If only Rapunzel had known that her very long hair didn’t suit her so much, she wouldn’t have waited until the end of the movie to cut it.
Long hair is very beautiful, but sometimes it is not as flattering as we would like. It is one of the simplest and most practical ways to wear it, but there comes a point where we don’t know how to stop; suddenly, it grows so much that it loses its shape and becomes a huge mass of hair.
This is mainly because we don’t know how to identify the ideal length, which is determined – or should be – by our height. If we don’t take that detail into account, our mane won’t look as good as it should, no matter how well cared for it is. The first mistake is to believe that long hair is the same for everyone and that it should reach the waist or lower.
That’s not the case. Your height defines the length because if you wear the wrong length, you could look smaller or more robust, taking away from your head’s prominence. But don’t complicate things any further; we give you the basic rules for long hair so that you can cut it to a pertinent length, which will help you style your face and, incidentally, your figure.
Follow these 5 steps:
Measure Yourself
It is essential that you know your height, preferably with shoes on.
Measure your Hair
You can do this from the root to the tip as straight as possible; stretch it if necessary.
Know Your Body Shape
Although not essential, it is recommended. You need to know whether long or short hair suits you better. Remember that the longer it is, the more elongated your figure will look.
Define the Type and Density of Your Hair
If you don’t, you could make a mistake in the cut. If you have curly hair, you should leave it slightly shorter in case you need to straighten it.
Consider the Ends
Are you going to layer them, leave them even and thick, or pointed? This is also an important factor because the more even they are, the less elongated they look on a tall figure, while on petite girls, it’s the other way around.
Now, Know the Ideal Length
Depending on your height, you can make some decisions.
If you measure between 1.70 and 1.80 (or more), the ideal length is below the elbow.
This will make your figure look slimmer. If you wear it straight, it’s even more favorable, so go for a sleek and seductive style.
If your height is between 1.60 and 1.70, the ideal length is above the elbow.
Your height is average, so your hair should be too. It’s about balancing proportions, and this length is precise.
If you are 1.60 or shorter, the ideal length is below the shoulder.
You don’t need an immense mane like Rapunzel’s, just something that looks slightly longer than normal. You can make some simple waves and fluff them up to give them texture.
Hair is considered long when it reaches shoulder length. But remember that, regardless of your height, it should not be about 5 cm below the elbow, as it looks messy and unkempt. Rapunzel cut it to bring peace, but it helped her appearance and gave her a solemn and mature air. You can do the same and, beyond having a kilometer-long mane, opt for a healthy and elongated one.
Story originally published in Spanish in Cultura Colectiva.