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I have a friend whose 10 year son is looking for a long hairstyle (rattail, etc.).
The boy's hair is about 5 inches past the top of his collar.
Does anyone know of any web site containing photography of any styles for him to reference?
Your help is appereciated.
Thank you.
Reply from Ottawa Male:
I suggest the following options which could enhance the appearance of long hair on men or boys:
1. Waves or curls throughout the hair. The way Joe Lando's hair was
given soft waves in the wedding night scene with Jane Seymour in
"Dr. Quinn, Medicine Woman", is a good example. Also, check out
several films from the 30's to the 70's where characters
appeared with either their own long hair, wigs, or hair
extensions. This seems to be the best film period for good men's
hair styling. I would also agree with many that Michael Bolton
now looks better in his short hair style, than when he had it
long. But I don't generalize this to all men and boys.
2. Braids. The following were quite commen on women and girls from
the 1930's to the 1980's, but might also be quite handsome on
long-haired males (by males, I mean both men and boys):
a) Turn the pony tail into a braided queue.
b) The braided bun at the nape of the neck, or a bun or coil at the
back or top of the head.
c) A French braid starting at the top at each side of the head, and
the braids ending in two coils at the nape of the neck.
d) A softly-braided coil at each side of the head, covering the
ears. I believe these were called coronets.
3. Most of the above bun or coil styles can be worn without
braiding, but by gently twisting the hair, and pinning it in
place with a bun net.
4. Modified matador. Wave/curl the hair throughout. Gently bring it
back and make one or more vertical sausage curls, starting at
the mid-back of the head.
If the boy's hair is shoulder length of longer, the modified matador should work.
You mentioned the rat-tail. This seems to be the braided queue, #2(a) above. If the hair is long enough, certainly longer than shoulder length, it could be quite attractive. Joe Lando's style, or one similar to it, could be worn with collar length or longer hair, even hair 3 feet or more in length. Otherwise, for any of the other styles noted above, the minimum length to effect them would be at least 2 feet.
For any long hair style on a male, the important thing is that it preserve or enhance his appearance as a male, and it MUST give pleasure to women and girls in general (my HETERO bias).
Ottawa Male.