Lots of you have asked about the difficult transitions in growing hair long. If you hair is perfectly straight, you probably have no problems. Just let your barber know what your goal is, and get a trim every six months to make matters neat, but make sure your barber is reminded of your goal and under threat of ex-communication will not take length away.
However, for those of you with curly or wavy hair, you know that it usually goes out of control during this time. The solution for you is more likely to be a curling iron to turn the ends under or a roller set, with the rollers placed parallel to your part and rolled in the direction in which you comb your hair.
It is not difficult to learn how to do this, and depending on the length of your hair and the humidity, it will take about an hour or so to dry naturally.
Most of you have a friend or family member who will help you do this, but it can also be helpful to identify a professional hair stylist who can do this for you.
I can say more if your are interested.
Jim
I just finished my first year, and my hair grows pretty fast.
I feel I've just finished the "difficult transition".
I respectfully, wholeheartedly disagree with all of this.
My hair is straight, and let me tell ya',
I had problems in my first year.
Probably not as much as those curly-heads,
but I had/have them.
As for trimming: DON'T DO IT! It is illogical
to cut hair one is trying to grow.
It will make the whole process much longer.
A trimmed head of hair in the awkward phase
is only slightly better looking than an untrimmed one.
It's way more crucial not to waste time in the awkward phase
- not get your hair cut -
and just deal with it somehow.
I've done this, and I've heard radio personalities talk about Bruce Willis doing it. This is really more applicable to less-than-formal occasions: class, parties, driving, chilling, bars, but not: work at a company, funerals, wedding, worship services, etc.
Use a t-shirt sleave. Find an old t-shirt - I prefer black - and rip the sleave off. Pull it over your head. Pull hair out the top if you want (I prefer to use a longer sleeve and keep the hair in). It looks cool, actually. If someone says, "Is that a t-shirt sleeve on top of your head?" say, "Yeah - I'm growing my hair out and it's in the awkward phase. It's cool." .. you can add, "Can I buy you a drink?" if you desire.
Love the T-Shirt idea
Not all curlyheads have the problems you mentionend during the transition phase.
Mine is quite curly and that helped keeping it in place during the first 18 months or so of growing out.
No straighteners or irons needed, just toweldry and loosely comb while still damp. NO blowdryer!
The result is a curly mop of hair that looks neat and no hairs falling into your face.