I'm 15 and I have straight brown hair and I am starting to grow my hair out and it's been growing for about 6 months now. I don't think I can get it too long because I go to a private school and they frown upon long hair. I think around the shoulders or so will be the limit, and I can't wear it in a ponytail (I guess it would be a topknot at that length) during school hours. Right now my bangs just reached my mouth. It's still only about 3in long in the back and not too much longer in the front. It's getting pretty messy around my ears and my mom says I should get that cleaned up and maybe cut off split ends. Would that be a good choice? Also, since I can't grow it too long, what should I do? Grow it long enough to keep in a ponytail, well, topknot around the top of my head in the back? But if I do that...what to do with the sides? Such a delima, but I figured you guys could help.
Unless you have a LOT of split ends, I wouldn't trim it at all right now. Wait another 6 months and see. You're probably in the awkward stage right now - you know, when its not long enough to keep it where it belongs, and just blows all over when its windy. The Topknot ponytail is a good choice (are you sure your school won't allow it? Its better than having it in your face). I wear mine that way to school and wear it loose everywhere else. Its getting pretty long, the tail reaches from the top\rear of my head to well past my shoulders. I get the sides and neck buzzed so's its just a real long bowl.
Private schools may be real conservative; I go to public school with lots of rich kids. Piercing is much more popular here than long hair - I think the school system knows the parents can sue if they restrict how the kids look. I have both ears pierced but would give them up if I had to choose between earrings and long hair.
at that stage you souldn't have any split ends.