I am guy and growing long hair for first time and my hair now is middle of ears like. During the awkward stage before it grows longer and gets more flatter is there any hairstyles or ways to keep it neat for in public places? Like since i can't tie it in ponytail yet can you use gel to make it look neater or something else? I also have thick hair and gets puffy on top especially now due to warmer humid weather. Another question is should you use warm or cold water to wash hair? I never blow dry my hair either and is it safe to blow dry it or just air dry it and blow dry it only for when you really need to? My last question in this post is your opinion on this. I am in late 20's and i get critical comments from family members about growing longer hair. I feel comfortable talking to my mom and i emailed her how I feel about longer hair and that it's my hair and I am an adult. She said she don't care if its long as long its clean and neat. I wanted to know if you think she is being sincere or is it like a fake response like a trick like. Because i am new at this growing long hair and hear that family and friends trick you into doing stuff to your hair so it will be shorter like trims and thinning out. Also that's why i asked the other questions in this so i can make it neater so I can avoid these comments and also by the way I live at home with parents. I also wash my hair every other day so its clean but basically when going out in public is when she harasses me about my hair more.