It's smart to think about this seriously before you do it.

I recommend that people (men and women) who are intending to grow their hair long should get no more than 1/2" taken off at a time, based at least partly on my own experience of feeling naked after a 1-1/2" trim. If you get your 1/2" trim, and you like it and still want more, go back each month or two til you get it out of your system.

If you're trying to eventually get your hair all one length, the most important thing you can get through to your stylist is not to cut the shortest top layers, to do her magic on the lower levels.

If you cut the short parts, even if it currently seems they'd look better a bit shorter or shaped a bit, it will add mucho time to the interminable growing out process.

My feeling is that even if you have splits, it's not necessary to cut away damage immediately unless it's causing more damage by tangling up virgin hair into tight knots.

Thanks!

Wow, I guess I'm struggling with my first cutting obsession attack  I'm going to see my stylist this week. The split end problem has improved with daily trimming sessions, but is still not entirely under control, so I'll ask her opinion but will try go with minimal trimming.