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Hey guys,
I have been growing out my hair for about 4-5 years now, and I've gone through the awkward stage, the ponytail stage, the braided ponytail stage, and now I'm looking for something totally different.
I want a way to wear my long hair down without it being too frizzy or getting in the way. I love the look of dreadlocks, but I realize that once you're done with dreds, the hair is ruined and must be cut off. I'd like something similar to dreds, like braids, but it must be reversible; or in other words I don't want it to damage my hair.
I live in southern California, so I think I could find a barber shop or stylist that could do this for me, but I don't know what exactly to ask for. I've tried searching for long hair styles on the internet, but "long hair" for men is at most shoulder length according to every fashion site I've found.
Does any body know of a website with images or information about cleaning and maintaining the kind of hairstyle I'm talking about? Has anyone tried it and found it detrimental to their hair? I really need a break from the ponytail look, I do find it somewhat effeminate or un-masculine on my face and frame.
Hi Alex,
First of all congratulations for your efforts of 4-5 years. It must really be exciting to have such long hair. I am just starting with my long hair journey, my last haircut was at the beginning of October and for the next 1 1/2 year, I have the intention to grow out my hair. A good inspiration source is the website of SamsoKera: (http://picasaweb.google.fr/longhairmen/LongHairMen#). I often visits his website and I find a lot of nice long hair models (beyond shoulder length). By the way, it is longtime ago that we received updates from SamsoKera.
How did you start to grow out your hair and what were the reactions from your relatives and your friends?
Have a lot of fun in 2009 and keep growing!!
Thanks for all the input everybody.
I think microbraids are probably the closest thing to what I'm looking for. I wonder if something can be woven in with the hair to add volume. I'm going to read all the sites you recommended and go through Youtube. I'm pretty sure that I'm going to do this within the next week or so while I'm on break from grad school, and I'll be sure to post pictures. I just want to reassure myself that it will look good on me, and not damage my hair.
I have a weird family dynamic, but I didn't have too much resistance from my family. I will say that I took an unbelievable amount of shit from my friends about my hair though. In addition to a few nicknames, I had friends ask me periodically when I was going to cut my hair for years. I even had a roommate flat out tell me he thought long hair looked ugly. Luckily I was fairly ugly to begin with, so I didn't mind rocking long hair. I figure I'm the only one who has to wake up every morning to look myself in the bathroom mirror, so it's what makes me happy that is most important.
Thanks for your reply and support!
Alex, I suggest you seek a hair salon catering to ethnic hair. They can offer a variety of non-permanent styles (braids, corn rows, etc.) not damaging to long hair.
Hey,
If you like the look of dreadlocks, you can try microbraids. It won't have the thickness of dreads but it could look nice. Of course, the effect depends on your hair type...
Me too, I sometimes play with idea of having dreads one day.
Bye
Vivien
Personally I like the mirco-braids look. It's similar to dreds but you can take them out.
Just for those curious about Dreds, heres a site for that. This is the "Facts and Rumors" page.
Dreadlocks.com
For MANY diverse ideas you might try looking on You Tube under Longhaired Men or Men with long hair etc. There is much to be found there. Especially look up the user longhairmen1.
Hope this helps.
Microbraids can be brutal on your hair. If you've never heard the word 'tenderheaded', it's what they call you at the beauty parlor when you yell because it hurts when they braid so tightly. Tight braid styles can lead to breakage and hair loss at the scalp. I don't know your hair type, but if you go to a salon that specializes in African hair and you have fine, straight hair, you could be asking for trouble.
Yeah, now that I read some of the material suggested for me, I can see that. I wonder if there is some happy compromise where I can get the general look without having super-tight braiding done. I'll have to look into it more.
You didn't say how long your hair is, so it's difficult to make a suggestion. But if it's halfway down your back or longer, consider a half-tail. That way, you get to have it down, but not in your eyes.
You could try differing kinds of waxes and see what works - the right wax can hold a faux-dread style for days!
Im new here so I hope its not out of line to just jump in, but good luck!
-Clint
You could try differing kinds of waxes and see what works - the right wax can hold a faux-dread style for days!
Im new here so I hope its not out of line to just jump in, but good luck!
-Clint