# Hair up or down? **URL:** \ **Category:** In My Humble Opinion\ **Created:** [May 11, 2007, 8:04am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/hair-up-or-down/403658 "2007-05-11T08:04:09Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![RedRosesForMe](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/91b2a8/32.png) [@RedRosesForMe](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/RedRosesForMe)\ **Post date:** [May 11, 2007, 8:04am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/hair-up-or-down/403658/1 "2007-05-11T08:04:09Z")
OK it’s late, I’m bored, and I’m hating my hair. I have incredibly thick, curly hair. I’ve been growing it out for years, keep changing my mind, and cutting it. It’s about shoulder-length now, and I normally wear it back in a pony tail. The reason I cut it in the first place was that I always pulled it back, so what was the point in having it long? It’s such a PITA to take care of. So, generally speaking, do you prefer longer hair up or down? Does it make a difference if it’s curly or straight? And if you’d like, I just had a little [photo shoot](http://s76.photobucket.com/albums/j8/seaworthy82/hair/) in my living room showing my 2 different hairstyles if you’d like to weigh in on which looks better on me personally. I’m seriously considering cutting my hair. It’s up to you, Dopers, to either convince me I’m wrong or to support that decision. I might donate my hair to Locks of Love if I do. Considering how many women tell me how great my hair is, I’m sure there’s a sick little girl somewhere who’d love to have thick curly hair. ---
**Author:** ![Freudian\_Push\_Up\_Bra](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/f/edb3f5/32.png) [@Freudian\_Push\_Up\_Bra](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Freudian_Push_Up_Bra)\ **Post date:** [May 11, 2007, 10:55am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/hair-up-or-down/403658/2 "2007-05-11T10:55:45Z")
Well, both hairstyles are really cute; they frame your face well and bring out your smile. I think Locks of Love only take 9 inches or more of hair. Maybe grow it out even longer and see how it goes? I’ve had that problem too: had a pixie cut, grew it out, cut it, grew it. I’m now at the stage where it gets caught in my bag straps…while it’s in a pony tail at my crown. Also gotta plait it for bedtime, lest I wake up to a mess. Anyway, to answer your question in full: Hair up is very cute and crosses over into formal situations well and down is voluptuous and very sexy. Hope it helps! ---
**Author:** ![Pixisis](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/p/f17d59/32.png) [@Pixisis](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Pixisis)\ **Post date:** [May 11, 2007, 11:16am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/hair-up-or-down/403658/3 "2007-05-11T11:16:30Z")
[QUOTE=Freudian Push Up Bra] Well, both hairstyles are really cute; they frame your face well and bring out your smile. [/QUOTE] I agree. 🙂 My hair is fairly long (mid back) and rather fine. Usually I keep it in a single braid. It’s neat, presentable, and keeps it out of my way. When I want to look fancy, I’ll either put it all the way up, or leave it down. (FWIW the boy loves it down, says it’s sexy.) Because growing hair out from short (and cute) to long enough to do something (anything) with is such a PITA, I use a haircutting ‘rule’. If I actively want to cut my hair for 7 days in a row, then I cut it\*. So, if you forget for a couple of days, start the count over. In other words, unless you’re sure, wait. **You can always cut your hair tomorrow.** \*I once went from hair below my butt to a buzz cut - :eek: - but I was happy when I did it. I think it took almost a year from the first inkling of “I want to cut it” until the actual cut, but I was ready when I did it. ---
**Author:** ![Dung\_Beetle](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/dung_beetle/32/7945_2.png) [@Dung\_Beetle](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Dung_Beetle)\ **Post date:** [May 11, 2007, 12:42pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/hair-up-or-down/403658/4 "2007-05-11T12:42:13Z")
[QUOTE=Pixisis] Because growing hair out from short (and cute) to long enough to do something (anything) with is such a PITA, I use a haircutting ‘rule’. If I actively want to cut my hair for 7 days in a row, then I cut it\*. So, if you forget for a couple of days, start the count over. In other words, unless you’re sure, wait. **You can always cut your hair tomorrow.** [/QUOTE] I wish I had your self control. It takes me an hour or less from thinking, “I hate my hair” to picking up the scissors. My mom says, “Call me and I’ll talk you down!” but I don’t want to be talked down, I wanna _cut!_ **Roses** , I like your hair down. Have you considered shorter bangs? That might be a quick change you could live with. ---
**Author:** ![Gary\_T](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/g/3ec8ea/32.png) [@Gary\_T](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Gary_T)\ **Post date:** [May 11, 2007, 1:57pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/hair-up-or-down/403658/5 "2007-05-11T13:57:59Z")
I prefer up. I’m not sure about cutting it, but I’d lean towards not. ---
**Author:** ![Dunderman](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/ecb155/32.png) [@Dunderman](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Dunderman)\ **Post date:** [May 11, 2007, 2:00pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/hair-up-or-down/403658/6 "2007-05-11T14:00:57Z")
Without even looking: down. What the hell is the point of having long hair otherwise? ---
**Author:** ![Anaamika](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/5f9b8f/32.png) [@Anaamika](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Anaamika)\ **Post date:** [May 11, 2007, 2:04pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/hair-up-or-down/403658/7 "2007-05-11T14:04:08Z")
I have the same hair as you only it’s probably more curly and you couldn’t pay me enough to get me to cut it. Mine is currently about 2 feet long - yes, I measured - and I personally think it’s beautiful. So my vote is - don’t cut it! Or at least wait 2 weeks. Wait 2 weeks and if you still want to, have at it. ---
**Author:** ![Surok](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/cc9497/32.png) [@Surok](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Surok)\ **Post date:** [May 11, 2007, 2:08pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/hair-up-or-down/403658/8 "2007-05-11T14:08:31Z")
[QUOTE=Priceguy] Without even looking: down. What the hell is the point of having long hair otherwise? [/QUOTE] You wear it up. You wear your glasses. Everyone thinks you’re an ugly, dried up spinster\*. Then one day, you take off your glasses, shake out your hair, and ‘Why, Miss Jones! You’re beautiful!’. And you get the guy. **Roses** , I’d say leave it as it is. If you really want a change, maybe get your bangs feathered a little. Or follow **Pixisis** ’ advice. Something I’ve never been able to do, and boy have I regretted it in the past. \*Needless to say, this is not in reference to the OP. ---
**Author:** ![Lionne](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/l/8e8cbc/32.png) [@Lionne](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Lionne)\ **Post date:** [May 11, 2007, 7:24pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/hair-up-or-down/403658/9 "2007-05-11T19:24:36Z")
[QUOTE=Priceguy] Without even looking: down. What the hell is the point of having long hair otherwise? [/QUOTE] I agree with this. But \*\*Surok \*\* has a very good point… I hate my hair up, and I regret cutting 9 inches off three years ago. It’s down to my mid-back again, but I still consider that short. Unless I’m eating, my hair is down and free! After looking at your photos, I think your hair down frames your face better. Brings out your eyes too. ---
**Author:** ![gigi](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/g/a587f6/32.png) [@gigi](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/gigi)\ **Post date:** [May 11, 2007, 7:45pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/hair-up-or-down/403658/10 "2007-05-11T19:45:05Z")
I think you look cute with your hair up which makes me think a pixie cut would be flattering. ---
**Author:** ![RedRosesForMe](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/91b2a8/32.png) [@RedRosesForMe](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/RedRosesForMe)\ **Post date:** [May 11, 2007, 8:25pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/hair-up-or-down/403658/11 "2007-05-11T20:25:17Z")
[QUOTE=Anaamika] I have the same hair as you only it’s probably more curly and you couldn’t pay me enough to get me to cut it. Mine is currently about 2 feet long - yes, I measured - and I personally think it’s beautiful. So my vote is - don’t cut it! Or at least wait 2 weeks. Wait 2 weeks and if you still want to, have at it. [/QUOTE] My hair in these pictures is rather wavy for me, it’s usually much curlier. Yesterday afternoon I sat and brushed it for a half hour because I hadn’t been able to brush it in weeks (ran out of conditioner) so it pulled a lot of the curl out. It’s usually like Shirley Temple ringlets. But here’s a question for you, **Anaamika** : do you wear it down a lot? In the summer? I can’t stand it, it’s like wearing a wool hat. My main problem with my hair is it doesn’t really fit my style. It is very pretty, but not very “me.” I’m a recovering punk rocker, and into retro, rockabilly clothing, so my style usually falls somewhere between [this](http://pinupgirlclothing.com/lucky13-krazy-kittens-halter-dress.html) and [this](http://pinupgirlclothing.com/anchortee1.html). The hair works with the dresses I wear, but not so much with my day to day jeans and t-shirts. I want edgy, funky, spiky hair, which my hair can’t do (and I hate spending time styling it). I want hair like [this](http://www.hairstylesdesign.com/gallery/fiche.php?id=67), [this](http://www.hairstylesdesign.com/gallery/fiche.php?id=11), [or this](http://www.hairstylesdesign.com/gallery/fiche.php?id=75). I’ve had shorter, straight-across, Bettie Page bangs before, but I have a round face and they just make my face rounder. I dunno what to do. I almost had the scissors out last night. I wanted [Amelie hair](http://www.basehead.org/files/shots/1-amelie_poulain.jpg) really bad. ---
**Author:** ![zweisamkeit](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/zweisamkeit/32/4360_2.png) [@zweisamkeit](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/zweisamkeit)\ **Post date:** [May 11, 2007, 10:29pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/hair-up-or-down/403658/12 "2007-05-11T22:29:45Z")
[QUOTE=RedRosesForMe] My main problem with my hair is it doesn’t really fit my style. It is very pretty, but not very “me.” I’m a recovering punk rocker, and into retro, rockabilly clothing, so my style usually falls somewhere between [this](http://pinupgirlclothing.com/lucky13-krazy-kittens-halter-dress.html) and [this](http://pinupgirlclothing.com/anchortee1.html). The hair works with the dresses I wear, but not so much with my day to day jeans and t-shirts. I want edgy, funky, spiky hair, which my hair can’t do (and I hate spending time styling it). I want hair like [this](http://www.hairstylesdesign.com/gallery/fiche.php?id=67), [this](http://www.hairstylesdesign.com/gallery/fiche.php?id=11), [or this](http://www.hairstylesdesign.com/gallery/fiche.php?id=75). [/QUOTE] (THANK YOU for those links. I love that site but had forgotten all about it!). I’d say to research some salons around you. If you’re in a decent sized area, there’s probably a few that will have a more funky or alternative vibe and will be a lot more receptive to funk-tastic ideas. They’ll also be more in tune to what you mean when you explain some hairstyles and be able to give you suggestions that are funky but also work with your hair. For example, I go to [London Calling Salon](http://londoncallingsalon.com/) near me, and I love it! They specialize in “grown up alternative”, crazy hair dying, extensions, etc. They’re completely professional though, and they’ll have more conservative older ladies coming in too for fun and still getting exactly what they’d like. But when someone says, “I want to dye my hair blue and spike it out”, they’ll immediately start discussing shades of blue that would work best. 🙂 ---
**Author:** ![SnakesCatLady](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/4af34b/32.png) [@SnakesCatLady](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/SnakesCatLady)\ **Post date:** [May 11, 2007, 11:08pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/hair-up-or-down/403658/13 "2007-05-11T23:08:19Z")
The thing I love most about long hair is how versatile it is; you can do much more with long hair. Every time I have had my hair cut short I have regretted it. My problem is that I have a bad habit of going too long between trims and it gets shaggy. I totally agree with the “wool hat” statement; I usually refer to mine as wearing a cat scarf. I keep mine up mostly during the summer because it is cooler. If you are an impulse cutter, try some of the ideas above for putting it off when you feel the urge to cut. Try to decide if you really want to cut your hair or if you are just bored or out of sorts with the world. You have beautiful hair - up or down - and I say the longer the better! ---
**Author:** ![elfkin477](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/e/a9a28c/32.png) [@elfkin477](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/elfkin477)\ **Post date:** [May 11, 2007, 11:33pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/hair-up-or-down/403658/14 "2007-05-11T23:33:49Z")
IMHO you look better with it up because down doesn’t frame your face nearly as well, probably because hair like yours is what shampoo makers have in mind when they say “body.” ---
**Author:** ![Least\_Original\_User\_Name\_Ever](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/l/e480ec/32.png) [@Least\_Original\_User\_Name\_Ever](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Least_Original_User_Name_Ever)\ **Post date:** [May 11, 2007, 11:43pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/hair-up-or-down/403658/15 "2007-05-11T23:43:01Z")
[QUOTE=zweisamkeit] (THANK YOU for those links. I love that site but had forgotten all about it!). I’d say to research some salons around you. If you’re in a decent sized area, there’s probably a few that will have a more funky or alternative vibe and will be a lot more receptive to funk-tastic ideas. They’ll also be more in tune to what you mean when you explain some hairstyles and be able to give you suggestions that are funky but also work with your hair. For example, I go to [London Calling Salon](http://londoncallingsalon.com/) near me, and I love it! They specialize in “grown up alternative”, crazy hair dying, extensions, etc. They’re completely professional though, and they’ll have more conservative older ladies coming in too for fun and still getting exactly what they’d like. But when someone says, “I want to dye my hair blue and spike it out”, they’ll immediately start discussing shades of blue that would work best. 🙂 [/QUOTE] I’ve contemplated doing something completely different with my hair, although I’ve got no idea what I’d do with it…you know..being a guy and all. I get the feeling that if came in and told them to do their worst, they would, no? To answer the question, though, I like down. Then again, I’m a guy and I like long hair. I’ll agree that either way, it looks good on ya. ---
**Author:** ![whole\_bean](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/w/96bed5/32.png) [@whole\_bean](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/whole_bean)\ **Post date:** [May 11, 2007, 11:44pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/hair-up-or-down/403658/16 "2007-05-11T23:44:33Z")
up. you look nice both ways though ---
**Author:** ![Maggie\_the\_Ocelot](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/df705f/32.png) [@Maggie\_the\_Ocelot](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Maggie_the_Ocelot)\ **Post date:** [May 11, 2007, 11:45pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/hair-up-or-down/403658/17 "2007-05-11T23:45:47Z")
[QUOTE=zweisamkeit] For example, I go to [London Calling Salon](http://londoncallingsalon.com/) near me, and I love it! They specialize in “grown up alternative”, crazy hair dying, extensions, etc. They’re completely professional though, and they’ll have more conservative older ladies coming in too for fun and still getting exactly what they’d like. But when someone says, “I want to dye my hair blue and spike it out”, they’ll immediately start discussing shades of blue that would work best. 🙂 [/QUOTE] OMG. That place looks awesome. Does anyone know of a place like that in L.A.-ish? I’m stylistphobic, but for a place like that I could allow someone to touch my hair… ---
**Author:** ![Charger](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/df788c/32.png) [@Charger](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Charger)\ **Post date:** [May 11, 2007, 11:57pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/hair-up-or-down/403658/18 "2007-05-11T23:57:11Z")
[QUOTE=Surok] You wear it up. You wear your glasses. Everyone thinks you’re an ugly, dried up spinster\*. Then one day, you take off your glasses, shake out your hair, and ‘Why, Miss Jones! You’re beautiful!’. And you get the guy. [/QUOTE] Not the case with this guy. Hair up, glasses on is like a fantasy girl for me. In reply to the OP, I say leave your hair the length it is. I prefer it up, but variety is nice from time to time. ---
**Author:** ![RedRosesForMe](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/91b2a8/32.png) [@RedRosesForMe](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/RedRosesForMe)\ **Post date:** [May 12, 2007, 12:00am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/hair-up-or-down/403658/19 "2007-05-12T00:00:23Z")
[QUOTE=zweisamkeit] (THANK YOU for those links. I love that site but had forgotten all about it!). I’d say to research some salons around you. If you’re in a decent sized area, there’s probably a few that will have a more funky or alternative vibe and will be a lot more receptive to funk-tastic ideas. They’ll also be more in tune to what you mean when you explain some hairstyles and be able to give you suggestions that are funky but also work with your hair. For example, I go to [London Calling Salon](http://londoncallingsalon.com/) near me, and I love it! They specialize in “grown up alternative”, crazy hair dying, extensions, etc. They’re completely professional though, and they’ll have more conservative older ladies coming in too for fun and still getting exactly what they’d like. But when someone says, “I want to dye my hair blue and spike it out”, they’ll immediately start discussing shades of blue that would work best. 🙂 [/QUOTE] London Calling looks a lot like Star Booty, a self-described rock ‘n’ roll salon a few blocks from my place. They used to be a punk clothing store/salon, but recently switched over to just salon. I usually cut my own hair (I know, that’s ballsy, but with my hair you can’t usually tell if I screw up) but would love to give them more business. That is probably a better idea than just grabbing my own scissors (I once cut my hair while reading a Harry Potter book and ended up going waaaay shorter than I intended. But that gives you some idea of how I cut my hair. Symmetry be damned, I just grab chucks and hack it off!). ---
**Author:** ![Marlitharn](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/779978/32.png) [@Marlitharn](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Marlitharn)\ **Post date:** [May 12, 2007, 7:14am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/hair-up-or-down/403658/20 "2007-05-12T07:14:08Z")
I have hair down past my tailbone, and in my opinion it’s a lot easier to take care of than when I had short hair. I don’t have to mess around with curling irons or gel or hairspray or all that other crap; I just throw it into an updo, wet or dry, and go. For me, I prefer my hair up, because A) when it’s down it gets in the way, and B) I have lots of pretty hairsticks and things to show off. Some folks have some [issues](http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Locks_of_love) with Locks of Love; my main problem with them is the way the media constantly misrepresents them as being an organization that gives free human hair wigs to cancer patients, and it seems to me that Locks of Love itself does nothing to correct this. Most of their recipients are alopecia patients, and are charged a sliding fee based on their family’s income. ([Link](http://www.locksoflove.org/faq.html#Ac5) to the LoL FAQ page.) Personally, I think curly hair looks good long; you can put it up into a messy bun or something and have all those cute little tendrils hanging down. [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/hair-up-or-down/403658.md?page=2)