Hey all, after lurking around these forums for a few months, finally decided to post myself. First of all I'd like to congratulate this community for being extremely respectful and supportive, and well, here is my story (sorry if its too long):
About 2 years ago I decided I wanted to let my hair grow a bit, just to see how it looks, and even though back then I was against men having long hair and whatnots, after letting my hair grow a bit, I came to find its not something that shouldn't be acceptable and that I myself wanted to let my hair grow out, now sadly, due to the fact I hesitated a lot during those times, and that there were reasons which compelled me to cut it out every so often, and not let it grow too much, it barely grew at all last year, now this year I decided to let it grow out, and even though I had to trim it in the front due to some personal reasons, I am proud to say its reaching to my shoulders right now, and I'll probably let it grow out a decent amount more before even considering cutting it.
Now onto my question, even though after showering my hair reaches all the way to my shoulders and even a bit more, afterwards it sort of curls up slightly on the ends so it looks shorter than it is, is it just me going through the "awkward phase" and I should just accept it as it is for a while or will I have to use a product to straighten it out, or will it just straighten itself out by the time it gets longer?
These forums were the place were the place where I came to when I was looking for encouragement, and which undoubtedly helped me make my decision to let my hair grow out, and a great community, keep it up!
Leave the awkward phase alone as much as possible, certainly don't cut it. But if you must use some things to maintain it the go for it, I would avoid "straightening" it, seeing as that usually involves many harsh chemicals in the process. Use hair gel or moose, something more natural like a beeswax pomade. I am guilty of using a pomade to keep the broken hairs down, and it isn't all natural, I use it also because I love the smell. I am a cologne and smells type person, I like to smell good. But realize your hair is a growing entity, it will do as it pleases at times. I am not some crazy ass hippie, although I am a hippie at heart, and saying your hair is a living being, but it is "alive" (cell-wise) and should be allowed to simply grow. My hair is thick and wavy so my awkward phase, which I am just now starting to get out of, was long and interesting.
Keep it growing
Ziggy
Perfectly normal. It will straighten itself out with added length. I consider that the "deflecting off the shoulders" phase and a sign that you're almost out of the "awkward phase". :P
January 2011 (what a horrible expression)
January 2011 (what a horrible expression)
January 2011 (what a horrible expression)
January 2011 (what a horrible expression)
January 2011 (what a horrible expression)
Anyway, I'm pleased to report that you'll "grow out of it" soon enough. Welcome to the board. I lurked for a long time as well and have only really started posting recently (started from a buzzcut but my hair is finally coming in now). :)
I guess it goes without saying at this point but I meant to mention it anyway (no edit option)... All of those pics are just plain dry hair, no product, chemicals, or straightening ever used. Heck, I don't even blowdry it. So yeah it will naturally sort itself out over time. Have fun!
Thanks! But too bad for some reason it didn't let me see the pics >.<
<0000FF>Greetings, Dlinktp. The main purpose of our site is to support men with growing and maintaining long hair. I have been here for over 8 years now, and have made several new friends through this site. 0000FF>
<0000FF>I too was back and forth growing my hair out a bit and then cutting it off. I was even opposed to long hair, to some degree, back in the 1970s. I got over it, and am very happy with my knee length hair. (I started seriously growing it in 1992.) From my experience, hair has a way of growing on you, the longer it gets the more you will like it. A few of our members here maintain their hair at a little past shoulder length and are happy with that length.0000FF>
<0000FF>Gravity will slowly, and partially, straighten hair that is not straight. Take a good look at a guy with curly very long hair and you will see that the hair up near their heads is straighter than at the ends. 0000FF>
<0000FF>Again, this is the best men's longhair site I have ever found. Stick around, you are likely to make a bunch of new friends. I sure have.
Scott 0000FF>