Monday miscellany: my new French bob & more

A French bob for fine hair

When I was first considering this style, all of the images I could find were of very young women, and I wondered if I’d be able to wear this shorter French bob over 60. (65, to be exact.) But I decided to go for it, and am quite pleased with the result!

It’s an easy cut to style, and works well with my fine hair. I just give it a light blow dry using my fingers, leaving slightly damp, and add some Oribé Dry Texturzing Spray and fluff once it’s dry. (A few months ago, I switched to the Keratase Densifique Bodifying Shampoo and Densifique Bodifying Conditioner, and I do think it gives a little more thickness and body to my fine hair.)

The length is the same all the way around. It’s mostly blunt, but Brian cut into the ends just a bit to make it more choppy. I’m going to keep some layering in it, but let some of the shorter layers grow out just a smidge.

In case you’re considering this or a similar cut, here are side and back views to show your stylist.

My hair has a little bit of natural wave, which seems to work well with this style. I think it looks best when it’s a little bit messy and “un-done,” so I don’t use a brush during drying or afterward.

Will going gray change my seasonal color palette?

I’ve been asked this question often, so thought I’d answer in greater depth. The short answer is, most likely no. The color system we use is based on skin tone, rather than hair color. (In fact, if someone has colored their hair, we often cover it for the initial part of the color analysis.) As your skin tone doesn’t automatically change when you change your hair color, your season won’t change.

The longer answer is this:

You may find that going gray or natural or other changes to your hair color can change your overall contrast levels. For example, if you were dyeing your hair a dark color before, your contrast levels might have been higher than when hair is gray. So you may find that the “best” colors within your seasonal palette can shift. Or that different combinations of colors now look better than others.

While we tend to think of “gray” hair as either white, a mix of black and white, or silver (therefore cool in tone), in fact gray hair can be a range of different colors. My natural gray has still retained some warmth. In the front where it’s lighter it’s more ivory than white, and the darker back leans toward pewter rather than silver.

My best colors have not shifted at all, but I’ve noticed that the highest contrast combinations, or darker colors worn head to toe, can feel overpowering. I’m finding either tonal looks or incorporating a single bright color in otherwise neutral outfits are what feel best now.

And speaking of bright color…

I’m absolutely smitten with this soft, lightweight cashmere sweater! It’s available in a bunch of colors, many in Petite and Plus sizes too. (Color here is “Tomato,” and I’m wearing a Misses X-Small.) Lip color is Chanel Rouge Coco in “Coco.” Glasses are from SEE Eyewear.

Is there a hair cut or style you’ve been wanting to try?