a new look?

My mom, as sweet as she —and she is very sweet — doesn't mince words.

I'm talking to her the other day, and apropos of nothing she says, "You need a new haircut."

It's been 11 weeks since the last time I saw Sato (at Miano Viél Salon & Spa) and I am way overdue. So I take my mom's advice, schedule an appointment, and begin googling styles.

layered hair medium-length gets a lot of hits.

And I get even more when I qualify my search with the added words older women.

After poring over lots of hairstyles, I like the two below the best. I am sure I am biased by the fact that both women are beautiful.

I send an email to a few friends asking their opinion (and ideas) with the caveat that:

• Keratin has made my hair pretty flat and straight.
• I don't want anything that requires prep; I prefer wash, quick dry and go.

Today I see Sato, all ready for my new look. 

He views the pictures and says (correctly), "That's the haircut you have now. It just needs shaping."

I tell him I agree, and ask about the bangs.

"You'd hate bangs, especially in the summer. They'll be hot. On your face. And, you need to style them."

He's right.

Sato is a precise and conscientious cutter. I give him only two preferences:

        "Make the bangs as short as possible without them being bangs."

        "Make the bottom choppy."

And here's what I get:

I'm happy —despite my new haircut looking just like all my old ones,

Maybe someday I'll take a big hair risk; that someday, though, is not today.