the age old problem
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As is typical for me, I’ve let my hair grow out again. I seem to boomerang between mid-back (or longer) length hair, and just-past-the-shoulders. I’m getting to the point where I need to build up the courage to cut it–I’m really silly and get very protective of my hair! lol. But something needs to be done since it’s gotten really long and unmanageable as far as 40s-styles go. My last, straight-up 40s cut was inspired by Rita Hayworth and Marilyn Monroe (while she was still young, in the late 40s). This time though, I’m leaning more towards the Gene Tierney/Lauren Bacall length (somewhat shorter still). Oddly enough, a handful of people over the past year say I look a bit like Lauren Bacall when she was young, which I think is nonsense, but maybe I just don’t see what others do? lol. Regardless, I really love that simple, slightly sporty hairstyle. I just need to get over the aspect of uncertainty of getting one’s hair drastically cut! lol.
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p.s. Thank you all for your sweet comments on yesterday’s post about the Christmas deocrations! They meant so much to me, because I had an rather disappointing day in regards to the gingerbread house. It’s not ruined, just delayed a bit longer! More to come…
Posted on December 15th, 2009 to beauty.
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it’s a marshmallow world »32 lovely thoughts to “the age old problem”
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Marmielu says:
December 15th, 2009 at 9:05 am
Well, lady, you could do either one because you have that wonderfully thick, wavy hair. And….as I have always said….it always grows! Happy decision making!
XO
Mom -
Jill says:
December 15th, 2009 at 9:30 am
it’s true you DO look like Lauren Bacall (the sultry eyes and brow). Go for the Lauren look!!!!
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Maggi says:
December 15th, 2009 at 9:38 am
I’m on the hunt for a new style as well! Good luck finding yours!
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Quincy says:
December 15th, 2009 at 10:12 am
Oh, you’d look fabulous with that hair!!!
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Sally says:
December 15th, 2009 at 10:35 am
So curious to see what you decide … the nice thing about trying out a new style is that you can always grow it out again and start over!
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Amy says:
December 15th, 2009 at 11:03 am
I know what you mean Casey. It seems just as soon as my hair grows out I am longing to cut it off and vice versa. Your hair is so pretty. It would look great at any length. It’s funny I just spent an hour messing with my hair. I wish it was thick and full like yours, but I guess I’ll have to make do with what I’ve got.
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Sara says:
December 15th, 2009 at 11:36 am
I see the Lauren Bacall!
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Sydney says:
December 15th, 2009 at 11:52 am
I know how you feel, my hair is just below my shoulder right now, but I have been longing for a change myself. I have been pondering with the idea of cutting it and dyeing it red! I think we all get bored with our hair and need a change every now and then. I say go for it! it will always grow back, if you don’t like it, but I’m sure you will……
XOXO,
Syd -
Krisztina says:
December 15th, 2009 at 12:06 pm
I think Lauren Bacall as well. Her hair in the third picture is fantastic and I think would suit your bone structure quite well.
Also, I’m willing to bet once you switch back to the regular gingerbread icing ‘glue’ the house will be quite fixed.
On that note, I have my own gingerbread men that are naked and waiting for me to paint clothes on them.
Can’t wait to see the new haircut!
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Sunni Standing says:
December 15th, 2009 at 12:06 pm
Mmmm, yes. This is my age old problem as well. I will go through phases where I want really long hair and then really short hair and as is usual can’t stand the way my hair looks in between. Whatever you do will look gorgeous! And it always grows back.
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allison says:
December 15th, 2009 at 2:48 pm
Just saw lauren bacall in The Big Sleep (1946). Netflix streaming FTW! Thought she looked great and you would rock that style, too.
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Lizzy says:
December 15th, 2009 at 3:14 pm
I hope that your haircut turns out the way you want. I understand being protective about your hair though
Lately I have been back and forth between medium length and short but now that I’ve let my hair grow longer, I’m very hesitant to get it cut anytime soon
I think your hair would look really pretty in Lauren Bacall length and style. You really do look a lot like her! -
Mel says:
December 15th, 2009 at 3:54 pm
Now that I think about it, you DO look a little like Lauren Bacall! Wow I can’t wait to see your new haircut! I’ve always wanted a vintage-style haircut from either the 1940s, 1950s, or 1960s but haven’t really made an effort to do anything about it. Probably because my hair is so thick and hard to handle…I mean, every time I curl it, it just reverts back to its normal straight thickness within seconds. Sigh…
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Francy says:
December 15th, 2009 at 4:27 pm
Lauren Bacall!
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Lise says:
December 15th, 2009 at 5:06 pm
I actually thought the women on image 1 was you! I think you will look lovely with shorter hair
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Camilla says:
December 15th, 2009 at 7:03 pm
I had hair down to my waist, a little over a year ago I decided to take the plunge and chop it. I went for a Gene Tierny length and I’ve really loved it! It grew out really quick and I decided I loved it so much I cut it again. Its really fun to change hair around, and it always grows back!
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Kelley Anne says:
December 15th, 2009 at 7:34 pm
Just remember that it will grow back. I always feel the same way about my hair when it grows long, but then have to remind myself that if I’m not crazy about my new cut, there’s always time for future changes. I love your hair inspirations, especially Lauren Bacall!
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calivintage says:
December 15th, 2009 at 7:41 pm
oh lauren bacall, i die! her hair is always so impeccable. such a great look.
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indigorchid says:
December 15th, 2009 at 9:27 pm
Haha, I thought the top color picture was you channeling Lauren Bacall! And nice hair…!
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Danielle says:
December 15th, 2009 at 11:04 pm
Either the Lauren or the Gene hair styles would look great on you! Hair cuts are exciting!
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Danielle says:
December 15th, 2009 at 11:06 pm
Either the Lauren or the Gene hair styles would look great on you! Hair cuts are exciting!
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Emma Wallace says:
December 16th, 2009 at 12:29 am
You know you’re on a vintage site when Lauren Bacall’s hair style is termed “sporty!” hehe!
But I do think you’d look just lovely with it. -
aurelia says:
December 16th, 2009 at 9:59 am
Casey, my hair is between waist and hiplength and I wear 1940s styles nearly everyday. As long as the front is right you can do anything with the back and you can hide any amount of hair in rolls.
I have had to learn to form pincurls and rolls differently.
I take the lock of hair I’m working with, comb it nicely, form my fingers into scissors and run them about half-way down the length of the hair. Then I wrap the rest of the hair around the two fingers, tucking the ends between my fingers. That effectively pulls the ends of the hair to the middle of the roll. Slide hair off fingers and finish the standing pincurl or roll.
I usually wear my hair down and wavy/curly the first day after a wash, in a high ponytail to show off the curl the next day and in various up-dos for the next three to five days before washing again.
I use the up-dos because they are faster for me, but I can and have simply reset the pincurls to wear the hair down later in the week. The curls set better on aged hair and my hair has more shine and swing on about day four or five.
Do what you need to, of course, but you don’t have to keep your hair short for the vintage styles.
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ASHLEY says:
December 16th, 2009 at 2:51 pm
I am currently growing out my hair to do some long hairstyles that I am aching to try. But I think my current length is probably my most versatile.
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Andi B. Goode says:
December 17th, 2009 at 1:42 am
Mine was getting unmanageable not too long ago. It was probably that Rita Hayworth in Gilda length but my hair is so heavy it was getting to be a nuisance to set (and definitely impossible to do with pincurls). So I cut it so that the shortest bit sits around my collarbone when it’s straight. I think Gene Tierney’s hair is still quite long-ish, really, especially in the second picture of her. Her curls are still quite soft but not as soft a wave as Lauren’s. Anyway, I think the shorter length will look lovely on you and it will grow back easily enough!
-Andi x -
Nadja says:
December 17th, 2009 at 6:21 am
My discussion with my hairdresser went like this;
The hair needs to be cut in layers, it needs to be a little bit shorter at the front and sifes than in the back so it gives that round shape. After that it can be qiute short and as i tsrows out its easier to see what lengt you like best!
You that have thick hair with a natural wave to it would look great with a Rita Haywort length! -
Rosie says:
December 17th, 2009 at 12:50 pm
I have to agree with people, you do look vaguely like Lauren Bacall when she was young. I’m the exact same way with hair, I have been hesitating about a shorter cute for months.
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Sarai says:
December 18th, 2009 at 1:41 pm
I love Lauren Bacall’s hair, I think simple styles from the 40s are my favorite. They look very elegant and suit so many women. I’d like a sleeker version of this myself, but I can’t spend a lot of time on my hair… since I like to exercise a lot, I have to rinse out my hair pretty much daily, and what a pain it would be to set it every day!
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zeffy says:
December 21st, 2009 at 8:49 pm
i have the same problem it takes around 3 months to convince myself to cut my hair
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Amber says:
Was just reading this update and at first glance I thought it was you in the colour picture until I realised the black and white pictures were Lauren Becall (didn’t see the obviously big writing saying Lauren Becall either – selective sight I guess
) Anyway based on the fact I thought it was you I think the Lauren Becall hairstyle will look gorgeous and is a great choice – can’t wait to see the pictures (although knowing me, you have already sent through an update showing your new style and I have just not got around to reading it yet)! -
Caya says:
February 12th, 2010 at 6:37 pm
Hi Casey,
I saw your haircut and it looks great! You said you got the middy. I’d like to try something Bacall-ish myself but isn’t the back of her hair cut somewhat straight? Her hair in “To have and have not” has that round middy shape, it’s just the layering that I don’t really see … I got a bit coufused trying to figure this out, please help!
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Women S Elegant Middy says:
[...] the age old problem | Casey's Elegant Musings They look very elegant and suit so many women I'd like a sleeker version of this myself, but I can't spend a lot of time on my hair… since I like to exercise a lot, I have to rinse out my hair pretty much daily, and what a pain it . You said you got the middy I'd like to try something Bacall-ish myself but isn't the back of her hair cut somewhat straight? Her hair in “To have and have not” has that round middy shape, it's just the layering that I don't really see … [...]
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