I am a licensed hairdresser, but I haven't worked in a salon in a few years. I, do however, like to look at people's hair, and analyze haircuts.

At least where I live, most women seem to wear their hair long, but I live in a rural area where women dress casually, and don't wear a lot of make up, either. I LOVE cute haircuts. I, however, finally gave up fighting with my hair and let it grow out. I wear it up most of the time. I have my bangs permed every three months because my hair is bone straight. I get an all over perm about once a year. I SWEAR by Redken perms. In my opinion, they are the BEST.

I don't spend a lot of time on my hair. I brush it everyday and wash and condition it. I know that some women have a lengthy routine everyday. Oprah has had shows on about that. I know that in some parts of the country, particularly the South, women spend more time on themselves. I noticed it in Michigan, too, when my DD lived there.

How do you wear yours? Post pictures if you want.

By Ginny~moderator on Monday, October 23, 2006 - 09:11 am:

Short, straight, and as little time as possible in the morning. And, I finally found a hairdresser who (a) really knows how to cut hair and (b) listens to what I want. I went to her the first time last week, and before she was halfway through with the cut I was delighted.

I notice that my increasingly evident gray hairs have a coarser and heavier texture than my "normal" hair - maybe when I'm all gray I'll finally have hair with some body.

Because my hair is very fine, it has to be "dirty" (the word the hairdresser uses) to have any body at all, so I only shampoo every 3rd or 4th day & condition; I use a small amount of mousse every morning, brush it into place, fluff, and walk away. If I have to do more than that, I won't. (I agree about Redken perms - when I had a regular perm the Inner Secret is the only one that would work on my hair without damaging it.)

By Colette on Monday, October 23, 2006 - 09:20 am:

long and straight with long layers. I got rid of bangs a few years ago and it was one of the best things I ever did. I wash and condition it and blow dry it for about 5-10 minutes and then let it air dry.

By Debbie on Monday, October 23, 2006 - 09:24 am:

I have mine in a shoulder length inverted bob with long, side swept bangs. I spend 30-40 minutes each morning getting ready, this includes showering, putting on makeup, fixing my hair and getting dressed. I wear just powder, blush, mascara and lip gloss, unless I am going out at night. I have to blow dry my hair because it has a very slight wave, and looks terrible air dried. So, I dry it straight. It does take awhile to dry because I have lots of hair. I love my current haircut, I have had it cut like this for about a year. I exercise most mornings and get pretty sweaty, so I have to wash it each day. It is actually one of the easiest haircuts I have ever had.

By Tarable on Monday, October 23, 2006 - 09:44 am:

Wow.... I am just not a typical southerner (well not stereotypical anyway). I don't spend anytime at all on my hair. I wash it every morning, brust it and let it air dry. It is a little longer than shoulder length with some long layers and so straight that it doesn't hold curl or a perm and never has. Blow drying my hair takes forever and doesn't make it look any better so why bother and take the extra time. I wear it up a lot because it is easier. I don't wear any make up unless it is a special occassion, although I do use moisturizer with sunscreen in it everyday to protect.

By Pamt on Monday, October 23, 2006 - 10:02 am:

I FINALLY got a cute haircut a year and a half ago after begging hairdressers for years to give me something current, but easy. I hate spending time on my hair! My hair is chin length in long layers on the side and short and stacked in the back. Does that make sense? This is the shortest my hair has ever been. I blow it dry and then run the straight iron through it. My hair is naturally wavy (and even curly when shorter), so sometimes I do let it airdry with some curl maximizer in it. I also wear full make-up every day unless I'm going to be doing yard work or something. However I can be ready from the time my feet hit the floor to showering and ready to walk out the door in 45 minutes--and my kids ready too.

By Tink on Monday, October 23, 2006 - 10:09 am:

I have it at just past shoulder-length now with long layers and cheekbone-length side-swept bangs. It's almost perfectly straight naturally. I wash it every day and either run a straightener over it for an "edgy" look or turn the ends under with a round brush as I blow dry it. I've been growing it out now for about a year from a very short cut. Since it's pretty fine, I'll probably only let it grow another couple of inches so that I still have some control over it. I only wear it in a ponytail or clip once or twice a week. It only takes me about ten minutes to blow dry it and another five with the straightener. I wear make-up everyday: foundation, blush, eye shadow and liner, mascara (a must with my blonde lashes) and lipstick. I think I sound high-maintenance but I can shower and walk out the door in 45 minutes withe everything done.

By Breann on Monday, October 23, 2006 - 10:12 am:

My hair grows so fast, it's a pain. I keep it at shoulder length or above. I usually get it cut about 1/2 inch above the shoulder, then I get the ends "shattered". I love the look that it gives. My bangs are all grown out. I have some slight layering in the front.

I've needed to get in for a cut for a few weeks now, just haven't found the time yet. LOVE the lady that cuts my hair. She does it perfect everytime.

It typically takes me about an hour to get ready in the mornings. That's including a shower. My hair is also wavy, and if I let it air dry it frizzes. So, I blow it straight and then straighten in with a flat iron to make it shiny.

By Crystal915 on Monday, October 23, 2006 - 10:13 am:

Mine is chin-length, and I straighten it, which takes about 10 minutes. I'll occasionally put dry wax in it, and do a zig-zag part, especially if my roots are showing, because I'm dyed blonde.

By Yjja123 on Monday, October 23, 2006 - 10:18 am:

Mine is long (mid back) thick, and extremely curly (naturally). I wash, condition and use "curly sexy hair" mousse every day. I let my hair air dry. Hairdyers make my hair poof and I look like I have 3x the hair. I do not spend a ton of time on my hair. If I am working out or on the run all day, I will pull it up.

By Trina~moderator on Monday, October 23, 2006 - 10:25 am:

I hate spending time primping and/or fussing with my hair. I have a med. short, layered cut with bangs and get it trimmed every 8 weeks. My best friend happens to be a hairstylist, but we live 4 hrs. apart. A few weeks ago she highlighted my hair and gave me a new cut that is a little shorter and razor cut in the back. It's very low maintenance, almost just wash and wear, but I'm still getting used to it. I've been told it's "cute" and "in" but it seems messy looking to me. Must be my age. LOL!

By Kay on Monday, October 23, 2006 - 01:49 pm:

Mine is a little past my ears, and completely layered all over. I have very straight hair, but with decent product and a good curling iron I can flip it all out and give myself some volume.

I can probably get ready in a maximum 45 minutes, and that's with dressing and picking out my jewelry, etc.

By Bellajoe on Monday, October 23, 2006 - 02:11 pm:

Mine is just above my shoulders, and parted on the side. I do have some bangs, usually swept to the side (if they decide to cooperate with me). I have long layers, just to give it some volume. I flat iron it because if i don't, it will just flip up and i'll look a little like pippie longstocking (without the pig tails).

I have thick hair, so it takes me a while to blow dry it.
So with blow drying, styling and flat ironing it probably takes me 25-30 minutes to do my hair in the morning, but that's if i'm being really fussy about it.

By Dawnk777 on Monday, October 23, 2006 - 03:16 pm:

Short and very little. I brush it after I shower, or when I get up and that is it! I hate futzing with my hair and just don't want to make time for hair care, in my day. Even in high school, I didn't always use the curling iron. Bleah.

I just let it air dry.

I desparately need a haircut, too!

By Sandysmom on Monday, October 23, 2006 - 03:38 pm:

My hair is long and straight. (almost to the middle of my back) I wash it every day and let it dry naturally. I'm considering a perm because it is thin and I'd like a little more body.

By Yjja123 on Monday, October 23, 2006 - 04:26 pm:

How many here have husbands that hate short hair? I had mine cut a few years ago to chin length. It was long. I donated 24" to locks for love. Hubby was not pleased. He begged me never to go short again. I received a ton of compliments about that hairstyle but I grew it out to please hubby. It is the only thing he has ever asked about my appearance.

By Tripletmom on Monday, October 23, 2006 - 04:58 pm:

Yvonne,my DH also likes long hair.It is the only thing he has ever asked of me too.If he finds it attractive, then why not.

By Debbie on Monday, October 23, 2006 - 04:59 pm:

My dh could care less, as long as I am happy with it.

By Tink on Monday, October 23, 2006 - 05:20 pm:

My dh never complains about my hair when it's short but about three months ago, he finally told me that he likes it long enough to look feminine from the back. I'd gone very short in back (stacked up from about the top of my ears) for a couple of years. I got many compliments on it and I loved the sassy look of it but, since he never asks me to change things about my appearance, I'm willing to consider his point of view on this. Of course, he also prefers me blonde but I'm not sure I'm ever going to be up to the maintenance that would require again.

By Andi on Monday, October 23, 2006 - 05:57 pm:

I get mine cut with long layers and I get it highlighted. It's just below my shoulder blades when I wear it down but 90% of the time I wear it in a ponytail since I am always on the go and I hate it when my hair is in my way.

By Karen~admin on Monday, October 23, 2006 - 07:05 pm:

I chopped all of mine off last year. It's very short and highlighted, and never looks the same way twice. It's one of those *messy* hairdos and I love it. Sometimes I dry it all the way using my fingers and then spray (5-10 minutes), others I dry it part way and use wax. Depends on my mood. The best thing is that it takes so little time to wash and style and I can go a couple days without washing it!

By Amecmom on Monday, October 23, 2006 - 08:51 pm:

It takes 5 min to get when I get out of the shower. Sometimes, I'll have to add more gel and play with the curls a bit, once they've air-dried. I think my profile has a photo ... I have to check.
It's shoulder length, dirty blonde. I swearby the Ouidad products. They are amazing for curly hair.
My husband hates short hair and would not like me to cut it.

Ame

By Dawnk777 on Monday, October 23, 2006 - 09:17 pm:

Hubby doesn't care what my hair looks like. My best friend's hubby prefers her hair long, and she has had long hair, for as long as I've known her (since 1979!)

By Hol on Tuesday, October 24, 2006 - 12:28 am:

My hubby prefers long hair, too, although now that we're "old" he doesn't say much anymore. I once got a REALLY short haircut. Not at all what I wanted, but a friend's son was in hairdressing school and I let him work on me. (Thank goodness hair does grow. LOL) I won't tell you what DH told me I looked like.

I just like the longer hair because it is so easy, and versatile. It can look casual, but also very elegant with very little effort. And I LOVE all the pretty hair accessories and schrunchies that you can only wear with long hair.

Good for you, Yvonne, donating all that hair to "Locks of Love". What a wonderful, gracious thing to do.

By Yjja123 on Tuesday, October 24, 2006 - 09:48 am:

Thanks Hol. My daughter has done it twice. It is a great organization.

By Unschoolmom on Tuesday, October 24, 2006 - 02:10 pm:

Oboy. I brush mine. Some mornings.

By Cocoabutter on Tuesday, October 24, 2006 - 05:37 pm:

I got a low maintenance hair cut about a week ago, and I LOVE it! I have a great gal who cuts my hair, and she layered the sides to make it look fuller. It's literally wash and wear, except for my bangs which are also layered. I throw one curl in them and brush them back and I'm good to go.

I always put my hair up when I am cleaning though. I hate it when it gets into my face if I am bending over cleaning the tub, etc...

By Boxzgrl on Tuesday, October 24, 2006 - 06:22 pm:

Long and straight. It's about mid-back right now. I stopped highlighting it when I realized I didn't have time and money to always spend keeping up with it. I try to at least style it with some of the latest trends, though I do admit to loving my messy bun the best! When I want to style it but am lazy I just throw in mousse after a shower and crimp it so it doesn't get frizzy and I get a bit of loose curl in it too.

(Did I admit that the messy bun is my favorite because it looks best when I don't brush my hair! lol)

By Stace on Tuesday, October 24, 2006 - 07:16 pm:

I have strawberry blonde hair, I do get blonde highlights. Fortunatly for me, my cousin does my hair so I get a GREAT discount!! Otherwise, the highlights would be out! I actually love my haircut. I have a short bob, I can style it anyway I want. I either straighten it or curl it in the am, it does not take long at all, maybe 10 minutes. I just have to say that my ex-husband HATED when I had short hair!!! So, what did I do...kept it short!!! My new man of my life loves it short!!!