new thread
Greeting,
I actually only recently discovered this board but have been a diligent frequenter ever since. I believe I've skimmed nearly every recent thread...and I must say, it is the sincere and friendly communal vibe I've picked up that made me want to venture out and actually make a post!
I cannot accurately say how long I've been in the process (I am male fyi). I've had a longer-than-normal hairstyle for the past two years, getting haircuts about once every two months, making it hard for me pin my journey to a timeline. And with this short intro, I bring along a few questions. I would still like to maintain a degree of privacy so wish to refrain from posting pics =(
My past/current hairstyle sports a part down the middle, back longer than front, with bangs. Because I have started growing from this particular style, my hair has come to a point where the back is quite long (nearly reaches my collar-bone). The front however, reaches a little bit past my mouth, and the sides reach about 1.5 inches below my ear lobes. Is a maintence cut due to even out my hair? Though the back of my hair appears longer than even some women who only possess chin-length hair, it does not show off the "long" look as much because of this variance in length. I always thought I needed to cut off the back because I believed that long hair requires hair to grow out from the top, and it appears my bottom hair has grown out too much. I know that if any other seasoned long-hair had the same length as my back hair, their entire style would appear much longer.
Second and third questions are much shorter. What are several styles and methods for tying bandanas, given my hairstyle as described above? Also, how does one achieve the sleek, tight ponytail look (provided the length allows so)? Leave-in conditioner perhaps? Or does the nature of long-enough hair keep hair from slipping out of hairbands?
I apologize for the long post. I wish I could post helpful responses before so selfishly putting forth my own inquiries, but my knowledge on long hair is quite limited beyond my own unstructured growing. But at the same time, I am not hesitant to post my questions, as I am sure in my belief that this community is always willing to help, as I have witnessed in previous threads! Thanks for reading through, and I send out my admiration to everyone on this board growing/having grown their hair! I look forward to being able to post my own helpful responses in the future =)
Glad to see you make a post.
I will try to give you some good answers.
1) If you can stand to stick it out through the mullet phase, which actually isn't a mullet, you'll have longer looking hair quicker. Some cut the back to keep it even-looking, others don't and have a "V" shape in the back after about two and a half years. Either way, depends on your preference and likes. Some get maintenance cuts, others don't. Look at Zac's post below. He said he had one trim at two years from a bald head and look how his hair turned out.
2) The link below will take you to Bill's page on long hair. Scroll about half-way down for bandanna info.
3) I'm not altogether sure about this, but as hair gets longer, tying a ponytail involves gathering hair rather than binding hair which makes it easier. Gel or leave-in or spray can help keep shorter hairs all slicked down for a neat look. All the hair will never reach the hair tie since shorter hairs are always replacing longer ones.
Looking forward to getting to know you.
Bragi
Great, thanks! Looking forward to becoming a part of this great community as well!
Appreciate the welcome UrbanCowboy!!
You know thats one of the first signs don't you ken?
I suggest you get a cut to proportionalize it, and then leave it alone after that- let all the hair regrow. But from what you said, you very much need a cut to proportionalize it.
That was what I felt as well. Since I did not start growing it out from a buzz or otherwise all-around short hair, a proportionalizing cut seems to be in need. I'm just so eager to get it growing that any maintenance cut makes me iffy...Thanks a lot though and I will most likely go get one asap so I can start off right =)!
Welcome Alias.
The only thing I can contribute is to your pony tail question. I myself don't like the slicked back look, it's great on others but not on me. I use a couple light coats of hair spray then using a very light touch smooth down the short wispy hairs for a cleaner look. This I do for work mainly, otherwise I wear my hair down except on Windy days.
I'm sure you'll get the rest of your questions answered by the others.
Kevin
Thanks! Every response is as good as the last, I appreciate it and will give it a try.