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Greetings -
Although I've been visiting this site pretty regularly since September, I only just now decided to post and actually join the group. My name is Jeshua and I'm a Senior in highschool who'll be starting college fall of '09. I grew up a world traveler with a "home" in Asia and am now living in Texas, USA.
I first started growing my hair in fall 2005 at the urging of my dad, who suggested that it might be the style to have medium length hair in the country we'd be staying in for six months at that time. I honestly wasn't all that excited at the idea; I was one of those guys for whom the term "hair cut" meant a monthly trip to the local barber's for a buzz cut. But I let it grow and a few months later, I actually liked it. Not having any real defined expectations or preceding experiences to go by, I wasn't aiming for a specific length/style and was just enjoying the thrill of waking up each day to the realization of "Wow... today is the longest my hair has ever been" - even if it wasn't actually that long by long hair standards. In December of that year though, I made the mistake of coming home from a grueling game of football, my hair a matted, unkept looking mess for all my relatives to see, whose house I was at for Christmas. My aunts, mother, and grandmother launched into the cooing "Jesh, you'd look SOOO much more handsome with short hair... doesn't that long hair just itch and get in your eyes anyway? Wouldn't you like Aunt Brandi to cut it for you?", etc. I then took a look in the mirror with all that going and to my dismay did think those dark tresses, the same ones I'd been so happy about for so long, looked incredibly unruly and the rest is history. Half an hour later, I came out with a cropped cut, rubbed the back of my clean-shaved head before sitting on the couch and reluctantly basking in the compliments of the family.
Haha, anyway, long, histrionic tale of woe (regarding something as insignificant as hair too!) aside, I went on from there to grow my hair out two more times, one of which after a bleach, before my final haircut last July. It was after that that I finally decided that I was just going to do it, like so many of you other guys I've read about. I love the way long hair can look and, besides that, just love the idea of a challenge and of being in a minority. But that brings up my biggest weakness in regards to sticking the journey out: I have to admit that when it comes to my appearance, I'm extremely self-conscious. Everyone likes to look and feel good but I don't know, I feel like I might be a little over the edge. Maybe it's because I'm used to little things like being voted best-looking guy every year at school and being offered modeling spots at local clothing stores. Regardless of how trivial they are, it's funny how stuff like that can still get to your head and make you place strange standards on yourself. It really is so retarded that you could almost say I'm border-line metrosexual, just minus anything effeminate besides overt physical appearance sensitivity. But yeah, because of that, the awkward stage is proving to be a great challenge for me. When I'm having an especially bad hair day, I just feel like wearing a bag over my head would be a better substitute than my head of hair. It doesn't help that my hair has some wave in it, so it kind of gets out of control right now and I feel like I'm constantly having to fix it up, which of course makes you look like a pansy when you're out with your friends playing ball or teaching your class. I'm trying to rough it out the natural way, with no usage of gels, sprays, hair straightners (sp?) or even too much usage of hats, so my hair can grow out as healthy and full as possible. It's pretty hard though when you're still in school. Seems like I can't get through a day without tons of people begging me to cut my hair and get rid of any notions of growing it out. Blah blah blah... I'm convinced that, once I make it through this ugly hair stage, it will look good and not just in my eyes. If only I could get others to chill out and just see how things go before assuming that long hair can only get worse and never look anything other than butt-ugly. I guess you guys' advice would be that I should just ignore all of that huh? Well, if there's any recommendations on how to fix hair when it's around my length, by all means, please let me know. I'm open to any suggestions whatsoever at this point.
Oh yeah, I guess I should post a picture too so you can see where I'm starting from. I don't have a picture of my current length just yet but I do have one of the length it was at around mid-August. I have it attached below. Also, I guess it'd be good for me to post what I'm aiming for as well, as I'm very interested in hearing you guys' estimates on how long and what it would take to achieve my desired length and style. Initially, I was looking at medium length hair, with bangs over the eyes and the back tapered to be just a little bit longer than that; an emoish look, if you will. But later, I discovered an old 80's band by the name of Skid Row which I loved and since then have opted for the glam rockstar look of Sebastian Bach (I attached his pic below as well). I realize that's pretty quixotic and that he probably had tons of junk done to his hair to get it to look like that. But no matter, I still like the general length and look of his hair and will be aiming for that in my own quest. Any calculations on how long it would take? I'm very blessed - my hair grows at roughly 2.7 centimeters a month, or at least it has thus far. At that rate, I guessed I could get desired length within a year and a half. Yet since I'm not exactly the most experienced judge of hair growth, I'm giving myself a date of around December 2010 to reach the look I want. Hopefully, that is a realistic expectation, factoring in dustings when necessary and such. Let me know what you all think.
Thanks and best of luck to each of you in your own journeys,
Jesh
Welcome to the board, Jesh. It seems like you've already had quite a journey, trying to reach the longhair stage. Glad you are willing to share all that with us. Best of luck on reaching your desired length, as it will be upon you before you know it. Keep it growing! =)
-James
Hey, thank you for the welcome. Btw., I've seen your website and was impressed with its setup. It was really cool looking through your progress pics, your hair just grew more and more amazing with each update. Very encouraging to see. :)
Jesh
Hi and Welcome, Jeshua !
Good luck for your journey ! As far as I can see, you have the good basis to grow long and healthy hair :) Concerning your goal, maybe 2 years to reach this length ?
Bye
Vivien
Alright, awesome, so December 2010 should be a feasible date. Sounds good, two years it is then. Thanks for the thoughts!
Jeshua
Hi Jesh,
Welcome to our community here and thanks for posting and I suppose for de-lurking. Well if you have been here since September I'm sure will have read alot of good times and advice.
I would have to agree to Vivien that it will take a couple of years if you looking for something that length. I know sometimes the reason seems long and alot of it's just about patience but I'm sure you will be suprised and happy as you hair grows out. I first started growing my hair out about 8 years ago and it just about dow to my belt now. I've certainly not looked back.
Good luck on your hair journey and just remember to keep it growing and keep away from scissors.
Cheers,
John.B
Funny, I don't see the links. Oh, well. Here goes:
1. I hate being in a minority. The more, the merrier! ;-)
2. Skid Row, eh? You've got a wave, though, and Bas' hair is really straight. Maybe you could try for the Dave Sabo look??
3. Interesting that all the people telling you to cut your hair are *women*. Ask them if they're bothered by *their* hair! (Of course, that'll also let slip their real reasons.)
4. An inch a month?? You'll be where you want to be in a year, then!
5. As for the "awkward stage", how about brushing your hair straight back? What would that look like? (Some dudes just leave it there and get their bangs trimmed; it doesn't look awkward then, just "fairly long" instead of "long". Think of the Jonas Brothers.)
6. Oh, and don't worry about "looking like a pansy"--there's enough of that going around already!
Best of luck to you, too!
My Myspace page
Welcome Jeshua, glad you decided to post and i hope we can help.
I really don't have any easy answer for you other than a suggestion that you seek out a good stylist for ideas on how to progress through the awkward stage while looking decent. No doubt it would require trims and reshaping throughout the process and that will push back your target date for the final result.
The hard part is finding a good stylist and in addition they cost money, good ones cost a lot of money. We're definitely not talking about cheapo cuts hair salon.
Hope it goes well
Kevin
Welcome the board, it's great you decided to de-lurk.
Wow that's quite a story, you've got a long path of trying but I know you can do it this time.
The lenght you're aiming for will take about two years, but with your growth rate maybe even less.
Hey Jesh, and welcome to the board. First of all, I think you will look good with long hair. In regards to the awkward phase...the only advice I can offer is to stick it out. Like many of us here, that was the only way through the awkward phase. When you get past the stage, you're home-free and much happier with yourself. Plus it's like a major hurdle...and once you get over it you won't want to go back.
It does feel good "being in a minority" as you said. Along with wanting long hair, I opted for Beta over VHS, Laserdiscs, and I'm a Mac user. I'll have to say that taking a stand when it comes to my hair length is the single most independent thing I've ever done...and it is very liberating.
So stick with it, despite what others say or want. Do it for yourself first...but if you keep doing what everyone else wants, you'll kick yourself in the ass for it later!
Take care, best wishes, and good luck on your longhair journey! Keep us posted!
Brett
Growing My Hair Out...Again! Progress Pics