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Well guys, as I have promised Jake, here is my monthly update, with a few pics to illustrate the state I am in right now :)
My hair is definitely starting to feel a bit heavier, and I can tell I am not a "shorthair" anymore, more like right in between! I have lots of good days, some bad days, but mostly, I have tons of conviction to push through, and I know nothing will stop me from getting back to long hair now, nothing under my control at least :)
In the pics I have added (hopefully nice and in the right direction and all) you can see both a comparison of my hair after the last cut back in november, and my hair now (althought straightened), as well as some collages (or as Mark loves to call them, mugshots!) of my hair both naturall and straightened.
Would love to hear what you think of my progress so far, and what most of you think of an eventuall cut of the entire backside, to really get to an even length and be able to prevent this lovely mullet-ish look! Just considering it at the time being :)
Hey Raul,
Thanks for the awesome photo update up to your current hair length.I have to admit its a toughie as your hair looks fantastic both in its natural state and straightened:)You pull off both looks very well so it boils down to your personal preference.I'd imagine that once you reach you desired length you may find it unnecessary to straighten you hair at that juncture.Still its your choice but just be careful with that iron on your hair.
Yesterday I just did another henna redo to my hair and beard so I'm very pleased with the way it looks now with the new growth matching my previously colored hair:)It seems like a lot of work but I just love the result.
Again thanks for your update and hoping your weekend was a good one my friend.Cheers
Mârk
Hey Mark!
Thank you for your kind words, as usual :)
To be honest, when it comes to my desired length (around shoulderblade length, if I don't suddently decide on mid-back), I really am thinking I will need to do something about the curls, if they don't relax by themselves.
My hair has a tendency to be only slightly wavy on top and very curly at the bottom, giving it a rather "feminine" look, so if that is still the case another year or two from now, I will either keep straightening the edges, or find a good treatment and get it done professionaly.
Either way, you look great with the Henna, so keep on the great work! Can't be easly dying that beard! :D
Coming on -it looks far better natural than straightened I think
Thanks, will keep that under consideration :D
Hello Raul,
Yes, you're certainly in that intermediate stage, not short but not quite long. The two style choices presented offered an interesting perspective, the natural look appears more like a short hair style but the straightened look is definitely long hair. It will interesting to see what it looks like over the next six months.
As for the faux mullet, I wouldn't worry too much about it. It will eventually disappear and trying to prevent it just delays the time until you can sport a reasonable ponytail. Besides, your hair on the front is already too long for a true mullet. :-)
--Dale
Dale's Facebook Page
Thanks, Dale!
I guess it's a bit too long in the proccess to clain having a mullet, but hey, it sure does look like that somedays! :D
Hey Raul, happy 8 months! Looking good man, and I do like both looks on you. I think the straightened look makes you look a little bit younger, like early 20s. Either way keep up the good work. Closing in on one year is exciting!
-Tommy
I forgot to say, that I did a backside trim/cut at 3.5-4 months in so I would avoid getting a mullet. At the time I was glad I did it, because it did make my whole appearance much "neater" and "tame" overall. Now at the stage I'm at now, I wish I didn't do it because I could use the extra length to be able to pull my hair back. Oh well, I guess it was worth it because it helped me get through the beginning of the awkward stage.
-Tommy
Hey Tommy, thanks for the kind words, bro! :)
Funny you should say that, as I have gotten exactly the same responses on facebook... that I look extremely young with the straightened hair. Guess it's just that piture :P
I do, however, still think it's funnny when people mistake me for being 22-25, when I have just hit 30 and am not quite as young as I used to be! Hehehe...
Yeah, we are closing on 1 year soon, and it's a great feeling! Can't wait to read your 1 year anniversary post in October! Almost there, brother!
Hi Raul,
Wow, what a treat it was for me to wake up this morning and see your wonderful update! These are great pics of you and your hair! But then again, you always take great pics! You have definitely made really good progress for such a short time growing. I like both the straightened and natural hair on you.
Yes, you will have good days and bad. But as long as your hair continues to grow that is a good thing. I don't think I would cut it right now though. I was wanting to do that but now I am glad I didn't. My side hair is finally starting to catch up with the back. In my opinion your hair looks fine. But you need to do what you want to do.
Please keep your hair growing and flowing! In time you will be very happy with it. Hope you have a great rest of the weekend my friend!
Ted
Thanks for the nice compliments, as usual, Ted! :)
Yeah, I will have to see about cutting the back hair... not quite sure yet, but there's no rush either! God knows there's plently more time to go before it even resembles long hair, so I've got enough time to figure it out ;)
A great week on to you too, buddy!
I think the "natural look" is better for you at this length...and keep the mullet...it will look better with a longer length...just be patient...another ten to twelve months of growth will look better...
Thanks for your comments, beachbum!
Yeah, it seems most agree that the natural look fits better at this length, though it surely makes the hair look shorter, since I've got more than enough natural curl.
I've attached a picture from like 2008 or so, to show how it looks like right below shoulder length. Most of the curl dissapears then, and becomes wavy, while the actual curls are gathering up at the bottom.
May I know why you cut it short in the first place?
Good question, my friend...
I guess that after having it long for 3+ years, and having people more or less lovingly calling me jesus and a hobo for most of that time, I felt it was time for a change. That, and I never really took good care of my hair, just let it grow and didn't bother with it much.
This time around I want to make it look great! Take care of the quality of my hair, it's texture, it's color, the tips... it WILL look well kept either way! :)
awesome! looks great!
don't give in to peer pressure from the *clipper-obsessed* crowd who think if they have more than an inch of hair they are overdue for a haircut.
Thanks Jake!
No worries man, at this stage in my life, no one can deter me from doing exactly as I wish with my hair.
I am giving clear notifications to both my employer, my model and acting agency and any potential new women I am dating, that I am in the proccess of growing my hair out, and no matter how many "ooh, but you look so great with short hair" comments I usually get, I am making it clear that this is my journey, my choice, and I am sticking to it.
Definitely the natural look!! Love the natural curl!! :)
Chris :)
Thanks, Chris!
We curly mopheads need to stick together, eh? hehe :D
You are making great progress.
I prefer the natural look, but you have to like what you see -
I would advise you not to cut it - let it grow.
You are a good looking guy - you can't go wrong.
Fitz
Hey Fitz, I appreciate the kind words, man!
Seems like almost everybody, besides myself, prefers the curly look... will have to wait and see with the length what I shall do about it, sometimes I really don't care to straighten it, and especially since I exercise on an almost daily routine, there's no way for me to keep is nice and straight at all times, so it changes looks alot, hehe :D
Hey Raul,
It's cool to see how well your hair is coming in and you're making the transition to being a longhair.
Personally, I like your waves and prefer that look. I went the route of cutting the back of my hair for the first couple of years to get the all-one-length look so it's not surprising that I'm in favor of doing that. :)
Hey Jason!
Thanks man, it's a funny thing, this transition. I think I have accumulated well over 100 pics in my "hair journey" folder here, and I am constantly reminiscing on you your website and your hair journey. Sure feels strange looking at myself just last winter with really short hair.. feels like alot longer than 8 months, this journey :)
Yeah, I know you used to cut the back of the hair, and am really not sure about it... it will in a way move me back to "short hair", but at the same time, will look more neat. Guess I am worried about who to entrust with this, and what exactly to ask for, seeing as it's not so far away into the future that a high ponytail "ned stark" style will be possible here... will have to think about it some more :)
Hi Raul,
Cheers to you on your continued progress, and for such great growth in a relatively short length of time. Your hair looks good, and my opinion is that you should embrace your natural waves. Good luck with your continued hair growing journey!
Keep it growing,
David
Thanks David!
Yeah, I am not quite sure yet... but I love mixing the looks for the time being. Either way, I am having tons of fun with the little hair I do have, and am looking forward to getting to much greater lengths! :)
I like the wild curly look the best, gives your hair a more natural look.
About cutting the back, if it's done by a professional it can look better but I always think it looks a bit unnatural. Especially with wavy hair you can get away with growing it out without cutting. The curls hide the mullet look. When I was growing it out I just let it grow. After four years I had my first cut to even up the ends.
Hey Raul, I think both styles look good but I like the naturdl look better. It's cool to know you have styling options to chose from. Looking good brother!
Christian