new thread
Its been quite a trip creeping in on two years since My last Visit to the Barber . I haven't posted my photo on facebook in while since the last time I did so I got like 30 Messages telling me to cut my hair (some of them being quite rude) .
Well yesterday I posted a new photo and got nothing but good comments . So I'm finally feeling like I passed that Awkward stage.
One thing that bothers me is that back of my hair is starting to really need a clean up and looks messy when tied in a ponytail (The only way my job allows me to keep my hair. I'm actually afraid that the Barber might do more than a clean up (They don't like people with long hair , bad for their business i guess ) Anyone here have any suggestions ?
Sup Bruce! Nice growth, and you definitely passed the awkward stage. For a start you can try to trim your own hair first. I'll attach a link on how to do this. There are many ways to approach this and this video will give you an idea on how you can tailor it to your own hair.
The second advice is to search for a salon that caters only to long hair. You'd have to research your area and see who specializes in cutting long hair, that way you will have a better chance of finding a stylist who is not scissor hungry. If you are in NYC, I know the George Michael Salon caters to longhairs.
In summary, you can search many sites on how to trim your own hair. If you are not comfortable with this, then going to a salon that specializes in treating long hair is a must, and this will require you do your homework to find reputable stylist who specializes in long hair. Now that you are a longhair, you cannot just go to any barber or stylist. It requires research, and perhaps you might have girlfriends who go to a stylist that they could recommend to you (word of mouth is another way of finding a reputable stylist on top of the internet).
best of luck,
rowie
Nice Video ! When I need to trim Ill use it for sure . What I meant by clean up is the Long fuzz like hair behind my hair below my ponytail , I guess I could take a razor to it myself but I would hate to make a mistake.
I stay away from barber shops for the very reason you mentioned, and I've read my share of stories where someone gave the barber the understanding to "take a little off the ends," only to lose inches. Many barbershops are downright hostile to long haired men. If anything, you could find a reasonably priced salon with someone you trust.
The key is to find a salon that you can trust. I hate to sterotype but, women seem to be better at trimming long hair than men. I have never had a good hair cut from a man. Even when I had short hair. I found my hair stylist by asking another long haired man, who cut his hair? He referred me to her and I get my hair trimmed about twice a year. Keep asking around until you can find someone trustworthy. Your hair doesn't looks fine, so I would be in a hurry.
Darrin
mentioned, and I've read my share of stories where someone gave the barber the understanding to "take a little off the ends," only to lose inches. Many barbershops are downright hostile to long haired men. If anything, you could find a reasonably priced salon with someone you trust.
Hi there Brucemc,
I think your hair looks hands-down TERRIFIC!!!!
Re. trimming the back of your hair:
1) Delay as long as possible (and maybe you'll find you won't really need the trim after all, if you delay long enough - LOL);
2) if you do eventually decide to go to a professional hairstylist, ask around for recommendations, first -- if no other longhaired men in your community to ask, ask a longhaired woman if she knows of any stylist who specializes in long hair...
3) Be willing to pay top $$, including a generous tip at the end, if you go to a good stylist... cheap hairstylists are easy to find; but they are the ones who are more likely to do a butcher job you'll deeply regret!
I hope my comments have been helpful!
- Ken in San Francisco
Great comments , Yeah as far as trim goes I'm delaying as long as possible my awkward stage was particularly horrible so Im no mood to go back to that any time soon .
Guess my original post when i said "CLEAN UP" that means different things in different places what I meant was the fuzz that grows around the main hair which I have a lot off . Normally a barber takes care of this during trip to him but since Ive grown it long , its got out of hand , I could do it my self with a razor I guess but Im terrified of over shaving .
Be very careful. when you say "clean up" some hair cutters
will interpret that as cut it all off of clean it all up.
You have great hair, look at those nice flowing curls!
Those fuzzy neck hairs can be a real b*tch... try to find a hairdresser you trust or maybe just a family member or friend who can try it carefully with a razor or clippers. I usually do it myself with a razor.
I agree with all the good answers here to your question. I actually went to barbering school at one point to get a license that would allow me to cut hair in a salon, so I know for a fact that barbers in New York aren't trained to cut long hair. Long hair is exactly opposite of what they do. They get very little real training cutting hair, and most of that is with clippers, not scissors.
If you go to a stylist I would watch their every move and keep an eye on your hair while they are cutting it, and demand to see the back at regular intervals as they work. A stylist I trusted cut two inches off my hair and a v shaped notch at the back of my hairline (?!) about a year ago, even though I told her I only wanted a trim. My advice is don't trust a word they say, my stylist said yes, yes, yes, and then just did what she wanted.
I personally like the look of the loose fine hairs at the back of the neck that most long haired guys get. I think it looks natural and masculine. I think it can look too manicured and fussy if shaved, but that's just my personal taste. Rather than shaving, I trim those hairs with a scissor to about 1/2" long and let them do their thing, they usually curl a little. I don't cut in a clean straight line, but angle the scissors a little to kind of shape those hairs in a somewhat natural shape to my neck, leaving the end points a little longer. Most of the time I wear my own hair in a low knot at the base of my hairline, and I like the way the wild section looks next to the neater, pulled together, knot. I think you can still pull off a professional, "together" look without having to shave the neckline, as long as your hair is otherwise fairly neat. Just my opinion!
You have strong, great looking hair! good luck!
Joey
That was the best answer! Going to see my Mom and have to that tonight :)
I agree with Joey - leave the 'fuzz' ( as it looks natural & masculine ) ... if work allows it ... u have only one thing to do now = grow it to the floor Cheers CEM. :O)
------------------
Your hair looks good. Try to avoid the barber. It will just prolong the growing out process. It won't look messy once more of it fits in the tail. You should see improvement in another 6 months or so. Hang in there.
Scott
Hi Brucemc, Ignore those comments on Facebook, and don't think about the scissors, your hair looks amazing. Keep it long and growing!
Hi Brucemac,
I agree with the others, you have hair to be proud of, and it progressing along very nicely. Ignore those naysayers, and keep it growing!
Keep it growing,
David