new thread
Hey All,
I decided a couple of months ago to let my hair grow. The last time I cut it was to 1/2" all over in July. Though it seems to grow so slowly, (I think its about average) I try to pass the time by appreciating everything new about my hair as it gets longer; I can start to feel the wind blowing it around or feel it moving if I shake my head : )
I had longish (aka moppish) hair as a a kid, but when I was about 13 or 14, I started keeping it shorter. Strangely, at about 18 my hair turned from straight and thick to curly and unfortunately has become rather thin and frizzy which had caused me to struggle and be unhappy with it. I tried to grow it several times over the last 5 years, but didn't get past my nose because of social pressure/self-conscousness. Finally, in the aftermath of some dramatic changes in my life, I made the decision to stop trying to please others before myself.
That said, I feel I am going to have a really tough awkward stage. I was never taught how to take care of my hair as a boy so this is all very new to me. I work at a restaurant and have to find a way to make it through the awkward stage which is approaching without scaring the customers. So far, I've been taking extra special care this time around. I've been taking supplements, trying to eat right and stopped smoking cigarettes. I've been shampooing and conditioning regularly and trying to be gentle.
If I let it drip dry, it looks nice, but curls quite a bit and if I touch it at all (which Im sure you all know is hard not to do...) it gets very disheveled and I have to get it wet again to make it look ok. Also, If I put on a hat it goes straight and limp. Is it bad for my hair to jump between curly/straight like this?
Any suggestions/ comments are appreciated!
P.S. This board is awesome! It's so nice to have some company on the journey.
heres a better pic, taken yesterday with my bro's webcam
it has taken me over 10 years to overcome that fear and im only 22... i know that pressure/self-consciousness issues are very hard to overcome, but keep coming to this board, it is inspirational. for me, i'm knee deep in the big-hair awkward stage right now but have found refuge in hats and styling products.
No, it is just how your hair is. my hair is similar. just treat your hair right and it will turn out healthy. i often wear hats, but from what i've heard from this board, i always make sure they are loose fitting.
If you have thoughts of cutting your hair; instead try buying some quality styling products and spend some time experimenting. You're sure to find a style that is except able for your position.
-Bums
whoop, messed up my response a bit.. but neways, come here when u need inspiration/guidance. it's the best tip i can give.
p.s. grats on givein up the cigs, that is a HUGE accomplishment; for hair and for your body (i still smoke)
Hello, Masomaze, and welcome to the journey of growing out the long hair.
I am at about 8 months of growing it out for the first time and I, too have curly hair.
I find the best styling tip I can give to help it seem smallish -- not afro like -- and clean looking is to use conditioner regularly and shampoo rarely. I let mine air dry, too, but to make sure it isnn't so delicate as to get dishevelled looking simply for touching it, I use a bit extra conditioner after I've gotten out of the shower as a styling prouct. It adds a touch of weight to the hair, while moisturizing and protecting against frizziness. The pic in my avatar is not exactly a refelection of this styling, though, because I had just gotten in from shovellign snow for an hour when that photo was taken.
Best of luck with the long hair growth.
Shawn (Mr.Crow)
Welcome!!
it's good that you've decided to take care of your hair NOW..changing diet and stopping smoking would definitely benefit your hair...as soon as I found out that smoking is harmful for hair,I stopped smoking cold turkey! (if your reading this Hans,thanks! :) )
the best advice I can give you for now is to look at Bill Choisser's article "on being a longhair", in the "links" section...and if you have a question...we're here!!take care :)