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Hi guys, found this site through slate.com. Have a quick question, I've been growing my hair out for a little more than two years and went to a salon for a major trim to clean up some unruly hair. The stylist suggested and gave me a perfectly straight across one length cut. While the end result looks very clean I think it looks a little too "pretty" when my hair is down. Just wondering what your thoughts are on perfectly even one length cuts for men. Thanks.
I've actually been an advocate for a nice, neat trim. I think we guys are suffering from the early days of long hair with the old hippy heritage of unkempt hair. Keeping it nice says you like it long and you like it looking great. That's my take on it.
Yes, I agree, I've gotten maintenance trims before to keep it neat, but I was surprised by the end result that a perfectly even blunt cut could look almost downright feminine (and I'm a pretty big guy) Maybe the stylist did too good of a job, it's very rare to see a long haired guy sporting a perfectly straight across style, at least where I am.
I have to ask how is hair that is cut straight accross feminine?
I know a number of guys with waist length/butt length hair that
is cut straight accross that don't look the least bit feminine.
I've also had both v shaped hair and hair that was cut straight
accross. (In the 80s it as knee length, after that it was waist length.)
I didn't consider either of them feminine. But then i'm rather slight in build, and most of the time i'm wearing cut off shorts,
but i'm very rarely msitaken for a woman. (Happens several times a year usually when i'm seen from the rear).
But then i'm 59 years old and I don't care what others think.
It's my hair, i'll wear it the way I want to.
To be clear, the stylist didn't just trim straight across at the back and called it a day, but she made sure the hair was sectioned and made sure that every single layer of my hair is completely one length. I think it's the precision of the haircut that made the style so striking, and a look usually more associated with women and not too commonly seen on a long haired man.
I do like it in a ponytail though, it makes the hair look a lot thicker.
If she didn't cut evenly at the bottom, then that's not a blunt cut,
If she made sure each layer was the same length, then you do have layers. Maybe it's well done (professional) long layers that make you think "pretty "?
Sounds like you got a nice cut/trim!
I'd definitely go back to that same stylist in the future.
My goal is to get mine trimmed perfectly straight across, once it grows a few more inches. Longterm, I want to maintain that style as it gets longer and longer...
Some people think that layers can look feminine and too "pretty" also. Your hair must be in good condition. It might look great regardless of how you have it professionally cut (blunt cut, layers, etc.).
Some people associate healthy, nice looking hair with being "pretty". But why can't men have healthy hair? Why can't men have nice looking long hair?
Myself, my goal was never to just have long hair. I wanted healthy, nice looking long hair. If someone thinks it's "pretty", then that's just fine with me. Mine is all one length a couple of inches above my waist.
I think you just have to get used to your new cut. I'll bet you'll get compliments.
Beautiful long hair can be masculine!
Hi Jeff,
I happen to prefer a "V"-shape in back, rather than a straight-across blunt cut; but hey, we're all different, so whatever you find looks best on you, go for it!
Currently, because my hair has reached its terminal length, some folks in the long hair community would refer to my hair as having "fairy tale ends" -- because it trails off into thin, natural-type layers (on its own, not created by a hair stylist); but the fact remains that the last time I did go in for a professional trim, I asked to have it styled into a "V" shape in the back, rather than straight across. Also, a "U" shape in back is a style somewhat in-between straight across and a "V"...
Lots of choices; but just be careful not to do too much trimming, or you'll lose all of that hard-earned length!
- Ken in San Francisco
Hi again Jeff,
I should have included a pic in my earlier reply; but here it is now (photo was taken by one of our longtime members, "Bill", who I am lucky to have as a friend living somewhat nearby -- taken last fall)...
I hope this pic helps!
- Ken
Here is an example of a "U"-shape. (My own from when my hair was long.) It somehow evolved to this all by itself because earlier on (oh say, a foot above where it was in this photo) it had a much more pronounced "V"-shape to it.
I would hardly let this "look like a Girl" concern, be of any concern whatsoever. After all, many Women have very short hair and some even have a shaved head.
Justin~
I personally prefer the one length cut. To me that's the best
look for long hair. But then that's just my opinion.
Each to his own.
Yes, this is very much a matter of personal preference. I've worn both tapered and blunt cuts and both have their merits. I've never worried about looking too "pretty", though. Good hair is good hair, in my opinion. In fact right now, mine is cut a bit shorter in the back with a bit of taper to longer in the front. It makes may ponytail very even looking.