Suitable Hairstyle

[CJ]

Hi all,

Wow! Cool questions! Cool replies!

You're right, Silver, my original question was sort of an ice-breaker. I'm glad to see that the members are participating in the thread. You and Georgia are doing us a most excellent favour.

Funny, a while back I spoke with my mother (who used to be a rep for Revlon back in the 70's and is pretty good with makeup--she's the one who taught me how to use it) about the possibility of her offering tips and advice right here on the forum. She was willing but I sort of chickened out. I wanted to keep this place for myself and was afraid that her being here would only bring family issues to the fore. So, I guess we almost had a "Dear GG" column right from the earliest days of the forum. Better late than never, eh?

My roommate, Marie, thinks I need to get rid of my wigs and find some that better suit the shape of my face. I have a somewhat broad, oval face. What hairstyle would suit me best, do you think? Marie says "short." But I don't know... "short" is so, well, "boy," you know? Here's a photo of me, full face (eeek!). Thanks in advance for your reply.



Love,
CJ

[SilverLady(SO)]

Hi, CJ, and on behalf of Georgia and myself, thank you for the compliments! We're glad to be of service!

Your mother was a Revlon rep? You learned your lessons well, my friend, and it shows! I can understand your desire for keepking this place to yourself - apart from family - I just hope that Georgia and I can fill your mother's shoes!!

My roommate, Marie, thinks I need to get rid of my wigs and find some that better suit the shape of my face. I have a somewhat broad, oval face. What hairstyle would suit me best, do you think? Marie says "short." But I don't know... "short" is so, well, "boy," you know? Here's a photo of me, full face (eeek!). Thanks in advance for your reply.

First of all - - cut out that 'eeek!' right now, and that's an order! I think you look absolutely lovely in that photo! Personally, I don't know that I would change your hairstyle, or at least, not drastically so. That being said, I went to this web site: www.wigsalon.com to find shorter alternatives. I was thinking of a hairstyle something between chin and shoulder length, something that would gently frame your face, and I've found several that I think would look nice on you.

But, wouldn't you know - I can't figure out how to insert those images here! ::mutter:: You'll have to give me lessons! So, as an alternative, I'll give you the names of those styles:

http://www.wigsalon.com/mediumwigs.html - for these styles: Claire, Candi, Jenny, Amanda, Rendezvous, Voila, Fame, Colette, Windswept, and Desiree.

http://www.wigsalon.com/shortbobs.html - for these: Sky, Destiny, and Monica {...no, not Lewinsky!}

and http://www.wigsalon.com/liftwigs.html - for these styles: Jazzy, Harmony, Eden, and Jacki.

True, there are many, many more styles at the Wig Salon site, but these were just the first ones that caught my eye. There are many color choices available for each of these wigs, and prices are discounted once the items are 'placed' in your basket.

I hope that helps you, CJ!

[CJ]

Hi all,

Thanks, Silver! That's a cool page.

I think that, of the medium ones, I prefer the Shiraz style (although not necessarily blonde--or "Butterscotch," as they call it):



Hmmm... of the short ones, Sky definitely looks good although, again, I wouldn't go for blonde; it would clash with my eyebrows. Oddly enough (or maybe not) my own hair is now much longer than this. Maybe I can ask my hairdresser to give me this kind of cut (she's only ever waxed my eyebrows, so far):



I guess I'm still having trouble with the short wigs. They're just too, well, short. However, on the same page, I saw the link to wedge-style wigs. I found this one that I liked, called the Sierra (and if I ever become as pale as this woman is, somebody call me a doctor, please! ):



Again, thanks, Dear GG! I'll try to look into getting myself a couple of these pieces (with my modest means, no easy task). And thanks for the compliment, by the way!

Love,
CJ

[SilverLady(SO)]

CJ -

You are very welcome for the compliments - - they are well-deserved!

When I was looking at the selections at the Wig Salon, I was focusing on the style of the wigs, not necessarily the color. I presumed you would want to keep within the same basic color tone, or maybe a shade or two lighter, which will work well with your skintone. I like the 3 styles you've selected; again, I didn't go through the whole selection they had, just some stood out more than others.

Hmmm... of the short ones, Sky definitely looks good although, again, I wouldn't go for blonde; it would clash with my eyebrows. Oddly enough (or maybe not) my own hair is now much longer than this. Maybe I can ask my hairdresser to give me this kind of cut (she's only ever waxed my eyebrows, so far)

My cd friend, DB, wears his/her hair on the long side, just touching the shoulders, but yet it's not too long in homme mode. When she is going out, she either changes the hair style with a clip, changing the hair's part, etc. or curls her hair with a curling iron. She has yet to wear a wig.

I can see that either the Shiraz or Sky cuts would look good on you, in either homme or femme mode - so try it! I agree, too, that if anyone ever looks as pale as the Sierra model, they'd need either a doctor or a coroner!

Good luck, CJ - - and post some pics if you decide to cut your hair!

- Smiles, my friend!

[Curly(SO)]

Hi CJ,

From your pic it looks to me you have a heart shaped face and according to the 'experts' you should avoid short styles.
I found this article http://www.visual-makeover.com/face.htm

I think your long hair looks great though and IMHO I think you should stick to long

I have a small narrow face and they always say to keep my hair above shoulder length. Everyone says it looks better longer (including me) so I don't take a lot of notice of the kind of advice as in that article.

Love,
Curly(SO)

[Marlena Dahlstrom]

For what it's worth, when I was wig shopping I looked at a lot of "expert" guides like the one Curly found and they all seem to suggest shorter hair. Not sure why.

I actually started with a shorter wig, like the last two you're considering, and went longer at the urging of a GG friend. Personally I think your current wig looks better than the shorter ones. (Although if you really want to go short, the Shiraz is your best bet.) The only suggestion I might have is to comb the bangs off your forehead a bit, which will open up and lengthen your face.

It's worth remembering that we often need to over-compensate a little in sending "feminine" signals, and long hair is great for that.

[SilverLady(SO)]

Curly and Marlena -

Thank you for your added input to CJ's wig question!

Personally, I don't know that I would change your hairstyle, or at least, not drastically so.

That was my original response to CJ, and personally, I like her hair the way it is. But, if changes were to be made, I wouldn't go 'short' either - - somewhere around shoulder-length, or at least a style that just barely touches the shoulders.

[CJ]

Hi all,

Wow! This is much more input than I thought I'd get. Thanks! I'm not super comfortable with the attention... (and I have this bridge to sell in Brooklyn... ).

Again, thanks, Silver, Curly, and Marlena, for your thoughts and comments. I think I'll be showing Marie this thread just to let her know that I'm not the only one who likes my hair at this length.

While I'm here, I have another question for Dear GG:

When I'm wearing heels (usually, 2 to 3 inches), I noticed that, if I'm just standing around, my calf muscles tend to bunch or tense. I've tried putting pressure on different parts of the balls of my feet or on my heels but it still feels a little tight at the back of my legs. Is there a way to fix this (uh, I mean, aside from not wearing heels, that is )?

Thanks!

Love,
CJ

[SilverLady(SO)]

CJ -

Sorry, I'm not buying any more bridges this year, but see me after the holidays?

It does sound like your calf muscles are going into a 'cramp' mode from the strain of being over-stretched while wearing the heels.

How often do you wear heels? Even if it's on a regular basis (i.e., several times a week) where your calf muscles are used to being in this stretched position, I would suggest doing some light stretching exercises before putting on the heels as a 'warm up' exercise.

Instead of just 'standing around', try sitting down and reverse-stretching those calf muscles to help loosen them up. Why? While you're standing, your foot is pointing downwards, and adding to the strain is your body's weight. Since your calves are knotting up, sit down, and pull your foot upwards - a reverse stretch - towards your head to relieve some of the cramping. {Some massaging of the calf muscles would help, too.}

Think of it as your calves are pulling a 'charley horse' on you. And the only way to get rid of a charley horse is to do a reverse stretch.

{Something I just thought of: how are your electrolyte levels? If your levels are low that, too, could cause cramping. Drinking Gatorade, or a similar product, helps in that case by replacing the electrolytes.}

Maybe Virginia, being our resident fitness expert, has some better suggestions or exercises for you.

Incoming Call for Virginia! Are you out there? Your assistance is needed, please!

Seriously, though, I'm pretty sure my suggestions will work! Give them a try, and then let me know the results!

[Virginia]

Good answers Georgia, as to the calf muscles. I know that after I have a squat wokout, there is nothing that feels better than putting on 4" heels and walking around. Of course if you are not into much exercise, the things you said work in streaching the calf. Try sitting with your feet flat in the floor and may putting some weight, (start with a book or two) on your knees and doing some toe raises then later add more weight as you get stronger. Also sitting on the floor and with your legs straight out flat in front of you put your ankles behind your neck and......... just kidding! but reach out and touch your toes and as you get more limber over a period of time you cn pull more and more. NEVER FORCE IT!! Take it slow and gentle. The old school of jerking things around just causes a lot of unnecessary injuries!
Diet and exercise keep those figures, girls!
Love,
Virginia

[Jeannie]

I think as you get a bit more mature the shorter styles look better. I've tried differant wigs over the years. I even grew my own hair longer but that was tough in my other mode. Now I go commando. No wig. I cut my hair age appropriate. I put a piture in my avatar from Halloeen day. My hair is not that black it's really salt and pepper.
I know,I know ladies. I look like a man in a dress. Hey! Wait a minute! That's what I am! As Popeye always said "I yams what I yams" I'm lucky I still have hair at 55 and might as well go with the flow. Big hugs


Love
Jeannie

PS- Had a mullet a few years ago. The hairstyle that's never in style. If I find the picture Ill post it. It's not a pretty sight!

[Curly(SO)]

Jeannie, you look great in your avatar! I thought you'd used a pic of a GG!

Love,
Curly(SO)

[Absaroka]

CJ

Okay I'm not a GG but your full front face looks great and based on that I wouln't change anything. Of course maybe things are different from the side shot-I know they are very different for me. But if you don't think that picture looks great then you need a reality check.

More unsolicited advice from a GM. Every foot doctor in the world along with chiropractors and similar people say heels are bad for us. Maybe you should just listen to your body? My wife for example doesn't own a pair of heels over about 1.5 inches and doesn't wear the little short ones she has unless it is unavoidable.

Andrea