new thread
Hello, my name is Nathan, and I am a 14 year old male. I'm starting high school next month. Anyway, my hair has always been poofy and wavy/curly, and I can't seem to grow it long without my hair looking absolutely terrible. Here is a picture of it normal:
http://i93.photobucket.com/albums/l67/toasty4you/Summer08124-1.jpg
http://i93.photobucket.com/albums/l67/toasty4you/test-2.jpg
That, by the way, is a good picture of it. Normally, its a lot more unruly than in the picture. Here is me when I straighten my hair:
http://i93.photobucket.com/albums/l67/toasty4you/DoerreDance001-1.jpg
http://i93.photobucket.com/albums/l67/toasty4you/DSC02683.jpg
You may notice that in my first picture my hair is a little shorter. I got a haircut a month ago, that's why.
Anyway, I want all you helpful guys here on to help me. I'm not saying I want my hair to be straight and long, just wavy like my hair generally is. Why? It fits my personality and I love long hair A LOT more than a short hair cut. So please recommend anything from washing tips, conditioners, shampoos, etc.
I know you can't change your hair type permanately, but my hair is just so close to becoming ideal that I can't help but to try getting this long hair. Just a few tiny curls and a lot of poofyness get in the way.
Thanks a lot guys! I've been everywhere, from other hair forums, Yahoo! Answers, you name it. I would be so happy if you guys could take a few minutes and help me out. Thanks a bunch!
Welcome Nathan,
I definitely prefer your hair when it is straightened, it makes a world of difference on you! Your hair looks to be a full three inches longer when straightened! For now at least, if you are conditioning your hair regularly when you wash it then you are already doing the right thing. Do not on any circumstances get any kind of trim, this will only set you back further from achieving longer hair. Just let it grow, in about 6 more months you should definitely see much more length and in a year from now your hair should be below your shoulders. Achieving very long hair takes patience, it took seven years for me to achieve the length I have now.
Thank you Eric for the help!
I do take daily showers and lather and care for my hair very well each time; both with shampoo and conditioner. And yes, I love my hair straightened too, though the outlook on boys who straighten their hair combined with all the work to do it is aggravating. I'll take your advice and try being patient and just take care of my hair for now.
One question though for you or anybody else on here: what about leave-on conditioners? Will they help at all?
Thanks.
Nathan,
everyone's hair is different and of course will react differently to different kinds of products. I myself have very oily hair and don't need need any kind of leave-in conditioner. If you currently have no problems with your hair feeling hard or really dry, then no you don't need leave-in conditioners in your hair either. Judging from your pictures your hair looks quite shiny and full, I would so for you leave-in conditioner is a waste of money!
Thank you guys for the help! This forum has been the most helpful place I've encountered so far.
Eric, my hair actually is very shiny and pretty oily, so I probably shouldn't even think about leaving in conditioner. :P
Regardless (the user), thanks for reinforcing Eric's notion of trying to be patient. I will, and trust me, if I do get long hair, I'll definitely come back to this forum! In fact, I have it bookmarked so I can't forget it.
Kevin, thanks for the link! I'll definitely check it out.
White Tail, thanks for backing Eric and Regardless up. Since 3 people said I should ignore all the weird things going on right now, I guess I should if I want to grow long hair!
Oh, and sorry if my messages come up weird. I'm not used to these kind of forums. Thanks for the help guys.
Nathan, you will learn that your hair really doesn't need as much product as the hair product companies would have you believe(so they can make more money of course!). My hair is so oily that I have the opposite problem, I have to keep my hair clean so I definitely don't need anything like leave-in conditioner in my hair to make it look even more dirty! I simply use a wash-out conditioner to keep my hair shiny and soft, I like the brands Pantene Pro-V and Loreal Paris Vive Pro when I choose my shampoos and conditioners. Since you have the same type of hair that I do which is oily, you definitely don't need leave-in conditioner in your hair either! Which is good, you can save that money for good food or nice clothes!
Thanks! I guess I'll have to check that off my list than.
When I do have long hair sometime, I'm definitely coming back here to post some pictures! I wonder how long it would take to go down to my shoulders or a little past, since that's the length I like. Maybe like 2 years for the sides and everything? I'm no hair expert, so I'm probably way off. :P
Well, I have to go to bed now. My other message isn't showing up very quickly. Maybe I did something wrong, though it could still be processing. Anyway, any advice is useful, no matter how amateur. In fact, I bet I'm the most amateur person on these boards when it comes to any kind of hair at all. :P
Here is a picture of right now. Yes, its real early right now here:
http://i93.photobucket.com/albums/l67/toasty4you/test.jpg
That's how my hair looks most of the time, though its a little wild right now because I didn't put any effort into flattening it. In fact, I don't even think I should flatten my hair in the first place, like with hands and towels and stuff, right? Should I just let it be loose and free?
Anyway, judging by the picture, does it look like I could grow long hair? And what can I do about those curls in my sideburn area? Sorry for asking all these questions. You don't have to answer all of them.
This picture here:
http://i93.photobucket.com/albums/l67/toasty4you/WebCam3.jpg
Is a picture of me and my guitar with my hair straightened. Again, I don't want my long hair to be straight, but just all natural like it is now. Thanks guys!
Oh, sorry guys! My links didn't come out the way I wanted them too. Still, look at them anyway please, so you know what I'm talking about. Thanks!
Hi Nathan,
Welcome to MLHH. It's always cool to see people as young as yourself to want to grow their hair out as that means you'll have many more years to enjoy it. I have some recommended reading for you and strongly suggest you visit Bill's link "On Being a Longhair"
http://www.choisser.com/longhair/
You'll have many questions and the answers to most if not all can be found there. Give it a read and let us know if it was helpful.
Take Care
Kevin
Hi Nathan
The single most important thing you need to know when you want to grow out your hair, especially since you have curly hair, is to be patient. Yes, those with curly or wavy hair, is going to have a bit of an awkward phase during the early stages of growing out their hair. Like other said, you are doing the right thing. When your hair gets long enough, it will stop going over the place. Another very important thing is NEVER EVER get a trim. Some people may say that trimming your hair makes it neater, but it is the other way around. I would love to see you with long hair.
Regardless
My MySpace
He actually might need a trim, depending on how often he straightens it...for someone without heat damage/chemical damage it's fine to go without trims for a while, but for those with it it can be a problem.
I haven't straightened my hair in months and I don't plan on straightening it again.
Welcome Nathan;
I think your hair looks good now, but the troubles you describe are known around here as "the awkward stage". Once you are through that (and you will get lots of support and encouragement from the members of this forum when you are frustrated) your hair is going to look just fantastic. Hang in there !!!
Looking forward to your updates.
WWT (Walter White Tail)
Hair poofyness tends to fix itself as it grows. When your hair has enough length it will smooth out because of the weight of the hair. My hair used to be really feathery looking until it got heavy enough to fall straight down. Hope that helps.
You've got a great start, just keep away from the scissors and try to get through the akward stage. You can use a hat or a bandana to make this easier.
Actually, I'm wearing a hat right now. :P
Too bad they don't allow them in school.