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Good Morning Guys,
I’ve been very amused by some ironies in the last few days:
My mother is also growing her hair out (though she started a little sooner and with somewhat longer hair). She’s been getting it trimmed every four to eight weeks whereas I’ve been just avoiding any haircuts. The irony is that SHE is rather annoyed with her hair, I LIKE how mine looks, and she tells ME that I should get it trimmed! Why would I want to get it trimmed when (a) I think it looks fine and (b) trims haven’t seemed to make her happy?
I’ve also found humor lately in the “all one length” vs. “layered” looks. My hair is naturally growing out as layered, but my mom (and others) have told me I should get it cut so the top can catch up to the bottom thereby achieving the all one length look. Yet, it seems like if someone already has long hair that’s all one length, people will push that individual to do something different such as getting it layered. That just seems really ironic and strange.
Just a few rambling thoughts on a Sunday morning. While I haven’t ruled out getting it trimmed eventually, I think for now I’ll just stick to the original plan and let it grow…while I grin with amusement at those around me who think they know better.
Mouse
You make some good observations. When it comes to hair, people often are full of suggestions or even criticisms. As for deciding on all one length, you could make that choice when your hair is much longer all over. I chose to keep the hair in the back short until the top caught up but that was just my personal decision.
From my observations, people that have the all one length look and have it with long hair (ie. past shoulders) and then put in layers almost always regret putting in those layers.
I noticed that on your webiste, and I think it worked really well for you. I'm leaning slightly towards the all one length look, but as you said it can be done when the hair is longer. The real key seems to be having a stylist you can trust.
Mouse
Mornin' Mouse - First, thanks for your positive comments on my recent update. I agree with your decision to stick to the original plan. Moms can pose a conundrum at times. On a recent visit my Mom referred to a picture on the mantle (me with short hair) and said she wished I could look handsome like that again! She's also told me if I don't cut it I'll end up looking like Willie Nelson - GOOD! It is ironic that your mom is growing hers out too. Misery loves company so perhaps she's "dumping" on you a bit out of her (obvious) own frustration. You always seem so positive and patient in you posts. Don't let her get under your skin and undermine that spirit and vision. As for layering, that's a matter of opinion depending on hair type, long term goals, etc. Mine is naturally layered and being thick/wavy it suits me just fine. I haven't had any trims this time around and don't really foresee any in the near future. Take er' easy - Bruce'ster
You know, I hadn't thought of it that way, but it's probably quite true. One more think to silently chuckle about the next time she makes a comment. :-)
Thanks,
Mouse
Indeed. . .there's always some mis-informed individual with an opinion. . .like when people without dreads tell me I need to use wax *bleh*. Or even when people who do have dreads, and use wax, and obsess over how their dreads look, tell me to use wax, when I like how they look, and I'd no sooner put wax in my hair than dog doo
Ewwww. Putting wax in hair does NOT sound appealing.
Did you ever decide what to do about your contact juggling issue?
Mouse
Hi again Mouse,
It's definitely true that parents can be the most difficult ones to accept a change in their children's appearance, I dealt with that most of my life. My Mom hated long hair on me and for that reason I never grew it much past chin length for 25 years. Even though I desired much longer hair, I just could not take the constant harping to cut it, etc. When she passed away, I grew my hair out to a much longer length, to mid back, before making the stupid decision to cut it off in 1999.
It really is YOUR hair, you have to do what you want, I do hope you continue to grow it as you desire. You have lovely, thick, wavy hair that I am really looking forward to seeing you grow really long.
All the best,
David
What's even funnier about my situation is that my mother is THRILLED that I'm growing out my hair...she's just not overly excited with my method for doing it. ;-)
Mouse
Hello Mouse
My sister was always giving me advices about my hair but i didnt followed these advices and now , she has really damaged looking hair whereas mine are healthy even if i have a sort of scalp disease and now i'm giving her advices about her hair like "dont brush it like that , you gonna break it off !" but she doesnt listen me...
now i know that i know better how to take care of hair that most of girls
another thing i find amusing, friday a classmate of me "adviced" me to use straightener to get better hair , i answered that i would want to damage my hair , he said that hair are dead cells and i should not care about damaging it...
Cya
My hair Journal
My sister's given me advice too...and yet I probably take better care of my hair simply because I DON'T do even half the things she does (straightening, heat styling, coloring, hot blow drying, etc).
And I'm glad you know better than your classmate. You don't have to worry about damaging hair IF you only need it to last a couple months! For the rest of us, the hair on our heads needs to be in good condition for a while.
Take care, and keep growing your lovely waves.
Mouse
I have found that no matter what I do - no matter how well, no matter how diligently, no matter how perfectly it is done - that there is someone - a friend, parent, acquaintence, boss, teacher, relative, enemy, or otherwise - who will say that he knows a better way and that his advice should have been heeded. Sometimes, I have to laugh too, for it is funny!
I can understand the usefulness of advice when I am making an obvious mistake, but please!
We humans are amusing creatures, aren't we? At least we can provide each other with entertainment!
Keep it growing,
Mouse
Continue to be amused, Mouse. It is a fun way to live and sure beats the fallout if you tried to point out how illogical your mother's advice is. To add one musing to your collection of hair contradictions you'll also find growing long hair is disparaged in the same magazines that gush how good stars look with their long hair exensions.
I want to offer you a belated welcome to the site. I have been enjoying your posts since you arrived and am glad to see another woman here regularly. So many show up for such a brief visit. Sites designed to discuss long hair on women have no shortage of men around to be supportive and I often wonder why there is not a similar case here.
Elizabeth
It sure is a fun way to live! I hadn't seen the articles about long hair and hair extensions though...even MORE free entertainment. :-D
Thanks, Elizabeth. I like it here, and it's a great chance to support longhairs and work on growing my own hair out. I also enjoy your posts and wise advise.
Mouse
I think people are stuck in a mold and believe the only way to look good is to visit the stylist regularly. If they want short hair, it's never short enough. If it's long hair it has to be cut to grow. Hair, in thier view, is something that you have to do something with. What makes us unique, is that we realise that hair is something to enjoy, not to get uptight about.
So Enjoy!
Bruce
You are so right, Bruce, for so many people hair must be kept under constant control to be considered acceptable. They need someone to cut it, shape it, style it every month or two just to feel sure about themselves.
When I think of long hair, often the first person to come to mind is a friend of mine. Her hair is wavy, thick, brilliant red, and reaches mid-back at terminal length. She just uses a Celtic hair barret to keep the bangs out of her face and lets the rest flow. It's simply beautiful, and it's a reality check to anyone who thinks you have to see a stylist to have great looking locks.
Mouse
Well, as the old saying goes, "You can't please everybody all of the time"...
Thank them for thier advice, stating that you'll think about it, and never bring it up afterwards. A bit of a distractionary technique, but, hey, it can work.
I am glad you are liking your hair and the process. I look forward to a couple years from now when we can email each other about how our already good lives have goten even better since the heair stated to hang over the shoulders.
Ciao, Mouse, and best of luck with Mom.
Shawn (Mr.Crow)
(http://www.myspace.com/manlocks) - Mr.Crow's photo archive of growing hair
Distractionary techniques should work for the moment, especially since I don't live at home and only see my parents once a week or so (I DO love having my family close by).
I'm definitely looking forward to a couple years from now, but I'm also looking forward to summer, next month, and next week. Nothing like living for the journey!
Thanks Shawn,
Mouse
Thats a good way to be Mouse, enjoy the whole journey.