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I always had short hair all my life but after this past summer I wanted to try and grow shoulder length hair again. Because I never did it and I did try growing it long twice but backed out due to grooming mostly and the waiting it for it to grow process. But I still keep wanting to try and grow it long back and forth and it's frustrating since can't keep a decision and stick to it. I just wanted to know if it's worth trying and is the grooming worth it and is it really that hard to maintain like it seems?
Certainly not! That's why you never ever see either men or women with anything other than short-back-and-sides. And I can't even imagine a whole bulletin board just devoted to long hair! God forbid! :)
Okay, reality ...
I had hair past my collar bones and "grooming" merely consisted of a quick wash and comb every day and a shampoo every five or six days. That was it. (Longer hair may need more than that.)
The only bad thing is the "awkward stage" (that point where the hair is long enough to stick out and be annoying but not yet long enough to have the weight to hold it down and look attractive). Once you grow it past that stage, the rest is plain sailing.
Go for it! ;)
Damon
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I've grown my hair out for over three years now. It nearly reaches my lower back and I'm happier with it than I've ever been. It's worth it to me.
I think so. The awkward stage is a real pain.
How hard it will be to maintain depends a great deal on your hair. Fine and curly is more challenging than straight and coarse.
Once it is long, it can be a lot less trouble...and often the "social issues" become less obtrusive once you are an established longhair.
Is it worth trying? Absolutely.
is it that hard to maintain? Not really. Takes a little longer but not much.
I started growing my hair long in 1964 (inspired by the Beatles)
and i've kept it long all these years. I'm 58 years old now and
my hair will stay long until the day I die.
It's like anything else that's a bit different from the norm. It worth it if you love it, but probably not if don't have a passion for it. The long haired guy does live in a world where he kind of stands out in a crowd. He may be nagged about it by his dad or his boss at work. He may get it caught in the car door and it may clog his shower drain. But if he loves it, it's worth all that. I've always totally loved long hair, so it's worth all that for me.
I've always had the same problem, back in high school once it grew out long enough it was poofy and I got crap for it, so I basically had it lobbed off. When I started college I gave one final cut and waited for about 2 1/2 years and after getting through the awkward stage It looked really good to my surprise. I thought I had the worst hair type since it was wavy/curly, thick and unmanagable but when it was able to weigh itself down not only did I start getting compliments but it made me feel like I was a new person.
That being said I'm growing it back out again and I'm reaching my 9 months of growing. So fari it has its awkward hair moments but it looks alot better than when I first started growing it out. Gotta go for the perfect metalhead image you know? It seems like it's not growing at all but really that's when you're at the point where it's long enough to not notice untill it really stands out in the end.
I'd say it's definitely worth to wait so give it another go and try growing it past your shoulders.
Hi Metal Dude,
I definitely think it's worth growing your hair long. What I find interesting is seeing what happens in the different stages of growth. I do understand your frustration about not sticking to your decision. I cut my hair when I had it just past my shoulders. Now I have to get back to that point and it's taking longer than I would like.
Not sure what you mean by backing out due to grooming. Long hair can be groomed just like short hair. I don't think long hair is any more difficult to maintain than short hair. With short hair you have to go the salon often to maintain chosen hairstyle. With long hair you have to use more conditioner and products etc. So I think both ways to wear your hair are about the same in different ways. However, I am going to grow my hair and see what it looks like. It seems to be somewhat wavy, but sort of straightens out with length. I think you should give your hair a good 2 years of undisturbed growth. I believeyou will be pleasantly surprised with the results. Whatever you choose, I wish you much success.
Ted
If you really want longhair then it's worth it to grow it out. If your not 100% into it you will never get through the akward stage, like you've experienced before.
If you really want longhair then do not cut it for a least 2 years and make a decision after that it you like it or not.
I've had longhair for more than four years and I think it was an amazing experience but in the end I decided longhair is not for me. But at least I tried it and I still like it, but I like other styles as well. If you never try it you will never know if you like it!
I agree with Vincent. The best way is to just let it grow for a solid 2 years. You have to be thick skin and not care what others thing about your hair. It was easy for me because I didn't care what others thought about my hair.
Darrin