Oh hell, thank you insomnia and some social anxiety (yeah, even on here apparently… but I AM showing my face 😬) for making this a really long read for y’all… if you can manage to read it all, I appreciate you! ❤️ if not, there’s a TLDR down below for those of you with a short attention span 😉 

I’ve NEVER posted photos of myself for strangers to openly discuss before… ever. And I’m super nervous about it… in case it’s not evident by the novel I just wrote below! So please, be nice 🥺 I’ve seen some crazy good transformations get posted on this sub because of recommendations received here, and I’d really appreciate help with choosing how to go about making a “big change,” because honestly, I’m clueless! I also want it to fit my style and lifestyle, so I’m giving what I think might be relevant (but probably excessive) info.

My hair has been long for mannnnny years with some layers, mild face framing, and a slight V shape in the back. Pretty much a subtle nod to the Lindsay Lohan Mean Girls-esque cut I had in high school, but with a whole lot less razoring and mid-2000s teen angst. I always felt like it was easiest to maintain; it’s versatile in that I can wear it with waves, with curls, or straight; and it suits my proportions as a thin, tall girlie (5’10”). 

I’m considering a (big?) change… I just don’t entirely know *what* I want. I’ve had a lot of changes in my life lately and it feels like maybe it’s the right time to change my hair too, after at least 10 years of the same style. But also, I’ve had ongoing health issues and my hair has become quite thin thanks to anesthesia. I could use a confidence booster, but also a cut that masks how thin it has gotten.

I’m not a fan of using AI, but mix having no starting point with insomnia (it’s 4am rn…) and voilà! Mock-ups! I gave chat a few fairly recent photos and prompted it to simply give me the “most flattering” options. I did voice I *may* be interested in going blonde. The first collage is a mix of style options in different colors/shades that it recommended, including my own natural red. I think I really like the collarbone lob (option #4). I’m not great about giving myself adequate styling time in the mornings, so while I love to put in waves or curls… it’s not always gonna happen. I’m not sure if the lob (or even the balayage blonde) would look as good straight. I’m not a fan of *excess* volume, like the Farrah Fawcett-esque #3.

About the color… being a redhead has always been a big part of my identity for many reasons and I’m not sure if I want to “lose” it. Or how hard it would be to get my natural shade back later? But, I’ve always wanted to give blonde a go and have never had the guts. I do worry that it would require a lot of time, effort, and money for upkeep and that I could damage it with all the processing. I do have a really great salon that is spectacular with blondes and creating a “lived-in look”, so at least it wouldn’t look too bad as the roots grow out if I don’t stay on top of touch-ups (no stark contrasting root line). I think I really like the honey blonde balayage, especially paired with the collarbone lob, or maybe the ashy blonde. 

The top left photos in the second and third collages are the original photos of my current style and natural color for reference. These 2 collages were me trying to see what the different blondes would look like with my varying levels of tan and my current cut, styled 2 different ways. The fourth collage is the collarbone lob in red instead of blonde… though AI made my color more vibrant than my natural (it also did some crazy work with my nose in some of the additional views it created 🤥🤭).

If not the lob, I’m kind of liking some amount of curtain bang (#5 in the first collage)?? **If you have a cut/style you think would be better than any of these options, do tell!** The collarbone lob is short enough to give me moderate heebie jeebies as it is, I don’t think I want to go any shorter than that.

A little about my overall style/look as I do want to make sure my hair fits it and my personality… I’m 37F and living in the Midwest (USA). I work in a professional setting at a university during the day, where I typically wear business casual at minimum including career dresses, skirts, slacks, blouses, sweaters, blazers, etc. I have a pretty diverse style outside the office… from relaxed with leggings and team fan apparel, to jeans and a band tee or a simple racerback tank, to more “edgy” looks like a cute top and leather jacket, to cute dresses and shortalls, etc., etc. Oh, I’m also a bartender on the side. I have tattoos, including a half sleeve of fine line florals and birds and a few piercings (tiny nose stud, lobes, and multiple understated cartilage piercings). It just depends on the setting if I’m trying to feel relaxed and comfy or if I’m trying to look “cool” (lol), cute and feminine, or “sexy”… so I guess what I’m saying in far too many words is that I would like my hair to be as versatile as the rest of my style tends to be.

**TLDR: wanting a hair change, health issues caused hair loss. Seeking new style to mask thinness, boost confidence. Possible switch from natural red to blonde, too; uncertain due to cost & upkeep, risk to hair health. Looking for versatile cut/style that works with multiple settings & personal styles listed. Recs from AI provided for starting point, open to other suggestions/advice!**

Cut & Color Help Needed