Carving out personal time to get a haircut has been challenging in the last eight weeks. Taking a couple of hours to get a deep condition and style refresh made a difference in my attitude and appearance.
I wore this ensemble for another day at home, doing the laundry and a quick trip to run an errand for Mr. Mickey. A thin crewneck long-sleeve tee here is a warm first layer I wear often. The plum-colored cashmere cardigan is four years old, the jeans are from the gap a couple of years ago (similar here), and the shoes and belt are over five years old.
My eyeglass frames are by Kate Spade, and those here are similar. The modern pearl earrings are now on sale here.
The first thing I put on in the morning is a smoothing comfortable bra. The Ultimate Pretty here has given me a smooth foundation under my clothing for years. I would never wear fine knits or anything fitted without it. I always wear a black one under dark tops and a nude one under light clothes. This post is not sponsored, but I would be remiss not to share my not-so-secret weapon to look my best.
The before photo on the left and after on the right show how April, my expert stylist, lifted the lines of my hair. Cutting subtle layers into the hair made it easier to add volume at the crown where needed and lifted the weight off my shoulders to bring the focus higher on the face. Taking an inch off the length makes for a neater look.
I like your hair either way but I understand how you like more volume around the top.
I wanted to ask a question about the shaper. Do you ever have problems with it riding up in
the front or back. I had a shaper which was not this brand and it continued to roll up which
of course left a bulge.
I am thinking about getting one of these shapers. Are they available in stores or do you
have to order them online. Thx for all your help I always enjoy your posts.
I wear my panties over the edge of the shaper so they never roll up. A few boutiques carry Shapeez but I order mine online. Use this link to check if a store near you carries them. This is the link for sizing.
Those Shapeez bras are now my only bras, thanks to you!
Your hair is beautiful! Isn’t it amazing how a cut of just an inch or two in the right spots makes such a difference? My hair is very thick but very fine, and it seems that one day, it’s just fine, but the next day, it’s suddenly too heavy. (And that usually happens a couple of days before my schedule appointment! Thank goodness for my great stylist!) Thanks for sharing your before and after photos.
It is always nice to get a deep conditioning especially this time of year. And also a trim just helps a lot sometimes. My hair is very dry right now so I’m dealing with that. Also as I grow my hair longer I feel very washed out because of my white hair and my face seems so pale. Any suggestions? Also what lip color are you wearing? I’m think a more colorful lip color might help.
I also look very pale without filling in my sparse brows with this cool grey pencil, smudging this eyeliner pencil into the base of my upper lashes and wearing a brighter lipstick. The lipstick I am wearing here is this one in the color 148 Bisou Bisou.
Beautiful as always.
Your hair is beautiful and I love the cut. Of course, you would look good with a bald head!!!
You are very kind. One of my friends wanted to plaint my hair into cornrows once. I assure you, it was most definitely not a good look for me.
So glad you mentioned your glasses, because I noticed and admired them right away. I need new frames soon, and would love for you to cover the topic of choosing glasses — since so many of us probably wear them now. You look wonderful!
Thanks for the suggestion, Cindy. I like frames with D shape and colors that complement my coloring and hair. I wouldn’t get round frames since I have a roundish face
Lovely!
Your hair looks really great!
A haircut makes such a difference. I can’t stand mine after 4 or 5 weeks!
Your hair looks wonderful
When you are a caregiver, it is so important to take time for some self
care although that can be a challenge for many. Thanks for sharing some of your thoughts on this. We cannot care for others when we are depleted ourselves.
It’s good to see you again. I’ve been absent but seeing you feels a bit like coming home. You look lovely and always share something helpful.
A good cut just lifts one’s spirits. My appointment is next week and I can hardly wait. Your hair looks shiny and healthy. I’m so glad to see your postings with every day outfits. Just adding a belt and an accessory or two makes a big difference. I hope you find some time for yourself this week.
Love your new hair style. A good stylist is worth her weight in gold. I hope Mr. Mickey and your parents continue to improve so that you can have a little more time for you. I miss your post about your adventures with Mr. Mickey and all the great places you visit.
Sending you lots of positive energy. Take care of yourself and all those you love.
I like your hair! You look younger, and… As my daughters tell me… Perkier 🙂 Peggy from Texas My hair is exactly the same color as yours. My style is very similar, I just like mine about an inch shorter.
You look amazing in the longer hair too!
You look absolutely stunning in both looks- honestly, one is not appreciatively better than the other!
Thank you, Lynn. One of this style’s best features is that it remains acceptable even when I must go two months between trims.
Morning Susan and Mr Mickey , you look so well and hope Mr Mickey is improving. I so wish I could get on with under wire bra’s as I know you have worn the shape ease forever and it gives you a smooth silhouette. Your hair is just great it lifts your face. I find come Spring it’s , optician, Dentist and hairdresser . Oh and of course Major healthy eating after Christmas indulgences . I have been wearing a lot of plum , maroon colours this winter and I love your Cardigan
, and black always looks great as a contrast.
Before I go I have cried for the people of Los Angeles it’s heart breaking to see on the News channel the loss and devastation families who have lost everything. It’s on the British News 24/7 us Brits care a lot about America and I watch and feel so helpless when your beautiful country is hit so badly with adverse weather conditions.
Take care Susan and Mr Mickey and roll on Springtime and hope fully you can go on a few jaunts and show us great photos of Tennessee. xx
Thank you, Pamela. It is heartbreaking to learn that so many have lost their homes as well as their whole neighborhoods.
Dear Susan, Mr. Mickey
I wish you a HAPPY NEW YEAR 2025 !
I hope you keep writing posts with nice pictures , send us precious advice about style and life adventures.
I need you so much !
Thank you, Lukia. It is always a pleasure to read your comments. I hope you are well.
Susan
Your haircut looks great!
Love the hairstyle shape up. You look great.
Your new haircut looks so pretty. I love that length, attractive and so feminine.
Your hair always looks great whether it’s short or long! I’m thinking of getting mine cut short when it warms up a little-but i have to agree with longer you can go longer between visits. Thanks for all you do!
Susan,
I have loved your posts for many years and appreciate your styling help. Your hair looks beautiful and I’m trying to get mine a bit longer. I’m in my mid 70’s and refuse to look dumpy. My closet is way too full of clothes I haven’t worn some even with the tags intact. I am a Chico’s girl and although I love their clothes I need to stop buying things….just because!
Eight or more years ago I saw your article on Shapeez’s Ultimate Long Line bras and they are my absolute favorite. I have several in nude and black. I can’t imagine how I ever got along without these. Thank you!
Sincerely Jan Pitts
Your hair looks great!
Love, love, love your new cut! Such smart adjustments! Beautiful! Inspiring!
Love getting your emails and seeing how you apply your style to various events, etc. Please change my email.
Thanks.
Perfect!
Great haircut & outfit! Always look forward to receiving your posts in my e-mail.
My hair is very dry right now. It is a combination of very cold temps & the frequency of having my roots dyed. Searching for a good at-home conditioner.
Do you condition your hair at home? If so, what do you use?
Hope Mr. Mickey is feeling better? I am sure you!re taking good care of him.
My stylist applies a special deep conditioning treatment and then wraps a heated towel around my head to rest for fifteen minutes. Try massaging a small amount of olive oil into your scalp and then work it through to the ends of your hair. Wrap a plastic grocery bag around your hair and tuck in the ends. Next, wrap a towel around your head and over the bag. Sit down and put your feet up for fifteen minutes before you take your bath/shower. Shampoo, condition, and style your hair as usual.
Good to see you here Great haircut. Hope you and Mr. Mickey are OK.
We are OK. Thanks for checking in. Hope to get back on track in the next couple of weeks.
What an excellent haircut! Those layers really add a lot of style and texture.
Looks wonderful. Mine was the same as yours. Got it trimmed last week. It’s a wonderful what a little trim will do. Glad you didn’t get it cut short.
Your haircut and your smile light up your charming face. I love the color of your hair which symbolizes the superb mature woman that you are and which you represent perfectly. Bonne Année 2025 Susan, du plus profond de mon cœur.
Love it!
Hello Susan
You look wonderful. I had a really stressful 2 months this past summer health wise in hospital and then rehab for sciatica. I was working from the facility which added to the stress. As a result a lot of my hair fell out. Any thoughts besides being patient?
Also still struggling to find a foundation anywhere near as perfect as the Beauty Counter one I had been using ever since I saw your suggestion. I can’t find anything as light and yet as good at hiding imperfections.
Thank you very much for sharing your ups and downs with us. You are a very real and honest person. A rarirt these days
Oh, Ann. I’m sorry to hear about your health issues. Eat boiled eggs, full fat plain yogurt, nuts, sardines, salmon, herring, tuna, spinach, beans, sweet potatoes, and bell peppers to benefit your hair. The Skin Twin foundation is still available here.
Love the changes to your hair. Thank you for all you share! Please know you make such a difference to our confidence.
Carolyn
Great haircut. Much more energetic, but it looked nice before. Isn’t it great to have a talented stylist? I’ve been wearing mine in a spiky pixie for years and I’m thinking of letting it grow to about your length. But…the pixie is a scrunch and go style; washing and scrunching takes about 4 min. Honestly, I’m not sure I have the patience anymore to style longer hair.
A Natural beauty!
Fabulous.
I’m planning to have my haircut in the next few weeks. The stylist was recommended to me. I hope that it comes out okay. Your haircut looks great and you look great. Wishing you continued blessings.
I also had ‘long’ hair which I’ve been slowly shortening over the past few months. I get bored quickly with the same style. I finally had it cut last week to about 4 inches all over. I had thought the longer style would be youthful and accentuate the silver/blond color I now have. I was originally a strawberry redhead but over the many years my hair color has also “matured”. I’ve received many compliments since updating my ‘look’ – one of them (several actually) remarking that the cut has taken years off my face. I always enjoy reading your ideas and suggestions and my closet is looking more and more like your closet! You have impeccable taste in your wardrobe. You’ve given me so many ideas on how to look my best and I thank you so much.
So glad you did a light trim! I love your hair this length and will be taking this pic to my stylist this week for similar trim. My hair is same color and texture appearance as yours and I’m trying to get it shaped like yours.
Beautiful haircut. I wish I could find a good stylist here in Fl.
Your hair trim is very uplifting to your face. Just a little trim makes a difference.
I am struggling to find a hairdresser that can razor cut since mine retired. Not all hair reacts
to scissor cuts well.
At my age 85 in rural area Indiana I also watch to see how I can use my existing wardrobe to
keep me senior ageless.
Thank you
Thanks to you I go to April too. She’s the best!!!
Honestly, I likes ‘em both! Super pretty
Thank you so much for continuing your blog even when you have been so busy caregiving for so many.
Your newsletter is such a comfort at this distressing time, and your words of wisdom always helpful.