Hair Project: 1 Year in

For those who are interested.....

This was a SLOG of a grow-out when your hair is slow growing like mine!

I do not recommend growing out your hair from a super short pixie with no fringe, to shoulder length hair with long fringe - unless you are very motivated!! Which I was, and still am. I have four more inches to go! Then I will have reached my goal, and I'll be super satisfied. Still have odd layers and a fringe to grow out.

Completely natural colour! I'm a dark blonde, or honey blonde now. Have not dyed it in a year. It's much lighter when the sun shines on it (#3). If I lived in a sunny place, my hair would be naturally sun-kissed like it was when I lived in Cape Town.

I prefer my light blue specs with my darker hair! (#4 and #5)

My goal is to keep it soft, simple, natural, polished, and in excellent condition. Sometimes straight and sometimes wavy. I'm wearing fun pearl clips and barettes too! Pics at some point. 

This is blow dried straight. Not quite long enough to look fab behind one ear, but getting there.

LOVE the infrequent visits to the salon, the very short time in the salon chair, and the much cheaper service.

This is the last day of our end of year break and we are relaxing very casually at home. This is as casual as I go. I'm about to do some cooking and take the doggies for a walk. 

I'm on a mission to make quite big changes in my life - and this has been one change. A goal accomplished :) 

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This post is also published in the youlookfab forum. You can read and reply to it in either place. All replies will appear in both places.

70 Comments

  • slim cat replied 1 year ago

    Your hair looks fabulous - love light blue glasses with it! Pic #3 as a fav of course ;-) - you both look adorable!

  • Roberta replied 1 year ago

    Beautifully thick and shiny! I know it's a struggle to get to this stage, and it looks great.

  • Angie replied 1 year ago

    Slim cat, Jo and I say thank you :)

    Roberta, shiny - yes! Thick, not so much - but in good condition at least. Appreciate that you get the grow-out slog!

  • Sally replied 1 year ago

    Wow you really have put in the hard work and your hair is a beautiful colour and in great condition.  I like your natural colour.  That sweater you are wearing is a fabulous colour.  Is it apple green?  I like how you pop on the pearls with your casual outfit.  

  • citygirldc replied 1 year ago

    Hi Angie,

    I'm loving your bob and the length. I think the do looks fab on you.  And the specs are great too.

    xxxooo, Naz

  • Joy replied 1 year ago

    Love your hair style and color, especially with what you are wearing.

  • replied 1 year ago

    Slow and steady wins the race! You look great, Angie. Awesome accomplishment. Perseverance in your hair project has given you beautiful results. Lovely outfit in fav colors. Happy New Year :)

  • Lesley replied 1 year ago

    I thought I would miss the long pixie but it looks pretty darn cute!

  • Dee replied 1 year ago

    Oh that’s a really great bob Angie, you’re almost there.  

    I too, ended up growing out my hair from a long pixie to a bob now all due to lack of access to salons during covid. However, my hair grows really quick. It’s been great not having to go in for trims so often with this style. 

    Fab outfit of course, and you’ve got me really intrigued about your big changes.

  • replied 1 year ago

    Wow- your hair looks great! It's about the length of mine rn. Love the green on you!
    Looking forward to hearing about the big changes :)

  • kkards replied 1 year ago

    Wow, it looks great!  Totally worth the wait.  Looking forward to seeing what comes next.  

  • Angie replied 1 year ago

    Thanks, everyone! 

    Sally, more like an apple-emerald green - not quite lime. A yellow green. I love it! I hike with my pearls ;)

    Naz, Joy, and Nikki, such kind and gracious words that make me smile :)

    Lesley, I miss the incredible ease of my pixie EVERY day.....

    Suntiger, are we hair twins? Fun :) Very eager for change.....

  • replied 1 year ago

    Well mine is much darker unless it's been a month or so after coloring :)

  • Angie replied 1 year ago

    Dee, your hair grows fast! You lucky fish :) 

    kkards, as Nikki said, slow and steady wins the race! I'm high fiving Nikki and thanks.

  • Angie replied 1 year ago

    Suntiger, yes - much darker. At the end of the year, my hair will finally be longer! Will yours stay at this length? 

  • Jenni NZ replied 1 year ago

    Very pretty Angie! I will leave the grow-out to you.
    Lovely colour too and Jo is cute xx

  • LJP replied 1 year ago

    Kudos to you for staying the course ! I’d love to see it messed up or with some curls / waves ….just for fun :). Colour looks nice in its natural state - you’re lucky ! I’ve been thinking I really need to let mine grow-again - but doubt my ability to commit .

  • Angie replied 1 year ago

    Jenni NZ, thanks for the sweet words and, yes, will take one for the team! 

    LJP, you've seen it with waves, I think? I like it that way too! Here are some of those pics on Christmas day. Messy for me - fringe still has a long way to go :)

  • gryffin replied 1 year ago

    Your hair looks amazing angie!!  I think ours is the same length right now but I add the spiky fringe and the wedge up in back.  I can just tuck if wanted!!  Looks wonderful and you guys look fantastic and happy!!  Happy new year!!

  • replied 1 year ago

    Hair looks ready for the new year, happy and healthy!  Love the color, so natural and pretty.  I’m wondering what your fave hair products are these days.  

  • Angie replied 1 year ago

    Gryffin, thanks for the kind words. Thought you might like the sleek finish! I think yours is longer in front. I have a couple of inches to go. 

    Xtabay, always gracious! Appreciate that. I will share my favourite hair products in January :) 

  • Minaminu replied 1 year ago

    well done for being so patient, it clearly pays off! Love the wavy hair, it suits you really well!

  • Irina replied 1 year ago

    Oh, Angie, I love it with waves! Fantastic!

  • Suz replied 1 year ago

    Gorgeous! I love your natural colour and I also love the sweater on you! Fabulous! Hair looks healthy! I like it both wavy and straight! 

  • Runcarla replied 1 year ago

    Your natural hair colour is so beautiful!  A chin length Bob is the best length for styling hats, IMO.

  • Angie replied 1 year ago

    Thanks, Minaminu and Irina! Patience does pay off....although super tedious!! 

    Suz, Yay! I like it as much straight as I do wavy! High five, and thanks :) 

    Carla, I need a little more length for hats....

    I'm adjusting to the colour! Good to know you like it :) 

  • The Cat replied 1 year ago

    You look great, as always.

    It would be interesting to know if your new hair style and -colour has had (or will have) any influence on your dressing style and wardrobe colours.

  • Angie replied 1 year ago

    The Cat, thanks! Nice to see you. The colour has had a bit of an effect on my colour palette. More versatile! I will discuss that in a blog post :)

  • Style Fan replied 1 year ago

    I love it!  Your hair looks so healthy.  I like the blue specs too.

  • Jenn replied 1 year ago

    It looks so great! I like it both straightened and wavy.

  • Bijou replied 1 year ago

    Your hair looks beautiful and it is so satisfying to persevere and achieve a goal. I am intrigued at what other goals you have set. Gorgeous to see you with Jo too.

  • Bonnie replied 1 year ago

    Your hair looks lovely and good job having the patience to grow it out. I thought you looked great in your pixie but this looks beautiful, too. That green sweater is sold out or I'd be tempted to order it.

  • Debbie replied 1 year ago

    Your patience has paid off. Your hair looks absolutely amazing. Changing your hair is always a challenge but it can make such a difference. Yours is beautiful.

  • Jaime replied 1 year ago

    You are a model of patience and persistence Angie! I have grown out my (relatively fast growing) hair from a pixie and it was still a slog. You and Greg look amazing! Hope you had a wonderful break!

  • Kyle replied 1 year ago

    Very pretty and flattering, Angie. 

  • rachylou replied 1 year ago

    This is so crazee different! Love it Angie! Too much fun. The apple green sweater also rocks :) Esp with your blue specs!

  • Janet replied 1 year ago

    It looks so good! I like it straight and wavy. And yes, the blue glasses are so nice with your honey blonde. How lucky you are to have such a pretty natural hair color. Hard to believe the growout takes so long! Can I give you some of my hair-growing speed, please? My hair and nails both grow like crazy — it’s a big part of why I don’t keep my hair short, because it grows out so fast.

    Cute pics of you and Greg too! Happy new year!

  • jussie replied 1 year ago

    Beautiful natural colour. That sweater brings out your eye colour too! Hair is always an adventure ;). All the best to you in 2023. 

  • MsMaven replied 1 year ago

    Looks great. I love it at this length. Looks like you have a lot of body (lacking in my fine hair.) Looking forward to seeing it at a longer length. I like your natural color too.

  • judy replied 1 year ago

    You look fab with your longer hair too...straight and wavy!  And you and Greg look so cute and happy.  Nice jeans too!

  • Jessikams replied 1 year ago

    It looks pretty! The patience is paying off.

    Can’t wait to hear about all the other big changes too, if/when you decide to share!

  • Star replied 1 year ago

    Gorgeous Angie!  Well done on your patience.  I love being natural too.  Very freeing.

  • Sisi replied 1 year ago

    Angie, you look beautiful with the  wavy hair! I like your specs and your citron sweater.
    Jo has become a blondie like Mama, I see. I remember she was a brunette when she arrived ...

  • Cee replied 1 year ago

    Good thing I stocked up on microphones to drop !

  • bella replied 1 year ago

    Hang in there Angie! It is nice that your hair has looked great in all the in-between stages. I like your hair wavy as well, it's nice to have options. 

  • sabimct replied 1 year ago

    Just beautiful Angie!

    Congratulations on sticking it out to achieve this goal!

  • Ginger replied 1 year ago

    This looks SO GOOD! I admit it's taking me some time to adjust; you've had the light pixie for so long! But the darker color is really lovely, and I agree the light blue glasses really stand out well. 

  • RobinF replied 1 year ago

    I always loved your pixie but this new style looks great! I grew out a pixie many years ago (maybe 15?) after having it short most of my adult life and it was a big adjustment. Never looked back, change can be good :)

  • lyn67 replied 1 year ago

    Happy New Year Angie&All, your hair is looking so great in it's natural state, love it! And I cannot wait to see what are those "quite the big changes" in your life you are planning to do this year-may these all be  100%+ successful and flourishing!

  • RoseandJoan replied 1 year ago

    Your hair looks beautiful Angie, you're definitely over the tricky transition stage and I congratulate you on your perseverance.

    I also love the richness of the honey blonde colour.

  • Angie replied 1 year ago

    WOW.

    I'm in awe of your awfully kind words and gracious comments. Your compliments are encouraging :)

    THANK YOU SO MUCH! 

    Sisi, yes! Little Jo has become a blonde and silver Yorkie. Big brother is a redhead. 

  • Laura replied 1 year ago

    Look how beautifully being patient pays off! High five!

    I've been contemplating a word/color of the year and can't wait to hear yours and learn more about the changes you're making. This is an unusual year in that I haven't set goals or aims - just an intention to find joy in the little things right in front of me. 2023 is about simple pleasures.  

  • Firecracker (Sharan) replied 1 year ago

    What a journey! It is looking super fab (and it has looked fab throughout the transition, amazingly). I admire your patience and your stylist's skill! Looking forward to the continued transformation.

  • Karie replied 1 year ago

    Whether straight or wavy, your hair looks fantastic!

  • Inge replied 1 year ago

    Your hair looks so full and healthy, Angie!! Well done for sticking with it!! Growing out a short pixie is a tedious and long process:-((
    I love your natural colour too, and agree that your blue specs look especially good with this shade of honey blonde.
    Can't wait to see the "end result", but you look amazing now too!

  • Jonesy replied 1 year ago

    It looks healthy and gorgeous! The color is so rich. I am curious to hear if/how changing your hairstyle has prompted any shifts in your style, clothing-wise? 

  • Angie replied 1 year ago

    Thanks, everyone! Appreciate the very kind words :)

    Jonesy, there have been a few colour additions and subtractions! But so far, no shift in signature style, IYKWIM. 

  • Jonesy replied 1 year ago

    Ah, like ditching the olive items because they are too earthy with your new hair color? (I remember you mentioned that earlier.) I suppose you are still blonde, after all :), just a little warmer and darker than before, so everything still works almost the same.

  • Angie replied 1 year ago

    Jonesy, exactly - good memory! No more olive for me - I will leave it all for you, who wears it so well :)  Also, said goodbye to a few blush items that were not sufficiently saturated. And am saying hello to taupes and toffees! Like thes new items! The moto has been a workhorse! Work well with the darker hair. 

  • Barbara Diane replied 1 year ago

    Wow, such a big and fun change. I loved your old hairstyle and I love this one.

  • Olive Green replied 1 year ago

    Wow, such a change. And it looks good. Does it change what you wear? 

  • Angie replied 1 year ago

    Thanks so much!

    Olive Green , I will address your question in a blog post this month :)

  • JP replied 1 year ago

    Very beautiful! You have such a beautiful natural hair color and it looks very healthy. The blue looks great with your hair.
    My hair grows super fast, so once I decide to stop dying my hair I think I can be done within a couple of haircuts :D I'm just not sure how curly hair will look in 90% gray.

  • Cardiff girl replied 1 year ago

    You look gorgeous as always Angie,l think that the longer length is very flattering and will give you more styling options.l am also jealous that you have such lovely natural colouring,you must be saving a fortune not having highlights!

  • Angie replied 1 year ago

    JP and Cardiff Girl, your gracious words are appreciated :)

    JP, your 90% curly grey hair will look fab! 

  • Jenava replied 1 year ago

    My first thought on reading your musings about hair color was that maybe you need to slightly pivot the colors you are wearing? It looks like you may already be thinking about that. I think it's lovely and good for sticking to it!

    On the topic of growing out hair; I've grown out a very short pixie (I started just before the pandemic). I got it permed when it was an awkward length because that brought up the length without cutting and I like how I look in curls. I had it shoulder length about a year in to the pandemic and have cut it and grown it a few times. I can't make up my mind! But recently I've been getting it cut into a page boy (aka bowl cut!) and quite like it. 

    On hair color: I also had it totally uncolored at first (I had just cut out the last of the color right as lockdown started, thankfully), then went to low lights/highlights because I felt I looked older with my natural color and salt and pepper hair. Last time I was at the salon I got it colored dark again (my natural shade is fairly dark). I feel like I am constantly changing my hair! I like to play around with it. I think I will get some dimension added back in, but I do like it slightly darker now. The highlights I had were hiding my significant grey without having to keep it colored constantly, though, so I do miss that. It's just started to grow out and show my white hairs and I don't love it. Hopefully adding some lighter bits will help make the growth less harsh.

  • anchie replied 1 year ago

    You are almost there! It seems that the worst phase is over. I have grown out pixie couple of times and it was always such a pain. It took lot of patience not to cut it and second thought if it is worth it on (many) bad hair days. Over the last couple of years I have been tempted to cut my hair into pixie again but only remembering how difficult is to grow it back is preventing me.

  • Angie replied 1 year ago

    Thanks Jenava and anchie! You get the slog! This is the last time I am growing out a pixie to this length of hair so I will make the most of it. 

  • Jenni NZ replied 1 year ago

    Probably partly why I have had a pixie since I was 34! That’s 27 years! Afraid I have ignored all advice about not getting in a rut with one’s hair… this most recent ( 4 December) too-short pixie garnered compliments at work about looking “sharp” though ( sharp in a complimentary way) and that seems to always happen. May have something to do with Kibbe type?
    You always look so pretty Angie no matter what your hair is doing xx

  • Angie replied 1 year ago

    Jenni, fab to get "sharp hair" compliments! You have lovely thick healthy hair that looks good long and very short. Milk it :)

    Thanks for the kind compliments. xo

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