new thread
So I was in Indianapolis earlier today and while taking a carriage ride around downtown (I had company visiting, so we did the whole tourist thing), I noticed I was having to detangle my hair about every 10 seconds. I've also been finding more and more split ends lately, along with some dryness near the ends. It's been about a year since I last had any sort of trim, but it's looking like my hair is definitely due (photo taken this afternoon, atop the Soldiers and Sailors Monument).
If I don't get it done tomorrow, it will most likely be some time later this week. *deep breath*
-James
Deep breath? Yes, as Drew Barrymore's character in "A Cinderella Story" said, "Just breathe!", as she took a deep breath at the royal ball before meeting her prince charming, I'd say opt for whatever you like, James, since hair keeps growing anyway.
I'm at a stage in MY hair's growth where there are some bifurcated ends, too, but not tangles. I'm not snipping, though, not 'til next winter at any rate. I do those conditioner-only washes every couple of days anyway. They "stay" the advance of breakages pretty all right. Maybe it was just a bad hair day.
I like your descriptive writing style, BTW.
Yours in longhaired camaraderie,
Quenyan
Hey James
Though it can't be picked-up in the photo and all looks so fantastic, my opinion would be that in your case a trim would be a wise thing to have done. When long hair reaches the point that you have described, the problems are only going to get worse. It is just so nice not to have these problems and be much more able to enjoy long hair.
Good luck to you in whatever decision you decide to make.
All the best-
Justin~
Hello James
I do hope that you find someone very professional to do the right thing for you. To me your hair looks great anyway and it would be a tragedy to spoil it. Appreciate your tangly problems though, so hope that you get it sorted really well.
Good luck - I'll keep my fingers crossed for you.
Jonathan
I had just about reached the same conclusion a few months ago when I began using leave in conditioner after washing (I wash and condition daily). It has eliminated about 75% of the tangles and allowed me to put off a trim until now (21 months +).
Hi James,
I would recommend using a bit more conditioner or use leave in conditioner that certainly helped me with the tangles and trims don't solve everything!
Cheers,
John.B
Hi James,
Your hair looks great in this latest photo, you are REALLY beginning to look like a longhair now! As for your trim, you could try what some of the other guys have suggested first, before resorting to a trim. You could try using a small amount of leave in conditioner after washing to see if this helps with the tangles. Another possibility, since you mentioned that your hair is dry, is to slightly reduce how frequently you shampoo, but be sure to condition frequently.
If these suggestions don't work, perhaps a small trim might help, but be careful to have it done by someone you trust, who realizes that your eventual goal is waist length hair.
Hope this helps,
David
Hi James,
My opinion is I would be hesitant to trim just yet but if you do keep an eye on what they are doing. David had some good suggestions try them first if you haven't already.
So you had visitors and didn't take them around Muncie?? LOL
Indy isn't a horrible city there are a few things to do there,
hope you had fun.
Look forward to the after trim pic if you do it.
Kevin
Hi James, I think your hair looks good in that photo and in your September progress pics as well. I think others before me have made excellent suggestions and I hope that you might consider them. Your hair is so young still! If you can wait until your progress is past your shoulders then an inch would not be such a big deal. Of course you're the one standing in the room with your hair so only you will know what is best in the long run.
Good luck,
Bruce
James
I know I almost always recommend trimming, but looking at your photo I'm left asking myself: "What for?" It looks great. It doesn't 'look' like it needs trimming at all!
Now obviously you can notice the split/dry ends because you can get much more up close and personal with your hair than we can with a photo on a web site and ultimately its got to be your decision. But I'd normally only recommend trimming when your ends start 'looking' ragged and to me judging by your photo, that point has not yet been reached.. Leave-in conditioner (on the ends of your hair) can sort out the dryness and prevent further splits.
(Emphasis on start: Don't wait for the damage to become a major problem. Otherwise you're trim will end up being be more severe.)
The other cautionary note is about rushing into trim, don't just turn up at the barbers/salon and ask for "a trim", you've got to find a stylist who understands your long-hair goals and will help you work towards them. Otherwise a trim, which can be a very rewarding step and boost to your self confidence turns into a nightmare.
If you do decide to go ahead with your trim this week, then keep this in mind: Your hair looks great, you don't want to alter the style by changing any of the proportions. I strongly recommend you explain this to the stylist and ask for just a smidgen off the ends.
James
NOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO!!
Your hair looks abolutley fine. Whilst we can't see it in detail there is some good advice - especially David (Sorted) . You hair has awesome proportions and suits you face brilliantly.
Riding in a carriage it is not surprising that it became tangled - and it might even be a minor facet of it not quite having the weight to hang. I would suggest you try conditioners - leave in as well for this, it will certainly help the dryness.
The earliest time I would suggest a minor trim is when it is well onto your shoulders and you maybe can afford to lose half an inch. But before you even get to that you need to find a stylist who can be trusted and understands how to handle long hair. Too many claim to and then half an inch becomes two inches "because I thought it looked better". Their opinions are irrelevant but it is not until you aere powerless under their scissors that they come clean and IMPOSE them.
Your hair should not be splitting at its present relatively-short length. What you probably need to do is change your hair care routine to be more mild. This can be by using milder products or by discontinuing some, or it can be by going for a longer time between each use. I'd go that route with hair of your length, rather than doing any trimming.
Bill
I was expecting some disagreement, but um... wow. =D
There isn't any leave-in conditioner in my toiletries, but I'm going to try increasing my oiling routine to see if that helps. I also did the CO wash this morning. I'll forgo the trim for now, and hopefully this will solve the problem.
Thanks, guys, for your responses. =)
-James
Hi James! I would certainly not trim it just yet, as i think it looks great now the way it is:), however it's your call, but if i were you i would probably wait a few months more.
Simon
Awwwwwww still looks cool to me from the picture but I myself have had no Trim or cut in nearly 3 years now so it looks like Im due a trim to
Axel
Hey James ...
Your hair is looking great. It appears to still be adding alot of growth. - Must've been that Colorado weather huh? :)
Don't sweat the trim ... just get it done and you'll still be right where you should be... Do you have someone you can trust to do it??
Take care... haven't seen you on as much lately.. Studying I presume??
Be Blessed...
Tristan
Seems the oil helped quite a bit, so I'll hold off with the trim.
And yes, Tristan, I've been really busy lately. I check the board daily, but usually just for a couple minutes to see what's happening. Hope all is well with you. =)
-James