new thread
Ok - I'm nearing what I see as the halfway stage, in January 2004 I'll have been growing from a 1 year from short crop:
Here's the starting point January 2003:
http://www.sortedsites.com/images/dave-short-hair.jpg
And he's me at the end of Novemeber:
http://www.sortedsites.com/images/self-portrait.jpg
http://www.sortedsites.com/images/self-portrait2.jpg
I can't help but think I look best in the first picture...
Thoughts... Comments... Moral support...Questions... Critiques...
-Sorted-
PS: Hope the HTML parses correctly...
With the short hair? No, I think you look better with longer instead of overly clipped hair.
Longer hair definetly suits you. You seem to be pretty good at keeping it in order too... that aint easy. Especially without trims.
Oh there have been trims... 3 I think... no 4!
No you're wrong the current view does make you look that bit older and really does suit you.
You need to just keep going - there does not even look like an awkward stage.
Ok - I'm nearing what I see as the halfway stage, in January 2004 I'll have been growing from a 1 year from short crop:
You look great, dude. So much more mature than in the year-old pic. I'm about 8 or 9 months into the growing out process with the start about as long as yours (a 1" buzz). I'm not quite as far as you yet, and my hair is fine, but thick, so it doesn't look as full. Every guy on this Hyperboard goes through the "should I cut it off" stuff, every one of us. But hanging in is good. At least you can always tell yourself that you had the courage to try, eh? Keep it growing man, it looks great. And send in more pics. All of us like to see what the other guys are doing with their growth. Josh
"Every guy on this Hyperboard goes through the 'should I cut it off' stuff, every one of us."
Honestly, I've never once thought that. Then again, I looked absolutely horrid with short hair, so I've never really had any incentive to cut it.
From the perspective of a men's personal image consultant professional...the size of your ears and the length of your face are distractions when your hair is short (first picture). When your hair is long(er) as in the third picture, it provides a "frame" and one's focus is drawn to your eyes, your best facial feature. (Of course, that hair with its healthy shine and natural highlights is a close second-best feature!) My advice: grow it even longer! Your basic image can only get better. (Surely you have already received some flattering compliments, haven't you?)
Woah... nothing like harsh truths....:-)
Actually I've had flattering comments about my hair short and long...
I've also had insults about my appearance with both long and short hair - the ear comments have plagued me since I was at school - though less so as I hit my teens...(adults are generally more polite.)
Oh well, no offence taken, thanks for the perspective...
In no way did I mean to be harsh or offend you. I treated your concern as I would had you been a client who came into our men's grooming resource center in Portsmouth NH. Longer hair is definitely my advice to you--for the reasons I gave as well as the oftwritten responses of the majority of contributors to this board. Hope you will continue to grow it--and share your future progress with us as well. All the best!
You didn't offend me... you just didnt "beat about the bush" - No worries its appreciated, I like straight talkers... I'll certainly be following your advice anyway. And I'll continue to post pics... Thanks for your comments
I personally think you look best in the 3rd picture... I cant wait till my hair is that length... then i'll feel i'm makin progress!
Dude your looks great in the final photo, keep on growing it. Absalom
Personally, I think the long hair gives you a look of sophistication that was lacking with the shorter haircut. Definately suits you more.
Your have a long face and short hair makes that worse. Longer hair softens that considerably.
Also, you look pretty uptight (type "A"ish) in the first picture. You look more relaxed and casual in the third. While that might not be the case, the appearance of it is good.
Thirdly, you look younger with longer hair.
I'm wondering what your friends/family/girlfriend/etc have been saying about your longer hair.
ToddB
I hope you're kidding, because I think you look SO MUCH BETTER with long hair that it isn't even funny. No offense, but with short hair I think you just look like any other kid who is trying to fit in. But with long hair, you look mature, sophisticated, independent and strong.
I don't usually comment but the third photo is SUCH as strikingly better look for you that I can't stay silent. This is not coming from a "everyone should have their hair as long as they can grow it" mindset, it's coming from a very objective look at the first and third photos (the angle in the middle one is just a little odd) and noting that you do, in fact, look more mature, more confident and just better with your hair longer. Whether you should keep growing it or not, I don't know. But if you do, and it doesn't end up looking good, do NOT go back to that teen-aged high school football player crop. Only cut it back to where it is now. It's a GREAT look.
But that's just my opinion.
=:@}
i must agree with everyone else here...and i too am not coming from an "everyone should have long hair " perspective...some guys are blessed with good hair, and others are not...you however, have great hair...with your hair short, you look 12 years old, blend in to everyone else, nothing really standout-ish...BUT with more hair, you have distinction, and as someone said below, it makes your eyes pop out a bit more...
AT LEAST keep what you've got...experiment a little and grow it some more.
good luck,
mjtoo
No you look best in the 2nd and 3rd pics.
I think you look best in the bottom photo
Wow... I'm really staggered by the response, thanks everyone! I expected a natural bias from this forum for the 2nd and 3rd pics, but you've backed up your comments with sound arguments and thoughtful suggestions. I really appreciate it.
Thanks to Reflective, thats probably the best review my personal appearance has ever received. Thanks! (Watch out now, my heads swelling so much I wont make it outta the door!)
Also to Todd - I'm flattered whenever anyone says I look younger... once you get past 21 I think you loose the desire to "appear older" at 25 I kinda now feel I'm looking down the barrel at 30... so thanks... (er psst! Cheques in the post.)
To answer your question about how others feel about me growing my hair, my friends are mixed, some have opinions (in fact thats another thread...) but my family are cool with it, I come from a fairly liberal background and I've always been independently minded so its not like I'd care if they disapproved. But no pretty much everyone is cool with it or has more important things to worry about.
Anyway Thanks again for all your comments - I'm increasingly convinced by your arguements and I'm certainly not going to buzz it all off anyway...
-Sorted-
Hi
3rd pic looks best to me. You will be amazed at what another 3-4" will do. Your "Awkward Stage" actually looks great!
Awkward Stage??? Where??? Isn't that still to come??? :p
(*taunting*) Come on hair gimme your worst!!!)
Naw Seriously... it gotten a little shabby a couple of times and I've just had a trim to tidy it up and its been fine for another few months.
I think the next trim will be in the new year but it depends on how my hair is... if it stays like those photos then I wont bother...
Sorted,
As a Plunkett and Macleane fan, I must say you look handsomely roguish in a Robert Carlyle sort of way in that second shot. I like it very much.
Elizabeth
Thanks Elizabeth... It was taken the same time as number 3, just a wierd "arty" camera angle... I liked the lens flare on it too thats why a posted it...
I'm glad no one has prefered the 1st one!