
I feel that I have a somewhat long face - and very long hair will make it look longer. Still, short hair probably wouldn't help, either.
 
 

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Heratic View Drop Down
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Joined: Jan 31, 2004
Location: United Kingdom
Posted: Jul 09, 2006 at 7:09am

After looking at both pictures there is nothing wrong with your nose.

I can see what you mean about having a long face from the frontal picture, but as you point out the long striaght hair accentuates its length.
 
I would suggest taking it up to chin length and incorporating a fringe of some sort as a starting point. 
 
 

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anne6000 View Drop Down
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Joined: May 20, 2006
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Posted: Jul 09, 2006 at 7:09am
It really depends on how you define "very short."  When the hair is cut extremely short, the lack of much hair emphasizes every feature on the face, no matter what the size.  With an oblong face, it can also really make your face look much longer, as well.
 
I think there are many short cuts that will suit you, but a little length will be softer on your face.
 
[quote]If I did cut it all of, it would mostly be for convenience.[/quote]
 
I am not at all trying to talk you into longer hair, but if your hair is naturally wavy, why fight it?  The problem won't get better with short hair, unless you cut it super short, and again, super short hair emphasizes everything on the face and can also add a few extra pounds.  With short hair, you can't just throw it in a ponytail when it isn't cooperating.  If you're also straightening your hair, you may be doing a lot more to it when it's short since there's no length to help weigh it down at all.
 
[quote]I've gone from long hair to bobs and while I initially loved it, I always ended up regretting it[/quote]
 
Since you'd be doing this for convenience, I'd really discuss this long and hard with a highly competent stylist or else you may be causing far more problems than you ever imagined.  I've had several consultations, and although they have to be scheduled, I've never been charged.

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kimspikedhair View Drop Down
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Joined: Mar 12, 2006
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Posted: Jul 09, 2006 at 7:09am
Hi Fickle,
Go to www.clairol.com website, and go to the "Try it on studio".  It's where you can upload your picture, and see what you would look like with a different hairstyle and color.
Kim
http://s83.photobucket.com/albums/j296/kimspikedhair/

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fickle View Drop Down
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Joined: Jul 09, 2006
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Posted: Jul 10, 2006 at 7:09am
Thanks so much to everyone for your advice!
 
Anne, a lot of the things you mentioned are particularly helpful. I think I'm going to make an appointment for a consultation this week. I doubt I'll be able to find a short look that will work with my features and hair type, but it wouldn't hurt to talk with a competent stylist.

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fickle View Drop Down
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Joined: Jul 09, 2006
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Posted: Jul 10, 2006 at 7:09am
[QUOTE=kimspikedhair]
Go to www.clairol.com website, and go to the "Try it on studio".  It's where you can upload your picture, and see what you would look like with a different hairstyle and color.
[/QUOTE]
 
Thanks for that link! I tried a few other similar applications but I couldn't get them to work correctly. The Clairol one is much more user-friendly.

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anne6000 View Drop Down
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Joined: May 20, 2006
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Posted: Jul 10, 2006 at 7:09am
Hi fickle,
 
You're not being fickle; you're being smart by not rushing into something that may not turn out the way you like!
 
Just a few more comments.  When you have a consultation, get to the real root of what you want.  Is it actually short hair?  Or, is it something that takes very little time?  Since you mentioned convenience earlier, and if you don't mention that to a stylist, he or she may actually have some styles that would be most convenient for you that you would love, but the stylist won't mention them if they think that the style must be short.  Make the stylist work for you and don't give suggestions at first, just what are your most pressing needs and desires, and let them figure out different options to present to you.
 
Also, I wouldn't go to just one stylist for a consultation.  Stylists are human and have their own biases, so I'd weigh at least two, and perhaps three opinions.
 
No matter what you decide, I hope it all goes well!  Please let us know what finally happens.

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fickle View Drop Down
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Joined: Jul 09, 2006
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Posted: Jul 10, 2006 at 7:09am
Thanks so very much, anne! Very good advice, indeed. I'll need to make a list of what my concerns are or else I'll forget once I'm there!
 
Some of your comments regarding my hair being wavy made me think. You asked, "Why fight it?" I've asked myself this question before, and I've gone through phases from time to time where I've tried to not fight it, to just do very minimal things to it to make it look more put-together. But it just never looks good to me. I've been through oodles of styling products to try to tame and accentuate the waves, and it always looks awful. And I can't even count the number of times I've gone into work "au naturel" and had people look at me funny and say "What did you do to you hair?!" (And they've not said that in a positive-sounding "gee your hair looks great!" sort of way....Just the confidence booster I need, right?)
 
I have no clue just how short I'd want to go. If I could get away with it, I'd go pixie. But that's probably not a realistic option for me. I'd love to have long flowing hair (that is, if my hair were co-operative!), but I'd also like to have a cute little wash-n-go short cut, too.
 
I think what I'll do is set up a consultation this week and see how it goes. Then, depending on how that goes, maybe I'll go another place for a second.

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CarolNY View Drop Down
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Joined: Jul 03, 2005
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Posted: Jul 11, 2006 at 7:09am
your features are not bad in the least for a short hairstyle.
............................ a bobbed style perhaps? or layered short hair? cjeck out one length and banged styles.
 
...................     consult with a stylist.

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tashanicole86 View Drop Down
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Joined: Jun 23, 2006
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Posted: Jul 11, 2006 at 7:09am
I don't think your features are bad at all.  I think short hair would look good on you if you want to do it, you should go for it.  Consult your stylist to see which one would look best on you though or pick out a few picks and go around to a few stylists to see which ones they think would look the best.

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fickle View Drop Down
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Joined: Jul 09, 2006
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Posted: Jul 11, 2006 at 7:09am
Thanks, everyone. I don't dislike my features - I just think they're a bit difficult to work with as far as hairstyles go. I figure if I go with a really short cut, it will either be very unflattering or...very striking.

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anne6000 View Drop Down
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Joined: May 20, 2006
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Posted: Jul 11, 2006 at 7:09am

Hi fickle,

It seems that there are two big issues here.  The hairstyle itself to suit your face and body and equally, if not more important, is how your hair will react when it's cut shorter.  Whatever you choose, you want to make sure you aren't cutting it into a style that will fight its natural texture, unless you want to spend a great deal of time each morning on it, and if I'm not mistaken, that is one of the big reasons for the change! 
 
So, as well as how the style itself will look on you, I'd really make sure to discuss with the stylist how your hair will react when it's shorter.  There's a good chance it will be much wavier than it is when it's longer.
 
The best thing you can do is bring to the consultation lots of questions and pictures of styles that you personally like and get an opinion on how they would work for you.
 
I'm very sorry to hear about the negative comments you've received on your hair.  Are people so dense that they think you don't know how it looks and especially that you really want to hear their comments?! 
 
If you're patient and do as much homework as you can and ask lots of questions to stylists, you will probably find something that is absolutely perfect for you!
 

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fickle View Drop Down
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Joined: Jul 09, 2006
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Posted: Jul 11, 2006 at 7:09am

Thank you for your sage advice, Anne!

Yes, I find that, unfortunately, people are very dense. And insensitive. (Can't tell you how many times I've been to get a trim and the stylist has remarked "Wow, you have really thin hair." Um, thanks so much for pointing that out. I had no idea! Grrr.)

Anyway, you're right that I should pay special attention to how the texture of my hair could respond to a shorter style. I have an appointment for a consultation tomorrow and I'll see how it goes. If I don't decide on a totally different hair style, then perhaps I can at least get my bangs/fringe fixed a bit (had them cut about a month ago, went for a trim a few weeks ago and the guy did a terrible, terrible job - too short and slightly crooked). Sigh.
 
Thanks again, everyone - have a good evening! Off to bed now.
 
 
 

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Kuroneko View Drop Down
Elite Member
Joined: Aug 27, 2003
Location: USA
Posted: Jul 12, 2006 at 7:09am
Oh, I hate when stylists act like that -_- !  That's one of the reasons I stopped going to them, myself.
 
Anyway, I don't see anything wrong with the way you look at all, from the front or side.  But if you're self-conscious about a feature, you're right to do what you can to play it down-- you've got to please yourself before anyone else, especially a bunch of message board strangers.
 
Some people's hair goes wavier/curlier when short, and some people's hair goes straighter.  Unless/until you know which one yours does, you might want to be careful.

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demodoll View Drop Down
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Joined: Dec 19, 2000
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Posted: Jul 12, 2006 at 7:09am
Maybe when you are getting the consultatation you could ask the stylist about ways to style your hair to work with its natural texture rather than against it.  I would think that encouraging the curl would be very beautiful but you would need the right cut and products to make it work.  I think the idea of having more than one consultation is a brilliant one.  You might just get a few good ideas that way.
 
I think I would hesitate to go ultra short if I were you.  If you have been unhappy in the past with something that doesn't sound like it was really short you would probably be miserable with an ultra short cut.  And ultra short does not necessarily mean less work.  Long straight hair is much easier to deal with than short hair that needs some styling to look good (I found this out when I tried a very, very short spiked look a year ago).  At least with the long hair you can put it in a ponytail or bun and keep on going.  Short hair requires products that you cannot be without (at least for me). 
 
Good luck.

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verybored View Drop Down
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Joined: Apr 28, 2005
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Posted: Jul 12, 2006 at 7:09am
Err, judging by those pictures fickle, you don't have a big nose. Well, you don't look like you have from that visual evidence.

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fickle View Drop Down
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Joined: Jul 09, 2006
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Posted: Jul 14, 2006 at 7:09am
I went to a salon for a consultation yesterday. The whole thing lasted UNDER five minutes. The stylist lady was pleasant enough, but I felt like she was rushing me.
 
I told her I wanted to go short but that I wasn't sure what would work best with my hair type and features. She suggested I go no shorter than about an inch below my ears, and she also suggested layers. She held up the back of my hair and said "See this? I would cut all this off." (It looked scraggly, which is odd, because I get it trimmed regularly). She also remarked that I have a long face, and that really long hair will make it look longer, but too-short hair would be bad, so she re-iterated something bob-length would be best.
 
Then I went to Borders and bought a short hairstyle magazine for ideas. There are maybe 3 or so cuts I've seen so far that I love, but I they're too short. Possible short-hair hazard - hair could mushroom up. Ugh. I so wish I had a pixie face so I could just hack it all off.
 
I'm torn between going for it and not caring if it's less-than-flattering, and being extremely, extremely cautious. Contemplating seeing another stylist, but I won't be surprised if I'm rushed again.
 
Today was uber-humid. I wanted to shave my head out of sheer frustration. SOMETHING MUST BE DONE!!
 
 
Thanks again for all the input, everyone!
fickle2006-07-14 18:33:30

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anne6000 View Drop Down
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Joined: May 20, 2006
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Posted: Jul 14, 2006 at 7:09am
I'm so sorry that your consultation was, shall we say, less than desirable.  
 
[QUOTE=fickle]I'm torn between going for it and not caring if it's less-than-flattering, and being extremely, extremely cautious. [/QUOTE]
 
I think this is where many people may get into trouble.  You really have to decide what is ultimately more important for you, to have a haircut that is truly the most flattering for you or to simply cut it real short so that you don't have to deal with it.  And the answer is....something only YOU can decide and no one else.

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shorthairissexy View Drop Down
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Joined: Jun 27, 2006
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Posted: Jul 14, 2006 at 7:09am
I would try another consultation (different salon)if you are undecided.  My wife use to wear a longish pixie that one stylist gave her (I loved it).  Unfortunately, the stylist quite to become a full time mom.  When she went to another stylist, she said that she should never wear anything shorter than a chin length bob (her current look - boring).  While I know stylist learn what styles work best with certain features, I still think they "side" with their personal preferences (just human nature).  Good luck, keep us posted.

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SanFranBrent View Drop Down
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Joined: Jul 03, 2005
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Posted: Jul 15, 2006 at 7:09am
Yes, try another consultation. And if the stylist told you that you would look in a short bob cut, as opposed to long hair or an ultra-short pixie, then maybe you could try that!
Best wishes lovely lady!

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strawberiblonde View Drop Down
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Joined: Aug 16, 2001
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Posted: Jul 15, 2006 at 7:09am

I'm sorry you were disappointed with your consultation, but it actually sounds like she gave you some good advice.  The thing is, if you start out with a bob, you can always go shorter.   With your hair type and features, I think a chin length, layered bob would work really well.  The fullness around your face would make it appear less long. 

Definitely get another consultation, but I think it's a good idea to go short in stages.  And you might just find that a bob is a great look for you.

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