Coachella Style: The Long & Short of It

Today is a great day: I'm getting my hair done! Some of you may be thinking, "ok, cool?" So here's the story. I typically have to wait at least 4 months between my cuts & highlight sessions. I have been going to the same lady since I was in first grade (I'm now 22... you do the math). I have only had my hair cut and highlighted by one other person since then, and it was because at the time I didn't want to pay as much as my regular hairstylist charges. I wasn't unhappy with the cut, but I am a true loyalist. That still doesn't answer why I wait so long between each appointment. I go to school in Tallahassee, my hairstylist resides in my hometown of Naples. Due to my loyalty to my hairstylist - and frankly, my fear of someone else screwing up my hair - I always wait until I'm home to have it done. Anywho, now that I'm sure you're bored with that story, I'll get to the main point of today's post. Today I am getting my hair cut and highlighted. I used to keep it really short, but lately I've been trying to grow it out. This is a picture from my birthday in April 2010.

That was the length I have typically kept my hair at for the past 3 years. Every time I say I'm going to grow it out, I get bored once it hits shoulder length and chop it all off. This time, however, I am staying strong! My hair is now a little longer than shoulder length, and I definitely need at least a little trim. Here is a picture from my birthday this past April, featuring my bestie Lauren (she's the fab blogger of Sweet Southern Sophistication). Let's just say we like to have fun...

Every time I go in to my hairstylist, I never know exactly what I want. One time I took in a picture and it was the worst haircut I ever had from her... so I usually just give a little direction and let her do her magic. This year I want a little inspiration, so I can at least give her a little more direction than the typical "Umm... well, cut off the dead ends. And maybe some layers. I dunno, what do you think? A little angling at the front? Hmm... sure, why not? Oh, and you remember what color you used right? Just use that one again." If she hadn't been cutting my hair for so many years, she probably wouldn't know what to do with me.

This time, I don't know if I want to do the same color highlights, maybe go a little more blonde, keep it a more chestnut color, or try this whole ombre trend. The ombre kind of worries me though, seeing as it's been around for a while, seems like a fad, and I don't see my hair lady near enough to change it if it doesn't work out. Below are a few ideas I have. Some are shorter, some are long. While I'm not planning on chopping my hair off again, nor can I magically make my hair longer (I don't do the whole extension thing), I think these images are good inspiration. Knowing me though, I'll still go in saying "Hmm... I dunno, what do you think?"