Hey fellas!
Yesterday was my 23rd months with no haircuts at all! I am so trhilled =D I am ever so happy with my hair, but so much worried that anyone could take it away... I'm ever so much afraid of the military service, for I've searched the net and I don't know wether it is demanded or not =(
Anyways, this month went by fast.... and I don't notice any big improovement in lenght. I have been sheding a lot, I think that it's seasonal in fact, and I can't wear my hair loose now, because it's too hot. I'm always sweating, and my hair was really dirty in the pictures, hope you won't notice =P In the same day i went to the beach and I took the picture of my sister and I in there.
My routine is still the same with my hair, and it's going alright. I'm now going with the seborrea treatment shampoo along with Pantene Pro-V shampoo, which is the best product I tried so far =)
This month I tried a yogurt mask, which I was told by a long time long haired friend. She told me it would treat the dryness and leave my hair softer and in much better condition... Ok, it didn't. My hair was totally dried up and it was impossible to wash the yogurt away at once, so in the pictures you can still notice a bit of it's effect. I decieded that I'm going to let my hair grow without this stuff, and put the less possible things in it. Only eventually a little oil because of the dryness and that's all. The yogurt was an horrifying experience =S
About the trim, I'm still thinking about it. I don't know wheter it is necessary or not, but I know it would leave my hair much better looking, as for shape matters, since the ends are so much uneven. Tough I don't know if I want to sacrifice even a bit on my lenght, so I'm gonna keep thinking about it untill I'm certain of something.
I'm posting a picture of my second long haired favorive person in the world, my cousin Carina =) She's got leg lenght hair now (well, a little past butt lenght) and she's gonna cut it waist lenght... Makes me so sad, but she's really practical and she complains that she's always sitting on her hair... I wish I sat at mine's =S But it's her choice and I gotta respect it, she'll have long hair still anyways =)
I took the pictures in a garden, one of the gardens where I spent my childhood... I love this place, and so does my sister. Hope you like the pictures =)
So here are they =) =) =)
This is my hair last year... What a diference a year makes =) As a coincidence, I'm wearing the same t-shirt lol
This is my hair from the side... It took it a while to touch my back, but it certainly does now =)
And from the back... I have to say I love my hair from the back, but I can't wait for more =) I'm so impacient... but I did it THIS far and I will do more =) Thank's to you guys =)
This is my ponytail from the side... It's my ultimate all time look now that it's been so hot here in Lisbon. I'm hoping that loose hair will be my all time look in the Winter this year =)
And from the back =)
And this is my ponytail circumference (and one of my favorite elastics). It measures a little more than 3 inches and a half, which surprised me a lot, but I was really happy =)
Now it's my envy and my pride... my sister's hair... Only 6 to 8 months for her to reach her goal =) =) =)
And her ponytail... Fits her so well =)
Her braid... I still remember the days when I wanted to braid her hair to the side and I couldn't because her hair was still shorter... Now this back braid can hang everywhere =) Gongraulations for my sister!!!!! =D
My cousin Carina... My biggest admiration... Her hair is BEAUTYFULL!! THICK and straight and dark. She's a Pocahontas... even if she cuts it waist lenght she will always be as she is now... She's really beautyfull and the inspiration of ALL the long haired members of our family to grow long hair... My sister's and mine too =)
And this is me and my sister at the beach, happy as always... We took the camera with us and made lots of lovely pictures =) It has been a lot of years since we made pictures at the beach =) It was a very nice day =) Good to celebrate my 23 months =D
And those were the pictures from this month. I'm always waiting to post my updates and it always ends so quickly... Oh well =) My journey has been lovely and happy, I only wish more people would suport me, mainly my parents, but I can do nothing about it, and they just have to accept it, even more now that I'm gonna be 18. I'm really sad about it too, but I will be a child forever =)
I have to still thank you guys, as every month, for everything you did for me in this past year and a half I've been with you... You all mean a lot to me, and I'll never forget this place, and i'm hoping to be a member here for the rest of my life... As always...
LONG HAIR FOREVER!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! AND EVER!
For all the worrying you do, you have a f'n great head of hair; it really has come along very nicely indeed. I have no idea how you can put up with the heat with that thick mane. I have straggly string on my head and walking past the oven has me reaching for the Bic.
Matt
Hi João,
it's always great to see that your Creator endowed you with this hair growth - and I feel privileged for being able to know a number of men who grow manes like you! Thanks for the updates, and, I totally agree, it's "Long hair forever!"
By the way, have you tried to simply ignore you mother when she brings up the hair subject?
On the other hand, you are right to feel somewhat angry, because saying "Oh, he'll mature eventually, and then, he'll go back to 'proper' hair cuts again" is in fact like placing a subconscious or posthypnotic command that will influence people many years later. I know a number of men who, when they turned 30, or 35 , or 40, suddenly started thinking that they had to cut off their great long hair because their "delayed youth" phase was coming to an end. (Luckily, I have been able to talk some of them out of this kind of thinking :-)
I think that, more often than not, we are observing a phenomenon of "delayed compliance" towards these "posthypnotic commands", when men think they have to go short after so many years of satisfying long hair. In order to neutralize those commands and to prevent "delayed compliance", we need to address this phenomenon consciously. In that sense, some anger is probably healthy.
Maybe some psychologists should try a literature search on the different meanings and phenomena described with the term "delayed compliance".
Happy growth FOREVER! Just say NO to "posthypnotic" requests for delayed compliance!
Hans-Uwe
Hello Hans-Uwe,
thats an interesting point you metion here.
On the other hand I think its part of natural behaviour for young people that they often change their mind and motivations, trying new styles, behave in a different manner - much more than adults.
I am convinced there are as many young men out there (not present on this board, of course) which decide to cut off their long hair as there are ones letting their long hair grow out like Joao does.
So I am sceptical about the "Long hair forever" myth. Joao obviously enjoys his present style and he is really a boy looking fantastic with long hair but who knows what may happen to him in two or three or more years?
He may go to university, learning to know new people, their behaviour and surrounding etc. He may find a girl, may marry and get a job etc.
He is young, I dont know his exact motivations actually, maybe some type of hippie/ecological/rebel attitude (would fit to him ;-)) but who knows how long that may last?
I think change is the only permanent thing in our time - especially for young people. I would wish "long hair forever" may become true for Joao but sometimes life changes faster than foreseen.
best regards from Germany
Leto
Hi Leto,
you're right, no-one can see the future. And, besides manipulation, occasionally, an authentic change in taste does happen, and, if there was no manipulation in the past, it may even be authentic. I remember a friend who always had long hair, and so had his father, and at one stage, he decided to go short - in intallments to test the waters and to make the transition less abrupt. I thought it was sad, but I had to respect his wish, and in his case, there was probably an authentic change in taste. Another example perhaps is the guy who is the only short-haired guy in the Carter family (he's termed the "rebel").
However, there are always those with a history of being manipulated who much later start thinking halfconsciously or subconsciously, "Well, Dad was right after all." It would cost a lot of energy to keep defining myself AGAINST my parents (rather than in terms of who I am myself). I do suspect, that this mechanism operates far more often than we suspect.
And, we know the proverb "Die größten Kritiker der Elche waren früher selber welche" (for those don't know German: The biggest critcists of mooses used to be mooses themselves :-)
All in all, I do think that João has a better chance than many others of staying long-haired for a long time to come...
Best wishes!
Hans-Uwe
Your hair is fine...I'd forget things like yogurt and stick to the basics.
As for trimming, I'd let grow for a while, then get the ends evened up once you have some more length.
Looks good dude. Really good length too. I'm suprised your parents don't like it.
...just one more month and you will be celebrating your TWO YEAR Anniversary! Amazing isn't it!
Best Wishes & Good Luck!
Hello my fellow long haired friend, love the pics. I can't wait for more, what a difference a year makes, it looks 2-3x as long,
\/m peace
Hi João,
Another great update! I honestly think you have nothing to worry about regarding your hair! You've certainly got most of us beat as far as thickness goes.
I'd personally recommend a tiny trim since you haven't had one yet. Just ask for 1/8 inch - you won't notice any difference in length but your ends will feel so healthy, you'll love them!
I can totally relate to your concern about your hair though. I've been the same way almost all my life. I used to obsess about losing my hair but I've come to a certain peace. I was only able to start growing my hair long at 32, you started at 16, so you're very fortunate to have been able to start so young.
Enjoy your hair, enjoy your warm relationship with your family, enjoy life!
Jason
And do I ever agree with that one Joao!
The photos of both you and your sister are really that of breathtaking long hair which is just so magnificent!
Glad you hung in there so long, but really in the end it was well worth the wait. If you can't believe the difference in one year........just wait until next year!
My best to you and your sister always.
Justin~
Another great set of update pictures. I think your hair looks healthly and full. You don't need to worry, just relax and enjoy! Your sister and your cousin's hair is outstanding also.
Keep up the good growth,
Bruce
As usual you have provided us with a glimpse of the beautiful Portuguese landscapes as well as some very nice hair. All of you are doing great in the hair department.
Cabelo comprido, agora, sempre, tambem!!!
Tchau, Bragi
Hi Joao,
i've been watching your progress and i think your hair looks great! you said you like to wear your hair loose but in the warmer weather you tie it in a ponytail. if you don't mind me saying, i think that you should consider getting your ears pierced. it would complement your ponytail. what do you think