new thread
Well, let me start by telling you a little about myself. I am nearly 20 years old and I'm a college student living in a co-ed dorm. I used to have long hair (five years ago...as a freshman in high school).
I often kept it tied back in a ponytail. It would simply fly away too much when it was down. It was cut short underneath, so when it was tied back it was as if I actually had short hair. Unfortunately, I made the high school basketball team and my coach basically told me, "you have to cut your hair."
So I found myself at the barbers watching my hair hit the floor.
For five years now, my hair has been either short, very short, or "on its way to growing out." But every time I start to grow it out again I simply grow tired and cut it.
You see, my hair is a disaster to take care of. I'd really love to have long hair again (at least medium-long...I'm no Samson!), but when I start growing it out it nearly drive me insane.
My hair is naturally wavy, thick, and fairly course. As it gains length it flips on the ends so much that I can't possibly keep it down. Even when it was long and I had it in a ponytail, the tail would flip up in the back.
I know that many men here advocate "natural growth" but I'd really love to have it straightened out...at least on the ends. That is, if I decide to grow it out again. If feel that if the ends were straight I could at least manage to go around without a hat. I can comb it and comb it and have it look okay for a few minutes, but if I go outside and the wind blows it will basically stand up on its own. So there I am, whacking at the top of my head to make my hair lie down again.
Cuirrently, my hair is very short (like an inch). However, I think that I am in the low percentage of men who's hair probably grows a little over an inch a month. I know many of you will want me to "just let it go"...but believe me, if I have my hair all over the place living in a dorm with a bunch of "short hairs" the guys are bound to dog me to death. In fact, I've had reocurring thoughts enter my mind about getting drunk with the guys and having them try to hold me down and cut my hair! I can take care of myself, but there is no way I want total persecution from the dudes in my hall. I think that if my hair was at least FAIRLY soft, straight, and managable it could simply grow without too much of a fuss.
I really don't want to deal with it flipping on the ends ever again. I've tried this gel stuff that was 20 dollars (for a small container!) that promises to "naturally relax hair - chemical free." It worked at first, but once my hair got to the top of my ears/eyes it curled up to the top of my head. Then I bought an at-home chemical relaxer...I was completely impressed and happy for about five minutes after using it. My hair was straight, soft, and managable...then it flipped and went right back to normal! So, after growing it for a few months I cut my hair at the end of May. Since then it has been short and managable. But for some strange reason I want long hair! But I don't want long, crazy hair.
Can you guys give me some help?
Also I'm contemplating trying to grow it out underneath AS WELL as on top. Every other time it's been long it's been very short underneath and long on top. But if I can't get it straightened out I know I'll end up with it looking worse than ever. Remember, my hair is thick too!
I'm looking forward to your replies. This is a great board, I'm glad I found it!
patience- and invest in a hat and/or bandana. stay away from the chemicals and deal with the 'flip'-- once your hair gets past shoulder length the 'flip' should reciprocate and become a decent wave.
as for your buddies- you're going to have to deal with comments so suck it up & give them no response. if you don't make it entertaining for them to 'dog' you they will likely stop and never -never- get really drunk around them.
wearing your hair long- against the current buzzcut rage- takes guts and is a test of your own self confidence. if someone is going to adversely judge you on the basis of your hair length does their opinion really matter? are they really your friend? your true friends will support you in whatever you do- all others will show their true colors. to paraphrase an earlier post- think of your hair as a jerk detector located on top of your head.
hope this helps & good luck.
Okay - you're in sort of the same sitation I was in a year ago. My hair was a couple inches longer, though. Go for it - ignore what your friends say - say you're growing it out, and it's in the awkward stage, and you can handle it, and so can they. That simple explanation worked for me all the time. In a year and a half to two years you'll have some bad-ass long hair. Start now - don't get it cut at all, use good shampoo, use the shower massage instead of regular spray to massage your scalp as you wash the soap out, brush it, and wait. You can do it. My two cents, just opinion.
~bl0wn
For straight styling use some straightening shampoo or conditioner then use straightening balm and blow it dry!! after an half hour use some straightening iron to smooth it flat!! and apply some anti-humidity cream or spray to prevent it curl up from humid wheather!! hope it helps!!!
What type of "anti-humidity cream" are you using? I have the same problem, but I have never seen this in a store. I have used the straightening balms with limited success.
Al
I read in the magazine that apply lorenz Germaine silicon polisher after you iron your hair sstraight can protect it from humidity...but I haven't try it yet!!!
Why are many of you here dead set against chemical straightening? It sounds like a simple procedure to me...something that will make hair managable and soft. I honestly don't see the cons if you were to buy the right stuff and follow the directions. Or, of course, if you went to a professional to have it done.
WHY NOT STRAIGHTENERS?
Unless DuPont has brought us better things through chemistry since I had my hair straightened about 20 years ago, the chemicals damage the hair. This is like a perm in reverse. Perm solutions temporarily soften the hair, and its molecules are rearranged, then neutralizer is used to un-soften the thair and lock the new arrangement into place. Problem with straighteners is that they require coming when the hair is soft, and that often changes the texture and makes it dead-dead-dead.
Surely there are some whose hair can tolerate this abuse but most of us can't Even perms which only position the hair and do not stretch it can do some damage.
I found for me that it was best to accept the curls and waves, and bring some order into them by a variety of ways. Interestingly enought, setting your hair on large rollers will give a straight look!