First off, I am not a long haired man yet, but desire to be one.
How long would it take me to grow my hair from a short crop to shoulder length? mid-back? waist length?
also, how to you keep your hair looking neat during that awkward 'shaggy' phase(think Shaggy from Scooby-Do) where you go from a cropped style to just letting it grow out over the ears?
every time in the past I tried to get beyond this point there were some(family members, friends) who insinuated in a benign way suggesting that I might need a haircut. I usually caved in and got it cut to above the ears after repeat 'suggestions'.
when I would respond with 'but look that guy has long hair and looks awesome!' and some would say they agreed, but that I did not look good with longer hair and could never have hair like the guy I was referring to did.
well, they never saw me with anything much longer than the 'shaggy' hair I had so how would they know, but when some of you went from cropped styles through this awkward phase before you reached the point you are at now how did you deal with it?
how did you keep your hair looking presentable and not having it go in different directions(think cowlicks)?
any advice including use of styling products and supplements would be greatly appreciated.
Good goal!
Hair grows on average about 1/2" a month. It took me about 18 months or so to go from mega-short to laying on my shoulders. But others may be faster or slower.
Don't ask me! My hair ALWAYS looks a mess! :)
Ignore them. Be your own person!
Depends on what you look like. Long hair suits some people/face shape/etc. better than others. But you won't know (and THEY won't know) till you've tried!
I lived in baseball caps for a while, then switched to beanies as it started to look stupid with a cap. Without a hat, I just waxed it into shape - or tried to browbeat it into behaving with strong language.
I hardly use any styling products. My hair has a mind of its own! But I do take multi-vitamins. Hair needs to EAT! In fact, my hair is greedy and I figure it grabs all the vitamins before the rest of my body gets a chance. Result: my hair looks great; the rest of me looks like crap! :)
Damon
Well let me say the only way you'll know how really long hair will look on you is to grow it.If you don't like it then you'll know your family/friends were right but if you do like it then they were dead wrong which I feel is what you'll conclude.
Frankly I don't remember what going through the awkward stage was like.That would be back in the 1980s and I can't remember that far back!LOL.However baseball caps or beanies should help a bunch.
As for hair care you'll likely have to experiment to see what your hair responds best to.It depends on what type of hair you have.Is it course and curly or fine and straight?Anyway I hope you do try and grow it out just to see for yourself how you like it:)Good luck....
Mârk
You asked how long the growth to certain lengths would take. Average hair growth is 1/2 inch per month, so you can do the math. Early in 2009, I had a barber go nuts while she was cutting my hair--I walked away that day without a hair on my head being over an inch long. Today, it hits mid-back length. I haven't had one trim of any kind. Hope this helps in the info needed about time and growth.
Steve
there is some pretty useful info here:
Guys Long Hair
Hi Nigel - 1.) fulfill your desire to be a 'longhair' & become one - just add water & stir - JUST JOKING ! ... all that is needed is patience, NO SCISSORS & a commitment to see it through.
2.) short crop to mid-back = 3 years: ( approximately ) - my journey is 3 years & mine is mid-back length.
3.) to address awkward phase, I resorted to layering for 1st 2 years = then I stopped layering 1 year ago = as layering it only extended my awkward stage = I live & learn.
4.) I have used head-bands to restrain, due to hair in my face & eyes was driving me nuttz !!! = I must admit !!! - see pic.
Good luck Nigel & I hope you enjoy the journey as much as I have ... Cheers CEM. :O)
Hair grows at one half inch per month approximately so you can calculate it from there. You know how long your back is, no one here does.
Families or friends who proffer opinions need to be told to mind their own business with incresing degres of firmness until they get the message. Some never will and so they need to be ignored as rudely as may be.
Great! :-)
1.About 1-1/2 years average.
2.About 2-1/2-3 years average.
3.Around 5 years should do it 100% depending on height.
Looking "neat" can have different meanings to different guys. I don't know why so many try to "hide their hair" during the Awkward Stage under a Beanie or whatever. (No reason to be ashamed of anything.) Everyone can tell despite because of what is sticking out. Best of all is just let it do its own thing, grow wild and forget about looking in the mirror. In fact, try to enjoy the different looks of ea. day. Hair is to be a fun thing! :-)
Hope the video I made at the bottom helps.
How would they know what looks good when they haven't even seen your own hair long yet? Answer: They wouldn't! :-0
For the Awkward Stage I just let it grow. All of us guys did back then and we didn't wear hats nor did we care what others thought.
For products perhaps try the Aussie Line. It is rather basic and work well for many. With hair alot of the trick is in finding what works best for you. Best of luck to you growing it out this time.
Justin~
http://youtu.be/7WNSjg7Kv2E
Justin,
thanks for the link. I wish I had viewed it before I caved in like a coward and got a short clipper cut a month ago. four months growth taken off for no reason other than peer pressure!
one thing I have been told by some is that long hair on Men is
"unprofessional" and "socially unacceptable".
how would you respond to such comments?
also, thanks for the suggestions on Aussie products.
Incidentally I saw something advertized called Biotin and read that it was recommended for those wanting healthy long manes.
do you think a product like this could accelerate hair growth?
I will check out your other videos!
you are a true inspiration to those of us who desire longer hair!!
I would tell those people who are saying it's nonprofessional and unacceptable that it's just their own opinion and nothing more. Ask them who created the box that they decide to keep you in. And what makes them the only ones with the correct view on things?
Steve
Hi! :-)
"Thanks. Glad to know this." (And then walk away and have nothing more to do with the idiots.)
I am not really the one to ask about this as I have no knowledge. Perhaps another member here would know for sure.
Justin~
I am not going to answer every question. You have already been given good answers to some of them.
If someone needs short hair to 'look' professional, that means they have to make up for their lack of qualifications!!!
Those of us with professional licences and/or degrees have no need.