new thread
Hello MLHH! Been a long time!
Long post, I apologize!
I think what brought me back here was to say thanks to all the members I came to be acquainted with during the 2 years I was active on this website. I have a hair quandary and have always respected the opinions of many people on this board.
I am seriously contemplating returning to short/shorter hair. Interestingly enough I have experienced more resistance to cutting my hair than encouragement to cut it, which i didn't expect. I work multiple jobs which require a professional look, meaning moussed and tied back all the time. Then I realized my hair is ALWAYS tied back anyways. It is becoming a nuisance at times, annoying at others, and of course fun sometimes as well.
I've been around long enough to remember the 2 week rule, but i have been thinking about it for over a month now. Still not sure what to do. I wanted long hair since I was 8 years old. Now I have it and have had it for a few years, and I am not sure I want the hassle it brings anymore.
However, at this point in my life, I know if I cut it, I will almost definitely never grow it back out again, and the "awkward stage" was very uncomfortable and unsettling for me. My hair line is screaming back, hidden under my long hair. Not sure what to do in light of that either.
Here are three pictures of me. One where my hair is now, In an epic costume I might add!
One of me with short hair that was close to when I started growing:
And a last one just a quick microsoft paint crop job to eliminate the longish hair in the back of a pic. I like this look with too. the fiance seems to hate it though. She likes the long hair.
I know the general consensus is "Grow it!" around here, or even the "do what makes you happy" response too. I don't expect otherwise but I decided to post again here anyways.
Peace, Love and God's blessing on you all,
~Rome
oh my goodness, look at that avatar! hahaha
Rome I'm not going to lie and say you do what makes you happy as its a big disappointment to me to read what you just posted.If you have been keeping up with the board lately it seems there has been a run of hair cutting lately.You mention the hassle of having long hair when in actuality your hair really isn't all that long based on the first pic.Imagine if your hair was belt length!Anyway I'm not going to encourage you one way of another as you seem to know what you want.I will say your time here at mlhh has been good time and you will be missed.Best of luck to you my friend in whatever life throws at you.Oh btw those scissors in that shield just over your head kind of reminds me of "The Omen" in some crazy way!LOL
Mark
Haha, I never noticed those scissors. thats kind of funny.
Hmm see thats the thing, I really don't know what I want to do about this. It's kind of a weird feeling: I see myself as a dude with long hair. Every single person I am still in frequent contact with knows me as the longhaired guy. My fiancee has only known me as a long haired guy.
It's weird because I feel like I will miss it if i cut it, but I still don't enjoy it as much as I used to in the beginning, or as much as I hoped to.
Is that bizarre? I feel like A longhaired guy even when I don't want it, and that feeling keeps me from cutting it. I don't know how to explain it.
Thanks for replying though. And no my hair isn't really long. I cut about 5 inches off a month ago.
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You explanation does perplex me as I don't really know how to answer that.So you already cut 5 inches and I suppose even with shorter hair,though still longish,it still bothers you?Also you seem to have positive people around you who know you as a longhair.There must be more issues involved here because on the surface you've got everything going for you as a longhair unless I'm missing something.
Mark
Wow do these posts sound like I'm just whining? I hate to come back to the board after so long and just annoy people with my thoughts :(. I just like you guys (and girls) and value *your* thoughts!
The picture with the long hair is recent and post 5 inch cut.
All my friends, and my fiancee like the long hair. Even the ones who don't think it looks good say, "yeah but it makes you look so unique, who has hair like you?"
My jobs, on the other hand, hate it. Tell me it doesn't look professional. I am very young to be working where I am, and any portrayal of myself as unprofessional is damaging to my ability to engage with my clients.
Pros:
-Um, long hair is sweet
-I've wanted long hair since I was a child, and at times used to see myself with long hair even before I had it
-I think it looks good
-Covers my very receding hairline
-Friends and betrothed like it
Cons:
-Getting extremely annoying to take care of
-Constantly have to tie it back anyways
-Work doesn't like it
-Makes my clients give me the eye
-Immediate and extended family still give me crap about it
-Sometimes I miss how I used to look with short hair
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Rome, I in no way thought you were whining and I hope it didn't come across that way.You now clearly made your case for going short and if that's what needs to be done then that's fine.To me it looks like the bulk of the problem is the corporate weenie effect.Yes, we all need to have that corporate America look otherwise we are lower than.......well you get the idea.LOL.So Rome do what you need to do as many past guys have done that also.I will certainly think no less of you.Good luck.
Mark
Salvatore - It's been awhile.
Well, I must say that long red hair looks absolutely nice on you.
I like your costume, too!
Thanks for updating us - and I do hope that the hair is a "keeper".
- Oren
Thanks for the compliment. Is your avatar recent? I'd like to see a recent pic of your progress!
The avatar pic is from March 2009.
I will share an update soon.
- Oren
Hey Rome,
Nice to hear from you again. I think your hair looks great in the recent photo and can only imagine how awesome it looked before you had the 5 inches cut off.
You say your long hair is hiding a receding hairline.... I certainly can't detect any thinning and if the long hair is obfuscating a bit of recession, well, that's a good thing!
I relate to having wanted long hair since around 7 or 8. From all signs you would appear to have at least some degree of longhair identity. I think you risk losing something if you cut. You seem pretty set on it though. I guess I'm not sure what to say other than I hope you don't.
Jason
oh my goodness! Jason! Check out your mane! I didn't know you had such a wave to your hair!
I had to comment, if you can remember I decided to grow it out after viewing your online hair journal years ago. Hehe.
my opinion is to keep it.. yet your idea dont look bad at all, matter of fact I like the looks.. you only risk regretting it and BAM! having to wait another long time to get back what you had, also on the down side.. your longhair goes killer with the medieval outfit.. Peace!
haha. thanks! Isn't that outfit great? I truly feel like with the recession of my hair line, if I were to go short again now, I would probably never grow it out again. So the regret may indeed be great. I wouldn't know though. this is my first time with long hair, and could be my last :-/
???
Heh yeah that's not too clear.
Its a nuisance at times because I always have to tie it back, I miss my 2 minute showers, I have fly-aways or whispies or whatever people call them that I hate the look of and they never grow...
It's annoying because (at least until I busted a disk in my back) I work out and go running a lot and it is a hassle then. My jobs don't want it, and those jobs are important, etc.
But its long hair. Something I've always wanted. I like how it looks, its unique. because of the long hair I have come to appreciate and even like my hair color. I identify myself as a guy with long hair, and so does my love (wedding next summer woohoo!).
That's kind of what I meant.
Unfortunately, it looks like you're leaning towards cutting it. Your hair looks great right now by the way.
In that case I'd say just go really short like that second pic. You may regret it, but it'll be your choice.
Hi Rome. Formerly Regardless, I go by MattM on the board now. Reading about all the hassles that goes on with your long hair, I don't want to say cut your hair. What I would say is keep your hair long, but keep it nice looking, and do not listen to anyone saying anything negative about your hair, even from your work boss. Take ear plugs with you and wear them when you go out, so you will not hear people saying anything against your hair. On the top photo, your hair looks good enough.
Matthew
Hehe, I like the idea, but I am a marital counselor, and also a mentor for high-risk teens. Earplugs might prove to be a problem in both jobs ^_^. Thanks for your thoughts though, and your kind words. And actually most of my experiences in public have been positive about my hair. Except for getting mistaken for a girl from behind a couple times, but i can can that with an ounce of humor.
Rome, Rome, Rome:
If cutting it is what you want to do, then do so. I trust you would not return to the very short starting point, but to something like your second picture in which you hair is long enough to move.
Once a long hair, always a long hair. We feel it as our power. Take a vaction if you wish, but we look forward to your return to the land of masculine strength, and forward vision, as seers into a healthy furture for people of all naetions.
Caledonian
Hi Rome,
It is great to see you again, and thank you for taking the time to stop in and say hi, and ask for our advice.
Of course I am sorry to hear that you are contemplating going back to short hair again, and I have always considered your staright, red, hair to be truly outstanding, and I was looking forward to your future progress. Of course I cannot offer a lot of advice, since what you do really has to be what makes YOU happy, but I can only say what the others have said already, I hope you stay with the longer hair.
I am also a bit surprised to hear about the receding. I cannot see it in this picture, and everything looks fine to me. However, if you have any concerns, please do not hestitae to see a doctor, preferably a dermatologist. Since you are young, drugs like propecia can stop any recession in its tracks, and reverse it in some cases.
Best of luck to you in what you decide to do, and please don't be a stranger!
Take care,
David
David, old friend! How are you?
here's a couple quick pics of the hairline to show what i mean. I think i would already be using one of the hair-loss products if I could afford it.
I know a part of me decided to post here with my "to cut or not to cut" question in hopes of being convinced not to cut, at least on some level. I haven't made up my mind yet.
Hi Rome,
First of all, thank you for asking about me, and things are going very well indeed. I am happily retired, and there is someone very special in my life now, even though we live in 2 different countries. I am eagerly awaiting my next visit to see Tammy again, in time for the US Thanksgiving.
Thank you for sharing these photos, and of course I am genuinely sorry, and only wish these medications weren't so expensive, and wish there could be a way for you to save the hair you have. I have used propecia for close to 3 years now, and my hair is no thinner than it was when I started, so it does seem to be working. Sometimes, I feel that these medications are grossly overpriced, and the drug companies are taking advantage of those who need them.
My best to you, and take care,
David
Hey Rome! I've seen your older posts with your hair pics. I personally think the long hair suits you more since it's color is amazing. And I wonder, did you get it trimmed? Your hair should be a bit longer if you grew it for more than 2 years.
It looks great, I personally would keep it, you might regret cutting it later. It takes 2 minutes to cut it all off but it takes more than 2 years to grow it back!
-Andrea
Yes, I liked this length or thereabouts and have kept it here for about a year and a half. 2-3 trims of 3-5 inches or something like that.
Hmm...that makes me think...if you want a change why dont you try to grow your hair longer than that lenght? You might like it and change your mind about cutting.
-Andrea
Took a couple quick shots. As I said the hair covers this problem.
But the recession isn't showing any signs of stopping :(
I'm sorry to see that you have this condition but I still think your hair looks good. It's possible the recession will stop as it doesn't always keep progressing. Propecia would be the way to go if there's any way you could finance it.
I have come to conclusion that it's fine to grow the hair that we have. I know many hesitate to grow after MPB has had an effect on their hair but I'm still a proponent of growing it anyway.
Oh, sad that you had an issue with receeding hairline.
On the other hand, if hair hide that, why don't you consider to keep it long until it shows too much ?
Anyway, the hair and the color are amazing :) The short hair suits you also very well...
Good luck !
Vivien
I'm guessing your receeding hairline is probably what is giving you doubts. Some bald longhairs look cool.
If it bothers you that you will look silly when you cannot hide it, I'd seriously keep it while you have it, or trust me, from knowledge of some male friends of mine, you will regret not making the most of your time left with your hair.
You know what, that's a great point. The receeding line is a big part of the problem. Some balding or bald longhairs do look good actually. But it's not for me I feel. So part of my problem is not wanting to have that look, especially cause I'm 22.
Keep it while I have it, hide what i don't like, and enjoy the good parts of long hair before it might be too late for me. thats a pretty good argument right there. Hmm.
Hi Rome =)
I won't tell you to grow it, or not to cut it, I believe you should do whatever you feel like it's correct for you now.
Still, your hair is absolutely breathtaking, the colour is very original. I always liked your hair a lot ^^
I wish you the best luck on your decision, hoping that wathever it is, it will make you happy =)
Still.............. I'd grow it longer! ;)
Hi Rome,
If it helps any, I have a receding hairline also. Mother Nature has its cruel side, and I definitely wish it wasn't so; but, I have found peace within myself once I made the decision to grow/keep my hair long, anyway, regardless of the receding. Everybody's different, though; so, I hope you find your own peace about it, too!
Personally, I think your hair looks hands-down TERRIFIC!!! The color is great, too!! And in the pic of yourself w/ your hair parted in the middle, I don't see any evidence of the receding. I recommend keeping the length as long as possible, --- or, even if you eventually decide to cut it back to short, to delay that action as looooooong as possible... like, until maybe your 80th or 90th birthday!
My best to you, --- and so glad to hear that your fiance has such good taste in hairstyles on you!!
- Ken in San Francisco
Good to see you post again Rome, even if it's about cutting. I think your hair is awesome! It's at a good length if you only want a little "hassle" and I don't see the hairline issue in this picture.
I probably had some of the same reasons as you in 2000, when I cut my hair, but I shortly regetted that action. Cutting it made me realise that I really did want long hair, but too late!I didn't start growing my mane back until 2005. It is very hard to start again!
Bruce
