Unofficial Haircut

I want a haircut. I need something different. I don't even know what. But something.

I'm NOT going short again. My hair grows way too slow for that nonsense. I mean, serious. Last time I went short-short, it was March of senior year. It's taken me a year and a freaking half to get my hair back to a length that feels longish. And my hair is for sure not even longish. It's just closer to longish than shortish. No way. The next time I get the fool hardy idea to chop it all off again, please, someone stop me.

So, what to do. What to do. Not going short really cuts down the options. It's not like you can cut your hair longer (well, extensions are a thing, but no, that's not going to happen). So pretty much we are left with color and bangs. And here's a secret: I kinda want to try fringe bangs. I think they're freaking cute. Abby has them, and I just love them. Copying my baby sister's hair? Yeah, that's low. But they're so cute! I can't help myself! This is sorta what I'm thinking, bangs-wise:

Kinda this-ish?

Or this-ish?

Here's the problem - I am a huge chicken. And what if I look ridiculous with fringe bangs? What if they drive me absolutely crazy, and I hate them with a deep burning passion? What if I decide I don't want them anymore? What if people think I have crazy person hair? Then again, what if they freaking rock? I don't know. I just can't commit one way or the other. One second I really want them and I decide to go for it, and the next I decide maybe keeping my hair just the way it already is, isn't such a bad way to go. Decisions decisions decisions. I am BAD at decisions.

Now, color. I want to go darker. Like, legitimately darker. Not black (good gracious, no). But really dark brown. And I actually like it with a little red in it. Like, just a teeny tiny smudgeon of red. Like, barely noticable. Like, "Wow! The color of your hair is super pretty! Is there some red in there? Just a little? It's a good color!" You know. Just a hint of red.

Does anyone have any ideas for my hair? Or an opinion on the fringe? I am seeking some guidance. I mean, I don't know if I'll take your advice or not. I tend to have a bit of contrary nature, so with advice is a little bit of a crap shoot. The short haircut of senior year is a prime example of this - they all told me, "Yeah, you can cut your hair, and it'll be cute, but you'll be hating it in like, a week." True story, friends. True story. Because people were like, "Oh, you'll end up being mad you did it," I was like, "You know? I'm cutting my hair. I'm chopping it all off. What now, foos?" I may or may not have lied about hating it (I would sooner die than admit they were all right), but man, I missed my long hair. Sorry, that wasn't a great, "Yeah! Give me advice!" pep talk. Eh, whatever. I still want opinions, if you're willing to share them.

I need an un[OFFICIAL] haircut.

... Except that it will be official, once it's done. What the heck is an unofficial haircut? There's not really any middle ground with a haircut - either you get one, or you don't. But in an effort to keep with the un[OFFICIAL] theme, we've got to take some liberties. So if things don't make sense, whatever. Just use your imagination or something. You'll figure it out.