new thread
Hi all, sorry to barge in, it looks like a great community you guys have here. I'm a 19 year old college student of Hispanic (Cuban) origin and I'm interested in growing my hair long to see what it looks like - but problem is that I unfortunately have really wavy/curly/frizzy hair. It's already been maybe 8 months since my last haircut and I'm somewhere in the curly haired equivalent of the "awkward stage." This is actually my second attempt at growing long hair, I caved in and got a haircut after about this long last year. I've attached a picture from when I first tried to grow it out, that looks basically the same as where I am now (I just look a little older than this now, and I alternate between full beard/clean shave). I'm on the left.
My question is basically, is long hair an option for my kind of hair? It gets so out of control and I feel really self conscious when I'm at work; I do tech support at my school and I feel kind of awful sometimes when I have to barge into professorss offices looking unprofessional/like a bum/like I don't care for my appearance. What can/should I do to look more presentable in a work setting? Is going back to shorter hairstyles the only way?
Welcome aboard, Eddy!
Do not feel you are barging in at all! We are always very happy to see new faces, I would like to extend a hearty welcome to you. You will find a truly awesome community here.
As for curly hair, your hair looks great and curly hair looks fabulous when long, don't let the fact that you have curly hair stop you from growing it! If you want a couple of examples of what long curly hair can look like, check out the directory of users and look for both Neil as well as Bodhi. Both have awesome curly hair of different textures.
All the best, and welcome aboard!
David
Thanks everyone for your comments/help and for the welcome! I'll see how long I can keep it going - it's really great seeing the pictures of the people who post here. It gives me hope for what I thought was a lost cause :) (thanks Tracy) I guess time may be the only definite cure, but I'll also try the conditioner idea that chamogirl suggested, and I actually do wear hats from time to time too as a quick fix as grrrrr suggested. I'll do my best to be confident despite the huge mop on my head. Thanks again, I hope to be sticking around for a while!
Hey, I guess the awkward stage is really unpleasant for people with curly hair. But the longer it gets the easier it will get as long as you have enough patience.
Of course, you need an immediate solution, probably a cap would help unless you hate hats? Try putting it in place somewhere :/ I don't know what else to suggest I never have problems with making my hair behave if I need to. Maybe the other guys can give better tips.
And your hair looks really good! You have great curls and I hope you'll find a way to manage it until it gets longer and don't end up chopping it off...
Welcome. I don't think you're barging in; this community is very open and encourages people to visit.
As a fellow wavy-curly whose hair looked exactly like yours at ~eight months of growth, I think it's safe to say I now have long hair. I wish I could say that your hair will settle down in a few days, but mine did not start to settle until I had been growing a year. Your hair will probably do the same.
The only advice I have is to wait. No product I ever used settled my hair after it had dried; the only solution was time. Things like leave-in conditioner, gel and hairspray do help somewhat, but don't expect your hair to lay flat. One option is to wear a hat whenever possible. Even now, at almost three years of growth, my hair can frizz, especially on humid/rainy days (my avatar picture was taken on a semi-humid day). Many people with our hairtype do cut during the awkward stage, so there aren't as many of us (which is why the media very rarely shows longhairs having any type other than straight).
I hope you visit again and that this message helped. Keep it growing!
Tracy
Welcome.
Dopn't worry about your hair - the next 3/4 months won't be easy BUT it does come right after about twelve months. If you look here there are several guys with curly hair whose long hair is sublime.
Don't be concerned about going into an office - keep it clean and do your job - many people will know what you are doing and farnkly ignore it - only if you area sleg conscious will it become a problem. The odd one will complain but frequently they moan about shaven heads as they feel uncomfortable with those that do not comply with some norm of their choosong.
Have a long and enjoyable stay here.
How about trying conditioner only washes? My younger son has curls and I buy him shampoos and conditioners that are moisturizing.
Long hair is for everyone and anyone, no matter the hair type. Curly hair tends to be rebellious which makes the awkward stage a little bit harder, but the best thing to do is just hang in there and wait, and before you know it, you will have awesome hair. In my opinion, curly hair looks the best when it's long.
Keep itgrowing and best of luck!!!
-Mihnea
Hey Eddy
In my honest opinion, All hair types are suitable for growing long. I think that you should keep those curls growing and see what happens. I am certain they will look awesome with given time. I, too have wavy/curly hair. With that said, Welcome aboard!!!
Check out Mr. Crow's profile avatar! I think Shawn is a little further along than 8 months, but his VERY curly hair is an inspiration! He also posted pics from a hot oil experiment that went well.
Long hair requires patience! The rewards are worth it!
Lon
Gosh, Lon, now I'm blushing. Thanks!
Shawn (Mr.Crow)
Hi, As a new member myself I can tell you that you are welcome here. I bet though when you grow the hair some curl will go away but the advantage you have with curly hair than me with way hair is more options in wearing your hair when long. For instance while I would always have to comb my hair you could if in a hurry just wash and dry and no one would moticew you didnt comb it. Do not go back to short hair till you give it a while growing it out. Bienvenidos amigo cubano.
Rich,
Hi Eddy!
Curly hair is great long!
The curls and waves will relax a little and loosen up as it gets longer. Try CO washing (Using conditioner only) your hair and adding a little oil to it after wards to help with the frizzies. Just rub a drop or two of jojoba (or some similar type of oil) between your hands and smooth over your hair while it's damp. Let it dry like this naturally and don't touch. lol If you can leave the curls undisturbed after washing, they'll stay in shape and look great.
HTH,
DeeDee
I know what you mean, Eddy.
I have gotten to about the 6 month mark on a several occassions and then, for one reason or another (usually a momentary frustration and a impulsive nature) I wound up cutting it off. I, too, have curly hair much like your own. I find that anit-frizz products help the hairs to stay together so that instead of a seeming plethora of unwanted frizzy and untamed fluff, you get larger (more volume and weight), more bounce and better-looking curls.
I am now at 10 months and 3 weeks and have twice this week work my hair [in public!]in ponytails (using a couple bobby pins or small clips to catch the stragglers). I actually ran into a guy today at the grocery store who had hair like ours but his was mid back. He said he'd been wearing like that scince he was 14 -- 18 years ago! Though he said to get to his length should only take a few (maybe 4) years. I was mightily encouraged.
If you checkout my mySpace page, you will see pics outlining my hair growth.
(if you can't see them for some reason, email me and I will send you a link to my photobucket account)
My hair cair tips for curly-heads are:
- condition often, shampoo only when needed;
- finger-comb or get a pic;
- Wetting it and allowing it to air dry brings back the curls (great for curing bed head);
- try "ÜGot2Be Höttie" 'leave-in hair repair' as well as the 'oil therapy hair blasts': They smell good and make the hair feel Niiice!;, and
- Learn to like your hair, even when it is "big": Big hair means long hair for a curly-head.
I use a rotating mix of the following for styling:
* V05 Anti-Frizz leave-in styling conditioner;
* Regular hair gel;
* Infusium23 AntiFrizz 3Minute intensive conditioning treatment (as both a conditioner and, occassionally, as a styling product used on damp hair as gel would be used - adds weight and de-frizzes without taking away volume or making the hair stiff to the touch); and,
* Bandanas (though not when teaching).
It is great to have other early folks with curl on this board. I hope we can show off our manlocks to each other for years to come.
Cheers!
Shawn (Mr.Crow)