new thread
Hey guys, still lurking about.
Just got a maintenance trim today and had a professional braid it with a cool 4 strand braid. Thought it was a good reason for a pic.
Keep 'em growing!
I think a braid is a beautiful way to wear long hair, and your braid is a superb example. Thanks for posting the picture.
Thanks, she does good work. I do prefer to wear my hair down though, to me braids are mostly utilitarian.
Hair Religion
How often do you trim your hair? Are you currently maintaining length, or are you going to grow it longer. It looks really healthy.
Darrin
In the early days when I was growing it out I used to get it trimmed once every three months. Slowly it went to 6 months and for the past decade or so it's been about once a year.
I'm not competing with anyone for length so I'm just maintaining for health. That means I give my trusted hair technician the freedom to take off however many inches that are in rough shape with the understanding that I'm still trying to maintain length.
The big one was almost 3 years ago when we took it from knee length back to waist length because it was pretty damaged and thin on the ends and I wanted a reasonable reset. I was a little shocked at the difference after all that time but it's still quite long and will reliably continue to grow. This last trim I let her take off at least a couple of inches...as you can see once you achieve length then you have reserves to allow for this. Notice in the pic that since I do wear my hair back fairly often I had her clean up my neck hairs that don't seem to want to grow past shorter lengths. This may seem like a continual chore but remember that short hair folks do this every single time they cut their hair, so it's not an unusual thing to do and it can make a nice difference.
When I was leaving she said, "See you next year." Lol.
I want to "thank you" for your great hair site! I have been trimming my hair about every 6 months. Like yourself, I have a great hair stylist that I can trust. I also tell her to trim off what needs to go, but also to conserve length. I will post a pic of my hair soon. The longest mine has been was waist length. I never had it any longer, and with all my sports I don't think I will grow it past waist. I currently am at lower back and I am quite happy with that length. Was it difficult dealing with knee length hair?
Darrin
Once you get used to it, waist length is very manageable. Knee length wasn't difficult either...just had to move it around a bit more especially when sitting down anywhere.
Hair Religion
I just had 5 inches taken off mine at the suggestion of my stylist. Like you said, I was a little shocked myself. I am going to grow down to waist length. I will post a pic every month with progress.
Darrin
Hi Hair Religion,
I really like the braid and the length of your hair. Kind of wish my hair was that straight and smooth. Thanks for posting a great update. On a side note, your avatar pic reminds me of Steve Smith, the former drummer of the band Journey. Unfortunately, he has shaved his head these days:(.
Take care, Ted
I met Steve several years ago but well past his hair days. It really changed his appearance, but a lot of middle age rockers let go of the long hair (sometimes not by choice). Not everybody has strong reasons to keep growing it. Here we encourage people to examine and understand why they choose to have long hair...that way you won't have to wistfully look back and say "I used to have..."
Hair Religion
I completely agree with this. I really enjoy your website and draw motivation from it. Please keep up the good work!
Take care, Ted
Hey I just spent about 20 minutes on your site and had to come back here to tell you that it's fantastic! I can see that alot of time and effort went into it. Thanks a bunch :)
Over the years I tried to put as much relevant info on there as I could. That's part of the reason I don't post here much anymore, so much has been addressed there...well, that and schedules change too, lol.
Hair Religion
Looks good,
Wish I could braid my own hair, might have to get the hairdresser to do it, I've got what I call clumsy fingers!
MattT
Yeah, I'm not expert at braiding myself. Doesn't help that you have to do your own backwards. I had to learn in the mid 90's overnight because of a job I was starting the next day...amazing what a little motivation can force you to do. It wasn't pretty and I still only do the one basic style myself but I found that the longer it got the easier it became even if it did take a tad bit longer because as you work your way down you can bring it over your shoulder and see what you are doing.
Hair Religion
Wow! Awesome length, and yes, 4-strand braids are the win. I use 4-strand braid in my beard, it doesn't curl up like a 3-stranddoes.
Lol, you're ahead of me 'cause I can't do a 4strand myself.
Hair Religion
I have nothing but looking at that hair in awe!
Well, have patience and eventually that might be a picture of yourself if you want. It just takes time which we all seem to have plenty of.
Hair Religion
Doh! I saw your post farther down. You're getting there pretty well right now but it sounds like you'll have to postpone the effort for later own the road, eh? Don't worry, there's always plenty of time later in life too.
May I ask how long have you been growing that mane?
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Your hair looks fantastic, Erik. The 4 strand chain or box braid is difficult to do. I would only be able to do this kind of braid on someone else where I can FULLY SEE what I am doing.
I read other posts further down to find you have had it at knee length. That is where mine is currently at. I have not had a trim in maybe 15 years. I guess I am doing alright, being a few months shy of 60 years old.
Thanks for the update.
Scott
Yeah man, you're one of the big inspirations for people coming here.
Hair Religion
Wonderful looking braid my friend!
Onward and Downward,
- Oren