Q: Help! I'm a Canadian hair chameleon stuck in small-town USA who can't find her Life Cut. I'm in desperate need of help, with no access to a high-end salon. 

After many years of dyeing, cutting and growing my hair, it has finally said, "Enough!" The last salon I went to destroyed my hair. Luckily, it was Ombré-style, so I have a lot of healthy growth coming in. 

Right now, I have ashy roots (with some lovely curly white hairs) and the brassy Ombré highlights are growing out. The texture is terribly frizzy and dry on the highlighted parts, with the new growth appearing shiny and smooth. My hair is fine, although stylists kindly tell me there's lots of it. 

I have a long, skinny nose and an underbite, so I'm trying to find a cut that doesn't make my face look any longer. Shaggy cuts tend to look horrible on me, and my hair prefers a side part. I also have a big cowlick and a widow's peak, in case I didn't have enough problems....

I'd love something lived-in and relaxed without being shaggy or super-sleek. My hair holds styles easily, so I'm willing to spend a few minutes with a curling iron or blowdryer. I love me some bang, but my previous attempts have been pretty terrible.

Help me! I just can't handle this terrible look anymore. What's my "Life Cut"? — Ashley

A: Ashley, I hope this is not too late… I do the consultations on a first-come, first-served basis. The list is long and I am so grateful that it is.

Here is a style very similar to yours that I quite like:

That being said, this is the length I have in mind for you:

You could wear it in any of these three styles. Above, for more edge. 

Soft and casual:

Glamorous:

Having it slightly (and I mean slightly) shorter in the back will make it more modern.

This is more of a plain utilitarian cut, which is super-classic—you can't go wrong:

I think a richer, slightly darker colour would be wonderful on you. This will help with the wiry strands, giving them colour and filling in your ends to bring back shine.

I hope this finds you well.

billyxoxo