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I'm 29 years old and I've had very short hair all my life. On many recent occaisions, I've attempted to begin growing it. I usually get frustrated and cut it when it starts to look bad (about 2 months). I really want to grow it, but there are always comments from coworkers and acquaintences. How long will I feel like I look horrible? How can I deal with the comments? How can I get used to what I feel is a totally different lifestyle? I really want the end result, but I need to know how to tolerate the interim.
I don't know what the environment is like for you at work, so a cap might not be appropriate. To keep your hair under control, try washing it every other day to let the natural hair oils (sebum)lubricate your hair. I've noticed that the sebum does help straighten the hair. If that's too grungey for you, use a good conditioner--Sebastian and Rusk products are great. Or try a gel that doesn't have alcohol.
Good luck.
Hi.
I'm 22 and after 2 months of no cut(although my last cut wasn't buzz cut so u can compare it to a little more of 2 months) also having the same hair troubles as you.
My hair is between curly and straight so when I wake up it looks BIG.
What you should do is use products to style ur hair(gel,moose,hair moisturizer)-I personally use hair moisturizer-it acts like gel but doesn't have the yucky side effects and it makes my hair looks kinda decent.
So, don't let ur hair just grow-use hair products!(and no,I'm not working in the hair styling industry...:) )
If I may also add my two cents...
You are entering the awkward stage (sort of the Twilight Zone for longhairs). Understand all of us go through it. It will last anywhere between 6-9 months (doesn't that feel like a horror movie plot?).
The suggestions of using gel or other stuff to keep your hair (especially the sides) in line is a good one. Try to find products that have a limited amount or no alcohol as it does dry the hair.
I used Paul Mitchell's Foaming Pommade during my awkward stage. I still use it when I have to look "professional."
Eventually the hairs will be long enough to go back into a ponytail. the side hairs can then be "tucked under" to keep them in line.
In the mean time, be a regular visitor to this board. As you advance through the awkward stage, you will want to give up. Others may also encourage you to give up. If you want long hair, stick with those of us who are on the journey with you. There are many postings from those who are or have just experienced what you are about to go through. You will learn much about the awkward stage as well as the two-week rule. You will need to know these things.
My hair is now 1.5 inches below my shoulders - and still growing.
Have fun.
Hi MM, welcome! I'm a 32 year old guy with waist length hair and enjoy the intelligent discussions here. Unfortunately it's also hard for me not to get pulled into some messages here from very young guys that seem pretty dumb to me; but I don't think that will be a problem with you!
Do a search on this message board for "awkward stage" and you'll find lots of comments about dealing with the first six months to a year, until hair grows out enough to pull it back neatly. That's the real key to starting to feel comfortable with long hair, being able to keep it away from your face and have more than one way to wear it (i.e., pulled up in a ponytail, or left down).
As for dealing with the comments, there's also lots of discussion of that here as well. Why not post some specific comments you've had or are afraid of getting?
Having long hair doesn't necessarily mean "a completely different lifestyle". There are some new habits to learn about keeping your hair out of your way as a practical matter - especially if you do anything involving moving equipment - and additional time required to take care of it, but not much more than is involved in haircuts to keep short hair short, at least until hair is shoulder length or so.
Good luck!
Chris
At 52 I had a shaved head for about 10 years. Have been growing long hair since Jan 1 of last year. Today is the first day I didn't put crap (grease, hairspray or gel) in my hair. Coworkers said it was wild but some really liked it. I work in a very conservative environment. I am the only person in the entire building with longish/getting longer hair. It is just shoulder length now. At first when they noticed it getting longer they asked how long I was growing it. I said I didn't know. I still say that. I kept my hair swept back all the way with various gels, hairspray. Hated the stuff, but knew I had to do it until my hair could just be natural which is just about now. The key is not to be offensive to coworkers. For instance, we had a fund raiser in the office and one woman said they could raise a lot of money if I would agree cut my hair. I said to her that if they shaved her head they would raise four times as much money as any haircut I would ever agree to. We all know that is true of any woman that agrees to get a headshave, right? I have seen guys with long hair at Costco, for instance. I understand Safeway Stores, owns your ass and treats you like shit and no long hair, so it all depends where you work. One thing I did was I told all my coworkers in a joking way, and the women were very supportive and the men were jelious, that if they heard I was going to get fired because of long hair to let me know because I would cut it an inch above the lengh that would get me fired. The truth be known, most coworkers wouldn't tell you what they had heard and you would be fired - well, not really. The key is what kind of work do you do? If you are in sales, or somewhere what it will affect the corporate's income then you are going to have a difficult time. If you are a decent worker and a reasonable nice person, chances are they will ignore your hair if everything else is okay. Sounds like there are no other long hairs in your office and if they rest of the guys are trying to climb the ladder and know long hair will not help them get up the ladder, they are going to be jelous of you even if you don't want to climb the ladder. You could be seen as a threat. If you are able to tell us more about the environment you work in, we may be able to give you ideas how to get throught he hard part.
I really want to grow it, but there are always comments from coworkers and acquaintences. How long will I feel like I look horrible? How can I deal with the comments? How can I get used to what I feel is a totally different lifestyle? I really want the end result, but I need to know how to tolerate the interim.
I am age 50, and many over 20 years ago I cut my long hair that I had grown to half way down my back, and I had it that way for over 10 years.
I have a story about myself that may or maynot help you, but I hope that this does not bore you, but helps you into making a decision abou yourself:
In the early 70's, right after I got out of the Army - I am a vietnam era vet, I really had it with "the establishment" and decided to be myself.
I grew my hair, something that I had wanted to do all of my life, I had a very strict upbringing, and used to get "forced" haircuts by my parents. This was the beginning of my feelings against "short" hair.
I grew my hair for almost 11 years, with the occasional trim - only it had grown to the length that was about 24" long. That length was what I maintained, no longer, no shorter, and man was I cool. I loved my hair.
Well, I eventually got married, changed jobs, and was forced by my employer to cut my hair or be fired. I had a wife and a infant son. I did what I thought was best for "my family". I cut my hair, managed to pay the bills, and provide a home and substanance for my family.
As my son grew up, he had heard many stories about me and my long hair.
Upon reaching age 18, he decided he too wanted long hair. My wife objected, but I won out, he grew his hair.
Well, my son has a house, a good job and a live in partner, he is on his own.
My wife has since left me for another man, and we are separated, heading for a divorce.
My employer of many years, had financial problems, they went bankrupt, and I was severanced from their employment.
I was considered a dislocated worker by New York State, and made a major career change, from that of Retail Management to that of a Commercial Truck Driver, my current employer has no objections with long hair, as long as it is in a ponytail. Well, my hair is not long enough yet for a ponytail, but it is over my collar and somewhat beyond.
My solution, to allow my hair to grow as long as I want it to be, 24+", or more, I purchased an actual human hair wig, this was a very expensive purchase. The hair is an exact match for my hair color, and wearing this at work, as far as they know, I have long hair, and I keep it in a ponytail. This wig will cover my hair as it grows back, and the wig will be history upon me reaching that length. The wig is 24" long.
THE MORALE OF MY STORY, BELIEVE IN YOURSELF, FIND A WAY TO MAKE YOR DREAMS COME TRUE. I DID.
Take care man,
Mike "cool dude"
It sounds like my story. I am 24 and i always wanted long hair, but i would always cut it for some reason, like people telling me to cut it (mother and sister included) or not being able to go through the awkward stage and so on. But now no one will convince me to cut it, this time i will have my long hair. Read this board, it has lots of good advices about everything you could possibly want to know about hair.
Good luck