new thread
I reached my goal of hair till my belt when it's dry. This marks 45 months of growing without a single trim.
My original goal was mid back lenght, but after reaching that I just let it grow to see if I like it. The last few months I got more and more tangles and my hair got in the way a lot. I started wearing my hair in a bun when active but I prefer a ponytail.
So I started the 2 week rule (which was more like a one month rule for me). This morning I knew I was sure and cut it back to mid back lenght.
I used feye's self trim method, and I really like the result. It was the first time I cut my own hair and it was very easy. See the pictures included.
I've never had a straight hemline so this is new for me. It looks very nice although I also like a wild look like I had before. I've cut about a year of growth, with the difference that every hair is as long as my longest hair was a year ago. It makes my hair look really full and thick.
Before the trim, 45 months of growth.
Honestly I enjoyed the look much more before the trim, I never cared for the straight across the bottom look. I guess for me I like the more natural layered look to it on both guys and girls. Plus I think it killed some of the natural ringlets at the bottom which looked really good as well. But on to the subject at hand, good job on keeping it up for so long and aside from the cut I love the look. I can see you take good care of it, it looks very healthy.
Ziggy
That was why I waited so long, I like the layered look a lot. But my hair was damaged and longer then I cared for so I finaly cut it.
The ringlets will probably come back, this is after combing my hair which I only do once a week. After a few days I always get nice spirals of hair.
Thanks for the comment, you're right I always take good care for my hair.
Hi Vincent,
I can understand you wanting both long hair and at the same time finding a hair length which is easier to manage and cope with.
Your new hairline looks much nicer and fuller then the straggly fairy tales ends before.
I'm now a bit past midback after just over 3 years and like you before your trim have the hair still in layers and look forward to triming back to a one hair length too.
Was curious to know if the house the photo was taken in is haunted or not? In your photo of hair before the trim there appears to be an orb in the photo above your right shoulder.
An orb is a spirit of a dead person that appears as a round light sometimes unseen with the naked eye but appearing on film.
Best,
Duncan
I just noticed it too, wow cool man! I love ghost stuff and that does look like an ghost orb for sure.
Haha, looks like a ghost but for the people that don't believe in ghosts. It's probably a bit of dust with the flash on it.
Yes, that's a big question when you grow your hair for the first time. I was already thinking about mid back but grow it further first before trimming it back to this lenght.
Yes it certainly does look a lot fuller. But when going for maximum lenght fairytail end are the way to go.
Just keep it growing until it is to long for your liking. I've never considered trimming until it got to long (and damaged). The layers gave me a bit extra lenght, so it looked longer then it really was. I always wear it tailed so the layers blend together in one ponytail.
For this special photo I went to a haunted house and had to take 1000 pictures before I caught this special shot. No just my bedroom and probably a bit of dust with a flash on it. The before pictures were taken when I got out of bed, the other later in the day when my hair was dry from the shower so without flash.
is it true about the orb in the photo? couldn't it just be a light refraction made by the flash of the camera. James/ Tampa,Fl
Of course it is because of the flash :)
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Many of my digital photos have these. A real test would be if they appear in a photo taken without a flash. As far as I know, all my photos that have them were taken with a flash. A grain of dust maybe 15 centimeters in front of the camera can light up very brightly from the flash.
Scott
This website of a paranormal radio show will have some more info on the subject.
Digital cameras pick up the infra red light spectrum. Aim your TV remote into your camera and you can see the front of it light up through your camera LCD screen
Even though your hair looks great and thick after taking off all that length, I think it was somewhat unnecessary. Only the longest center tresses needed trimming to catch up with the side length(s).
What I'm doing is adding a moderate amount of olive oil to my ends and doing a self trim of 1/2" every 2-3 months and so far so good.
I need to do a photo update here.
I forgot to mention the olive oil really helps to unloosen the knots my hair gets when it's dry.
I second this! And it doesn't look oily at all!
All my hair had split ends so I wanted to cut off from every hair not only the center that was longer. You're right that I could have saved a few more centimeters. But I wanted to cut of some more bacause it got too long for me.
Thanks for your tip, I can try that sometimes and see what my results are.
Looking forward to your update!
I LOVE that look!!!! Looks like a Merman!! I like it much better than the cut picture, but.... ??? .... If it's a mess you have to trim.... You have inspired me to cut my own hair now!!!! That will be in about two years. I'll have to go back and save your explanation or link about that. I'm sad you're not a Merman anymore... ;DD ...... I like how you said you wore it in a bun sometimes... Any pics of that, by chance??
- John C
Hi John,
The opinions seem to differ, some people like the new look better some people the old. I like both looks, haven´t decided which I like more. But I know one thing, after a while I always get bored and want to change things, so this was what I needed. I've got new hair but still very long.
Like your say there was no other choice than to cut it, but I waited until I had to be done. Almost 4 years without a trim is a very long time so quite an archievement.
The link for self trimming is also in the link section from the board, where I got it from in the first place. It's called Feye's Hair Self-Trimming Instructions. Good luck when you're going to cut your own hair in two years.
I haven't got any pictures but maybe somebody else took one, so if I find one I will post it here.
Vincent
Thanks for your reply Vincent! ;p I thought you would reply. You always do. Yes, four years is a long time to go without trims. Just think of where you'll be a year from now! .... It must be so much less stressful to take care of now. That is important. Mine is definitely down to my elbows now, and if I sit up to have a cigarette at night when I can't sleep, and my hair's all loose like it always is at night, I can swing it back & forth & feel it brushing against my whole back! If I lean my head back, and turn it just right, I can make it brush against my hip! It's so awesome! ;D
Take care Vincent. My camera doesn't work so I can't take pictures for a while.
- John C
I'm going to wash my hair tonight for the first time after the trim (I wash it once a week). So then I will find out if it's easier to care for, but I already seen fewer tangles this week. Before I sometimes had mini dreadlocks in my hair. I've havent seen those after the trim :)
The feeling of hair on your back is awesome indeed!
When your camara does work I look forward to the pictures.
Thank you. :) I think you'll notice a big difference. I remember how the comb would just about fall through my hair so easily after I got a trim. and my bath time could be made considerably shorter if I so desired. Enjoy! Take care Vincent. You take such good care of your hair. It really shows. Anyone that can go four years without trimming and still have it be so nice as yours is, is a very determined person.
after the trim
My new ponytail
Thanks for the update. It looks REALLY nice and thick after the trim! :) I must say that i like both looks, but i really understand why you cut it. Tangles can be a real pain, even at my lenght (nowhere near where you were at). I self-trimmed myself a few days ago, but only 1/2 cm to make the ends nicer. It did make my hair tangle alot less. Weird.
I've always admired the look of your hair :)
Yeah I always knew I had thick and full hair but with the straight hemline it looks even fuller.
I'm looking forward to less tangles, I've never cut it since I've grown it so I'm used to the tangles but if it get's less I will enjoy that!
Thanks for your comment!
I found the pics Vincent---WOW your hair is amazing!! My goal for now is mid-back but my hair is wavy and sometimes can be frizzy with the humidity or rain---I'm planing on triming my hair this weekend because the ends are a bit ratty-hope it comes out as good as yours! lol. My length now is about shoulder blade--can't wait for it to reach my back...Thanks for the update and inspiration---Us long hairs do need lots of patience in order to grow our hair lol...Keep up the awesome growing!
I've also got wavy hair so I Know what you mean.
Glad I can serve as an inspiration to others, good luck on your journey to mid back.
Looking at the before and after photos, I'd say you made a wise choice, it looks really nice. Having beat-up tangle prone hair takes all the fun out of it, so sometimes a cut is in order. Give it about a week and it will smooth out to where the only tip off that it's been cut is that it's a bit shorter. :-)
Thanks for the pics!
--Dale
Yes it looks very good now, and I'm looking forward to having healther hair with less tangles.
Let's wait for it to smooth out than, I've never trimmed it so this is new for me.
Thanks for your reply
the trim makes it look far better - thicker, tidier and much stronger.
.
Hi Vincent,
This trim make your already fabulous hair look sensational. Congratulations!
Best wishes Ian
Hi Ian,
Thanks for your nice comment!
Vincent
Hi Vincent,
How are things with you mate and thanks for posting the update. It's great to get a comparison both before and after and you hair looks alot thicker and healthier after the trim. It's also nice to see that you did the trim yourself using Frey's method and not many people would try that and it's certainly worked well for you. It saves the cost of going to a stylist and this way you know exactly want you want.
Just shows that you can grow your hair for all that time and not have a trim and does questions the 3-6 months trim rule suggested by some stylists.
Well done and keep in touch. Are you going to the Heidenfest later in the year.
Cheers,
John.B
Hey John,
Everything is great. Yes, my last update was a while ago and my hair has grown quite a bit so I included a before and after.
I do a lot of things myself like bicycle maintaince, gardening and do it yourself in the house. So I figured I could cut my own hair. The first time is always difficult and a but scary but you get better each time. For a first time the results are awesome! The cost saving was a big reason I do a lot of things myself, the barber get's more expensive everytime.
3-6 months rule is bogus, just a way to make money. The only reason to get a lot of trims is if you want maximum quality (or a centain style). I wanted maximum lenght so I just forgot about the trims and let it grow. It does tangle a bit but nothing conditioner can't solve.
I will, I'm not as active as before but I keep lurking and posting from time to time. Not sure if I'm going this year, there not coming to Amsterdam or Utrecht this year so it's a bit further for me. But the lineup is great finaly some new bands! I've probably seen korpiklaani 10 times so it was time for something new.
I'm going to metalcamp in Slovenia this year. There are less people, more days and better location in nature near a river. Really looking forward to it!
Vincent
Metalcamp sounds really interesting. What's that about? Is it a gathering for aspiring musicians or already established bands?
It's a metal festival like graspop metal meeting or wacken open air. But instead of 50.000-60.000 only 12.000 tickets are sold so it's less crowded.
There are established bands like Slayer, Arch enemy and Blind Guardian but also unknown bands from Slovenia and other countries around it.
This will be my first time there so I don't know how it's like but I'm sure I will have a great time.
For more info: http://www.metalcamp.com/
Hair looks great dude! Even before the trim it looked badass and still does at mid back length, it works well for you and also like the pony tail shot man, very nice! At a little over 4 years growth for me, I am about your length now at mid back length, but i want it to grow to my waist and see how it looks.
Thanks Mark,
Yes before the trim is already looked great and I like the wild look. The ponytail is very nice and I'm wearing it in one 95% of the time so that's awesome.
Yes growing it long is a cool experience so go for it. Your hair reaches new places and the feeling of having your back covered with hair is great. From now on I will grow it longer with some times a trim when it get's to long.
Vincent
What an awesome hair of yours! Shiny, healthy, and really long.
Definitely one of the nicest manes I've ever seen. The trim looks very nice as well. Congratulations on your hair!
Thanks for your nice comment. The trim makes my hair look really great indeed.
Vincent
Hi Vincent,
Wow, that is a big difference between your before and after the cut pics.I have to ask, had you combed or brushed your hair in that before pic would it have looked neater and fuller than that shot shows?Clearly the after shot makes you hair look better even though I'm not really a fan of that blunt look.However the blunt cut looks great when your hair is tailed:)Anyway that's cool you gave the trim much thought before proceeding with it.That's the way any major cut should be addressed.So great update Vincent as you do have fabulous hair my friend.Cheers
Mark
Hi Mark,
Yes it sure is a big difference but I'm already used to it.
I included a combed picture from one year ago, I never comb it so it was hard to find one. It does look neater then without combing but it tangles very fast when I comb it so I always leave it in spirals. I combed it so I could cut it but from now on I will let it do it's own thing.
I also think it looks better tailed, but I wear it in a tail 95% of the time so that not a problem. I like the wild look but it got to long and damaged so I had to trim.
I agree, never rush into a trim. Growing takes very long and cutting is only one minute work. Right now I'm very happy becauce I knew I was sure.
Thanks Mark!
Vincent
Hey Vincent,
Have to say I really like the way your hair looks in this picture.It's really cool how it transitions from straight to wavy after about mid back.It's a shame you had to deal with tangling problems but unfortunately when hair gets really long it seems to go with the territory.Since I've been using Coconut oil in my hair it combs/brushes out much easier than before I put the oil in.It also feels so much more silkier:)Regardless you have awesome hair and should be proud of what you can achieve my friend.Cheers
Mark
I've got wavy hair, but the weight of my hair pulls the top straight. I've always had the lowest part of my hair wavy and I really like the look.
Tangling is part of longhair, I sometimes hate it but not enough to not have longhair.
I blessed with great hair genes and could have hoped for such nice hair.
Thanks for your tip about the oil, other people mentioned it too so I will try it if I get more tangling problems.
Vince,
This picture is sensational. I love how your hair is arranged and how it waves here. It looks truly beautiful. I only wish your photo had better lighting to see the colors of your hair better. The dark background though makes an awesome photo for gothic fans.
Sincerely,
Jeffrey
Hi Jeffrey,
Thanks :) My hair will probably turn out something like this without the waves at the very bottum.
Some people on this board can make photo's lighter, maybe one of them can do that trick on this one?
I wear a lot of black clothes, like a almost all metal fans.
Vincent
Your hair looks really great after the trim. I'm a big fan of the straight cut and think it looks so much neater than the fairy tale ends. I didn't realize how long your hair had gotten. Great to see an update!
Thanks Garth.
It sure does look neater but I also like fairytail ends. After having them for a long time it was time for something new.
Yes my hair has grown a lot in the last year. For some reason it grew faster than before. I only cut about a year of growth although it looks like I removed a lot.
Vincent
I've been vacillating about getting a trim due to tangle-age, and I think this pushes me over the edge. It looks so much thicker.
I've probably been thinking about this trim for over a year, but got serious in the last month. My hair had gotten so long that I didn't mind losing some lenght to gain quality.
From your post I guess you gave it a lot of thought. Tangles are a longhair's enemy so I think your hair will improve. Just start with a small trim you can always cut more.
Glad my post helped you.
Vincent
If it reduces breakage, it should end up as a net gain in hair volume in the log run. For those of us with fine hair, that's a big consideration.
Didn't think off that. My hair is very strong and thick so it can take a lot of damage. But I did have hair's breaking off, so maybe if I had some dustings along the way I would have even had longer hair.
Hi Vincent,
It is great to hear from you, and thank you for sharing your update with us. Your trim went very well indeed, and the ends are in excellent shape, good and thick and even. You should be able to achieve a lot more length.
Keep it growing,
David
Thanks David,
If I decide to let it grow some more I can archieve a lot more lenght. But I like the lenght I cut it back to the best. That doesn't mean I won't let it grow some more, from now on I will let it go for a while.
Vincent
Your hair looks great. I do like the long and loose look, but when you are working on something hair down in your face can be difficult to deal with. Beautiful hair.
That's why I wear a ponytail most of the time.
Thanks for your comment.
I've gotta say, it looks amazing! Results like this make me wonder why I still fiddle with my thin ends haha... One day I'll have a hemline like that =P
Yours looks amazing now. You can always grow it longer and mantain the condition on the ends. Good job on the self trim also! Looks wonderful! =)
João David
Thanks João,
Keep up the good work, one day you will have your thick hemline combined with the disired lenght. For me the desired lenght was a lot shorter so I could get rid of my thin and damaged end.
Probably will grow it longer for a while now although it's already long enough right now.
The self trim went pretty well, now I have a lot of confidence that I can trim my own hair from now on.
Vincent
Wow, Vincent, you have what every longhair aspires to: a perfect mane! The fairytale length was awesome and so is the blunt look you're now sporting.
I'm really impressed by how well your self-trim went. I was going to try it on myself a couple days ago. I went to Faye's instructions and found that I had trouble with the part about bringing your hair around to the front. As soon as I went to do that, it no longer stayed even and I was afraid to trim.
Ah well, my wife doesn't mind trimming my hair from time to time so I may just keep relying on her.
Thanks Jason,
I also like both looks, but the fairytale ends cannot be created so I will have a nice hemline from now on.
For the self trim I used a brand new hairtie and put it around my hair 3 times. That way is was very tight even when I pulled it down. I also did it with wet hair after the shower. That get rids of the waves and makes the hairtie stay in better. This combined made it actualy quite easy. The hardest part was pulling it down in the middle.
But when you're having trouble with it better rely on your wife, far easier and you know your hair will turn out right.
Vincent
WOW, your before and after pics are amazing!! You are so blessed to have such thick THICK HAIR!!!
I think you did an excellent job of self-trimming, and I know exactly what you are talking about when you said the lower inch or more started getting too many tangles and is hard to comb through, etc. For me, whenever I allow too many split ends to accumulate, the texture of my hair also no longer feels very enjoyable anymore against the skin, because it becomes very dry and scratchy-feeling, rather than the classic "smooth & silky" look & feel that I prefer...
Anyway, again: GREAT job, Vincent! Congrats to you!!
- Ken in San Francisco
Thanks Kenneth,
Yes my hair is very thick indeed and I love it.
The self-trimming went very well and it was my first time. After almost four years of growing without a trim the end got very damaged. You describe exectly how my hair was.
Vincent
vincent I don't see the pics?
dee, just scroll down on Vincent's post here past some of the replies, and you'll see where he posted his pics.
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Your hair is gorgeous, Vincent. Feye's self trim worked perfect for you. The trimline is perfect. Is it possible that you could have trimmed off less hair with good results?
Scott
Thanks Scott,
It was a bit scary but I did it anyway and it worked out fine.
I could have saved a few more centimeters if I wanted to. I cut it off a bit above where it started to taper. It's very important the hairtie stays in place so I didn't want to bring it to low. Like said before I also wanted to take of this much because it got to long for me.
Vincent
Vinent,
Wow man,,, your hair looks AWSOME DUDE !!!. Congrads on the length. The new trim suits you well . It looks great from the back!!!!
Glinka
Thanks Glinka!
Where can I learn this method please??? ;p
Thanks!
- John C
I have two years to get that information! So hurry!
Check the Links section of this site.
OK Thank you Jason! ;p
Your hair looks amazing Vincent. I haven't posted an update in 2 years, but I remember looking at your updates and being amazed at how similar our hair was. But you must have some super hair genes because yours got much longer than mine, and stayed wavy! I've gotten a total of 6 inches or so trimmed off, so I would be about waist length if I hadn't, and for some reason the huge waves that I had have nearly disappeared.
Anywho, your hair looks fantastic, and it also makes me realize that my girlfriend may be right, and it's time for me to trim again. I want to be at least waist length, but my ends are all split and tangly and blahhh. I absolutely love your hair in the darker picture you posted, and it'd be great if someone here could lighten that up!
I'm glad to see your hair is still really long after the trim, and it looks to be in immaculate shape. Cheers brother!
-DJ
Thanks DJ,
I remember your updates and our hair does look alike. Looking forward to some new pictures of your hair.
Yes last year my growth rate seem to have doubled to an inch a month which is amazing. The length I took of was only last years growth.
About the waves, the longer is get's the less waves I have but the end always stayed wavy. The after picture is when my hair was still damp from showering, I will post a new one in a few days.
I've ignored the split end for a long time but I knew the truth I had to trim someday. Fortunately my target lenght is mid back and everything extra is a nice bonus so my hair was long enough to cut without losing to much length. The length I've got now is my minimum, still long enough to look long but it doesn't get in my way.
Vincent
I'm not a fan of the straight blunt hairline, probably because it looks so 'unnatural'. But it doesn't sound like you plan on maintaining that with frequent trims. So, you will start seeing it look different within a month, as the individual hairs are at different stages of their growth cycle. That's why you get fairytale ends to begin with. I prefer the S&D method (search/seek and destroy), but sometimes you gotta just cut out a lot of damage all at once. And sometimes you need to ditch the wispy ends and even things up across the ends.
I use Feye's method myself, I haven't seen a hair salon in over 10 years. Doing it yourself not only saves money, you are in control of just how much you want to trim. Tangling on the ends is typically the result of damage, the hair on the ends is the oldest and most exposed to the elements. Hair can become dry, ends split, the scales on the surface get rough; and the individual hairs start getting caught on each other, than you get tangles. It's inevitable, and at that point you are doing your hair a favor to discard a few inches.
When I condition my hair, the majority of the conditioner goes on the ends first. This is where you need it most. I also use a leave-in, and that also gets applied generously to the ends. If you are a fan of oiling, start with the ends and work your way up. If you are one of those people prone to dry, frizzy, flyaway hair; consider applying aloe vera gel to damp hair, then follow with your leave-in or oil. Aloe is a natural humectant, it will help hair hold moisture, which can reduce damage to the ends.
The trim looks really good, Feye's method is fairly fool-proof. The ends appear thicker because the hairs are all one length. I know there is a method for cutting a V or rounded edge, it is a bit trickier than the straight blunt cut. I can sort of do it with my hair, I go for a rounded edge. The hair, when tailed, literally looks like a pony's tail. It is tapered, but not to the extreme you get with fairytale ends. Within a few months, with no trimming other than the occasional S&D, your hair will actually naturally go that way.
The most important thing, of course, is that you are happy with the length you chose, and the overall results. That's all that really matters.
I agree with you that the straight hairline looks unnatural, and I also like the tapered look. But this was the easiest method and I wanted to try something new with my hair. Good to hear the tapered look will come back naturaly :)
I've heard of the S&D method but that's to much work. I rather cut of a lot once in a while than take a lot of time to go through all the stands of hair. I'm very happy with the result and that the most important like your said.
I really like feye's method, I always try to do things myself if it can be done quite easily. It's cool to learn something new and you're not dependent on other people. The barber is also very expensive so the saved money is a big bonus.
I noticed a big improvement so the cut was really nesecairy.
Thanks for the tips on oiling and conditioning!
Congrats Vincent on reaching your ultimate length goal!
The self trim job looks great.
Here's to many more years of long-haired happiness.
- Oren
Thanks Oren,
Now my hair is in excellent condition thanks to the trim I will be a very happy longhair for a long time :)
Vincent