new thread
First off. awesome site. I had a crew cut back in December, and haven't cut my hair since. I'm about at the bangs stage, and will soon be in that weird in-between stage as I make my transition into actually having long hair. I have a quick question though. I think my hair currently (and as It grows) looks pretty awesome when it's wet. But, when it dries, I look like a poof ball. Should I be putting something in there, other than gel, which I think is too sticky, to keep this look throughout the day? Like mouse or something? The reason I ask/don't know is because I've always just had a crew cut my entire life and really don't know what to do with it as it gets longer. thanks guys!
Chris D.
Like most of us when we were new to long hair (a very sparse few males have parents that raised them with it long), you are embarking into unchartered waters... Should yet set sail bringing a swim suit, or a wet suit? Should you have with you a couple of sweaters, or a rain jacket? Should you bother bringing sun screen, or just hats?
Why not try it ALL? Whastever makes you happiest; whatever helps you endure the infamous, "awkward stages" the easiest; and, "whatever gets you through the night!"
I've grown my mane out twice, --- and the two times going through the awkward stages were, oddly enough, totally different from each other. My first time was in the early '90s. I was extremely self-conscious, used tons of gel, hair spray, hats, etc. My 2nd time was right after I regretfully cut my waist-length hair short in Y2K. I was so anxious to have my long hair back, that I didn't give a damn what other thought about how i looked, --- and so enjoyed the "awkward stage" a lot more the 2nd time around. I rarely wore gel or hair spray, loved having it fly around loose in the wind, and wore bandanas and half-tails more than hats. Nowadays I bun or braid it; but, that's because it's even longer than my longest that I had before my Y2K cut.... In other words, just try whatever you'd like for right now; but, a year from now, as long as you don't give in and "toss in the towel", your hair will be TOTALLY different from today, --- so, enjoy the bangs while they last, and just have FUN on your longhair journey!
- Ken in San Francisco
Like Ken wrote.. whatever makes you happy. I'm about 13-14 months into growing from a GI cut. I use either Brylcreem or a really strong gel depending upon my mood and what I have left. :) I only use these when I go into my p/t job to hold my hair behind my ears. Good luck on your hair journey.
--
Splat
Hats. Hats are your friend at this stage. By about 10 - 14 months you'll be able to wear it "down", but it'll poof out and flip for a while.
It is short enough to get by with a nice leave-in conditioner (usually liquid - in a spray bottle). You could, like I do, put a bit of actual, plain-ol' conditioner in your hair AFTER your shower (like you would gel and about the same amount). Make sure your hair is still wet when you do it, though. When taking his advice, start with less than you think and add more if you want. It will keep it soft and help reduce poofiness. And trust me, I KNOW poofiness.
To prove it, here's a pic from 14 months of growth where I took a pic to my curly hair while it was dry. this is why those of us with really coarse or curly hair may wish to add water before styling and why conditioning can not be overrated.
Shawn (Mr.Crow)
PS Do not feel the need to shampoo anywhere near as often as short-haired habit would lead you to believe is required. I get by on one shampooing every week or so. I condition my hair EVERY shower, though.