As far back as I can remember, I've always wanted to have shoulder length hair. In my younger years, this was frowned uppon by my family, and I was not allowed to do so. At 19, I joined the U.S. Armed forces, and of course, was not allowed to do much more than a crew cut. I naturaly pushed the limits on that one. In any case, I am now 24 and separated from the military. I currently reside in japan, where long hair among men is much more common, and this has simply fueled my desire further. As, I just had my wedding, and all the picturees have allready been taken, I feel that I have no more reason to put it of. I have begun. I'm posting as this site for much the same reasons as maney of you seem to have. Support, and information. I have attached a pic of my current hair, rather short, about 3 inches on top and scissor cut all around. My goal is to have Tom Cruise esque hair, like in Mission Impossible 2. If anyone can give me any tips, I'd truly appreciate it. Looking forward to hearing from you. Steven
Hi Steven,
Congrats on your wedding. Your bride is very pretty. I had also always wanted long hair. Be careful, once you start growing you might want longer hair that what Tom Cruise had!
Congrats on your wedding, --- and also congrats on leaving the military!! Also, a big, hearty WELCOME to you... you've come to the right place!
The secret to growing long hair is as easy as just NOT cutting it (but, truth be told, it's, "easier said than done!"). The fastest highway to your desired goal length is, if you can stand it, just let your hair grow out for about a year (or even longer, if you wish). Some guys find it occasionally helpful to go in for a slight trim and/or re-shaping along the way; but, this can be equated to pulling off the super-highway and taking several rest stops that will slow your progress down (you know, checking out a small town for a bite to eat, then later pulling over to check out a scenic view or park, then stopping for a milk shake, then another bathroom break, then taking a little snooze after filling up the gas tank...).... Either way, you'll eventually "get there"; but, if you really want to get from point A to point B *** FAST***, then just stay away from the scissors!!!
Once you hit your desired goal length, that's when most guys will research a reputable hair salon to go to for a trim or the specific style they are after. The better-quality salons are going to cost you more $$$; but they are WORTH IT!!! There's nothing worse than going in for a "trim", only to leave heart-broken that the barber or hair stylist didn't listen to you when you said, "just a LITTLE bit off, please!" If possible, see if you can find a stylist who specializes in long hair, once you get to the point of looking for one (and best to stay away from barber shops altogether, as their specialty is SHORT hair styles)...
Tom Cruise length (from Mission Impossible) should be fairly easy to attain... But, who knows? Maybe by the time you get there, if you continue to hang around here with the rest of us, by then you just might aspire to grow it even longer than that!
Again, WELCOME, --- and also, don't forget to check out our Links page for tons of great info way beyond what I've already just mentioned. And I totally understand your statement about growing up not being alloed to grow your hair long, --- I had the exact same upbringing (which is why my hair is trying to get to dragging along the floor today - lol)!!
- Ken in San Francisco
The secret to growing long hair is as easy as just NOT cutting it . Tom Cruise length (from Mission Impossible) should be fairly easy to attain...
Wow, that was great. I posted less than 2 hours ago, and allredy 2 responses. You guys are great. As for the desired length, I'd bet you're right. Maybey longer, who knows. You think about a year of no cuts ought to do it?
Current hair goal
Yea. A year with no cuts sounds reasonable. That tom cruise style isn't really that long. It seems longish and styled. No trims for a year and you will most likely have that length or more. Good luck.
That's reassuring. I guess I just need to get a bit more judgment on length. I know i can expect about 6 inches in a year, but it's hard to put a visual on that, never having had long hair.
Hi, Steven! Welcome to the neighborhood! The easiest way to having long hair is avoiding scissors. Stop cutting your hair for about two years and you will have long hair. It is easier said than done but definitely not impossible. Once you've reached your desired length, Get a very small trim to remove and split ends and whatnot. Good luck and enjoy the ride! By the way, Congrats for the wedding and for being blessed with such a beautiful wife.
Cheers
Chris H
Congrats on your wedding, and on beginning your journey! I also wanted shoulder length hair, and acquired it several months back. I am enjoying the trip so much that now I am shooting for mid-back.
Good luck to you; also there are a number of good articles you can access at the top of the home page under "Links" about growing long hair.
Big George
Steven ..
First and foremost ... Congrats on the wedding.. Your wife is beautiful! Second; welocme to mlhh... the best place on the internet right now. Third ... congrats on leaving the service. As a veteran as well ... I know what you've endured for your country .... Thank You.
Your hair will look great long and you shouldn't have any problem getting to the length you desire in about a year or so. As Jason and Ken eluded to ... you may change your mind and want it longer. I just went over a year last month and can hardly wait until I go over 2 ... its just contagious or something.. Anyway; glad you joined up with us for the ride...
Incidently; what does your new bride think about you beginning your new long hair journey??
Be Blessed...
Tristan
Incidently; what does your new bride think about you beginning your new long hair journey??
She's not super thrilled, but has agreed that it's my hair. So Whatever i do to it is fine. She has stated that if she doesnt like it, she will bug me about cutting it until she gets used to it... either way, she'll give up eventualy eh? lol
Yep .... eventually they give up. Although I still get a good "you need a haircut" occasionally... lol
But .... its all good.
What a lovely couple, and a beautiful bride! The most advice you'll get from here, is to avoid scissors and any happy hairdressor weilding shears or razors.
Carol