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Am in a very conservative blue collar profession (read banker) but have decided to throw caution to the winds and grow my hair - I want to have a neat ponytail. Right now its a normal short hair - can those of you who have already done this or are in the process, tell me how will it take to get to the neat pony tail stage? Also, will it be impossible to keep it neat in the meantime by using heavy gel etc? Really appreciate any advice/comments.
(Slightly edited version) Am in a very conservative white collar profession (read banker - pin stripe suit and all!!) but have decided to throw caution to the winds and grow my hair - I want to have a neat ponytail. Right now its a normal short hair - can those of you who have already done this or are in the process, tell me how will it take to get to the neat pony tail stage? Also, will it be impossible to keep it neat in the meantime by using heavy gel etc? Really appreciate any advice/comments.
I have been growing about 15 months now. Yes it will suck but it is possible to keep it neat. I have went through a lot of gel in my phase and I still use gel. I currently use studio line alcohol free melting gel. It leaves long hair soft and manageable. BUT for your stage I had to use super duper strong gel to keep it styled. I did however insure it was alcohol free as I suggest the same to you. Some
people will recommend periodic trims which I don't suggest until you are way past the awkward stage otherwise you are delaying your ponytail satisfaction. I have found that as long as your hair doesn't stink and it is styled nobody gives you a hard time.
As a former banker (13 years total). Your chances are MUCH better if you work in a larger bank and work in back room operations. They seem to be more accepting of longer hair as long as it is neat. I worked most of my bank years in small community banks and got reprimanded everytime my hair touched the bottom of my collar. Fortunately now I work in state gov't and am lettin it grow!!!! Just stick to the gel and slick it back as soon as it's long enough until you can get the bangs in a ponytail (unfortuately will take about a year and half). Good Luck to ya
I found that gel got me through the awkward stage without a single negative comment at work. I used ( and still do, but much less now ) Dep level 8 alcohol free gel. Try it, you'll like it! Also, for anyone just setting out on this journey, I highly recommend at least one complete reading of Bill's excellent treatise On Being a Longhair.
I have linked it below for you.
I say u should use redken hardware as the gel. It is very strong. Also make sure that you always have gel in. Another good idea is to save the sides. I did that becuase they wouldnt grow. It makes your hair very neat. And i have curly hair. You could also cornrow it!!