Don't trim the back of your own hair. Especially don't put in a tail, hack off a few inches, and expect it not to look like somebody hacked it with a saw. Don't be too hard on yourself afterwards, because all the hair that matters to you was completely untouched, and you can still tie it back. Do go to bed now and dream about 6 months in the future, when it will all be just as you want it to be, which conincidentally is exactly the time you go home from Asia ands quit hiding from reality.
Amen brother
Unless it is long enough that that technique actually works decently.
Ouch.
I did the same thing 3 years ago. Looked like there was some kind of dead animal on my head, and in an effort to have it fixed, I went to a salon, where they butchered it even more. Took >months< to look even vaguely normal.
Hi Revan,
when it's time for me to get a 1/2 inch trim, I just put on lots of hairbands, until only 1/2 inch of hair sticks out. Then I carefully cut off that 1/2 inch, and everything turns out well.
In any case, you are so right warning against "clean-up" haircuts after a minor "botched" trim.
I'd just see Korea as a very different reality, not as a way of hiding from the US reality, though - or am I misunderstanding you?
Good luck to you, and have a great remaining six months in Korea.
Hans-Uwe
Hi Revan,
I just found your other post. The damage is unnoticeable on your pictures - so there can't be a very significant degree of damage. Again, you are so right about stopping to worry and going to bed, dreaming about six more months of grow.
Happy growth!
Hans-Uwe
Hi Hans, I guess I described it as "hiding" because back at home, I am a fully qualified high school teacher and I could be working what I consider a proper job. In Korea, I also teach middle school and high school kids (in both English and math), but it's basically an easy job that doesn't take up much of my time. I've been refusing to face reality of growing up and needing to take responsibility, instead I've been partying all the time.
I didn't take my own advice about not worrying about my hair after the cut. I couldn't sleep at all last night, it's 7 am and I've slept about 30 mins total. Luckily, I am on vacation. Though I took a photo just now of the back of my head, and it seems like it's not that bad afterall. What do you think? Definitely shorter than before, but not "hacked" (see pic) I hope it's okay because I really don't want to risk a Korean hairdresser, it's what I was trying to avoid in the first place.
Hi Revan,
I think your hair looks absolutely o.k., nothing to worry about. It certainly does NOT look like a botched trim. It'll look perfect in 1-2 months, but then, many kinds of haircut jobs don't look perfect for the first 1-2 weeks after the cut. In any case, I'm looking forward to your further updates.
About the "growing up" thing: "Growing up" means, that you know what you want from life, it does NOT mean to fit into the mold.
You understand that you want personal freedom, and, therefore, you are a lot more of a grown up than many others who are simply scared about what others might think about them. Partying for a while is fine if that's what you want and need!
Plus, not many would take the trouble to move to a country and culture that is so different from your own - it takes a mature person with a good pair of cojones to do that. My respect!
If you travel westbound on your way back home, stop by in Germany and see me - drop me an e-mail first!
It's 12:30 AM in Germany, and I go to bed now.
Happy growth, and have a great day!
Hans-Uwe
Revan, I think your hair looks terrific from the back in this photo! I think you accomplished what you wanted to do.
We had discussed before about waiting for the front to get a little longer but I understand the desire to get the back shorter. It might be a little choppy but just leave it all alone and I think you're all set.