ok here is the deal.
I am 22 years old. For a long time know I have always wanted long hair (you know the lorenzo lamas..renegade...look). My problem is that every time I start to grow my hair I end up cutting it when it gets into my eyes. I've had the same hair do as long as I've had hair...short and neat. As to why I keep chopping it off///I'm not sure. Partly because I have very thick wavy hair...which I think would look really good long, but is hard to get to look decent while growing it out. I get all kinds of "flips" and It looks bad. I part it to the left. Also, I guess, being a college student has me a little worried as to how future employers are going to respond to long hair...I'm totally lost as to whether or not long hair on men is acceptable in the workplace now a days. Anyway, if anyone has any tips on growing wavy hair out, while keeping it looking decent (I really hate wearing baseball hats!), please help me out. Thanx
growing your hair out is a test of perseverance. getting past the 'in-between stages' takes a great deal of patience. you may want to wear a bandana or use gel to control your hair as it gets longer.
as far as acceptance in the workplace... it depends alot on what kind of career you're looking to get into. if you plan on going corporate- good luck! most suit and tie positions don't generally tolerate long hair on males. look at it as legally sanctioned discrimination- there's not alot you're going to be able to do about it. your best bet to land a tolerant work atmosphere is to get a decent hair length going, style it as neatly as possible- but take a polished résumé with you. there's supposedly a labor shortage out there- you've got that going for you.
If you want long hair, having the hair get in your face is something you will need to get used to. First it'll be in your eyes, then tickling your cheeks, then getting in your nose, and mouth. Its all part of having long hair.
Gerry,
If you still have time left in college I would encourage you to grow your hair out as quickly as possible. That way your hair will already be long when you first approach potential employers. It is far easier to start a job with long hair than to try to grow it later.
If you don't like baseball hats or gel, the best way to get through the bad hair phase is to get it cut so it looks good however it lays. Then just endure the six months to a year that it might look messy. Once you can get it into a ponytail you will be able to keep it neat and may find most potential employers will accept you. I do agree with what john said, it could be harder in corporate type jobs, but a ponytail "might" work. Only testing the waters will answer that question.
You could keep the sides (over your ears) and top short and be able to grow it out quicker (and subsequently neater). But personally, I do not recommend that style. I think in the long run your hair will look better if you grow ALL your hair long. Once it is beyond your shoulders it gets progressively "neater" and easier to care for. There are few, if any, "bad hair" days. I also have found that even though extremely long hair will get in your face (especially in the wind), it isn't as irritating as when it is shorter.
So go for it if you can, and good luck! Once it gets really long it is great! And the growing process will build your character (perserverance, endurance, and reaching a goal!) and you will have something for which you can be proud!
Kent
Gerry, it sounds as if you are writing my story.
I have tried several times to grow my hair out long.
I get to where the curls and flips are just too high and then i
I cut it ALL off. I am finding that I love it short. Good luck!