Hairdos and don'ts

I went to a new hair stylist about a month ago and didn't have a hairstyle in mind when I walked through the door. I usually "steal" a haircut that I've seen Meg Ryan in, she's pretty safe to emulate. She can do curly and she can do straight....guess what, so can I!

I'm not blaming the new hairstylist for my lack of enthusiasm over my current hairdo, I should have taken a photo in with me. She gave me a great cut and was really kind even though I was almost 15 minutes late. I've gotten pretty relaxed about my haircuts in the last year with the exception of the cuts given to me by Emily - they were what drove me to get a new stylist.

After Ryan and I got married last August I decided to wait until October to cut my hair again. This allowed me to cut 10 inches off my hair so I could donate it to "Locks of Love." Cutting it at that time of year also meant that I could more easily straighten my hair. Boston humidity is a killer to work with from May through September so it's best to straighten my hair from October through April. Not to mention that it always gives colleagues and friends a shock when they see you with the "new 'do."

The last stylist, Emily, was young but somewhat experienced. She was probably pretty affordable by Boston pricing standards ($45/cut) but I will admit that I hate paying a lot of money for a haircut. So it didn't break my heart to leave her after several cuts.

I took a photo of Meg Ryan (from Goodhousekeeping magazine from many years ago) in during my first October visit and said "this is what I want." She was a little nervous because my hair was long and curly and the new style was straight and short. So I assured her that I'd had this very style previously; Not only would look good on me, but I would be get my curly hair to straighten on a daily basis. So she began cutting.

It took her an hour, but she finally finished. The style was not very close to the picture I'd brought in, but truth be told, it actually looked BETTER than what I'd suggested. I decided she was creative, successful, and I'd go back. I made sure to take pictures of the style she had just given me so that I wouldn't have trouble the next time I went in.

After 6 - 8 weeks I returned and showed her the photos of the last cut. She started to work, and while she was faster than before, I don't know if it was a good thing. She again gave me a different style than what I'd shown to her. It wasn't bad, but it also wasn't what I'd asked for.

Well, the 3rd time is the charm, right? I went to Emily once again with photos in hand and proceeded to get another entirely different hairstyle. So I decided to just let the hair grow, and grow, and grow. When this August rolled around I just couldn't take it any more and I wasn't going to let Emily cut it again.

I called my friend TW whose hair always looks cute. Her stylist it turns out, was much more affordable than the unreliable Emily and the cost to have my hair colored or highlighted was significantly less expensive as well.

So the new stylist is funny and nice, and she did a good job cutting and coloring my hair. The real problem as I said before, was that I didn't know what I wanted my hair to look like. My next cut is November 29, so I've got to come up with something by then.

I thought maybe you could help. Here are some styles I'm considering. Using the "COMMENTS" option, let me know which you like the best.

Meg #1

Meg #2
( I promise not to make this expression if I get this hairdo)
Meg #3
Meg #4**

So here is the deal. I'm going to Jamaica tomorrow morning and won't be online for a full week. When I come back, I hope to see which hairdo (or hairdon't) gets the most votes. I'll take your suggestions into consideration. If you are unable to distinguish between these hairstyles, just vote for the one you like best.

Cast your ballots! (Please use the "comments" link at the end of this post. It should allow you to post as a blogger member or post anonymously but that woudln't be any fun now, would it?)

**Disclaimer: any votes for #4 will be thrown into the trash so that if there is a call for a recount, #4 will never get to win. I have a reputation to uphold.