I’ve had almost the exact same haircut since the day I stood up for myself in third grade and said, “I am NOT cutting my hair like a boy anymore!!!”  Since then it’s just been shoulder length, layered, and for the past five years with side bangs.  And that’s really been fine with me, I don’t mind it at all and haven’t seen another hairstyle I think would really suit me.  (Probably because my projection of myself is all about consistency.)

Now, for the past year, in an effort to save money, I’ve been cutting my own hair.  With the same scissors I use to cut my yarn.  I know, that’s horrible for my hair, you don’t have to tell me or my split ends that.  It worked for about two months, but since then my hair’s just a ridiculous mess, all uneven and choppy and shapeless.  Not to mention the back-and-forth I have with its texture and cleanliness.

So for Christmas I asked for a haircut, and my mom one-upped me by saying I could go crazy, get it done however I want, and get highlights.  That’s where you come in.  I’m not really looking for a change, per se, but with this option on the table I might as well make the most of my head, right?  What do you suggest?

Here are my requirements:

  • No blunt/full bangs.
  • No obvious highlights — I don’t want to look striped in any kind of way.  Just kind of… better.
  • Preferably just a one-off on the highlights — I don’t want to be picking up root touch-up kits or anything.  But I obviously also don’t want my roots to show after a few weeks either.
Here’s a picture for reference.  It’s not terribly clear but it’s the best example of the actual length and color of my hair.

I’m very low maintenance about it, I’m really not looking for a big change.  But any tips on what to ask for so I can make sure my annual haircut turns out really nice?