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Victor and all friends of long hair, I cannot believe I didn't know about this board until now. I absolutely ADORE long hair: mine is nearly to my waist (the longest it's ever been, and I never thought it would get this far) and long hair on men is magnificent! I love naturally "variegated" hair (multi-shaded, light streaks, turning white, etc.)
I work at a university and feel more than a bit alarmed at the current trend of young men getting their hair shaved off. It seems that every time I turn around, another of the young Samsons in my department has gone and shorn himself (and not even saved me a lock!) I know the temptation: some 10 years ago, my own hair was in a punkish crew-cut! I just hope they come to their senses and grow it back out. And if they don't shave it outright, they wear it "Dagwood"-style: SHEESH!
I am debating whether to let my bangs grow out (yes, in a moment of weakness, I cut bangs!) but it is such a terrible ordeal, second only to growing out the hair around the ears! I'm interested in how others have survived this. The only ways I can think of (barrettes and slicking it back) don't appeal. Is the general feeling that bangs detract from otherwise very long hair? I hope this isn't off-topic, as I am a woman.
Thanks again for this very active and fascinating spot on the web: I have bookmarked it and will check back OFTEN! Keep on growing!
Hi,
I was wondering the same about bangs, but at the moment have kept them because my hair is heavy and grows forward so it is very difficult to keep it out of my eyes just with spritz or mousse etc. I would think the girls have a lot more choice in using accessories than guys but if you find anything that works for you please let me know.
You also mentioned growing out hair around the ears and I am going through that stage at the moment. I guess you mean the sticking out bits etc. How did you get around this - any advice.
Welcome to the site and hope you can give me some tips,
Paul
Hi, Paul,
Others may be able to be more creative, but I just suffered through the growing out. Now and then, during the process, my hair almost seemed to have a "real style," but then it would go on to another, more awkward stage and all I wanted to do was wear a bag over my head! I did use little hairpins and clips to hold the bangs back: that was 10 years ago and I'm in my mid-forties now and just do not want that look at my age. The hair around the ears seemed worse because I couldn't just put clips in it (well, I guess one could, but that would be more than a bit strange...)
I'd like to hear those creative suggestions, too!
Soeaking for myself, I think short bangs tend to detract a little from really long hair. I know that growing them out can be a pain. I cut bangs two years ago myself and promptly started growing them out again. Ugh. Here's what I suggest. 1. Leave them alone (i.e., wear them straight down) until the tickling effect on your eyelashes becomes unbearable. Then, as they start growing out, part them a little to the side. Lift them with a brush and spray (just a little) on the underside for height. The spray a little on the top to hold them. This can creat a nice effect, and is a style that will allow the hair to frame your face until the bangs reach chin length. At that point, you can work them into a French braid on the crown or pull them, along with the crown hair and sides, into a small high ponytail, leaving the hair at the back of your head to spill down your back. Whatever you do, don't start curling them when they grow. Curled bangs with waistlength hair look awful! Let us know how you do as the months go by!
I agree, Jann, and don't really prefer mine as short as they are now (I was trying to "even them up" (I've been growing out the zig-zag spikey bangs I used to have) and just got over-zealous. (Hey, if it was good enough for Mamie Eisenhower... *snort!*) Normally, they are brow-length.
*Snip* your good suggestions for coping with the intermediate stages...
Whatever you do, don't start curling them when they grow. Curled bangs with waistlength hair look awful! Let us know how you do as the months go by!
AHHHHHHHHHHHHHHH!!!!! Anything but that!! I agree ENTIRELY. I don't curl ANY part of my hair. It's perfectly straight and does better kept that way. Actually, *today* I don't want to grow them out. Tomorrow, who knows? Obviously, I'm still vacillating on this. Guess I'm also afraid that if I didn't have bangs, I would tend to look somewhat dowdy and plain.
Anyway, thanks for the suggestions and encouragement. Don'tcha just LOVE talkin' hair????
Sure do. This site is a godsend! Keep up the contributions and enthusiasm.
I am in a similar position to you - in growing out my bangs. I saw the post by Paul J on hair accessories and immediately went out and got one of these Alice bands that he described. It is brilliant for keeping my bangs and side hair off my face while it is not long enough to pull back all into a pony tail. I am not as brave as Paul and have not worn it outside in public but I wear one all the time indoors. The one I got has little comb like teeth so it really hold position well.
I actually tried the one my wife has (it's a genuine Alice band, no teeth, but holds exceptionally well and has a black cloth sheath that was sewn around it), just to see how it would look. I gotta tell ya... I looked REALLY *WEIRD*. I think part of the reason had to do with the fact that I haven't shaved in a few days, but I don't think I would've looked any less strange had I been clean-shaven. I'll just stick to scrunchies.
;)
This is one of those "last frontiers" for barriers between the genders. I wear a headband to hold my shoulder-length hair back most all the time. When it's a bandana, I get hardly a second look. When it's a woman's headband, I definitely get stares. What's up with that? Can't we get rid of these distinctions altogether? In the meantime, one solution is a thin, leather band that is hardly noticeable. Here's for men in Alice bands!!