Let Me Be Your Cautionary Tale of Frugality Gone Too Far

by Katy on November 19, 2014 · 102 comments

Yesterday I had a whole plan in place about how I was going to the “fancy schmancy beauty school” to get my hair cut. It was going to be free, and I was going to use my free bus pass to avoid paying for parking.

Good plan, right?

But then someone in The Non-Consumer Advocate Facebook group posted a video of a woman cutting her own hair, and it just look so easy and it turned out so cute!  And then I started thinking about how if I cut my own hair it wouldn’t eat up half my day and I would be able to open my day up for more productive endeavors.

Good plan, right?

NO! Bad plan, very bad plan!

Here I am before cutting my own hair. It’s very long, too long really as it was getting easily tangled and was looking stringy. Of course, it looks okay in this photo because I had just brushed it, which is how it would stay for a full five minutes per day.

Hair - before

And here I am with my first ponytail. I left it loose in the front because I didn’t want the layers around my face to be too short. So you know, I was being thoughtful and deliberate. Not crazy at all.

1st ponytail

And here’s how my hair looked after the first cut:

1st cut

Of course, I didn’t recognize the perfection. No, I thought I could make it better. (This is where the insane mindset started to take hold.) So I adjusted the ponytail and cut some more.

2nd ponytailSee how my cheeks are getting pinker and pinker? That should have been a red flag for me. But noooooo I had my blinders on.

Here’s how it looked after chop #2. Note the deer in the headlights/tharn look.

2nd haircut

See how the layers around the face are now way too short and unacceptably choppy? “No problem” said I. “I can fix that by moving the ponytail to the back and cutting some length from the hair.

Ponytail #3

I ended up with it short in the front, long in the back hair. A MULLETT! A LADY MULLETT!!!!!!!! (And not even a very good one!)

photo 1

At this point I stopped documenting and started to attempt some damage control. I’ll let your imagination take over, but here are some keyword prompts to guide you.

“Argghhh!”

“Noooooo!”

“Fuuuuuuu!”

It helps if you start to hear the whooshing sound of your pulse in your ears. Nausea also. Definitely some nausea.

I then took the scissors and cut all my hair to the length of the shortest mullet-y bits. Nothing fancy, no tricks, just straight-up scissors on hair.

Cut #156353

Stop me now before I kill again.

sad Katy

So let me be your cautionary tale. Do not cut your own hair if you are the type who is unable to stop.

I have nothing to say. And yes, I’m wearing a hat. And every woman I saw while driving my son to school this morning made me want to cry, because I kept repeatedly thinking “that woman didn’t cut her own hair.”

Frugality gone too far. I’ve finally found it.

Katy Wolk-Stanley

“Use it up, wear it out, make it do or do without.”

Click HERE to follow The Non-Consumer Advocate on Twitter.
Click HERE to follow The Non-Consumer Advocate on Instagram.
Click HERE to join The Non-Consumer Advocate Facebook group.
Click HERE to follow The Non-Consumer Advocate on Pinterest.

{ 101 comments… read them below or add one }

Sue Robinson November 19, 2014 at 11:47 am

I think it looks adorable! You did a great job. Much cuter than when it was long. LOVE it!!

Reply

Pam E-P November 19, 2014 at 11:47 am

It’s not as bad as you think! As someone suggested on Facebook yesterday, part it on the side. It will give a little height on top. Also, some VERY LIGHT layering would give you some body. Did you cancel the fancy-schmancy appointment BEFORE you cut it? If so, that’s another lesson learned!

Reply

Katy November 19, 2014 at 11:52 am

The fancy schmancy cut ended up not happening. A reader has offered to fix it, and I think I’ll take her up on her offer.

Reply

Pam E-P November 19, 2014 at 1:05 pm

It really doesn’t need much fixing, but I’m glad you found someone. I hate it when I hate my hair!

Reply

Katy November 19, 2014 at 1:11 pm

It simply feels wrong.

Reply

Ani Mia November 19, 2014 at 11:49 am

I think you have to know your skill set. I have let my sister cut my hair during lean times and it was ok, but I know I couldn’t do it. I couldn’t cut a straight line in someone else’s hair-and I’m a nervous person about that type of thing. I now get my hair cut four times a year- a little short to stretch it out. I don’t wear make up or super nice clothes so I want my hair at least to say something nice about me:)

Reply

Ani Mia November 19, 2014 at 11:50 am

I will say I don’t think your hair looks bad at all, I like the length, but I understand we all like our hair how WE like it:)

Reply

Carolyn November 19, 2014 at 11:50 am

It’s just hair, it will grow back.

In the meantime, you can go spend $50 or whatever the going rate is for a good haircut in Portland.

Just this morning I received another compliment on my new short (almost pixie) cut. It’s wasn’t cheap, but a small luxury in my simple life.

Reply

Susan November 19, 2014 at 11:50 am

I think it’s cute. Maybe get it shaped a bit but otherwise not that bad.

Reply

Katie November 19, 2014 at 11:53 am

Oh dear! Well, at least you can still fall back on that free Aveda cut and bus pass, right? That’s certainly frugality gone right. 🙂

Reply

Patricia November 19, 2014 at 11:55 am

Firstly hugs…and don’t panic!

Here is the link to a site with fellow sufferers like yourself who also made big mistakes.

http://www.longhaircommunity.com/forums/indexvba.php

You had very beautiful long red hair and long hair is very frugal.

It will grow back you will need patience…don’t try to follow trends you see online or others.
We have all made mistakes….maybe pic up a wig op-shopping…I have a few and its fun when I need a change.

Reply

Renee November 19, 2014 at 12:03 pm

That was a very evocative post. (That’s your silver lining.)

Reply

Tanya November 19, 2014 at 12:04 pm

I had my jaw dropped but it looks really nice.

Reply

Shelley November 19, 2014 at 12:05 pm

I honestly don’t think your hair cut is as bad as you think. I don’t know what you had planned to get at the hairdressers. I’ve cut my own hair with relative success, but I started with a hair length about what you ended up with. http://shelleyshouse.blogspot.co.uk/2008/05/i-did-it-to-myself.html

When I had long hair, I used to just trim the ends that were too weedy and keep the bangs out of my eyes. I think I’d look silly with really long hair now, but you’re still young enough to look great. Hope you’ll show us how you end up with this hair cut! I know it’s hard now, but it will grow back…

Reply

Amy November 19, 2014 at 12:05 pm

I think it looks cute too! And now you’ll need even less shampoo!

Reply

Liz November 19, 2014 at 12:07 pm

Now you know your limit for frugality. And I have a similar haircut; my hair is thinning, and anything longer would get stringy-looking very quickly. But no, I did not cut my own hair.

Reply

Kristi Taylor November 19, 2014 at 12:09 pm

Oh my!! I actually am tearing up, I’m laughing so hard!!! I have been cutting my own (curly, and therefore very forgiving) hair for nearly two decades now. It took a while to really perfect the technique. I ended up with a few “pixies” along the way. I can SO sympathize with you!! (Looks cute, by the way!!) 🙂

Reply

Pam November 19, 2014 at 12:31 pm

Thank you so much for this post. You made me laugh with your expressions!
The length will look good on you. Show us a photo after you get the final cut , please? I think you are going to love it.

Reply

Bente November 19, 2014 at 12:33 pm

The Danes have a very good expression: “She looked like a lady who has been cut crooked” – which comes to mind when I look at your unhappy face. But don’t you worry, I think you look good with short hair, but go to a stylist and get a bit of style in it, and you might be very happy. Short hair dries quicker, you know!

Reply

erin @ dfmi designs November 19, 2014 at 12:47 pm

Hahaha! I feel for you, but I think it looks cute. For several years I was cutting my own hair (as well as my husband’s and daughter’s). Sometimes it turned out really cute, sometimes I went too short. If I was sad about it, I felt better having myself to blame than someone I paid. 🙂

Reply

Jo November 19, 2014 at 12:49 pm

I think it looks great!!

Reply

Gail November 19, 2014 at 12:50 pm

I give you props for chopping your hair that short. I probably would have left it at the “mullett” stage (it didn’t look like a mullett to me) and waited for it to grow out.

I think in the long run you’re going to enjoy your shorter hair. You cut off all of the potential dead ends and your hair will look much healthier.

Reply

A. Marie November 19, 2014 at 12:58 pm

On the one hand, my heart goes out to you. Fear of a similar disaster is the reason I’ve never cut my own hair or let DH do it. (However, I now get it done at my local Supercuts for less than half the money I used to spend at a “real” salon.)

On the other hand, as previous commenters have noted, it’s not the end of the world, and it does look salvageable.

And for an account of a similar “disaster” some 90 years ago, read the passage in the original Cheaper by the Dozen book (Gilbreth and Carey) wherein oldest daughter Anne tries to give herself a Roaring 20s bob!

Reply

marieann November 19, 2014 at 1:02 pm

I think your hair looks fine. It looks like you got rid of all the scraggly ends, and as someone else pointed out, it’s just hair, it will grow…and I love hats I wear them all the time
I’ve cut my hair before, I go the the hairdresser now but I did stop getting it coloured so that saved $50 every 6 weeks.
I’ve been cutting my husbands hair for years. I read a book from the library and I think I do a good job.

Reply

Dmarie November 19, 2014 at 1:11 pm

too funny! (I had to pin that one) And I’m guessing that cut will look real cute on you once you get that wild look off your face. ha!

Reply

CarrieP November 19, 2014 at 1:16 pm

You are so funny! I think you might really like the shorter hair. Maybe the reader who’s going to cut your hair can just shape what you’ve got a bit & it will look kicky. You’re so spunky, shorter hair seems to suit your personality better anyway.

Reply

Bain November 19, 2014 at 1:16 pm

Hilarious!

I trim my own bangs (because hey, that part is NOT rocket science), and even add the layers in. But I watched it carefully a million times, and got some tips from a friend who is a professional (she’s the only one I’ve ever let color my hair).

Reply

Kristen November 19, 2014 at 1:19 pm

I think the short cut actually looks pretty cute!!

Reply

Katy November 19, 2014 at 1:25 pm

Such a good friend to lie to me! Mwah!

Reply

Cheryl November 19, 2014 at 1:39 pm

I think the DIY haircut thing isn’t working for you. In an earlier post you swore to a coworker that you would NEVER cut your own hair again. You showed the results when you had your 14 year old son cut your hair. I think you should go back to that successful course of action. BTW, what did your son say when you did this rather than ask for his expertise? Did he tell you that he could have done a better job if you had been patient and waited until he got home from school?
Your first snip is where you should have stopped. That is why my boyfriend cuts my hair. He is not scissor happy and he doesn’t try ponytail choppy cutting. He sections it, trims the bottom layers and works his way away very meticuously. I am very frugal about cutting hair too, I cut my children’s hair and my boyfriend cuts mine. I don’t burn up half the day, pay $20 in gas or pay for the haircuts. And I love the results. Hair grows, it will take you a couple years to get back your lentgh though 🙁

Reply

Vickie November 19, 2014 at 2:04 pm

You did a good job of keeping it straight, I’m impressed!
You’re braver than me. I’ve never wanted to cut my own hair. It’s the one thing I will splurge and do for myself about 2x per year. My hair is thick and curly.
It’s frizzy, if I don’t have it thinned and it’s a hot mess when it’s humid outside. I have a friend that cuts & thins my hair and she does a really good job.
Here’s my bad haircut story: About 4 years ago my hubby berated me into cutting his hair, because we had a set of clippers and I had cut my grandson’s hair several times when he was younger into a burr.
Let me tell you, hubby will NEVER ask me to do that again. I couldn’t cut it correctly around the ears and I finally just had to give him a burr. He was actually angry with me – but I replied to that several times in a loud voice, “I told you I can’t cut hair!!!

Reply

Cheryl November 19, 2014 at 2:18 pm

That is so sad that he was so mean to you. If he had asked you nicely and gave you time to look up some how to videos on Youtube, I’m sure it could have turned out better. That is what he gets for being an impatient grouch.

Reply

Lori in Michigan November 19, 2014 at 2:15 pm

Hey, chin-length bobs are always in style. Throw a little mousse in it and strut your stuff. I loved the increasingly dismayed facial expressions as you went on though…

Reply

Megan November 19, 2014 at 2:50 pm

So funny! I think it’s cute short, but if you want it long again just think how much time/money you will be saving while you grow it back out!

Reply

tracey November 19, 2014 at 3:05 pm

You didn’t remember when your son’s cut their own hair? (It is my understanding that all kids cut their own hair at some point, my son did it at age 5 and we had to get it cut VERY short which made me want to cry as he has blonde curls.) But the good news is you did stop before you were bald and it doesn’t look bad, a bit of shaping and it will look GREAT!

Reply

Trish November 19, 2014 at 3:11 pm

Yeah – chin length bobs ARE all the rage. with a shorter in the back look if you so desire. You know, I have a friend who spends a ton on her hair – cut and color, this odd almost white blond color which also seems to be all the rage, even with ppl my age (late 40s). Her very expensive haircut looks not unlike your second cut, with the much shorter layers around the face. But she also gets the underneath dyed a much darker color. I don’t really understand what she is going for. I bet her hair costs $100 per visit. Her 5 yr old car, which just broke down, is not paid for, they owe the vet for treatment on their horse, and they are also building a brand new house. I would be stressed beyond belief!!! Bring on the do it yourself chin length bob!!!

Reply

AnnW November 19, 2014 at 3:23 pm

Too bad nurses’ caps aren’t still in style. You deserve to get a decent haircut and pay for one. Treat yourself, really. The length will be okay, you just need to get it trimmed by a professional. Your hair becomes more important as you get older, because it is just about the only thing you can change.

Reply

Tracy Stone November 19, 2014 at 3:31 pm

I know you’re not happy with the length, but it looks good and you made a funny story out of it to boot. Wonder how long you’ll brush to the original length…? Takes me awhile to adjust when I get a significant amount cut off.

Reply

Joyce November 19, 2014 at 3:41 pm

I was “taught” by my hairdresser how to cut my bangs. Her shop is a 40 minute drive and I just cannot justify going there for just a bang trim. After cutting them badly in the past she showed me how. Well the first time I just cut away—toooo short. You know how that looks. Since then I have learned a leeeetle bit at a time. Sometimes they still come out looking dorky but oh well. I save $$ on gas and the cut.

Reply

Happy Mum November 19, 2014 at 3:43 pm

You look smashing with shorter hair! Energetic and bubbly and full of fun! (I’m seeing beyond the nauseous/want-to-cry faces.) And now a reader’s going to neaten/pretty it up for you, you say? Perfecto!

Reply

Christine November 19, 2014 at 4:13 pm

You’ve left me laughing uncontrollably here. Soooooooo been there, done that!

Reply

Linda in Mass November 19, 2014 at 4:24 pm

I think it looks good. I used to cut my own bangs…when I had them. Now I go to the local vocational school to have the students cut and color my hair. Super cheap. Last time I was the demo for color.

Reply

JoDi November 19, 2014 at 4:35 pm

Hey! That’s a nice shower curtain!

Reply

Katy November 19, 2014 at 6:56 pm

Goodwill, baby! (Originally Target)

Reply

Heather November 19, 2014 at 4:42 pm

Two things:
1. Your brilliant use of “tharn” thrilled me more than you can imagine.
2. I get a $5 cut from the beauty college and it’s always been great. Certainly worth the $5, especially given my “home haircuts” inevitably include clippers. Not a good look.

Reply

Sandy in NJ November 19, 2014 at 5:21 pm

Yes, I loved “tharn” too!

Katy, I laughed so hard reading this and seeing the progressively dramatic bad photos. But the end product doesn’t necessarily look bad, just kind of shocking because it’s such a big change. Get it evened out and it will be fine.

I once dropped a pair of electric clippers on my husband’s head while I was cutting his hair. It left a big divot of hair missing, even with a very short cut. I hold on tight now! Live and learn.

Reply

Elaine in Ark November 24, 2014 at 7:17 am

Sandy, that probably wasn’t funny when it happened, but it’s hilarious now. I hope your husband laughs about it now.

And really, hair will grow back.

Reply

Katy November 19, 2014 at 6:55 pm

Glad to see that someone noticed my “Watership Down” reference. “Tharn” is an amazing word, and needs to be worked much much more into everyday conversation!

Reply

kathleen November 19, 2014 at 5:05 pm

Oh, I needed a good laugh today. This did it!

Reply

Beth November 19, 2014 at 5:22 pm

Love your hair shorter! It’s always hard to jump off the diving board, but use your deal at the shmancy salon to get your work tuned up and you’ll be happy!

Reply

Mand November 19, 2014 at 5:53 pm

There are things I will do myself and things I know require a professional. I just spent $42.50 having my hair cut (I wear mine short) – that’s a cheap cut in Australia, btw, where a women’s cut can run to $200 at high end salons. That $42.50 is money well spent for me to look neat and professional (and a bit funky). But things I won’t blow cash on is nails, waxing and junk like that.
I used to get my hair coloured and then decided to gracefully go grey. I figured, I’m 40, why hide it? Men don’t.

Reply

Karen November 19, 2014 at 7:28 pm

Thank you for this. I cut my hair a five days ago, I always cut in between hair appointments to stretch it out. Anyway, I cut way too short. Trying to fix it and got carried away. I have been walking around wondering why I do this to myself. I was saying, no one else does this what is a matter with me. Now I know I am like the best of them. I appreciate you.

Reply

Katy November 19, 2014 at 7:48 pm

Weird minds think alike!

Reply

Jessica Wolk-Stanley November 19, 2014 at 8:04 pm

Just spend the money!!!

And go to a locally owned shop. You will feel great and help support a non-chain business. As you know, I totally messed up my bangs [never cut you own hair when you are (a)in a bad mood, (b) in a rush getting the kids ready for school and (c) using blunt kitchen scissors]. But I ended up going to a place around the corner from me and they did a FANTASTIC job correcting my butchery and since this is the Bronx, it was $40, not $300 like in Manhattan.

Reply

Monica November 20, 2014 at 9:42 am

Never cut your hair after a breakup either…

Reply

Emily @ Simple Cheap Mom November 19, 2014 at 8:23 pm

Wow!

I think your new hair looks very cute! But it was a very dramatic transformation and it’s pretty obvious from that face that it wasn’t how you imagined!

I cut my own hair with ponytails but I’ve only ever let myself do one extra snip, after that it’s a slippery slope.

Reply

Linda November 19, 2014 at 8:42 pm

been there, done that:(
but hair grow and now it’s just a bad memory

Reply

local Joe November 19, 2014 at 9:06 pm

I suppose I could try cutting my own hair, but I am not sure it would be worth it. As it happens, the wife and I go to local lady who cuts hair in her home. She charges men (me) $6.00. My wife gets a perm, so its more expensive.

Reply

Diana November 19, 2014 at 9:13 pm

You are super cute with your hair that length! Part you hair to the side and have fun with a cute barrette! I think it makes you look younger & energetic!

Reply

Katy November 19, 2014 at 9:58 pm

That’s very sweet of you. I know I look like Darryl Hannah in “Blade Runner.”

Reply

cathy November 19, 2014 at 10:07 pm

I’m with the part=your-hair-on-the-side crew. I think it looks cute. Add one of your Imelda Marcos Collection hats and you’re set! (Have you got a beret or a cloche style?)

Reply

Rebekah Jaunty November 20, 2014 at 3:30 am

One more vote for a side part! My hair naturally parts down the center, but I find a side part looks much more deliberate and flattering. You may learn to enjoy your new bob, especially when you’re getting ready on cold winter mornings.

Reply

Maureen November 19, 2014 at 10:08 pm

Poor sweetie… I’ve been there and there were no words of comfort even though many tried. My husband said, “I like it.. it will grow”, too many times. Rats. But it did and lesson learned.

Reply

Carolyn November 20, 2014 at 2:59 am

Oooo Noooo Katie! How painful to learn this life lesson. When Im not happy with my hair nothing feels right or goes right. Treat yourself to a great new haircut by an expert. Done well, hair will keep a good shape for months while it grows out.
You are worth a great haircut!

Reply

Diane November 20, 2014 at 5:00 am

Oh….My! The look on your face! I have had the same reaction after a salon cut and always need a week until I “like” any cut I ever have.

Reply

Hannah November 20, 2014 at 5:45 am

Excellent use of the word “tharn”!!!

Just think about how much less shampoo you will use. And it really is cuter than you think it is – it’s just very different than your usual. I bet you’ll end up liking it shorter!

I cut my long bushy hair very VERY short after having my baby, because Miss Grabby-Hands kept pulling it out by the handful. I did it thinking, “I’m not trying to be cute, I don’t care, I’m a mom now, who am I trying to impress?” And it turned out insanely cute. Short hair rocks!

Reply

Kim from Philadelphia November 20, 2014 at 6:44 am

Oh Katie, I chickled out loud when reading your post. It really doesn’t look bad at all!!

Think of it this way… You’ll be using less shampoo for awhile!!

Reply

Cindy November 20, 2014 at 6:52 am

I SO HAVE BEEN THERE BEFORE!!! but i was crying at the end, not laughing like you.
I cut my super long thick wavy hair myself (and color it with sun in) – and have for many many years- but I’ve learned to get it done at one of those $11 haircut places about once a year to let the girls there straighten out the damage I’ve done. I’m in the “stay at home mom” years of my life right now and I just can’t justify $50 for a cut, maybe if I were a working woman… but even then I know I would feel ripped off when paying someone a crapload of my money for something I could do myself. I give you tons of credit for trying, this is one hard way to learn your limits. You still look beautiful.

Reply

Monica November 20, 2014 at 9:47 am

Even stay at home Mom’s deserve decent hair care! Don’t sell yourself short. My friend supports herself by working several jobs including cutting hair. I pay her $40 a cut and tip her 20 percent. I am paying her for her skills learned at beauty school and many years of experience. Talk to friends, see where they go. Shop around. Scrimp somewhere else.

Reply

Lisa November 20, 2014 at 7:01 am

I once had to escort my stepdaughter to the car without going by a mirror so she wouldn’t see how badly I had butchered her hair. The hairdresser who fixed it told me cutting long hair straight was actually quite hard. Lesson learned. If I can’t cut someone else’s hair I’m certainly not cutting my own.
I do trim up my sons’ hair by trying to follow the existing haircut, and every 2nd or 3rd haircut they have done professionally, usually prompted by some event like prom where my efforts would be a little too fully documented for comfort. Still, we probably save about $300 a year with my trims.

Reply

Cathy November 20, 2014 at 7:28 am

Your face is fantastic – I’m sorry to laugh, but thank you for sharing. I think new hair looks cute, but it’s probably a very big change for you. My husband trims mine as I ‘ve never been able to work out how you do the back by yourself! now I know!

Reply

Van November 20, 2014 at 9:14 am

Agh I know this paaaaain. I’ve never and never will cut my own hair because it’s a mixed-girl texture that’s very hard to work with. Over the years I’ve entrusted it to others that don’t know how to deal with my easily-damaged, fragile, afro-Caribbean curly hair and years later I’m still playing damage control on it. It’s never been as healthy as it was since before letting the amateurs touch it. Now I use 100% no chemicals, only take it to the pros for treatments and am super careful with it 🙁 Go to the pros lady, we save our pennies so we can spend them on what matters.

Reply

Katy November 20, 2014 at 10:44 am

Yes, you and I have very different hair! My good friend has very similar hair to yours, (her dad is African American and her mom is white) and she finally figured out while living in NYC to go to the Dominican salons. Of course, her hair is gorgeous, like yours!

Reply

Monica November 20, 2014 at 9:40 am

I must comment because honestly, this post is SHOCKING! Jaw drop…gasping sucking in of air…Ok. I’ve had very long and very short hair and you never, never, never cut your own hair. Please go to the beauty school and just have them even it out, and cut it at the correct angle with their good scissors so it grows in correctly. Be sure to condition your hair regularly now so its stays shiny. Our hair dries out as we get older and shorter hair requires a little more TLC. I am SURE it will look really cute after that–because a long bob is a popular style–I have one. You have a beautiful face and the shorter hair will be a refreshing look for you. You may end up loving it and not having it go past your shoulders now. It’ll be a P.I.T.A. to get it pulled back for work now though…Katy, I have always felt you deserved a decent trim at least twice a year. It keeps the hair healthy looking (especially if its always pulled back into a pony tail–that causes damage). I just couldn’t understand how you went so long without regular trims. P.S. I get my daughter’s long hair trimmed at the barber shop, by the women who work there, for $10! I’ll get off my soapbox now. Its just that this post had a visceral affect on me.

Reply

Katy November 20, 2014 at 10:41 am

That’s very sweet of you to worry so much about my hair. I actually don’t wear it in a ponytail that often, even at work. One of my loyal readers is coming to the house today to fix my hair. She’s a hair stylist, so I’m looking forward to a normal appearance. Needless to say, she’ll be leaving with applesauce and armloads of hydrangeas.

I’ve never really given much attention to my hair which has never held me back in life. 😀

Reply

Peg November 20, 2014 at 11:07 am

The nice thing about hair is that it grows back. With that said, I agree with Monica. Go to the beauty school and have them do what needs to be done. Don’t be surprised if you lose a little more length.

Reply

gladys November 20, 2014 at 12:34 pm

I think it looks cute!

Reply

Ruby Julian November 20, 2014 at 3:36 pm

It’s not what you intended when you set out, but the end result is actually very cute. Shorter hair is in, so when your reader who’s a hairdresser puts the final touches on, you’ll look all on-trend.

Reply

Debra November 20, 2014 at 3:53 pm

It’s fine! It’s not that bad really.
But OMG I can’t stop laughing.
I am not even kidding
Not about the hair cut but about the way you delivered the news to us.
you crack me up.

Hahahahahahahahahahaha

Reply

Keri November 20, 2014 at 4:46 pm

Oh No! I have been growing my hair out for the last three years and last year I was having nightmares that I went to a salon (I don’t anymore, my boyfriend cuts my hair) and the scissor happy stylist chopped my hair off to my shoulders. I woke up all upset and checked to make sure my hair was still there. It was and I was so upset at that bad dream. I can’t imagine how bad you must be feeling right now, my heart goes out to you.

Reply

Millie November 20, 2014 at 5:35 pm

I don’t think I’ve ever laughed so hard while reading a blog! What a great opportunity to try out a fresh, new cut. Plus, it will be a long time before you need another haircut 🙂

Reply

Sarah G November 20, 2014 at 6:09 pm

This is hilarious. The final photo made me laugh for real. And fwiw I think shorter hair suits you, so maybe not such a bad thing.

Reply

Diane November 21, 2014 at 4:27 am

Post a photo of your restyled hair after your friend finishes curing it!

Reply

Katherine November 21, 2014 at 8:52 am

I think the haircut is really cute. This post is hilarious, though. Thanks for the laugh this morning.

Reply

Ginger November 21, 2014 at 5:26 pm

OMG!! Nooooooo.. That darn YouTube video found another victim. I did this to myself last year – I looked like a Chia Pet for weeks before I finally had a stylist tidy it up. LMAO. I feel your pain.

Reply

laurie November 22, 2014 at 6:09 am

I think your hair looks really nice that length…think of the money you’ll save-shorter hair, less shampoo. Shorter hair, less time drying!

Reply

Practical Parsimony November 23, 2014 at 2:49 am

My hair never knows what to do for several days until I tame it, and I go to a superb stylist.

“It will grow out” are fighting words for me. For that remark, I expect the haircut to be free!

I cut my boy and girl’s and husband’s hair. All got compliments for their hair cuts. If I gapped their hair, I never tried to fix it. That is a road to unhappy people.

I am very picky about my haircuts, but when I cannot find a decent hairdresser, I have strong-armed friends into trimming my hair. I was never unhappy with those haircuts. A hairdresser, my current and favorite of all time, said to me, “You will grab anyone off the street to cut your hair!” My theory is why have a perfect haircut that is shorter than I asked for when I can have a haircut that approximates what I want. I absolutely hate paying for a bad haircut!

I liked your hair when it touched your shoulders and bent a bit.

For a long time, I only cut my bangs and front edges on Saturday night when I was in PMS just before menopause. Yeah, right before a date was my prime time menopause-weekend cutting time. I was just a crazy person. My hairdresser really gave me a fussing. Now, I take estrogen and don’t cut my hair.

In the past, I have driven from Owensboro, KY and from the bootheel of MO to Memphis to get a haircut. Well, I had my mother make an appointment for me when I was coming to visit her. THAT is how picky I am.

Right now, I pay $15+$5 tip to my hairdresser, a good price. I wash and dry my hair at home, have her cut it with scissors, and go home to use the curling iron. I can trim my bangs very well.

This post was funny because for the last few days I had threatened to cut my own hair if I could not have her cut it. I have been without water for a month, so I am stressed! It has to be clean or she won’t cut it. Her appointments don’t line up with my once a week showers I take elsewhere or my hair washing.

Reply

Jeanann December 12, 2014 at 10:52 am

You really made me lol, literally. Having had my own hair incidents, I can sympathize, but you made me laugh too.

Reply

Hermgirl January 20, 2015 at 7:28 pm

Hi, I cut my own hair all the time, and I think it’s cute! You did a good job, all you need to do is keep practicing. You’ll eventually figure out how to get it exactly the way you want it.

Reply

Katy January 21, 2015 at 8:08 am

Nope, I think I’m done with my own home haircuts.

Reply

Carolyn January 27, 2015 at 4:14 pm

Smart move. You metiom\ned yu promised a co-worker you would never try to cut your own hair again. You had your son do a great job for you… And then you bad slided. Bad idea. My guy cuts my hair, he does a fabulous job. I promised i would never try to cut my own hair as long as he would do it for me. I have had times I wanted to self trim, but he has talked me back from the edge. Love is patient, Love is kind. He must love me. I drive myself nuts… And he is still patient and still loves me. Despite me. Thank You God 🙂 For giving me my guy. And
Your Son dying for me, I can never measure up on my own. Foever thanful and in your debt. <

Reply

Carolyn January 27, 2015 at 4:15 pm

My spelling was bad, should have done spell check, I’m Sorry 🙁

Reply

kayla February 4, 2015 at 8:55 am

Thank you for making this post. I relate to you so much because I’m the exact same way when it comes to my hair. I did the same thing to my bangs, and they ended up way too short! I first had them done professionally a couple months ago and they turned out perfect basically. However, I kept obsessing over little bits and pieces and they were just about eye- level (which is the length I LIKE them at) and justified taking scissors to them myself to ‘fix’ them. I decided they looked worse now, and to go into a hair salon to have them ‘fixed’ again. She cut my bangs in a bowl-cut, barely eyebrow level style and now I REALLY hated them and regretted touching them at all since the first hairdresser perfectly cut them. I then decided to chip away at them to make them less blunt and eventually ruined them even more.
Months later, I still can’t seem to stop trying to change them and ended up ruining my bangs altogether since they’re almost above my eyebrows now. Sigh. Now I have to wear them to the sides and blend them into the rest of my hair until they grow long enough to go to a hairdresser and have them cut professionally. The worst thing is I seem to just repeat my OCD tendencies over and over again… even if I like how they look. I need to learn to let me hair be and leave it to the pros. I’m just not someone who should touch their bangs due to not knowing how or when to stop.

Reply

Carolyn February 5, 2015 at 3:21 pm

Sounds like you need to put down the scissors and promise to never cut your own hair as Katy has.

Reply

lovelydestruction July 6, 2015 at 12:38 pm

You made me laugh for the first time all day. That’s a cute cut…I am sorely tempted

Reply

BreeAnna May 18, 2016 at 9:14 pm

Your “lady mullet” pic looks gorgeous. I would of stopped there.

Reply

Kathleen May 19, 2016 at 3:22 am

I agree with everyone who said it’s not as bad as you think. That being said, if I tried to cut my own hair, it would be sooooooo much worse! I don’t even try…not even my bangs!

Reply

Matt May 19, 2016 at 5:53 am

My wife is a beautician by training. Did a four year apprenticeship in England which is not recognised here in the states so I guess she is a former beautician. She always says that the only difference between a good haircut and a bad one is six weeks. Of course as a guy I think that your hair was lovely before you started, but as former military I am spoiled by my buzz cut which has been sort of habitual for the last 50 years so am used to a “no care” coiffure.

Reply

Natalie Dodson October 14, 2016 at 12:31 pm

Oh my goodness! I just read this for the first time today because I was looking for a way to fix my mess up that I have been messing up for 2 days now! I did exactly the same thing to my long beautiful hair that hadn’t been touched by scissors and a year-and-a-half, only I weirded out and took it a step further by working on it for 2 days straight! All I can say is WOW!!! Wish I would have seen this article a couple of years ago! Hahaha even though I am crying on the inside…

Reply

Jackie K February 9, 2017 at 3:15 pm

You just crack me up!!! I liked your long hair, but the short isn’t so bad. How long did it take you to grow it long?

Reply

Phyllis February 9, 2017 at 4:54 pm

I like it! It looks like a classic bob. I bet it will dry quick and look great. If you’re really not happy about it, it would probably take a stylist a couple of minutes to refine.

Reply

Cancel reply

Leave a Comment

{ 1 trackback }

Previous post:

Next post: