new thread
Hi there everyone! Let me introduce myself really quickly. My name is James R. , from Cleveland, OH. Ever since my junior year of high school, I began to grow my hair out (along with losing a significant amount of weight -- about 100 lbs). I love being a long hair, although I really don't know why. My hair is curly and tangly, and quite hot in the summer. I have a motorcycle helmet that pulls it taught (which is REALLY bothersome), and it's just a pain in the butt sometimes, but I just can't bring myself to cut it.
I have, several times, however, cut it since then, (last time, I cut it in order to donate it to Locks of Love) but I'm once again (for about the third time) growing it out. However, I never knew some of the general hair-care tips that I should've when I initially began (washing in cold water, not shampooing every day, etc). So I thought I'd come here and post a couple pictures of the hair I've had (and have), and ask if it is as erratic as it is because it's been mistreated...
How it was-
http://i30.photobucket.com/albums/c328/JadeSparro/l_6d2c0c2c9ec509b8d1bed274640162c4.jpg
How it is-
http://i30.photobucket.com/albums/c328/JadeSparro/IMG_2776.jpg
And a closeup of the curly tangles etc (this is after combing it)-
http://i30.photobucket.com/albums/c328/JadeSparro/IMG_2778.jpg
Does it look like, to experienced eyes, that I've mistreated my hair? If so, I might as well just start over and use my new knowledge to my hair's advantage.
Any advice would be greatly appreciated! Maybe one day I'll have some EPIC hair...
~James R.
It looks like your hair is still in the awkward stage. Unfortunately, curly hair can remain there a bit longer than straight hair. Just let it grow with normal care and you will have a great looking head of hair.
I would just let it grow and forget those LOVELY Locks of Love people as they do SO well with hair donations!
Cheers,
John.B
LoL@ John. Yes like toss 50% of them in the trash.
When to wash is a personal issue you and you hair will have to figure out. I wash about once a week with shampoo and some people need to wash every day. But as the others have said. Just let it grow.
Here's the first advice. Do not cut it. I know it is tempting, but it will only make you start over. Trimming is also unnecessary, as it prolongs the awkward stage.
Secondly, try a loose-fitting helmet for the motorcycle (loose so that it will not tug on your hair, but not too lose, or it will fly off). Or drive a car or take a bus (you do not need a helmet for those method of transportation).
I also wanted to be a long hair starting in high school, but my family would not let me. I had been growing out my hair for 18 months now, and it is still not yet touching my shoulders. I did get an awful trim in February this year for my cousin's wedding and I looked worse afterwards. I have wavy hair.
I do these things to my hair. I wash once a week, and simply water down my hair the other days. I wait till my hair is mostly dry before I comb it. I try to limit the times I put my hair up (and it is not a complete ponytail yet).
By the way, congratuations for losing all that weight. I am sure it makes you feel much better.
Regardless
Welcome to the MLHH, James! Good to have a new member on board.
Your hair looks healthy to me, though it's always hard to tell from pictures. Finding a shampooing/conditioning schedule is something you'll have to figure out on your own, as everybody's hair is different. Some are greasy, some are dry, some a fine, some are thick, etc. Just try a few things for a while and stick with what works well.
I really like your "before" picture, and I think you looked great. Have fun with your journey, and keep us updated with your progress!
Joshua
P.S. Congrats on the weight loss! You look to be in great shape.
Hey,
Well done on the weight loss and welcome to the community!
Your hair doesn't look very mistreated, but the good thing is that now you've learnt techniques to take better care of it, which you can start doing from now.
On a side note, our hair looks EXACTLY the same!!
I never met anyone with my same hair texture, until I saw your pics. I'm nearly a year into growth and it still feels very short.
Just keep it up, and good luck :)
I'd like to see updates if you're growing it, because I'll be able to relate to your hair!
Take care
Shawn
Hi James,
First of all, welcome to the hyperboard, and I am glad that you have joined our community!
I would like to congratulate you on your weight loss of 100 pounds! Also, try not to get frustrated about your hair, and it looks fine as far as I can tell. Curly hair is always the most defficult to grow, since it seems to take longer until you notice the increased length. But the rewards are well worth it, so the best thing to do is to saty away from the scissors!
Keep it growing,
David
Hi, I don't think you have mistreated your hair at all. I'd just let it grow from there.
Some may disagree with me, but as I have similar-textured hair to yours, I will tell you what I do. I never comb my hair except when it's been washed and conditioned thoroughly. Never comb it dry. This is where the breakeage comes in for curly hair. If I tried to comb my hair dry, I cannot imagine the horror of the snaps and snags I would encounter. I use lots of leave-in conditioners and may go up to two or three days without combing my hair. That sounds ridiculous, but it works, and I can usually make it presentable by applying leave-in conditioner and water to reinvigorate the curlage, wetting my hair as if I am making a ponytail and then shaking it out. Curly hair is not always tangled when it may appear to be; that is just how it is. You will know a tangle when you see it, but intertwined hair is not necessarily tangled hair.
"Epic" is such a cool word to use, and by not cutting your hair, but growing from where you are, you can acheive epic hair sooner.
MB
Hey everyone, thanks for all the responses, especially the advice and the congratulations. I forgot to check this last night so I see I got a lot more replies than I expected!
Loosing the weight was great indeed, and I do my best to keep hitting up the gym. Trying to go for that Spartan look. ;)
Anyhow, thanks again for the advice everyone! I too have rarely met people with the same kind of curly hair as mine. :) I will certainly try and be a regular, or at least update once in a while here. I won't be cutting it for a while yet!
~James
Hi,
Welcome to the board, I don't think your hair looks bad just keep on growing it. Be carefull with combing curly hair it will break easier.