new thread
Picture Purged
Hi I'm Stu, I live in North Wales in the UK, I'm 15 years old. I started growing my hair out in April 2003. Back then my hair was about 1 1/2" long. Last measurement the longest hair was over 12 inches.
My hair is also wavy and coppery red. This unfortunately gets lots of negative comments from the population at large, for several reasons:
1. I have long hair.
2. I have large hair (unless it's straightened)
3. I have red hair.
These are all frowned upon by certain parts of British society (anyone who knows of scallies will know what I mean).
The other problem with my hair is that I'm often confused by well-meaning members of the public for a woman. This year it's happened at least three times, once from a priest, once from a French train station employee, and once from a British Airways air stewardess. These I'm not too bothered about, I just put on the gruffest voice I can and they get the message.
Perhaps I should grow a goatee and start strength training, to fill out my male form LOL.
I will get some good pictures soon. In the meantime, here's a slightly dark one, but it shows the real colour of my hair (paradoxical no?)
Ignore them. Judging from the photo your shade of red is a nice one, and it's going to look even better as it gets longer!
Growing a beard or working out should do fine to make you appear 100% a man, but if it's happened three times this year, consider if it's necesarry.
I think it's looking great. I wouldn't personally take being mistaken for a girl as a bad thing though. If you had like really gross grungy hair then you'll never be mistaken for a woman, but you don't want that, do you?
And I personally recommend against a goatee... Not a big fan of facial hair. Especially since you're 15 - you're only a teenager for so long, you'll only get to enjoy being a teenager for only 4 more years (I'm on my last year, I'm 19) and you might as well try to look young. Imagine yourself at 40... You'll be wishing you had, at least one point in your life, looked young, you know.
Keep up the great work ;) This board is a great resource. One word: bookmark.
Love,
Kiat T.
Hey man, nice of you to drop in. From another Welshman, I think your hair has great texture, magnificent colour, and your hair will definitely catch people's eye. They may have mistaken you for a woman because it is rare to see a man with not only red hair, but long red hair too. Don't worry about it. And I don't think you'll need to grow a goatee, my friend has long red hair, and no goatee, and he hasn't been confused as a woman, although to be honest, when he was growing it out, and at about the same length as yours right now, I personally thought he looked a little feminine. So what I'm trying to say is, let it grow longer, another 6 inches at least, and everything should work out for the best for you:)
Stu,
Welcome to this community. You will find lots of support here. Your hair looks great: it's thick, full, and simply looks good on you. The color is really great.
All of us have had (or continue to have) to put up with those in society around us who don't get it. Sounds like you handle it fine. If you can grow a goatee, and you want to grow a goatee, it's a pretty easy way to let people know that you are a man. But, only do it if it's what you want to do. I've had facial hair since I was about 23 (44 now). I've always had a youngish looking face, and the facial hair helped in situations where I needed to be accepted as an adult without a hassle.
Thanks for sharing your picture and information with us.
Robert
Hey Stu
Welcome to the board, congrats on a fine head of hair and having the guts to grow it. Red heads get an awful lot of stick in Britain, though in contrast they are revered in other parts of the world. I dunno, its a strange British prejudice from an otherwise largely open-minded society. (In spite of the best efforts of Murdock Media Empire.) Anyway Kudos to you for weathering the storm.
As for the other negative attitudes, well, smooth sleek hair rather than "big" hair is the popular fashion and Long hair on men hasn't been the popular fashion since the 60's. So once again you're facing cultural philosophies that are not going to change overnight. In short, your better of doing your own thing than worring about what other people think, and if some dumbass confuses you for a women, then hey... its probably gonna be more embarrassing for them when they realise their mistake than it will be for you.
Hi Stu
Your hair looks to be doing great! Despite idiot comments from the "do-gooders," growing long hair for a guy at 1st seems to always be met with negative comments. So..............join the club.
But just wait............the negative comments evaporate the longer the hair grows. Suddenly you will hear compliments! :-)
Just toss these comments over your shoulder and be who you are. That is the most important of all.
Justin
Stu,
Is this photo an accurate picture of your natural waviness, or is it partially combed straight?
I think one reason you'd be mistaken for a female is that almost all redheads are female nowadays, in other words, are dyed brunettes. (Like me!) Natural red hair is a rare thing.
My hair is a fair bit wavier than the photo. The fronts are like loose ringlets, and the back is just a mass of curls.
I've gotten a new digital camera so I will get some new photos, tomorrow perhaps. That photo was taken around May.
Welcome to the board, Stu!
The cool thing is that you're among friends, so you don't have to worry about anyone criticizing you for the length of your hair. As far as the color goes, I think red hair suits you well. As for "big" hair, it won't be as bad once it gets longer. You'll see.
So welcome again, my friend, and enjoy the journey!
Keep it growin'!
Brett
Gasp ! Gorgeous copper-red hair is "frowned-upon"
But, but. but......it’s beautiful !!
Goodness, the things I learn on this board...
Welcome Stu, you are in good company here and as your hair lengthens, you will be the envy of many.
It could be worse….you could be....
White Tail
Hi Stu, welcome. Your type of hair can be most difficult to deal with when it is only 12 inches long and requires much patience. Stand firm, and continue to let it grow. In a year your hair will be about 18 inches long and gravity will help straighten out those flips and waves. Long red hair can look truly awesome. Absalom
To see just how good long red hair can look, check this out. http://the-light.com/mens/samson/6/samson.html
Absalom
If you are a long hair at heart, you will find a way to overcome all these 'obstacles.'
I don't know why red hair is frowned upon where you live, but
I think naturally red hair is rare and very nice to look--at least
here in the States it is.
On the other hand, if you feel that you are overwhelmed by
those around you,
you may want to postpone growing your hair really long.
(What is your length goal?)
Blessings and Good Luck!
