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It's been almost 9 months and I'm feeling very disappointed about my hair and the texture of it. The only time I can make it look ok is when I wash it and put a winter hat on to flatting it out. It's all over the place in the morning. I don't have a office job so I can just through my hat on and I'm out the door. I have heard from everyone to cut it, that I look better with it short. I have wanted my hair long for years. I have been taking good care of my hair for the past nine months. How much longer to I have to wait? How much longer can I wait. Need some support and I know I wont get it from people at work with there short hair.
You cannot expect to see nice, long hair after just 9 months of growth. This is about the time your hair starts entering the awkward phase, and that will last at least a year before gravity starts taking over to keep your hair down. Until then, your hair is going make you look like Tim Burton's evil twin, and there's very little you can do to curb that.
The only solution I found, that worked brilliantly for me, was to wet the whole mess down, brush it straight back, and then drown it in hairspray for a year. I was nicknamed Data (from Star Trek: The Next Generation), until I started wearing it down again, but it was worth it. It stayed out of my eyes, looked half way decent, and I was able to enjoy life while my hair got longer.
I have been experimenting with using gel lately. It keeps my hair from appearing to get bigger as the day gets longer, keeping the curls closer to me head. I would like to try the slick it back look from time to time. Do you think hairspray will hold curls at bay? (this is not to say I don't like having thick, curly hair: I actualy love it...most of the time). Does the hairspray require daily washing? Did it dry out or otherwise damage your hair at the time?
Shawn (Mr.Crow)
(http://www.myspace.com/manlocks) - Mr.Crow's photo archive of growing hair
My hair isn't curly, so I don't know.
Yes. Otherwise, the chemicals in the hairspray build up.
In terms of texture, my hair felt like straw by mid-day, but it was never damaged.
Youll look awesome once it gets some more length, and i personally dont think it looks bad at all.
I know what you are going thru man.. I too am deep into the awkward stage, and it is VERY frustrating at times. However, it will pass sooner than later, and since you came this far, I think you should go "all the way".
I think you look great and will look better and better as it gets longer.
Stick with it, I think you'll be happy you did in the long run.
Matt
Hi Eric,
Personally, I see nothing at all wrong with your hair or the texture of your hair at all. You have great hair that will only look better the longer it gets. Don't forget that 9 months is right in the middle of the "awkward phase", if you can just tough it out for another 3 or 4 months you will begin to reap all the benefits that come from having long hair.
You say you have wanted for years to have long hair, so DON'T give up now! One of the toughest parts of growing long hair is realizing that there will be negative comments from people with short hair, just ignore them! Remember to keep us updated, and to come here if you need support. Just remember, DON'T cut!
All the best,
David
This is what we are here for!
Nine months.. me too. I know what you mean. (Only I've got curls which can help somewhat, to cover up the shagginess....or they can serve to just add unrelenting poofiness). You are in the heart of the akward phase: too long to style the way you used to and too short to style the way you will soon be able to. I am on my first time long hair journey, too, and I know that if I don't do it now, I can not guarantee that any other time will be better or easier for me to grow my hair.
My advice is for you to just let it look a bit bad for now. I imagine that if you set up short term goals or dates, you might see the passage of time moving more quickly.
Best of luck muscling through this tough time. I really look forward to seeing your proud face in your 2 year update pics.
Shawn (Mr.Crow)
9 months! You've come a long way, you're probably more than half way there!
Have you thought about changing up your facial hair? I think the beard will look great with long hair, but it seems to me like it may be a bit overwhelming to some people with your hair at the length its at. What if you trim or restlyle your facial hair? It may give you a fresh start to continue your hair.
Good luck!
yeah, wait it out; you'll be glad you did. Everyone goes through what you are dealing with. It's a real test of patience.
Hi Eric,
good to see that you are teaming up with Sean to resist that urge. Your hair color is great, and your current hair length is not yet the optimum length for the structure you have - you are still WAYS below that optimum. In another 9 months, it'll be a LOT more like it, and from then, any added length will be a breeze!
In the mean time, you could get eg an alice band (one that matches your hair color) in order to keep your hair out of your face. Or you could sport the "data" look Matt Nyghtfall described. Your hair will look at least as good as his once it's long!
Just ignore the naysayers, and keep it growing - and meet some new people who have never seen you with short hair - that, too, makes a helluva lot of difference!
And, check out Shawn Crow's post above - if anything, his hair is more "unruly" than yours, he too is a 9 months, and, I think you are both doing great!
All the best!
Hans-Uwe
It's all over the place in the morning.
Hey - I've got thick hair. I could NEVER go anywhere in the morning without a shower...no way! So don't let that be a factor. As for negative comments, it's like Tom Petty says, "you've gotta have RIHINO SKIN." Don't let it get to you! We've all had our share of negative comments. People's opinions change like the wind. We can't change our feelings and/or actions to please someone else or we'ld be constantly flip/flopping. And yeah the awkward phase sucks...but that's why they call it the awkward phase, duh. (That's ZEN, Grasshopper!!!)If it were easy, the reward wouldn't be as great, nor the experience so life affirming. Right now you are in the midst of a change on the outside and the inside. Press on towards the Summit my man! Bruce'ster
Don't listen to peoples comments. Your hair is not going to look all that great now because it has only been 9 months. Just keep growing it. I honestly think it looks great. It seems healthy and shiny++ My hair looked worse at the 9th month. By the way, I am currently at the 13th month of growth. I just think you should hang in there and let it grow. Well , Good luck..
...at 9 months you will never know what long hair really feels and looks like on you.
It's quite possible that once you DO have long hair, you may not be happy with it,
but until you grow it long, you will never know FOR SURE.
For now, why not let it grow. If you don't like it in a few months, it only takes a few minutes to cut it short.
Good luck!
Oh, man, i have the same problem!!! My hair poofs big time unless i wear a winter hat, and since i have school, this means i only have non-poofy hair on weekends! XD
Also, i receive very few comments that are positive about my hair as well. In addition, my friend who i was growing my hair out with recently decided to give up and cut it. Its been tough to keep a positive attitude about growing it out, but im hangin in there!
Stick with it! Your hair is gonna look great when its long, im sure of it!
thanks, your friend bailed out, hang in there....