looking like a mammal

[adrian_turtle]

If I were really a turtle, I might be asking my friends about shell polishing options. But I am a mammal, and very attached to my hair, despite its unfortunate tendency to turn gray and fall out in great unnerving clumps. So I ask about hairstyle. My hair is mostly light brown, mostly straight, and mostly long enough to reach the middle of my back. Dyes other than henna are out of the question, and my nose and hands are dubious about henna. Permanent waves are out of the question, and I only fuss with temporary curling-gadgets on special occasions. But I am unhappy with how I look, and want to change something.

The question of the day week is whether I should have my bangs trimmed, as usual, straight across my forehead to keep them out of my eyes? Or whether I should let them grow until I can catch the ends in braids or ponytails and so forth? Furthermore, I used to have a number of big decorated hair clasps, which are too big for my current supply of hair and slide right off. A ponytail with a plain cloth-covered elastic band seems much less interesting than one with a little pewter bird in low relief on the back of my neck. Is there any way to take those in?