new thread
29 year old male here on the quest for long hair (no longer than to my nose or so though). I have always shaved my head and left about 1 cm on top and 1/2 cm on sides, I naturally have curly/wavy thin hair. I'm looking to get a "Johnny Depp"-ish look going on (cliche I know, but I can't think of any other famous examples).
Long story short: my friend convinced me to get a "trim". After 5 months of no cutting it was about 2.5 inches in length all over. It was definately going through the 'awkard' phase but my friend said I needed to do *something* to it to make it look better especially since the bottom back of my head started curling upwards and forming a 'curly mullet' almost. The hair dresser took off too much though! They took of about 1 inch off the sides and at my request they took none off at the top. Now I feel horrible! I worked so hard to grow it out now I have a mini-Kramer (Seinfeld) look going on.
What do I do? Should I count my losses and trim the top and created a same length all the way around? Or should I not worry much about it and look at it as a template for growing into a nice style?
You might want to get minor modification to avoid short-term embarrassment of a rather silly cut, just remember that most hairstylists think "one inch" is really about three; find someone you can trust or at least agree on terms beforehand so you don't end up way further behind.
Also, stop listening to your friend, as far as hair goes. There is an awkward stage you'll have to live through, and it's called "awkward stage" for a reason. Hats, gels, bandanas, etc, are usually a help during this.
Thanks for the advice. I read up on the forums and realized that I indeed gave in to the awkward phase messiness. I trusted my friend because she works for Aveda. Guess I was wrong.
On a side note, do you reccommend any place to go online for personal online consultation through email? I feel like I'm annoying if I post a lot with my 2.5 inch hair while most here have beautiful long hair. I would like to send pictures and just ask some general questions I couldn't find while searching the web.
I would go to a barber but I feel like they would only want to cut my hair and want money. So I don't know who to go to for advice.
I actually got a trim despite my reservations in early march, to fix up a mullet much like yourself. I lost tons of inches and only now am starting to get decent length back. DONT cut off anymore, just stick with it. Thats what you should of done from the start, its what everyone should do. Unfortunately useless trims are pretty damn common when your first growing out. Humans are weak. :P
How does it look now and how did you adjust to the discrepency in length (or was it an even trim all over?)? I'm hoping it somehow grows into almost like a David Bowie look. Most men here have long hair down to their back but I just wouldn't look good with that. But the curly mullet was killing me!
What happens when you let curly/wavy thin hair grow out? I literally had an afro when I let it grow out for a year awhile back, but I wonder at 2 years what would have happened? I could only get it straight if I slept with a beanie/stocking and then when humidity hit, bam...afro-ish.
Some words of advice:
1. Long hair is a LONG term commitment.
2. Cutting is ALWAYS detrimental to a long hair goal.
3. Never try to look like someone else (i.e., Johnny Depp). Always be yourself.
That sounds hard to deal with.
I don't think you need to worry about bothering the people here with questions, I think it's part of what this is for.
I'd say maybe try not to become overly concerned. Just let it grow. Look a year ahead. If you're only going for nose length, you don't have too much to worry about! ;p
- John.
Hey thanks for the reply, well if you don't mind I have a some questions.
1) My hair is naturally think and curly/wavy. When it gets to 4 inches I can afro it out and it looks like I have a mini Dr. J afro (I'm white btw). I noticed when I slept last year with a stocking/beanie on my head when I woke up my hair was all straight, atleast until I hit humidity. Is this a good idea to wear it or will it do damage to the hair long term? I apply Dr. Lee's minoxdil/propecia topical 2x a day and I think this would help absorption at night time as well maybe.
2) How often would you reccommend I shampoo and condition? I read off this site every other day and if dry hair then once every 3 days. The professional salon down the street the guy said everyday. Right now I do 4x a week with Aveda's Pure Abundance Shampoo and their conditioner and it is still dry. My hair is hardly ever greasy and I wish it was because it adds some life to it atleast.
3) I read about hair vitamins, are these still considered pretty much a waste and a plain ole multi is just fine? Are there any product I can add to my hair to help grow it better and healthier? Perhaps a vitamin mix or vo5 oil therapy, etc.
Thanks!
well if you don't mind I have a some questions.
------------
This is my first post here and I feel for you. I am at 5 months (this week is my anniversary and started in December with 1/8"!) I am now at about 2.5 inches and yes, it is definitely at that in-between stage.
Don't laugh when I tell you this next part. I have become addicted to YouTube. Although I am not African-American, my hair texture sounds like it is very similar to yours. There is a whole group of women -- and a few men -- who have formed a community there. I have learned so much from them and, honestly, you're the first male I feel I can help as I feel a bit ridiculous joining in the conversation with the ladies who are helping me on YouTube!
Now, to your question. One of the MAJOR things I learned about was moisture. With curly hair we do not retain moisture the way people with straight hair do so we have to take some steps to keep the moisture. Here is what I have been doing and my hair is really responding well to it.
1. Shampoo: I use a moisturizing shampoo once a week. Every fourth week I use a clarifying shampoo.
2. Conditioner: I learned that there are two types of conditioners. Cheapy ones which cost about $1 and are runny. Expensive ones which you use to deep condition. I bought both and here's why ...
2a. I only shampoo once per week but I shower daily. The ladies on YouTube taught me about "co-washing", which is another way of saying "conditioner-washing". Basically you shower as usual and use the cheap conditioner INSTEAD of shampoo during the week.
2b. Once a week I deep condition with the expensive shampoo. After washing with shampoo I leave the expensive conditioner in my hair for at least an hour (sometimes I wrap it in a handkerchief and sleep on it).
2c. I use Paul Mitchell's "The Cream" as a leave-in conditioner.
3. "Sealing": This is something I had never heard of before but it works like magic. After you condition you seal with an oil. I use a small amount of coconut oil, spread it over my head, and leave it. The oil traps in the moisture. Here's the amazing part. I spend about 2 hours a day at the beach and my hair does NOT react to humidity. The coconut oil not only seals the moisturizing conditioner in, it seals out humidity. This means nothing to someone with straight hair, but for anyone with curly hair you know how significant this is.
Finally, the most important thing I learned is MOISTURE, MOISTURE, MOISTURE. If you're going to shampoo daily -- and I DO NOT recommend it -- be sure to infuse moisture and "seal" it. If I hadn't learned this I surely would have chopped off the back of my hair a month ago when it started taking on a life of its own.
I realize I wrote a lot. It's my first opportunity to help someone and I enjoyed getting it off my chest hehe
Take care,
Prince
Thanks for the reply! I started at 1/8 inch too and spend about 1 hour at the beach every other day lol. I will actually try all of that and am going to the store now. Good call on the youtube watching I've been searching the net trying. I actually just found a moisturizing conditioner I put away too so I will use that. I will just use that then use my Aveda Pure Abundance once a week. I like this brand because I heard so many good things about it adding volume to thin hair. What shampoo/conditioner do you use? I am not sure but maybe I should use the more expensive Aveda conditioner instead of the cheap one everyday because I think you have to use it often to see the thickening effects? But I was told only to apply it to the ends and shaft which right now is kind of useless because my hair is so short but when its longer this will save quite a bit of conditioner as opposed to rubbing it all over to the base of the hair which is not advised.
I'm glad you asked your questions, and not surprisingly, someone with the knowledge you need answered!
I'm afraid I can't help much, as I don't have that kind of hair, but I know dairy products are good for skin, hair, nails and bones, as they're all made from the same basic things.
I feel you must find your own way. I believe it's entirely possible. :)
- John.