new thread
Hello everyone, I'm a 20 year old man and ive grown my hair out a couple times and then cut it short for 2 reasons, 1. My hair is super thick and theres just so much for anyones head. and 2. My hair has so much volume it curls out when it gets about 8 inches or so and girls are always telling me they wish that had hair that curls like that at thebottem, The second problem would not be a problem if i couldjust thin my hair out as its growing, i only disliked the curling because there was 2 much hair, i was going for that retro 70's look ne ways, but some more info is my hair is super thick and it is also very soft. So if anyone has any tips to help me grow my hair out so its not really thick and also let me know how i should get it cut bf i start growing it out so it grows out looking good, or if i would need to go in and get it maiteneced up, if anyone knows i would love some help, and thanks to all who reply
Welcome, Jason. One of our most frequent members goes by "Jason", so you may want to use a different username. As for thinning hair, that is usually death to quality long hair. But since you're going for a certain look, a stylist should be able to thin it out with no problems. Best bet is to provide a photo for the stylist so she can see exactly what you want. Best of luck. =)
-James
Hi Jason
I also have really thick hair, so I have my hair "layered" this is where the hair growing from the top of your head is cut so it falls to a shorter length than the hair growing from the nape of your neck. All the 'layers' in between are cut to intermediate lengths.
This photo illustrates, see that the top layers fall to a few inches past my shoulders where the bottom layers fall to mid-back.
This process takes some of the bulk out of your hair.
Sorted
Sorted,
If you had not told us we would never know it was layered. This works great for you but will not work for everyone -- especially those of us who have curly or wavy hair. Too bad, I envy your straight hair and am glad to see you post occasionally.
CALEDONIAN
Hi Caledonian
I'll admit the lighting on the photo could be a little better, but the layers should be clear to see by the difference in length between the shoulders and the middle of my back. Look side-to-side as well as up and down and the visual will become clearer.
I actually have wavy hair but it straightens up nicely when I blow dry it. The trick (if anyone is interested) to getting wavy hair straight, is to let it get 2/3rds dry, then comb it out straight and blow dry (hot) in sections, continuing to the comb the hair straight and always pointing the nozzle downwards, with the hair. To avoid damage use a heat protect spray/conditioner.
When you hair is about 8" long and curling out, that's called the "awkward stage". It's something you have to bear and get through if you want long hair. Eventually, your hair will be long enough for gravity to pull it down, and it will probably look great then, if you have resisted the urge to cut or thin during the awkward stage. You might try hair spray or mouse to control it during that stage.
I'm a 61-year old man, and believe me, you don't want thin hair.
When you hair is about 8" long and curling out, that's called the "awkward stage". It's something you have to bear and get through if you want long hair. Eventually, your hair will be long enough for gravity to pull it down, and it will probably look great then, if you have resisted the urge to cut or thin during the awkward stage. You might try hair spray or mouse to control it during that stage.
I'm a 61-year old man, and believe me, you don't want thin hair.
Hello and welcome, Jason.
(Sorry everyone, I know it has been a long time since I've posted. I check up on you all the time, though, honest!)
Well, Jason, as someone with thick, curly hair, I know what you mean about hair getting bigger before it feels like it is getting longer. I would strongly caution AGAINST thinning it though. While it seems contradictory, doing so would extend your poofy-looking awkward stage and make milestones like pony-tails harder to honestly come by. The problem is that, while the longest hairs will have less competition and will seem to be more manageable, the shorter, layered hairs underneath will not reach the length where gravity pulls them down when the longer hairs do. The result: short hairs acting like springs to hold up (and out) the longer hair. You might end up with some hair actually being long enough to start falling down as mine is now (at 19 months without any haircuts) , but, since there are just as many others that aren't long and heavy enough for gravity, they will artificially hold these hairs up.
If you want your hair to start hanging down and not poofing out so much, the real remedy is simply time and good maintenance. Condition a LOT and don't be shy with using frizz-reducers (Frizz-Ease), leave-in-conditioners (Infusium23), hair menders (göt2be höttie), gels, pomades or mousse (or whatever you think will help to tame the 'fro).
Even compared with my most recently posted pic (taken at just about 17 months), the place where the bigness resides has moved lower and closer to the shoulders.
Here is the pic from almost 17 Months:
And here is the pic I did just now while writing this response, the hair I've worn all for the last 14 hours:
And from the back (where my subtle, natural highlights really seem to jump out due to the flash):
And, finally, with me pulling it out a bit to show more of the actual length:
If I had thinned it out earlier on in the growing process, the poofy part would not have migrated until ALL of the hair was long enough for it to do so anyway. You'd really likely be taking longer to get to your goal of hair that hangs down and not out.
Well, I hope this helps dissuade you, New Jason.
Cheers for now!
Shawn (Mr.Crow)
Your hair looks fantastic, Shawn. You are developing hanging
ringlets. They will just get nicer with added length. When it
gets really long the curls will stretch out a bit. To get an
idea as to what it will eventually look like, take a good
look at Bodhi. Your hair will probably look like his when it
reaches a similar length. Keep growing it for sure.
Scott
Great, because I think Bodhi's hair is really great! This is a really fun part of the journey because I've already reached the milestones of the ponytail, the hair touching the collar (when wet), etc.. but there is still so much room for growth.
Thanks for your support.
Shawn
Hi Shawn,
Oh my goodness! Your curls are looking superb these days, thick, shiny, and healthy, and the rewards are REALLY paying off now! Aren't you glad you stuck out the journey? I know that growing curly hair can be frustrating, but I am very pleased with your perseverance, and it should be smooth sailing from here on in. Keep growing those manlocks!
Take care,
David
Thanks, David.
Sorry I am not replying much these days. I have a lot of various interests and commitments pulling for my attention (as do we all). Thanks for your support, without which I would not have made it to where I am today.
Shawn
Good advice, Shawn, and what a great update! I can't believe how wonderful your hair looks. It's so well cared for. Are you still using the celtic hairpiece every so often?
Mouse
Firstly let me say that your last update was amazing! Your hair is so thick and will be oh, so luxurious long. Good for you for growing it out!
Then, I'll say "thanks"! I try to care for my hair though I am not extreme (ie. Cold water only, no combing while wet, Water Only Washing etc..). I do wear the Celtic piece as well as a couple pony tail cuffs I got on eBay. I am almost, ALMOST (maybe at two years?) at the point where I can pull my hair back while it is dry and have it all hold in a pony without using gel. That is my next benchmark. Thanks for the comment and the support. Sorry I didn't comment on yours right away.
Shawn