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Hi everyone. My whole life I've always wanted to have long hair, so about two years ago, I started my growing journey. Since I have extremely thick, curly, blond hair, getting through the first ten-months of growing it out, through the "awkward stage", was difficult because it initially grows up and out, and then after about 10-1/2 to 11 months, starts to grow down. About a year ago I started to become happy with the length that I was getting and I began to feel my hair as a truly unique aspect of myself; I felt as though it had now become a major part of my identity and I loved it. In October of last year I decided to dye my hair (shoulder length at this point) from its golden blonde natural color to dark brown--because I wanted a change. I maintained this darker color throughout the new year and most of the remaining winter. About 2-1/2 months ago I decided that I missed my natural color and attempted to "strip" the dye out of my hair. Unfortunately, this took two attempts and left me with a brassy, orange color. Rather than taking the next step and adding golden blond hair color back in, I wanted to stay away from the chemicals for a while, because at this point my hair was becoming extremely damaged. About a month ago I decided that I should thin the back out and I gave myself an "undercut" on my nape and half-way up the back of my head. It was undetectable when my hair was down but could be seen with a pony-tail---I honestly liked this look at first but I soon began to feel unnatural (with my partly shaven head of brassy orange hair) and untrue. That is when after two weeks of deliberation, I took myself to a salon and had the stylist cut it all off. I left the salon with about 2" on top of my head and a size 2 buzz on the sides. I instantly looked like a kid again. I'm 29 y/o and at the end of my junior year in college. I'm starting an interniship this summer and I feel that if I had kept my long locks going in to the internship, they would know from the get-go that they were hiring a "longhair". I now terribly miss the feeling of my hair touching my shoulders and everything that goes along with owning a head of long hair, and I want to grow it back out--starting fresh. I'm only worried that when I begin the internship I will look unprofessional because I'll be in the midst of the awkward stage again.
I've been reading this message board for about a year and have found it very inspirational and supportive. This time around I'm going to do it right, by not adding chemicals to my hair, or cutting any section shorter than another. It'll be interesting to see how I'm received at this internship in August with a head fullof unruly blond thickness, but it is something that I know feels right. I appreciate all of your guys's support and look forward to once again becoming a "wholer" me.
Here is a pic of me when my hair was the longest right before I gave it an undercut and then chopped it all of
I don't have any pics of me since it's been cut but I'll post when I do to show my progress.
Kris
Heya Kris!
I am smiling to myself here, as I know exactly what you mean. I used to go with an asymmetric hairstyle for a long while, and each time it got longer, I wished it was all naturally growing at the same length, and not shaved on the back and sides (much like your 'undercut').
I have also bleached my hair countless times, as well as dye it everything from black to lighter colors, and let me assure you that I have also gained that infamous carrot top look plenty of times myself :P
I have only re-started growing my hair again back in November '12, but I can already tell it's getting medium length, and this time, on the entire head AND all natural, and it's a great feeling! Keep up the good work, and I am sure your golden locks will be the envy of many here on the MLHH and in RL :)
Hey Raul!
Thanks for your encouragement :-)
Hi Kris, welcome to the board!
It's for the best, really. Sometimes the only thing you can do is start over. It's better to get it right from the get go than to be constantly straightening your leaning tower.
Anyway, I'm glad you've found the board so helpful, and I wish you good tidings on your journey!
Here's a pic of me in full-blown awkward stage
Hi Kris,
I'm lovin' the full-blown awkward stage! I'm still trying to get out of the awkward stage myself! With patience we will get there my friend! It's well worth it!
Take care, Ted
Hey again, Kris :)
Try not to worry too much about the awkward stage, and if you do, use some beanie or ballcap to keep the monstrosity at bay ;)
Being in my 5th month of grow now, after having started fresh just like you back last winter, I am currently starting to enter the awkward stage and it indeed a mess... But always remember the good days that are about to come in a year or two :)
Here is me yesterday at my lunch break at work, hehe
Hey Raul,
That's some nice growth for 5 months. What products do you use to keep it in line at work? Last time I was in the awkward stage I just let it be wild at work, I don't think I can do that this time
Hey Kris,
Thanks, though I am still experiment and trying out different things myself, to see what works best for me, seeing as I have quite thick and wavy hair, though not as curly as yours probably.
Some days, I slick it all back with tons of extra-strong hold gel, and enjoy an even better day afterwards, when the gel has dried out and can be brushed in.
Other days, I do not put anything more in my hair than the argan oil I use after each wash (2-3 times a week), and simply keep a beanie or a ballcapp on the entire workday.
Still working out what is the best plan, but the one thing I agree with you on, is that we can't simply just let it be free with no care at all, since it gets wild and just like yours, it grows first upwards and to the sides, before the weight drags it down like people with finer, straighter hair.
Try the beanie for a while if the temperature where you live allows it :)
Thanks for the tip