new thread
I've noticed there seem to be some mixed views on trimming the hair at the back whilst growing out. OK mostly this is a result of "Mullet Fear", but also there is the problem of curls and flips, which stylists attribute to the different between the length of the layers growing at the back. Citing that if the hair is cut blunt, (removing the layers) then it will have less of a tendancy to flip out.
How this works I don't know, but I see some evidence of it when I wear my hair in a half-tail. With the top layers gathered in a tail, the bottom layers fall pretty much to one length - and they don't flip out. Whereas if I let my hair fall loose the lower layers always curl up and look messy.
At the same time, I'm reluctant to trim it for fear that it won't solve the problem, (it hasn't over the last 2 trims - though I never had the layers completely cut out.) And of course if it doesn't solve the problem then you have to go through it all over again, kicking yourself, that if you'd waited just a couple of extra months you'd be home free.
So I wanted to get the opinions of Stylists and those that have grown their hair through this phase either triming the back or not trimming the back. If it works? Why Does it? Did it work for you? If so why?
Though not a Stylist in the least...........even when wearing my hair in a full Tail (12" long now) I too am getting wild flips at the ends! I notice Conditioner when left in for nearly 15 minutes seems to work wonders in my case and sometimes the flips are hardly evident. Perhaps give this a try and see if this helps. Otherwise, I don't know the answer, but I DO know this: no matter what my hair is doing it is not going to get near any shears. Hope someone has the answer for you Sorted.
Justin~
I think 1 1/2" - 2" more will make your tail relax a lot more.
When you are at 12", even just 1 or 2 inches makes a world of difference.
So over the the next 3 or 4 months you will definitely begin
to see a major change.
Well, that was my experience, anyway.
Thanks for the info LucksKind. Yes, I do believe the same will happen to me as did you. (And by now I know so well what a "little bit more in length" can do.) Anyway...........hasn't really worried me in the slighest. Even the "Awkward Stage" was a blast for myself: something "new" every day and I am not the type of person to even care what others think. (By the way, your positive support comments and info on this Hyperboard are always so full of wisdom and ever so helpful.) What would this Hyperboard ever do without you?
Justin~
Hi Sorted :-)
I'm a former stylist. This is how the principal works, and it involves several different aspects:
(1) Blunt cut hair moves less freely than hair that is non blunt cut. Non blunt cut hair is hair that is cut with a razzor, or hair that has been cut with a sissors, and then the stylist goes back in and randomly cuts small differences in lengths to the blunt ends (the latter is being done quite a bit today with the newer messy look short styles for men).
(2) Hair with layers has more movement than hair without layers. Why: In hair with layers each individual hair is cut a different length, and so that allows each hair to move more freely than if they are all together. The weight of hair not cut in layers, but at one length gives the hair under it less freedom to move around.
(3) Very long hair due to weight has less individual movment than shorter hair.
(4) Straight hair has less individual movment that curly hair.
(5) Blunt under cut long hair has the least amount of movement, and this is a nice way for someone with long, hair to have it cut, because it causes all the ends to slightly turn under. However, this is not such a nice style until you have hair that is at least all one length and at minimum of at the shoulders, or you risk looking like a "mushroom head" with shorter hair cut in this manner.
So, do I think that having the back cut will help to tame your hair, yes. But, at the same time you also loose some length, and as long as you still have some layers in your hair there will still be some movement. I hate to see you cut all your layers out, all at one time, because you would loose a lot of length, and I think from your pictures that you have beautiful hair that is growing nicely. If it were my hair here is what I'd do: Go to the stylist, have them comb all your hair straight back, and only have the bottom cut about 1/4 inch. I'd have that done once every three months. This will slowly begin to remove layers, while your hair grows, and removing the layers slowly, while still gaining length will work together to tame your locks sooner than if you do nothing at all.
Theron :-)
Hi Theron
Thanks that's a perfect explanation.
I was planning on getting the layers gradually cut out as you suggest. But I'm trying to avoid any trims for a few months (Feb 11th was my last trim so I'm not due until atleast mid May. I still have a 3 inch difference between the longest and shortest layers at the back so I was thinking about doing this over the next 3 trims otherwise I'll be waiting years before I even it out.
But Thanks again I'm printing that post and keeping it for reference.
Sorted
"If it were my hair here is what I'd do: Go to the stylist, have them comb all your hair straight back, and only have the bottom cut about 1/4 inch. I'd have that done once every three months."
will the result of doing the above suggestion lead to the ends of the hair thats "evenly cut" on the front, back, and sides?
i'm just curious, coz i havent cut my hair yet.
Hi :-)
This suggestion is for guys who are grwoing their hair out that are still in the awkward stage, with layers in their hair, and the back being longer than the sides and front. It will result in the hair in the back of your head being evenly cut, and layers gradually being removed from there. The side and front won't be cut, because they won't be long enough to travel all the way down to the bottom of the back of your head.
Theron :-)
i too have a problem with flips. i recently asked a stylist if i should get the bottom trimmed so its even, and his response was that it will sort out the problem however it could leave me with a bob. now, i don't want a bob
i wasn't quite so sure if this seemed right, but then, what do i know? if someone could clear that up for me it would be great
thanks
That's the trade off - if you cut the sides so that the bottom is even before they have reached say, shoulder length then its gonna look like a bob.
I have a similiar problem with my sides, though I've found its eased as they have grown past my ears, I've maintained a slight layering at the sides to prevent the 'bob look' though the lowest layers have been cut blunt. I still get flips but they are more maneagble now my hair is longer.
I guess its like Theron says - both even cutting and extra length (weight) make hair more controllable, its getting a trade off between the two.