Asymmetrical Shlob.

Posted on April 30, 2013

I am in love with this haircut. This is what I will do when I decide to finally cut my hair. It is so modern and feminine and soft and edgy at the same time. I appreciate a haircut that doesn’t look too perfectly done. They tend to grow out beautifully.

The asymmetrical shlob works best on thicker hair with lots of wave and curl. It is an easy haircut to DIY!

This haircut that I did on Kim started out with a simple side ponytail, I pulled the holder down to the ends, and cut straight across the ends, removing about an inch and a half of length. This created the shape of the haircut. Then I went through and texturized the ends a bit, and layered her a bit more. This can be done by gathering the hair into an even higher side ponytail near top of the head and cutting off the ends.

Here is Kimmy before and after. What a fox!!!!!

f*** flattering, why you should question beauty rules.

Posted on March 6, 2013

Erin, the founder of Fat girls+short hair=yes came to me for a haircut yesterday. We chatted about our lives and our blogs. She started her Tumblr site to give some love to big ladies who rock short hair.

At one point, she mentioned her own “F*** flattering stance”. I love this statement and I completely agree with her. There are beauty “Rules” that are ancient and baseless and they limit our imaginations and our views of ourselves. In honor of all the fat girls with hot short haircuts, here is an inspiring guest post from Erin herself.

Fat girls+short hair=YESSSSSS!

Last year, I was feeling a bit bored with my hairstyle and decided to go for the ubiquitous asymmetrical under cut. (Well, it was ubiquitous in my community of badass queer femmes for a while there.) My hair is wavy but for some reason, the left side of my head is basically straight, so I thought I might as well just shave it off anyway. It was fun for about three weeks and then I was over it.

Left, my grown-out under cut. Right, my new short ‘do, with fellow short-hair-don’t-care babe Mads. (photo credit: Leila Hofstein for Sugar Town)

Growing out an under cut is a giant pain in the butt, so I decided to just go short all over. I hopped on the internet to search for some short and feminine hairstyles and was immediately cranky and disappointed. Literally none of the sites I found with short hair galleries featured any women who were fat, chubby, or even just fuller in the face. And all the advice for larger women basically said “OMG DON’T HAVE SHORT HAIR. IT’LL JUST MAKE YOU LOOK FATTER! QUICK, HIDE BEHIND LONG HAIR SO NO ONE CAN SEE YOUR CHUB!!!”

Which is ridiculous, not to mention f****ed up. I embrace the school of thought that says wear what you want and look how you want, regardless of what the magazines tell you—cuz they’re just trying to sell stuff to you by making you feel crappy about yourself.

Photo of Beth Ditto

I decided to put my rage to use and created a Tumblr. I put out a call on my Facebook for friends to submit photos of themselves, I posted some pictures of a few celebrities (like the always amazing Beth Ditto), and I persisted in my Google-ing (even though most of the search results were often offensive, demeaning, and/or racist). I wanted to create a resource for folks like myself who just wanted to see how various short styles would look like on someone who was similar to them.

Fast forward a few months and my little blog has over 400 followers on Tumblr, and over 300 posts featuring lovely and fierce ladies of all kinds. I try to represent folks from lots of different ethnicities, hair types, styles, and sizes (though I can always use help in the form of submissions and suggestions!). I comb Tumblr and the internet for photos, and I’m slowly but surely getting more submissions from followers.

I sometimes get comments from folks who say that seeing the images on my blog gave them the confidence to do what they’d always wanted to do, and how much they love their new style. I also hear about the awful things family members, friends, and hairstylists say to big girls who want to go short – it breaks my heart, makes me mama-bear furious, and strengthens my resolve to keep the blog going. We all deserve to be in control of our own appearance and we all deserve to be treated with respect. Find someone who will work with you—in most cities you can find someone just by asking around. And if you can’t find someone—get DIY with it! Play with your hair, figure out what works best for your hair type and your lifestyle, and screw the haters.

Posts from FatGirlsShortHair: photo sources from left to right: http://cherry-blossomgirl.tumblr.com/post/27373971086, http://fatgirlsshorthair.tumblr.com/post/40783984988/i-know-i-need-more-accessories-some-tats, http://blackgirllonghair.com/2012/05/ty-natural-hair-style-icon/

Awkward grow out, phase 3 fix.

Posted on March 4, 2013

Viewer submission!

Here is Erika, with her hair grown out from a super hot Girl with a dragon tattoo haircut. She is stuck at step 3 of growing out her short hair. This is the hardest phase.

She writes…….

Hey, Roxie! Okay, I’ve finally broken down and decided I HAVE to go get a hair cut so I wanted to send you some pictures and see if you could give me a little advice on what to ask for:

I still love my hair. Love it, love it. I no-poo about once a week and rinse with hot water every day. I use coconut oil at night once every couple weeks and only use a straightener in the most desperate of situations. I love my hair best when I air dry and “scrunch” a little. The reason I want to go in for a cut is really just to fix my bang situation. They’re grown out. There are two sets of lengths from the Dragon Tattoo cut. The longer ones I’ve been parting and taking to each side and the shorter ones I leave out on my forehead. I love the sides of my hair so much, but the front view is disappointing. I watched the video you made of a DIY bang trim and I was *this* close to doing it because you explained it so well. In fact, I would probably still give it a try if you give me a couple pointers based on my pictures.

I basically just want some cute shorts bangs but I’m not sure if I should keep growing the longer bangs or cut them too. I also don’t know if I should get the back trimmed or the sides at all. I want to keep growing out my hair and have a natural feminine look, but if you have any interesting cut ideas let me know I want to have a clear cut idea when I go to a hair dresser because you’re the only one I would trust to just “do whatever”.

Thank you so much for all the good advice you’ve given! I never thought in a million years that I could not use shampoo and especially not use heating tools and actually love my hair. It’s so nice to actually love the hair I was born with. It’s a huge boost of confidence. I’ve also been using your advice on doing baking soda as a face wash and vinegar as a toner and I absolutely love it. My bathroom supplies have been cut down 75%.

HTHG’s response……First off, Im so glad you are liking the ShamPHree ( No-poo) Method. Kinda life changing, right? And coconut oil too. Love the stuff.Here is what I would suggest you do with your hair, Erika. I agree, the bangs look like they need a little style, and the back part is getting a wee bit mullet-y. I think that short asymmetrical choppy bangs would be perfect on you. Basically, this means sectioning out your bangs, then splitting them in half horizontally. The hairline section will be cut on an asymmetrical line, nice and short. Then, you will chop into the ends using the point cutting technique.

Then, you will comb down the top section, and cut them at the same line, parallel to your first one, but about 3/4 of an inch longer. Use the same technique to texturize the ends.

Moving on to the back…..This may sound funny, but get yourself a small elastic ponytail holder and make a tiny super tight ponytail centered in the back, about 2 inches above your back hairline. It will not be long enough to get the hair from around the edges, but don’t worry about that. Cut about an inch off the ends of the pony. This may be basically the whole ponytail. What this will do is shape the hair around your neck and remove bulk and poof from that area, giving your hair more of a bobbed shape.

This will grow out really well, and you can do the same thing again in 6 weeks or so to get you through that next phase. Good Luck, my lady! Send us a photo of the process if you want! XO, HTHG

Here is Erika’s response…

Hey Roxie (HTHG)! Thank you so much for your advice on cutting my hair. I did just what you said: right out of the shower, i sectioned out my bangs, halved them horizontally and cut the hairline section in an asymmetrical short line. Then I brushed out the top section and did a line parallel to the first one. I ended up cutting a little shorter on that section than I wish I had. (I was trying for the 3/4 inch difference you suggested but messed up a little) but when they grow out I’ll give it another go. I think I’ll also work on cleaning up the line a bit (or maybe choppy-ing it up a bit). I love the way they look now even! For the back, I made a tight ponytail and chopped the sucker off just like you said, and it worked perfectly! I was worried because it wasn’t exactly a clean cut I made in the back, but you can’t tell at all. It’s amazing, you can’t even tell that I cut it myself (or that it’s the first time I’ve EVER cut my own hair) In fact, at the post office today someone told me they loved my hair cut! I’m thrilled.

Unfortunately it was hard to get pictures of the process, so I just have this one. It’s after I cut the first section of bangs, before I combed down the top section.

Here are some after pictures. Thank you again so much. I feels so empowering to finally cut my own hair.

The 10 step program for growing out short hair.

Posted on February 13, 2013

Screen Shot 2013-01-17 at 9.47.18 PM Are you trying to grow out your short hair? I feel your pain. I think I could write a book on the subject of growing out short hair. I have spent my whole life failing at it. Finally, now that I am almost 30 I have found the patience and restraint as well as the strength to talk myself down from a near-hair-chop in desperate times.

As a 29 year old with hair now past my shoulders, I am excited to share with you my tried and (finally) true guide to growing out your short hair. Let’s start with a breakdown of grow-out phases from pixie to practically Rapunzel. Here is a very reasonable 18 month hair growing out plan to follow, with a trip to see your stylist ( or DIY, or assisted DIY;)) every 8 weeks.

The 9 phases of growing out hair….

1. Pixie cut. This cut will grow out into a mopp-ish shaggy mess in about 2 months. Make sure to have your follow up haircut scheduled for 8 weeks. At that point, have your stylist trim the back up so it hugs your neck, and texturize throughout the haircut to add movement. A little rule of thumb……The first 4 months of growing out a pixie cut is not about the business in the front. It’s about the party in the back. Basically, the back should be kept as short as possible until the front pieces are jaw-length. This will keep you out of the mullet zone.

2. This flirty and adorable haircut will look great for about another 2 months. Have your stylist cut the back short again, and give you a general shape up and trim. This will polish it up.

3. The most challenging phase yet….2 months of weirdness. This is the phase that generally teeters between mullet and shag. Have hats and head-scarves accessible;) After 8 weeks, have your stylist trim the bottom layer in the back to get you working towards a bob.

4. Phew! finally. You have entered bob territory. You made it past the first big hump. Now is the time for bangs! you will feel so much better with a little bob and bangs. Discuss bang options with your stylist.

5. Grow, grow, grow. Another challenging phase as the hair hangs just above the shoulders….Can’t quite put it in a ponytail, and it looks a bit awkward down. after 2 months, have your stylist trim it and remove weight from the ends to help you avoid that weird bell shape that can happen.

6. You are barely past the shoulders! Enjoy the fact that you all of the sudden have tons more styling options! After 2 months, have your stylist add some more layers to it. This will make it look longer, and give it shape.

7. Experiment with your color. Now is a good time, because you have 4 more months of growing without a lot of exciting haircut options to try. Highlights around the face? Ombre? After 2 months, have your stylist give you a trim to cut off any dead ends.

8. Are you bored with it yet? keep growing, and have your stylist give you some nice face framing layers at your 2 month appointment. This will give you soft and pretty pieces that accentuate your face when you wear your hair up.

9. Your hair is basically long. Now is another great time to experiment with bangs. Try something fun and different like short and choppys, because now that you are long haired, your bangs will pretty much be your only outlet for hair-cut experimentation. After 2 months, get an end trim. And for the rest of time, do make sure your ends are trimmed every 8 weeks. This will keep your long hair much healthier. And Yes, you certainly can trim your ends yourself.

Now that you understand the phases of hair lengths during the process of growing out your hair, here are 10 tricks to help you along the process from short to long.

The 10 step program for growing out short hair.

1.Have a long term goal to work towards. Make sure that it is a hairstyle that is similar to your hair texture. I pinned mine to my mirror so that I would see it every day as I grew towards my goal.

2. Have a short term goal. There are 9 phases of hair lengths between very short and very long. Have your next-phase hairstyle in mind, this will keep you on track.

3. Communicate with your hairdresser. Make sure your hairdresser knows what you are working towards. Show them a photo of your short term and long term goal, and tell them your concerns. Haven’t found a hairdresser that you like? Consult HTHG to help you get on a good grow out path!

4. Book your haircuts in advance. I recommend every 6-8 weeks. A regular trim and reshaping can go a really long way! If you know that you have an appointment booked, you are less likely to make irrational hair choices when your hair is not behaving. Patience!

5. Remember the 2 week rule. The lumpiest, frumpiest short hair grow out phases can go from wretched to amazing in the course of 2 weeks.

6. When in doubt, accessorize. Going through a particularly hard growing out phase? Get some headbands, clips, head scarves, hats, and flowers and have some fun with them.

7. Find a hair routine that works for your hair type. Take good care of your hair so that it grows out healthy. I love coconut oil treatments to nourish my ends. Make sure your diet supports healthy hair growth. Remember that sometimes, less is more. Don’t fight your natural hair, learn to love it.

8. Brush your hair! I don’t go anywhere without my paddle brush. Remember this scientific fact…..Heat and friction cause cell mitosis (The division of cells and creation of new cells) Hair is made of rapidly creating cells on the head. Anything that heats up and stimulates your scalp will help your hair grow faster. This is why hair grows faster in the summer months. Why is no one talking about this fact??? Brushing your hair daily will make it grow faster. It will also help distribute healthy scalp oils and condition your hair.

9. Experiment with short hair styling options! Have fun and play nice with your short hair.

10. NEVER forget the power of bangs. Bangs can make your short hair look longer. They can add some excitement back into your life. They can help you get out of a hair rut. They can add instant polish and personality to the shaggiest of mops. Talk to your stylist about getting bangs. DIY your bangs. I always do. It is really fun and empowering. Why do I ever even consider not having bangs?

Got it? You are good to grow.

Here is more on growing out a pixie cut.

XOXO, HTHG

Ultra tough, sassy, feminine short haircut

Posted on September 11, 2012

This is Erica rocking the Girl with the dragon tattoo haircut. It looks so perfect on her. She is one tough and cool chick with a femme flair that combines perfectly and her hair reflects that beautifully.

Do you want to try it? You can now purchase a more in depth how-to video of this look in the HTHG video store right now!. Try it on yourself or a lucky someone else. Don’t forget to send HTHG a before and after picture!

Don’t forget to subscribe to HTHG to keep up on all inspired DIY hair content. HTHG’s Facebook will keep you up on hair trends, tips, and tutorials from all my favorite stylists and bloggers so be sure to Like! Thanks for visiting. XO