new thread
My hair is about 4 inches on top. I last cut it about six weeks ago. What I am asking is what I should do to my hair at this point to keep it looking all right. I am not planning on hair as long as many of the members of the board have, I am planning on about 7 inches or so. Also, if I have my hair this length, what might be a good "style" and how should I have it styled? I was thinking like a center part or so.
Hi Kurt,
You mention you want your hair to be about 7" long - do you mean that you want it shoulder length (7" from the top of your head), or mid-back (7" from the neck)?
Any hair except dreadlocks looks best if it's kept clean. Unless you have really thick hair or it's quite hot, washing twice a week should be OK. As your hair gets longer, try both shampoo w/conditioner such as Pert+ or separate conditioners. And try a variety of shampoos to find what works well for you. With longer hair it's important to comb out the tangles before showering. If you currently towel dry your hair you may need to add a blow dryer. Unless your hair is quite thick just about any dryer will do, for thicker hair I like the Vortex dryer. A final rinse in cold water makes some hair look shinier, but in very humid or cool conditions will make it harder to dry as well (not as much of the cool water will evaporate).
You may need to figure out what to do with your hair when you sleep. Look at the archives for this subject. Some leave their hair loose, some tie a loose ponytail, some braid from one side. If your hair is just to your shoulders you probably won't need to do anything in particular about it at bedtime.
You'll need to figure if you want bangs, or if the front part will also grow long and get pushed over the top or around the sides.
Shoulder length hair probably won't hold much of a ponytail, but it could be put back with a hairband. If you do start using hair accessories, be sure they do not grip your hair too tightly or tear it.
A side part is a lot easier on shoulder length hair then on longer hair. You might want to part it in the center for convenience in washing, then after it dries repart to whichever side you prefer.
I'm an earring fan, especially multiple piercings per ear. I suggest that if your ears aren't pierced, you get a traditional earlobe piercing for small studs and small loops (swap 'em every few days) and find out if you like the way you look and the reaction you get while wearing earrings. If you like 'em, add another piercing and add some larger danglies and bigger hoops to your collection.
The most important thing by far is to have fun enjoying your hair and ignore any rude comments or questions you might get. (My favorite comeback: "I'm sorry, I think you've mistaken me for someone who cares about your opinion of other's appearances.")
- Chris
I'm wanting just 7" fron the very top of my head, almost shoulder length. I have been measuring the hairs at the front of my head. It probably wouldn't be long at all by the standards here on the board, but I thought I might at least try it. I wouldn't be interested in bangs. Right now my main problem is that I am trying to make my hair look decent (as in trimmed) while it grows out. I am probably going for something kind of with a center part, like a longer bowlcut look. I might try a short ponytail.
Kurt, yep, you're in the obnoxious "awkward phase", do a search to find lots of discussion of this unfortunate period when your hair is too long to look good just sitting around on top of your head, but not long enough to pull back.
For most people, hair grows about half an inch a month or six inches a year. But about every five years, follicles take a holiday for about a year (usually not all at the same time, fortunately). So expect that your hair will be past the awkward phase next spring, and
to your shoulders next summer.
Good luck and let us know how it goes for you.
- Chris
I have hair about three and a half inches long. How long might it take to have a tieback undercut?