Buzz | Ear | Chin [Archive] - The Long Hair Community Discussion Boards

Pixna

January 10th, 2009, 03:23 PM

Fluke

January 10th, 2009, 03:23 PM

Do I qualify? :D

LawyerGirl

January 10th, 2009, 03:26 PM

My starting point three months ago:
http://i17.photobucket.com/albums/b66/Elena1282/Image171.jpg

Pixna

January 10th, 2009, 03:27 PM

You sure do, Fluke! Your hair looks like mine, about when I first got it cut. How long do you think you'd like your hair to get? Mine used to be waist-length, though I went shorter gradually, and it was below chin-length prior to the the BIG chop. I'd like to get back to waist-length one day. That's my current goal -- but I'll aim for shoulder-length for starters. How about you?

Wow, LawyerGirl! You are also where I started. How is it going for you? What is your length goal? What made you decide to go so short and now grow it out?

It is fantastic to know I'm not the only one in this position and that we can support each other on this journey!!

LawyerGirl

January 10th, 2009, 03:36 PM

Pixna, my goal right now is somewhere in between BSL and waist, I think. I have had short hair most of my life, the longest my hair has been ever is probably in the APL area. I had been keeping it shoulder length but went in to get it chopped up to chin and the hairdresser totalllllly misunderstood and gave me long chin length layers in front and then shaved the back. I cried and cried, and once I had someone else even it up, I ended up with what you saw in the picture.

I decided to grow it out because I miss feeling super girly, and I feel like long hair suits my personality better. Plus, I am impatiently waiting for my BF to propose... and when he does, I want to feel beautiful, not "funky" or "punk" or "daring" or whatever. The hard part, though... is the growing out. Ugh!

Flaxen

January 10th, 2009, 03:38 PM

:bigeyes: Is it really you? :joy: :cheese: Welcome back! :smooch:

I recently cut back to waist, and that seems short to me! ;) Happy growing again.

You're back, you're back, you're back! :hollie:

Pixna

January 10th, 2009, 03:47 PM

serabelle

January 10th, 2009, 03:53 PM

I decided to grow it out because I miss feeling super girly, and I feel like long hair suits my personality better. Plus, I am impatiently waiting for my BF to propose... and when he does, I want to feel beautiful, not "funky" or "punk" or "daring" or whatever. The hard part, though... is the growing out. Ugh!

I'm in the same boat :) Hoping for a proposal over the next year, so I wanted to give up the short hair - at least for a while!

Flaxen

January 10th, 2009, 03:58 PM

You and Tresses were the first to welcome me at Shawnee's site. I couldn't forget you! :flowers:

Fifties, schmifties, you're not stupid, and there is no reason why you can't grow to waist or even longer again, if you want to. I probably still have the picture I "grew" for you around here somewhere, too. :eyebrows:

Pixna

January 10th, 2009, 03:59 PM

You're making good strides, Serabelle!! Perhaps we can all check in with each other occasionally and see how we are progressing!

I can't believe how long ago I joined the site, Flaxen -- isn't that incredible?!! Thanks for your kind words of support. It's been tough since the chop -- very emotional. Is Tresses still on LHC? I just hope my hair can get long again (REALLY long) before I'm sixty (I'm wishing VERY hard!). I still have the "growing" picture you made, believe it or not. I really appreciated your doing that!

yrrebwartsymssi

January 10th, 2009, 04:05 PM

http://i14.photobucket.com/albums/a313/kissmystrawberry/ba975bfb.jpg

i used to be a shorty :) i had a shaved head andthis is after it grew out a bit :P

smilinjenn71

January 10th, 2009, 04:06 PM

:waving:Several of us shorties these days. I'm just to 5" right now though.......... ugh!

**pics in album on profile

RedButterfly

January 10th, 2009, 04:07 PM

Hi Pixna!
I remember you. Just stopping by to wave, "hello." How are you? It is good to see you here again. :)

Fluke

January 10th, 2009, 04:10 PM

Dang, I just lost a more or less intelligent reply to some touchpad glitch which took me to one of the ad's on this page..
Oh well.. The highlights:

Goal: classic
tried: two times before, cut after about 1 year
hair: short for 9-10 years
strategy: grow for more than 1 year to make sure I'll get to a length where I'll feel it'd be to much to sacrifice for a few months of shock value and fun with short hair

:flower:

Pixna

January 10th, 2009, 04:10 PM

I can't believe how many of us there are!! This is fantastic. It looks like we'll need a bigger boat to put all of us in!! (teehee)

Hey, yrrebwartsymssi and smilingjenn, tell us what your hair goals are, why you went super-short, and why you are growing long.

Hi, RedButterfly! It's so nice to be remembered. I remember you too, of course! It's so great to see some of the old gang still here!!! Thank you for checking in, even though you are not a shorty yourself and your hair is looking lush and absolutely gorgeous. Waving back at ya!!

smilinjenn71

January 10th, 2009, 04:14 PM

Hmmm, mine has been short for 12 yrs or so.

25ish" for goal.
Used to have BSL back in HS and early college.
Needed a change - couldn't go any shorter..LOL!!!

Pixna

January 10th, 2009, 04:16 PM

Hey, Fluke, I totally "get" what you mean about the shock value of short hair. You should have seen the jaws drop when I first went out with mine. And I got all kinds of comments from "it makes you look so young" to "you look just like a little boy" (obviously not all of them were desirable). Mostly older women said positive things (I guess because they thought I was joining their "club") and men (regardless of age) said nothing. A few younger women said, "It's...um...cute" and that was about it.

I wish we could go from short to long at the snap of our fingers, but, unfortunately, it's a bit of a long and agonizing process. Hang in there...and know I'm hanging in there with you!

Smilinjenn, you made me laugh when you said "couldn't go any shorter"! I was at that point not all that long ago. You'll love it once your hair gets long (I've been there, so I know). It's just this in-between part that's torture.

Flaxen

January 10th, 2009, 04:20 PM

Is Tresses still on LHC?
Yep. Yoohoo, Tresses! :grin:

Fluke

January 10th, 2009, 04:21 PM

Oh, I know about the "You look just like a little boy!" thing, believe me....
The last one who said that was my boss actually.... :lol:
That's one of the reasons I want to grow it out, I've been single for more than 4 years for crying out loud, and it won't help if I'm looking like a little boy to boot!!

*ok, being single for 4 years might not be that long, but for one who hasn't really been "without company" since she started to get company at all that is horrible!*

Pixna

January 10th, 2009, 04:27 PM

*ok, being single for 4 years might not be that long, but for one who hasn't really been "without company" since she started to get company at all that is horrible!*

Well, that says it all. :D Let's hope your hair grows like crazy and all the prospective "company" you want finds you irresistible!!!

smilinjenn71

January 10th, 2009, 04:28 PM

FLUKE... you've been back and forth, I see, in your albums!

You look cute with it short and it's so pretty when it grows out too! Gotta love that you can get away with both.;)

DecafJane

January 10th, 2009, 04:41 PM

Hang in there - your won't be super-shorties for long. :)

Pixna

January 10th, 2009, 04:48 PM

DecafJane, I just took a look at your album, and it is SO encouraging. I've go that super-mini ponytail thing going now, and to see how long your hair has come since August 08 is inspiring. You must feel great that you have made so much progress with your hair growth -- congratulations (and thanks for being an inspiration)!

LisaJaney

January 10th, 2009, 04:52 PM

PIXNA! I cannot TELL You how often I've thought of you and hoped you'd return! I missed you!!! It's LOVELY to see you.

I haven't cut my hair short, but I have cut-in layers and it's not even waistlength anymore, but I'm cool with it. I wear it down a WHOLE lot more. So yeah, I've cut. And growing out is a long process. Sounds like you've done a lot of progress already, though!

Gosh but it's nice to see you around! :smooch:

ETA: I'm going to PM Tresses to tell here you're here and asking for her. SHe'll be by shortly.

wintersun99

January 10th, 2009, 04:54 PM

.............

Tresses

January 10th, 2009, 05:02 PM

Yep. Yoohoo, Tresses! :grin:

I'm here! (I'm usually lurking in the corner, though. ;)) Goodness, I got two PMs about this thread. :lol:

PIXNA!! :bigeyes: Believe it or not, I was just thinking of you, your waves, and your daily braid recently! Good to see you! :cheese:

Short now?!? Happy Growing - you'll get there! :thumbsup:

Pixna

January 10th, 2009, 05:04 PM

LisaJaney -- how splendid to see you!!! Wow, it's like old home week!!! I'm glad you are enjoying your layers and wearing your hair down more. (At this point, I'm to short to go up, so I can only go down!) It's been so long since I've been here, it's not surprising that there are so many changes (with you, with the site). I'm so happy you are still here, LisaJaney!!!

Wintersun, how right you are that it is a long road back. I am truly flabbergasted how many of us shorties there are here -- super-shorties. I didn't expect there to be more than one or two. Do whatever you have to keep your hands off your hair -- a hat sounds like a good idea. Hairbands help to (at least they help me...a little). Even with our hair ultra-short, we can still have a hair toy or two. ;)

smilinjenn71

January 10th, 2009, 05:05 PM

Shoot... a hair toy or two?!?!?!

I have a whole bag full of headbands and clippies...:D

Pixna

January 10th, 2009, 05:07 PM

Flaxen

January 10th, 2009, 05:09 PM

I'm here! (I'm usually lurking in the corner, though. ;))

So THAT'S where the cheese got to. :p

Fluke

January 10th, 2009, 06:08 PM

Shoot... a hair toy or two?!?!?!

I have a whole bag full of headbands and clippies...:D

I've got a few things in my bathroom closet, a few small bags of cheap hairtoys for longer hair, a plastic bin full of elastics and hair clips for my DD4 with now nearly APL hair (I cut it from mid-back a few months ago because of food-, muck- and play-damage to the ends)
Aaaaand.....
Two medium-sized Ficcare Maximas, one Honey Marble and a deep blue silver bordered one...
Those damn things are expensive, I can't have them sitting in my closet in their pretty golden box!!!

Let's free our hairtoys!!! :mad:

:lol:

Tap Dancer

January 10th, 2009, 06:10 PM

Hi, Pixna. I remember you! :)

LisaJaney

January 10th, 2009, 06:12 PM

Yes, Tresses is a Brie-hound. We'll have to hide the good stuff from her from now on.

kam984420

January 10th, 2009, 06:42 PM

what length did you start at and how is it going for you?

I've always had short hair (im a guy) and have decdided that im going to try long hair since its something different. I started with around 1/4 inch and have been letting it grow out. Im still really short. (Only 3 inches) but i'll get there sooner or later.

suicides_eve

January 10th, 2009, 07:18 PM

i started at pixie from a bleaching disaster i am now around APL hoping for BSL .

fairydust

January 11th, 2009, 04:16 AM

Hey Pixna! I'm in the same boat, too. I had long hair up unril last June, when I cut it to a bob, and then went shorter and shorter, and now I have a pixie cut which has grown about an inch all over, which means it looks pretty darn stupid and I can't do anything about it until it grows a bit more. The whole process of cuttingmy hair short had to do with a sort of a crisis that I had going on for the most part of 2007-2008, mainly graduating, trying to find a job, getting married and transitioning to a whole new era in my life. Long story short, despite all of the good things that were happening in my life, I was stressed and tired and angry and all that jazz, and thought that it was my long hair that was, partly, holding me back and causing negative energy (sounds a bit silly, now). Well, now that I've finally got a job and got over the temporary insanity and everything is going well again, I'm struggling with my hair. I've grown a pixie cut long once before, and I thought I would never have to go through that again, but here I am. When will I learn that short hair isn't for me? It's encouraging and helpful to know that there are others growing from a short cut. Happy growing and let's support each other :)

MissHair

January 11th, 2009, 06:37 AM

Hello! Im quite new here so I dont remember you. Welcome back, seems like alot of people have missed you. Dont worry about the supershort hair, its gonna grow out in no time!! :D

Chrissy

January 11th, 2009, 06:49 AM

PIXNA!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Wow what a nice surprise. I haven't read all the replies yet but gosh it's good to see you again. OK now let me finish reading what you said. WELCOME BACK!!!!!!!!! Oh and we have a shorties group. I too cut my hair. It had gotten to 29" and I chopped, boo hoo. Everyone here has to listen to me whine about it! :)

Chrissy

January 11th, 2009, 06:55 AM

Oh my, LawyerGirl, that's quite a story -- and a sad one. But, it has a happy ending -- long hair and a proposal on the way! My cut was due to a moment of midlife insanity, combined with the influence of others who seemed to believe I was a curly girl (I'm not), and my lame-brained assumption that my hair would be curlier if it were shorter (nope, another falsity--it just cuts any curl there is right off!). I'm afraid I'll be petrified wood by the time my hair gets to where I want it to be, as I am in my midfifties. Apparently stupidity has no age barriers!!! :wail:

Oh yeah I forgot we are about the same age. I will be 54 in May. I always joke and say I hope I will be alive for it to get back where it was!!!! My youngest one graduates from high school in about 4 years. I want to be able to do a nice updo for his graduation by that time.

I'm old enough to be a grandmother, in fact two of my sister are but we started late. You should join the subgroup shorties. We'd love to have you!!!

Oh and yes there are still some of us oldies around!!! As you can see I've been around since 2003. Before that I was in I think it was called Long Hair Lovers or something of that sort. I went through all the changes with everyone.

Oh and I neglected to say why I cut. Like someone else on here it was because of a lot of life stresses, dumb yes. It was something I could control unlike everything else that was going on.

DUMB!!!!!! It only takes a minute to chop and loose years of growth but what can I say.....On to long hair!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Did I say join our shorties group????:D

fairydust

January 11th, 2009, 08:12 AM

Just wanted to add that I completely agree with what Chrissy said about being able to control one's hair when everything else seemed out of control - that's exactly how I felt last spring when the decision to chop my hair first started to take form in my thoughts. Yeah. Like my hair had something to do with my control issues and stress...oh well. It made me join LHC, so it's not all bad :D. And see, I'm a member now! I'm so excited :). I've never been an active member in an online community (shocking, I know :D)!

jeno

January 11th, 2009, 08:14 AM

http://forums.longhaircommunity.com/picture.php?pictureid=16022&albumid=1354&dl=1214904501&thumb=1
I started in january 2006 this short and now I'm APL (as you can see in my avatar). I had three haircuts in 2006, trimming up a bit, and on more in april 2007. Then I started microtrimming instead.

Pixna

January 11th, 2009, 08:25 AM

I'm incredibly grateful for all of our replies, and it is wonderful to see so many of my old friends. I'm surprised that a number of us are going through the same experience!

Fluke: I have a FORTUNE in expensive, handmade, wooden hair toys. The poor things have just been sitting around collecting dust for ages. It would be awesome if I could free them one of these days!

TapDancer: Wonderful to see you!

Kam: It must be interesting to be a man among all these women, especially the shorties trying to grow our hair out. Good to have you in the crowd!

Suicides Eve: Your hair is looking LONG and lovely!! I know you have even longer aims, but I'd love to be at your length now!!

Fairydust: Isn't it just horrible what stress (even "positive" stress) can do to unravel our sanity?!! I've gone through this before, too, but I guess it was just so long ago that I forgot how incredibly painful and time-consuming the end result of a moment's chop can be. I think you are on to something -- when everything else seems out of control, our hair is the one thing we can control. Unfortunately for us, it had disastrous results. I absolutely agree -- let's support each other in the growing-out process!!!

MissHair: Love your photos (your center one is my current dream length and hemline shape). Thank you for the encouragement!

Chrissy: Thank you for your delightful welcome back. Your hair in your photo is just a tad longer than mine -- and yours looks very, very healthy and shiny!! Yep, the site used be Long Hair Lovers, back in the stone age when things online were a little bit simpler. Tell me where the shorties group is -- obviously I need to join you over there! :D

Jeno: What a journey your hair has been on!! What are your hair goals now? Do you want to get back to the length you used to have or are you aiming for somewhere in between?

LutraLutra

January 11th, 2009, 08:31 AM

http://forums.longhaircommunity.com/picture.php?pictureid=23746&albumid=1972&dl=1229614167&thumb
Another ex-super shortie saying hello. "Hello."

rymorg2

January 11th, 2009, 09:10 AM

My hair was at 25" last March and I cut it off into a stacked bob that was longer in the front. It took me until October or November to get the back to a point where I could even the front with it and just grow. Now I have 19" again. The day I hit 26" will be a big celebration day for me.

jeno

January 11th, 2009, 11:13 AM

Jeno: What a journey your hair has been on!! What are your hair goals now? Do you want to get back to the length you used to have or are you aiming for somewhere in between?[/quote]

I'm aiming for mid-back or between bsl and waist. One year more maybe? I'm letting my layers grow out too, the shortest ones are about shoulder-length now.

Pixna

January 11th, 2009, 01:39 PM

LutraLutra: You have made incredible progress -- good for you!! It looks like your hair really grew quickly. We are at relatively the same stage (from a similar starting point), so let's try to keep each other on track.

Rymorg2: Pretty hair! It looks like it is long enough now for you to use some of your cool hair toys. I'm looking forward to 19 inches -- I've got a way to go, though!

Jeno: Although you looked really cute in short hair (you have such a pretty face, you would look good regardless of your hair length), longer hair softens your features and makes you look more feminine. Of course, since you're a blue belt in Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu, you'd have me in fear no matter how long your hair and how feminine you look! You rock!

Chrissy: I forgot to mention...I'm 55. I'm a great aunt, so, yep, we're of granny age. I think the stresses of midlife and being postmenopausal pushed me over the edge (excuses, excuses). I, too, hope I live long enough to reach my hair goals!! And heaven help me if I ever do anything so stupid again (you'd think I'd have learned from the first few times I did this when I was younger!!). Please give me a good slap of reality if I EVER start toying with the idea of a cut like this again!! Yes, at your age of wisdom, I am expecting you to be psychic and read my mind. ;)

Demetrue

January 11th, 2009, 01:56 PM

This was my hair in July 2007:
http://forums.longhaircommunity.com/picture.php?albumid=2125&pictureid=25583
Andthis is my hair now:
http://forums.longhaircommunity.com/picture.php?albumid=2125&pictureid=29016

Pixna

January 11th, 2009, 02:18 PM

Demetrue, I can't see your photos. :(

Demetrue

January 11th, 2009, 02:39 PM

Can you see 'em now? I changed the setting on my album so they should show up, though you may need to refresh the page.

Pixna

January 11th, 2009, 02:48 PM

NOW I see you, Demetrue! Thanks! You have made such great strides -- how exciting! It really is inspirational to see how far you have come. My hair is about at your longest point, and all of my layers have grown out now (almost). We're on our way now, aren't we?!!

jeno

January 11th, 2009, 03:04 PM

Haha, I'm actually a very peaceful person outside the dojo! So you don't have to be afraid. :-)
And yes, I think you are right, longer hair softens me and make me look more feminine. Thamkyou for your comments!

Tresses

January 11th, 2009, 10:06 PM

TRESSES!!! Between you and LisaJaney and Flaxen, I'm tickled pink all over!!! Your hair is looking EXQUISITE!!! Gosh, I do miss my daily braid...sigh. I can barely get a teensy (and I do mean teensy!!) ponytail going, and even then the sides aren't long enough to go in it. Please send happy hair vibes my way, and maybe by this time next year my hair will be as long and gorgeous as yours (HA! a girl can dream, can't she?!!). Great to see you!

Awww, thank you! It's all fluff and air. One of the benefits of wavy hair, you may recall. ;) ::sends happy hair vibes::

So THAT'S where the cheese got to. :p

Yes, Tresses is a Brie-hound. We'll have to hide the good stuff from her from now on.

Stinkers! Just for that, I'm not sharing. :p

Flaxen

January 12th, 2009, 12:17 AM

Stinkers! Just for that, I'm not sharing. :p
Oh, but I love you :smooch: and besides, look what I have to trade! :chocolate: :eyebrows:

trollkjerring

January 12th, 2009, 12:31 AM

Hi Pixna, you don't know me but I remember your name from reading old posts - good to have an oldtimer here again:)

I cut bach my hair last august into a pixie like in my avatar, now my hair looks like in my signature and I plan to grow as long as I can, now that I cut off the chemical dyed hair,
trollkjerring

saoriiroas

January 12th, 2009, 12:43 AM

I used to be a super-shorty...from the ages of 12-19...I had super short pixi or a shaved head...I did not even know my natural color or texture. My sister had straight, black hair as a kid and it turned curly and reddish when she got older, and I had black big curls when I was young...now it is dark brown and straight.

In 5 years, some of my old roommates don't even recognize me when I say hello to them. The first 2 years are agonizing, but once you get past BSL you wonder where the time went. Let it grow, let it grow, let it grow...

Good luck! and welcome back.

Deborah

January 12th, 2009, 01:01 AM

Welcome back Pixna! I remember you for sure. You may or may not remember me. I've been here since the beginning (and before at LHL, etc.) but haven't written all that much. I went walkabout when some tension arose, then just peeked in occasionally for a long while. Now I seem to be back for a while at least. I hope you feel comfy and stick around. :flower:

nastasska

January 12th, 2009, 02:26 AM

*Rubs Eyes* *Is It?* *It Is Pixna:cheese:*

Queenie

January 12th, 2009, 06:07 AM

*Rubs Eyes*
That's exactly what I did!! Wow! It's great to see you again Pixna!! :waltz:

(Time FLIES!)

didrash

January 12th, 2009, 06:10 AM

Me! Less that an inch the same time last year. I havent cut or measured since.

Tresses

January 12th, 2009, 08:20 AM

Oh, but I love you :smooch: and besides, look what I have to trade! :chocolate: :eyebrows:

OK...You I will share with. ;)

MemSahib

January 12th, 2009, 08:29 AM

Pixna! I don't know if you remember me but I definitely remember you and your lovely hair. I am so sorry someone persuaded you that it would be better short, but well, now you know for sure what you like and won't be misled that way again. I don't know if this will make you feel better or worse but I joined LHC when I was in my 50s and am at classic now. You can do this. Grow, girl! And so glad to have you back!

Pixna

January 12th, 2009, 08:54 AM

trollkjerring: You have such lovely hair--I know it is going to be very beautiful once it gets even longer. Reaching 45" is a big goal, but I know you'll get there (and I hope to join you!).

saoriiroas: You certainly have quite a hairstory! It's funny how hair changes texture (and with you, even color!) over the years. As mine becomes more gray...er...silvery, the texture is changing too. You sure have come a long way from your shaved head -- your hair is simply beautiful--sleek and shiny!

Deborah: Hi! We sure have been around here a long time, haven't we? I remember all that tension (not good for hair growth, is it?!)--there were at least two MAJOR upheavals (and at least two or three major site changes). I think a number of us grew tired of all that drama and quietly slipped away. But look what happened--all my hair disappeared!! Aacck! I definitely have to stick around or I fear the worst will happen. Plus, it looks like all the kinks have been worked out with the site now, and lots of things are in place to prevent those types of eruptions again (at least I hope so!). The only problem is that the site is so large now that it's easy to get lost (and I'm directionally challenged to start with!).

Nastasska and Queenie: Thank you so much for the warm welcome back!! Yep, it's really me--just with a whole lot less hair (sadly). I definitely cannot leave LHC again...look what happens when I'm left to my own devices!! Nastasska, your hair is looking fantastic! Queenie, is that you in the bellydancing costume? Breathtaking!

Didrash: Hi! About how long is your hair now after a year's worth of growth?

MemSahib: Yes, yes--I remember you!! Thanks for the welcome back. So, if you joined LHC in your 50s, how old are you now? How long was your hair when you joined, and how long did it take you to get to classic? I'm afraid I won't live long enough to see my hair get to that length! I always wanted to have long hair when I was in my 50s, and now look what I've done. I guess I'll have to settle for long hair in my 60s.

MemSahib

January 12th, 2009, 09:07 AM

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v389/homekeepinggran/Hair/LHCwintersig2.jpg From a couple of years ago. Wasn't quite classic yet.

Pixna, I was 53 when I joined LHC and my hair was nearly BSL, having grown from well above my collar for the previous year or more. In the fall of that first LHC year I went to an LHC meet in Dallas/Frisco where Bill at the George Michael salon trimmed the ends up evenly. Since then I've had regular trims but been at classic for over a year now, maintaining. I reached classic at 57 years old. It grew really fast until about waist length and then slowed considerably, but that is pretty normal.

Depending on how fast your hair grows and how much trimming you do, you should have plenty of time for long hair again in your 50s. It's gonna be beautiful!

Pixna

January 12th, 2009, 10:51 AM

Thanks so much, MemSahib. I really appreciate knowing your timeline--it gives me enormous encouragement and hope. Maybe by the time I am 57 I will be at classic, too (unlikely, but I'll aim for that!). I've been trying the George Michael side-part sweep thingy, and so far, I'm liking it. I'm going to try to stick with that as my hair grows. Your hair is looking stunning -- so smooth and sleek, and not a gray in sight!!

MemSahib

January 12th, 2009, 11:00 AM

Your hair is looking stunning -- so smooth and sleek, and not a gray in sight!!Uh, Pixna dear, look at my siggy. Tons and tons of grey. All grey on top and brown underneath. You are seeing a combination of grey and camera flash in the length picture.

Pixna

January 12th, 2009, 11:52 AM

Uh, Pixna dear, look at my siggy. Tons and tons of grey. All grey on top and brown underneath. You are seeing a combination of grey and camera flash in the length picture.

Heh-heh. I thought those were blond hairs (seriously)!!! Well, erm, guess it's time for my eye exam! ;)

January 12th, 2009, 02:11 PM

Pixna - I remember you too!! I don't get to the board often these days, but I do recognize you and it's good to have you back! Let it grow baby!!!

Pixna

January 12th, 2009, 02:42 PM

Pixna - I remember you too!! I don't get to the board often these days, but I do recognize you and it's good to have you back! Let it grow baby!!!

Thanks, KC! I remember you, too! It's delightful to see you (and be remembered). From your lips (or keyboard) to the Universe's ears! :D

Radulfr

January 12th, 2009, 05:26 PM

Hi Pixna- I remember you also - from the old network54 boards.
Welcome Back to the new LHC!

Pixna

January 13th, 2009, 08:21 AM

Thanks so much, Radulfr! Gosh, those Network54 boards were eons ago--I had forgotten all about them (glad one of us has a good memory!). Great to see you!

Ayanna

January 13th, 2009, 09:03 AM

i know how it feels,,i cut my "long" hair to very short a year ago.i miss so badly my longer hair,,i just want them back.I´m glad that im not alone in this feeling..it takes time,,

wintersun99

January 13th, 2009, 09:40 AM

Whoo, hoo! I made a bun out of a bandana today! It's fun and it's not too weird looking. My summer style will be a cynch now :D

tiggens

January 13th, 2009, 10:15 AM

Shorties unite!
My crash and burn hair story goes like this:
Waist>BSL>Shoulder>Chin Length Bob>Soccer Momstrosity>Buzzcut. I started in June at 1/8" and now am just a bit over 3 inches. The buzzcut gave me so much confidence and I loved it, but now, with my shaggy pixie, I just don't feel pretty. I'm trying to stop thinking, "I'll be attractive once I have long hair again" and start thinking "I'm cute NOW!" but of course, that's difficult and I just feel trollish. It seems so silly but my confidence has taken an unexpected and serious blow. Has anyone found good ways to combat this? It has been very helpful having a place with people who understand this kind of thing, and it's equally nice to be see inspiring former shorty stories!

Pixna

January 13th, 2009, 12:14 PM

Ayanna: You are right, it does take time...unfortunately. I wish I could just snap my fingers and my hair (and yours) would grow back immediately. You are definitely not alone in this feeling!

Wintersun99: That sounds really cool. Do you have a pic of your new "bun"? By the way, when I first read your post I thought you said you made a bun out of a BANANA! And then I thought, I've got a few of those around--I should give it try. ;)

Tiggens: Wow, what a story! I can totally sympathize, as that is pretty much the course my hair took, except for the buzz cut (it was close, but not quite buzzed). My confidence has taken quite a blow, too. I think it is extremely difficult to deal with a drastic change in physical appearance, and that is exactly what happens when we go from long to short in a brief period of time. It really is a psychological adjustment! I am finding that as my hair gets longer, bit by bit, my self-esteem is rising. A friend told me (who is encouraging me with my regrowth) that a woman's "sexuality" is expressed through her hair. I don't think she meant that in a "sexual" way but in a "strength" way. Our hair can give us confidence (though, of course, that's not the only source of confidence.) I am discovering that one way to feel more attractive as my hair is growing is to focus on beautifying other parts of my body--shaping my eyebrows, treating my nails to extra care, moisturizing my skin more, having fun with makeup and jewelry. All those things are helping to offset the hair issues. I also just keeping telling myself that this is the worst part of it--getting my hair to a length that looks like it is not on its way to somewhere else (even though it is)--and that if I can hang in there for another month or two (or, well, twelve), it will all have been worth it. Hang in there with me!!!

wintersun99

January 13th, 2009, 12:23 PM

............

pgw

January 13th, 2009, 02:20 PM

Can't help with the short hair but I wanted wave to Pixna. It's been a LONG time and it's good to see you post again. :waving:

Pixna

January 13th, 2009, 03:30 PM

Hello, hello, pgw!!! Thank you SO much for stopping by and saying hello. Can you believe what I did to my hair??!! Well, it's just good to be back and growing again. It's simply awful what a long absence can do to my hair when I'm left to my own devices!! ;) Great to see you again!!

Paliele

January 13th, 2009, 08:06 PM

I had shoulder length hair for a long time, but then I chopped it all off for my 18th birthday. I liked it...for the first day. But I would like a little more versitility. So now I am growing it out again, hopefully to at least waist. Good luck with your journey!

Pixna

January 14th, 2009, 09:16 AM

Hi, Paliele! Thanks for your encouragement. I know what you mean about liking it...for the first day. It's such a shame that one quick chop can result in years of agonizing regrowth. Is your hair at 6 inches right now? I appreciate your good wishes and wish you much luck on your journey as well.

tiggens

January 14th, 2009, 03:45 PM

Pixna: Yes, focusing on other areas within my control to beautify has help. I felt just lovely after buying a beautiful pair of earrings! It is difficult though, to let go of long hair which really has become a part of you.

I've been trying not to trim (it's been 11 weeks since a regrettable all-over trim) but the back of my hair is taking on that Carol Brady flip. I've been pinning it up but I'm thinking of just trimming it a teensy bit to let more of the shorter layers catch up. What have all your growing strategies now and in the past? Should I suck it up and focus on the end result? I am wont to trim even the teensiest length but it's starting to look a little shaggy and silly.

Demetrue

January 14th, 2009, 05:18 PM

I have the Carol Brady/First Lady flip now as well - this is the point when I have always cut it shorter to eliminate it. However, I intellectually know that in 2-4 months it will be flipping back down, or curling around and will probably never be at the flipping up/shoulder point again if I just leave it alone. I've been clipping back the side pieces with tiny hairclips, which takes my focus off the flip part and kind of changes the profile so it doesn't seem quite as "dorky" to me.

Giggy2

January 14th, 2009, 06:08 PM

Oh My GOSH! Noooo way, I just about fell over when I saw that clown face. ;)

We were just talking about you not too long ago, wondering how you were doing.

:happydance: :cheese:

I'm back above bra strap, but hey, it's only hair. You're going to have some beautiful hair in a couple of years, just like you used to. Welcome back.

Sammybunny711

January 14th, 2009, 06:13 PM

I'm at mid-neck right now and am creeping up on the "almost shoulder length."

Pixna

January 15th, 2009, 07:37 AM

Tiggens and Demetrue: I am at the flip stage, too!! I just read where George Michael recommends letting the hair flip up at this stage rather than trying to force it under. It draws more attention to the face and is more natural. I'm trying to let it go with the flow, since, as Demetrue said, in another month or two (or three) it will just naturally flip the other way. My flip is on the sides more than the back right now. Yeah, I look pretty goofy.

Tiggens, the main reason my hair is looking so dorky is because I went ahead and trimmed it so it would all be more even with the shortest layer. That took off about another inch or so, which I now sorely regret. My hair wouldn't look as odd as it currently does, or quite as short, if I had been more patient and just waited a while longer. So, if you are able to withstand it, I'd advise you to hang in there and let it get a little longer before doing another trim, and when you do trim, keep it minimal. In retrospect, that's what I feel I should have done.

My strategy right now is to sit on my hands and wait it out. I'm treating my hair the same way I would if it were longer, so my habits won't change. I'm also sort of pretending it's longer, just to help get me through this really awkward period. Of course, I might have to pretend for a year or two, but...

Giggy: Woohoo--you are still here!!! It is fabulous to see you!!! I just saw your trim pic, and your hair is looking VERY healthy, beautiful, and natural. It still looks REALLY long to me! You've got such a great attitude. Thank you for the encouragement. I wish I could paste my hair right back where it used to be, but short of getting extensions (which I definitely would never consider), that doesn't seem possible. Must...have...patience. (That's my hair mantra.) So wonderful to see you, Giggy!!!

Sammybunny: The "almost shoulder length" is my next big goal. I'm hoping to be there by late spring. Looks like we are on the same journey!

tiggens

January 22nd, 2009, 09:44 AM

How are the shorties today? :D

Pixna, thanks for solidifying my no-trimming resolve! Instead I went out a bought a few cute/funky headbands (never thought I was the type, but I like them!) and having another "style" has helped immensely! After finding a bunch of pictures from the past year, my hair seems to be about the length (if not a touch longer) it was when I first cut into a pixie. That feels like a milestone in itself! I remember feeling that the pixie grew out very quickly. Of course, in looking at the photos I found myself saying, oh that supershort crop looked pretty nice...... I will never learn. It also makes me realize that I probably don't look as bad as I think I do and will likely look back and say, "that pixie was cute!" :rolleyes:

How many of us have bounced around between long and short a few times? I've cut my long hair into a pixie before (in 2004) and grew it to waist. Then as soon as the memory of the crappy grow-out faded, I cut to pixie again. Sheesh. I fear for the future me who might be tempted to cut supershort!

Pixna

January 22nd, 2009, 10:18 AM

Good for you, Tiggens! I just ordered a couple mini flexi-8s and mini barrettes. I don't think my hair is long enough for them yet, but I'm hoping they will inspire my follicles to grow faster! :) There are a lot of funky headbands around. I bought some a couple years ago at a high-quality arts festival--they are all cotton, very artistic, colorful, and even reversible (so I actually got two for the price of one, so to speak). They are good to keep on hand for those days when I'm frustrated with lack of progress and want to scream. Have fun with your new purchase!!

I've got TONS (seriously!) of very expensive hair toys that I got years ago that I won't be able to use for several years now. *Sigh* I'm hoping, hoping, hoping I learn this time around. A pixie can be cute...but only briefly (IMHO). It grows old and tired pretty quickly -- and you can really only wear it a single way. With long hair, we will have endless options. I was such an idiot for cutting mine instead of just putting it up for a few weeks and getting over my crazies.

I just posted some pics to my album here. My plan is to look at these awful, awful photos every time I get an urge to cut. Of course, the worst is over, as the layers have all grown out (thank heavens). That part was too painful for me to capture in a photo. Perhaps you could do the same -- capture the misery so you can look back on it and vow to never return!!

tiggens

February 3rd, 2009, 10:13 AM

Pixna

February 3rd, 2009, 10:25 AM

Hmmm... I think the feathery ends soften your hair, Tiggens, and make it look more feminine at this stage. All the same, I can understand how they could drive you nuts. I kept trimming and trimming the layers off as soon as I could. However, I know I looked more dorky in the process (like I had put a bowl on my head and trimmed around it), even though it seemed to speed things up a bit. Maybe you could compromise and just trim off 1/2 inch on the bottom back edges? Then, in another month, trim another 1/2 inch off? That way, you might escape the bowl-head look a while longer.

That's my 2 cents (which, in these times, is probably worth no more than 1 cent). :p

Beakywitch

February 3rd, 2009, 10:29 AM

Alright shorties, it's time for a reckoning. I made a hair appointment for Friday. If Friday comes and I still want to trim (just the back!), I'm going to do it! I'm not able to wear it "down" because it is very unkempt and scraggly. I've been wearing headbands, clips, etc but it's just not me and I'm not enjoying my look at all at the moment. I think I can lose the last 1/2-3/4 inch on the back of my hair. My aim to to improve the overall shape by trimming the back, a la similinjen's most recent trim. I'm still torn though so I'd appreciate your input. Here's the beast, note the detestable lightbulb shape:

http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3518/3246426254_82667b0c61_m.jpg

So what do you think sisters and brothers?
Your hair looks a lot like mine at the moment. I wear hats every day but then I'm a full time mum and can do what I like. I'm sticking it out as I feel if I get any trims they will persuade me to keep trimming. I'm working on the theory that if I stick with it my ends will turn into fairytale ends which will go from untidy into cute.
Beaky

tiggens

February 3rd, 2009, 10:35 AM

I knew you'd have some sound advice Pixna. The tiny trims are a good idea. I just feel like I need to do *something* because it's driving me nuts! I've been going back and forth on the trim issue for a while and finally I needed to give myself an ultimatum: either I want to trim or I don't! I'm lucky to have a stylist who is also my friend and I trust that she will advise me properly and if I chicken out of a cut, will give me a funky style for the day.

I really wish I could just leave my hair alone and let it do its thing. Alas, I was doomed to drink the lhc koolaid. :p

Pixna

February 3rd, 2009, 11:50 AM

You are lucky to have a friend and stylist in one. If you go, don't view it as a "cut." View it as a light dusting, just in the back, just on the ends. And aim for the ultra-mini version (just 1/2 inch off). That way, you won't do anything you regret, and you'll appease those "I gotta trim" vibes. Make an appointment for 4 to 6 weeks later (no sooner!) and then trim another 1/2 inch off. By then, the top layers will have grown down more and might be catching up to the bottom.

One thing I've been doing, Tiggens, is focusing on other parts of my body that I can "trim" rather than on my hair. I've been shaping my eyebrows, shaving my legs, pampering my feet, and using a dry brush on my body (to get rid of all those icky dead cells). That way, I'm not obsessing about my hair. It helps (well, at least a little).

Let us know what you decide to do!

Demetrue

February 3rd, 2009, 01:31 PM

Alright shorties, it's time for a reckoning. I made a hair appointment for Friday. If Friday comes and I still want to trim (just the back!), I'm going to do it! I'm not able to wear it "down" because it is very unkempt and scraggly. I've been wearing headbands, clips, etc but it's just not me and I'm not enjoying my look at all at the moment. I think I can lose the last 1/2-3/4 inch on the back of my hair. My aim to to improve the overall shape by trimming the back, a la similinjen's most recent trim. I'm still torn though so I'd appreciate your input. Here's the beast, note the detestable lightbulb shape:

http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3518/3246426254_82667b0c61_m.jpg

So what do you think sisters and brothers?
I think it looks more feminine with the feathered edges, but if it's driving you crazy, just have her snip 1/4 inch across the back to make it feel more even. Then leave it alone for 2 months and reassess at that time.

Islandgrrl

February 3rd, 2009, 01:37 PM

Hey there, Tiggens.

I think you should do what makes you feel best about your hair and yourself.

That being said, growing out from a pixie sucks. I know. I was there. You're going to go through heaps of awkward stages as you grow and you're either going to have to find ways to wear your hair up or out of the way that you can stand, or just give up and go for broke. Avoiding the Mullet of Doom and Mixing Bowl Head were the hardest parts for me. My strategy was to let it grow as long as I could stand it and then get the longest blunt cut I could. I eventually ended up with a mostly blunt cut to my shoulders and then just trimmed as needed to keep things from looking ratty. And I kept bangs with face framing layers until right before I joined LHC.

Wishing you good growth and easy awkwardness on the journey!

RancheroTheBee

February 3rd, 2009, 01:46 PM

Hey, there. I was bald in 2007, and since then, I sort of kept it between neck and chin-length. Now, I'm on the way to longhairdom, too! In this case, I would normally say, "Let's start a club," but I guess we're already kind of in one. ;)

Pixna

February 3rd, 2009, 02:00 PM

Avoiding the Mullet of Doom and Mixing Bowl Head...

:gabigrin: :gabigrin: :gabigrin: :gabigrin: :gabigrin:

tiggens

February 3rd, 2009, 04:16 PM

Thanks everyone for your support. Together we can fight the mullet of doom and the monstrous mixing bowl head! :p I'm feeling pretty sure about going for a small trim. I work in a clinic and see patients often so i like to look somewhat put together. Otherwise I'd put my head in a paper bag and call in a day. I'll post pics of the outcome.

Welcome rancherothe bee! I love your banana challenge!

RancheroTheBee

February 3rd, 2009, 04:39 PM

Welcome rancherothe bee! I love your banana challenge!

The banana is a rather supportive little guy. I've decided to amass bananas for each goal. Maybe one day I shall have many dancing blocks of cheese and the bananas can be retired forever.

(... I just realized that would have made no sense to anyone outside the LHC.)

wintersun99

February 3rd, 2009, 04:57 PM

Alright shorties, it's time for a reckoning. I made a hair appointment for Friday. If Friday comes and I still want to trim (just the back!), I'm going to do it! I'm not able to wear it "down" because it is very unkempt and scraggly. I've been wearing headbands, clips, etc but it's just not me and I'm not enjoying my look at all at the moment. I think I can lose the last 1/2-3/4 inch on the back of my hair. My aim to to improve the overall shape by trimming the back, a la similinjen's most recent trim. I'm still torn though so I'd appreciate your input. Here's the beast, note the detestable lightbulb shape:

http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3518/3246426254_82667b0c61_m.jpg

So what do you think sisters and brothers?

I think that we are twins! :D

...........

...............

Oh no! Perfect.... :D

Mullets of Doom (http://photobucket.com/images/mullet/)

Fluke

February 3rd, 2009, 05:38 PM

Oh no! Perfect.... :D

Mullets of Doom (http://photobucket.com/images/mullet/)

Oh dear... I think I'm going to be sick...!

LawyerGirl

February 3rd, 2009, 05:46 PM

I know all about Mullets of Doom (I am there now) but what is Mixing Bowl Head? Is that my next goal? ;)

smilinjenn71

February 3rd, 2009, 06:45 PM

Oh no! Perfect.... :D

Mullets of Doom (http://photobucket.com/images/mullet/)

Mullet: Business in the front, Party in the back! :rockerdud Oh yea!

Lamb

February 3rd, 2009, 08:09 PM

Oh no! Perfect.... :D

Mullets of Doom (http://photobucket.com/images/mullet/)

Why, oh why, did I look??? :nono:

I am in need of some support. I have reached a really awkward stage, and nothing seems to be good. I am experimenting with clips and headbands, my head has never been such a mess. (Well, except the last time I was at this stage... which was like... uhh, this time last year?? When will I ever learn??? :brickwall )

There are days when I feel like just covering my head with an XXL bandana until August or so, and have done with it.

FallenAngel

February 4th, 2009, 02:05 AM

I guess I'm supershort at LHC. :-)

And my hair is just a mess now as well. Would go cut it at this stage if I didn't attept to grow it. Last year I had a quite nice bob, but then I decided to cut that one into a PIXIE! Why, oh why, did I do that? Now I'm having serious layers to grow out, AND short hair.

Nice to see I'm not totally alone here, though, in this forum so full of beautiful longhairs.

Pixna

February 4th, 2009, 07:38 AM

I think that we are twins! :D

You ARE twins!!! If tiggens gets a little trim in the back, you'll be IDENTICAL twins!!! That's cool, because you can really monitor each other's growth and support each other along the way.

Oh no! Perfect.... :D

Mullets of Doom (http://photobucket.com/images/mullet/)

OMG...that is just plain scary!!! :brains:

I guess I'm supershort at LHC. :-)

And my hair is just a mess now as well. Would go cut it at this stage if I didn't attept to grow it. Last year I had a quite nice bob, but then I decided to cut that one into a PIXIE! Why, oh why, did I do that? Now I'm having serious layers to grow out, AND short hair.

Nice to see I'm not totally alone here, though, in this forum so full of beautiful longhairs.

Hang in there, FallenAngel. You definitely are NOT alone! This is the hardest stage, I think. Once your layers grow out, then you'll hit the next hardest stage (the one I'm in right now), which is waiting to get some length. But if we don't go through these, we'll be back at square one, and we'll never realize our longhair dreams. It's tough....I know. But we can do it. Together we are strong! :bounce:

tiggens

February 4th, 2009, 09:06 AM

I think that we are twins! :D

hehe that's funny because I actually do have a twin! So you're now a triplet!

So...I pushed my appointment back to the 20th. That'll be 4 months since I last cut it. If I still want to cut it then I'll do it! I mostly did this because I had a hair-mare last night that my "trim" turned into a hedgehog cut all over. Now, I'm not the superstitious type but that seems an ill omen, no?

lawyergirl: I give you the mixing bowl head: http://l.yimg.com/g/images/spaceball.gif

http://l.yimg.com/g/images/spaceball.gifhttp://farm3.static.flickr.com/2104/2122337082_7f310482ae.jpg?v=0
http://l.yimg.com/g/images/spaceball.gif

No but really it's more like this:

http://onsugar.com/files/upl1/12/128548/22_2008/fab_4295.jpg

Neither model nor kitty is happy with their bowl cut.

Lamb, Fallenangel, demetrue, lawyergirl, and all other awkwards, let's get in here for a group hug. :grouphug: Hi, I'm Tiggens and I'm a mullet-y mophead.

PS: Fallenangel-- I did the same thing last year! I had an awesome bob that got constant compliments and then I just haaaad to chop... I'm looking to stop in bob-land again before I grow to bsl because I loved the cut so much.

Demetrue

February 4th, 2009, 01:00 PM

Pixna

February 4th, 2009, 01:05 PM

I feel your pain!!! Just remember that you are a "long hair" at heart, no matter what stage your hair happens to be going through.

Yeah, baby!!! I totally feel like a longhair at heart (until I look in the mirror). I'm gearing up for it in every way, as I truly believe I'm almost there (well, ya know...in another year...or two).

Tiggens, those photos are hilarious!!! (Thanks for making me LOL!) Yep, neither the kitty nor the model look too happy with their 'do!

LawyerGirl

February 4th, 2009, 01:06 PM

Oh my, that Mixing Bowl Head brings back memories of the worst hair cut I EVER had... I think I was six or so, but will never forget it. :P

I am fighting the urge to trim... but I know that if I do, I will never get anywhere!

wintersun99

February 4th, 2009, 01:14 PM

.............

tiggens

February 4th, 2009, 01:16 PM

OMG - me too - same age!

Me too! I it must be some kind of humiliating rite of passage.

smilinjenn71

February 4th, 2009, 02:12 PM

LAWYERGIRL, I feel your pain about the trimming. I went last week for a dusting but didn't have any length cut off. Hopefully I can go quite a bit longer than 8 wks this time. I just can't stand it when the whole mullet thing starts happening.

My fear is that if I don't have the back evened up along the way, I will HATE my hair and just cut it all off again. So, in keeping my sanity, trims are going to be necessary. I'm just trying to keep it to 1/2" or less when I *do* get a trim.

Gilly

February 4th, 2009, 06:00 PM

Can I join please?
I have done a major cut before christmas and my hair is now sort and heavily layered :rolleyes:
Its in really good condition and I am going to start Sorbolene washing soon (hopefully tomorrow) so I am ging to keep it in as good a condition as I can and trim it, if at all, as little as possible.
I am at work at the moment but will be on later and will post a current piccy so you can all see what stage I am at!:cheese:

wintersun99

February 4th, 2009, 06:03 PM

..........

smilinjenn71

February 4th, 2009, 06:07 PM

Pixna

February 5th, 2009, 10:01 AM

Hi, Gilly! Heck yeah, you can join us! :D I look forward to seeing your pics.

Gilly

February 5th, 2009, 01:23 PM

I got in too late last night to do pics but will do them tonight, my Sorbolene arrived last night so hopefully I have got the itch sorted, now all I need to do is concentrate on growing again

tiggens

February 10th, 2009, 07:56 AM

Just wanted to update everyone (since I know you're all on the edge of your seats) but I did not trim on Friday and so far, I am so glad I didn't! As I mentioned before, I pushed the appointment back to the 20th. I'll trim eventually for sure, but I'm glad I gave myself the chance to gain a little more length!

lawyergirl -- your trim is looking good! How are you feeling about it?

Pixna

February 10th, 2009, 10:21 AM

Why, yes, tiggens, as a matter of fact, I HAVE been on the edge of my seat! :D I'm glad you held off -- if you're not ready, you're not ready. Wait until you are 100% certain. The general "rule" is to wait at least 14 days and then revisit the decision. If you still aren't sure, wait another 14 days, etc.

I agree that LawyerGirl's trim turned out great. We all have to figure out the best way to get through this rough patch so we can have smooth growing!

Beakywitch

February 12th, 2009, 10:10 AM

I'm wearing hats everyday too. I don't think any of my students have actually seen me without one, this year. No, wait - I did wear a headband a few times - they liked the headband's better... :p

Great!! I'm erm, actually slightly dreading the weather getting warmer as the mullet is getting very very mulletty now and a hatless day would be a disaster. However, I can go from beanies to bakerboys made of cotton. Your mullet link made me feel so happy because I laughed so much.

Beaky

My sideburns are killing me at the moment. I can't slick them back with gel as that really emphasises the mullet look, but if I leave them they stick out like a clown's hair. My crown is doing some kind of flat look too but that's the least of my worries. I wish women in the UK wore more headscarfs the traditional way, you know, tied under the chin. I'd love to wear them like that but nobody under 85 does so here. I might take a piccy of myself in one for a laugh but don't get excited, it's taking me a while to work out how to add images, lol.

Beaky

Pixna

February 12th, 2009, 10:28 AM

My sideburns are killing me at the moment. I can't slick them back with gel as that really emphasises the mullet look, but if I leave them they stick out like a clown's hair.

Hey there, Beaky! Is there something WRONG with clown's hair (see my avatar, please)??? ;)

I wish women in the UK wore more headscarfs the traditional way, you know, tied under the chin. I'd love to wear them like that but nobody under 85 does so here.

I am such an inner dork, too. I'd love to wear what we in the U.S. call babushkas. When I was a kid, I would always put on scarves like that, tied under my chin, and my mother rapidly whisked them off my head for fear I would embarrass her. I am so comfortable in that "rural peasant" look, but, sadly, no one seems to appreciate my quirky taste. :smirk:

LawyerGirl

February 12th, 2009, 10:32 AM

wintersun99

February 12th, 2009, 10:48 AM

...........

Thanks guys! I feel good about my trim... I want it long, but feel like the temptation to cut is so much greater if I don't feel as though it looks okay. I figure that 1/4" now is better than 4" in a month when I get frustrated with the ratty look I'm sporting. Keeping it neat will help me to grow it I think, as long as I make sure to cut less than I grow.

I think your hair looks great and I do like the cut a lot. Nothing wrong with growing long and still holding onto a style (says she who is still living with a freaky mullet) :cool:

Pixna

February 12th, 2009, 11:13 AM

A babushka (http://dictionary.reference.com/browse/babushka) is a head scarf tied under the chin. It is usually associated with elderly Russian (and other Eastern European) women (grandmotherly types).

Oh my! I don't mean to freak you out, WinterSun. Truth be told, I don't like clowns either, except those in my immediate family. :p

http://www.gabriellesgoldgalerie.com/images/Babushka.jpg

Here's the babushka look. Not quite Grace Kelly, is it? :laugh:

wintersun99

February 12th, 2009, 12:03 PM

...........

Pixna

February 12th, 2009, 12:12 PM

That IS a great quote, WinterSun! When my sister lost all of her hair due to chemo treatments for cancer, I sent her a huge batch of beautiful head wraps so she could look elegant and feel better about herself (which she did).

Now if only I could actually pull off the look the same way the celebrities do! Sadly, I still end up looking like a babushka wearing a babushka. :face:

suicides_eve

February 12th, 2009, 01:52 PM

Thanks guys! I feel good about my trim... I want it long, but feel like the temptation to cut is so much greater if I don't feel as though it looks okay. I figure that 1/4" now is better than 4" in a month when I get frustrated with the ratty look I'm sporting. Keeping it neat will help me to grow it I think, as long as I make sure to cut less than I grow.

nothing wrong with trimming to avoid the mullet look. i just worked with it.. i was into the whole uneven-funky shaped rock star look, then again i was stay at home too so nobody saw my hair except dd:D

Beakywitch

February 13th, 2009, 11:41 AM

[quote=Pixna;460694]Hey there, Beaky! Is there something WRONG with clown's hair (see my avatar, please)??? ;)

:D Hehehehe! Ooops, clowns' hair looks great on you!

Love Beaky

http://i292.photobucket.com/albums/mm37/Beakywitch/Sallysphonepictures357.jpg
Me in a headscarf, I hope this picture isn't too big, I'm new to posting images so it's a bit of an experiment. I'd love to go out like this but it does look very Russian, haha, Beaky.

PS I've resized this photo but it just turns out big!

Pixna

February 13th, 2009, 11:49 AM

Yep, that's the look I love, Beaky. And it looks good on you!!

Beakywitch

February 13th, 2009, 12:10 PM

Yep, that's the look I love, Beaky. And it looks good on you!!

Thanks! I love the peasant look too.
Beaky

I managed to get my hair under better control today by using gel and spray. It's tucking behind my ears better and mullety but not in a bad way. Every time I wash my hair it's almost as if I can literally see a bit more growth as it seems instantly longer when it's cleaner.

I'm finding it all quite exciting.

Beaky

Pixna

February 15th, 2009, 11:19 AM

Beaky, it's funny that you said that, as I am finding the same thing. Every time I wash my hair, which is about every two to three days, I feel like it is just a bit longer. Isn't that cool??!! I'm finding it exciting, too!!

wintersun99

February 15th, 2009, 03:13 PM

............

Fluke

February 15th, 2009, 03:23 PM

Next mini-milestone is for the very top layer to lay flat, rather than stick up, as it still likes to. :p

Ooooh yes, hair that lies DOWN on top instead of stick up, I'm also waiting anxiously for it! Which is weird, really... I never seemed to have this problem before, and I've had my hair super short for years. My hair seems more "stiff", somehow!

wintersun99

February 15th, 2009, 03:26 PM

.............

Fluke

February 15th, 2009, 03:31 PM

Fluke - you are braver than I to post that second picture outside your Album - Maybe I'll add one of my own - it likes to stand all up like that too :D

:lol: Ok, that is a bit exaggerated, I ran my fingers through it to pull it up for that picture, heheh
But even freshly washed, sopping wet and unhandled it dries with an amazing amount of "air" at the roots. It has never done that before!
I used to style my hair to stand a bit up on top, and I always had trouble with getting it to stay that way. Not it just refuses to lie down, and I remember I could get it to lie down at this length last time I grew it out... :(

Psalm186

February 15th, 2009, 04:32 PM

Yep, I'm finding the same thing. I've been anti-product for soooooo long (mostly from laziness) that now that I have this short of hair, I have no idea how to style it, nor do I like to. However, some styling aid products do really help, on no-hat days. I'm still clinging to headbands, primarily though.
I wouldn't have gotten past 2" without pomade... headbands don't stay on my head >.<

As a former Super-Shortie, I wish you all well through the next 2 years (at the very least). There are so many tough growing-out periods ahead...

"Tickling"-Your-Eyeballs to Stays-Behind-Your-Ears
Jawbone to Pitiful-Ponytail
Boring-Ponytail to Barely-Braided to Nearly-Bunned

And from 1" to Bob, there's the dreaded question of what to do with the nape of your neck? Do you trim it all to keep it neat? Do you keep the bangs?

Unfortunately, I have no words of advice for you... I looked terrible for a year and a half :shrug:

Pixna

February 15th, 2009, 04:44 PM

Well, despite the trials and tribulations that Psalm186 pointed out, we'll get through this -- and we'll support each other in the process. It won't be that bad!!

Some of us have done it before and we know what's ahead. Others are enjoying each step of the way and are appreciating them for what they are -- they are not horrible, just different. We WON'T look terrible for a year and a half or however long it takes us to get to a length we are happy with. We will look beautiful in the process, even if some of the stages feel a little awkward.

Please don't let negative comments discourage you in any way!!! This is my second time around (from nearly bald to very long), and there is joy to be found in the process ... and if you cannot find the joy, the rest of us will help you look for it. :D

LawyerGirl

February 15th, 2009, 04:52 PM

Thanks Pixna :) we can always count on you to keep us optimistic :)

Psalm186

February 15th, 2009, 05:09 PM

Please don't let negative comments discourage you in any way!!!
Aye, I just realized I said absolute nothing positive about the growing out experience >.>

Positive thought #1: Your growth milestones are so much more noticeable than when your hair is longer. The "Ouch, my hair is in my eyes" thought quickly turns into "Hey, my hair is in my eyes! :cheese:"

Positive thought #2: Years from now, the only thing keeping you from hacking it all off again might be the thought of having to grow it out. If that's not encouraging, I apologize... it's the aspergers speaking :oops:

LawyerGirl

February 15th, 2009, 05:10 PM

Positive thought #2: Years from now, the only thing keeping you from hacking it all off again might be the thought of having to grow it out. If that's not encouraging, I apologize... it's the aspergers speaking :oops:

Very true Psalm186! No more pixie for me ever!

wintersun99

February 15th, 2009, 05:52 PM

...........

............

Pixna

February 16th, 2009, 07:13 AM

Wintersun, I just checked out your new pic (thanks for posting it!). I see what you mean about your hair being "airy," but that's the kind of look some people actually try to achieve with gel or pomade. I think it looks cute, and that "airiness" (or spikiness) might help make the journey to the next transition a little easier.

When my hair was where yours currently is (last year), I used gel and pomade every day. Though my hair was relatively curly/wurly at that length (I scrunched it), the gel really was a lifesaver in terms of getting me through that phase. I don't know what I would have done without it.

Beakywitch

February 16th, 2009, 12:36 PM

Ah Pixna and Wintersun, it's a wonderful journey really isn't it. Every week is different because the hair is progressing. My next goal is to have the ear area hair cover my ears and at the moment it is just over half way down. I've already had some terrible hair days but they pass and it would have been terrible to have gone for a chop at such a time.

Today I wore a chocolate coloured bakerboy cap. My hair needed a wash but I decided to hide it and let the sebum do its magic.

Whilst out and about I saw a woman with longish hair parted in the middle. It cascaded beautifully over her shoulders and was a natural brown colour. I thought it looked soooo beautiful and felt it was what I am aiming for - a lovely natural style.

The hair at the back of my neck sticks out like a ridiculous crest. I'm a great crested grebe bird at the moment. But then next week it could be laying flat,:).
Beaky

Pixna

February 16th, 2009, 01:01 PM

I'm a great crested grebe bird at the moment.

That made me LOL, Beaky! It's great to have small goals, like getting the hair past the ears. You can really see progress that way. If we focus too hard on the end goal (like mid-back), we're just going to get frustrated. My next goal is to get my hair down to my shoulders. Even if it just touches my shoulders I'll feel like I'm really on my way then.

I enjoy looking at women with long hair, too, for inspiration. I know that if I get impatient or irate with my hair and do something drastic, I would regret it instantaneously, and seeing luscious long locks helps keep me on track.

Each of these steps is interesting in its own right. And, we've got to stay strong and get through them to reach our destination.

Luckily, I've reach a stage where I don't look (too) dorky. It (almost) looks as though my hair is this length intentionally, which is exciting in and of itself. I'm not too displeased with it (even though it's certainly not where I want it to be!), but it's still too short to do anything with except wear it down. I guess I could pin parts back with a barrette or maybe even a flex-8, but I think it still doesn't look quite right with those accouterments yet.

We're getting there, though. Just think -- we're farther along than we were only a month ago! :thumbsup:

arabidbutterfly

February 17th, 2009, 01:23 AM

I am very thankful for this thread! I am so embarrassed by the length of my hair (or lack thereof) that I won't even be seen in a pic, much less post one on the site. I might get one up tomorrow, though, now that I know I'm not alone!

Pixna

February 17th, 2009, 06:33 AM

Arabidbutterfly, please don't be embarrassed! There are, surprisingly, quite a few of us in this boat. We'll sail to long hair together!! I didn't want to post a pic either at first. But then I realized that it would be important for me to have a marker of this journey -- so I will never forget it, and never repeat it. I am planning to take pics only every 3 months, so I can see progress and remain optimistic. Perhaps you could do the same. Let us know when your photo is up . . . and welcome! :flower:

punkgirl89

February 17th, 2009, 06:55 AM

Hey! I shaved my head last feb and have kept my hair short in several different punk styles (some partially shaved and dyed bright colors) for the last year. I now have a pixie cut dyed bright cherry red. I would like to grow my hair back out (it used to be half way down my waist and hennaed brownish-black) and I realized I needed to join this site again so I would have a goal cause in the back of my mind I've wanted to grow it out all last year, but I get frustrated and cut it. :(

Pixna

February 17th, 2009, 07:28 AM

If you really want to grow your hair our, Punkgirl89, there is no better time than right now. Otherwise, if you get frustrated, you'll be back to square one and you'll never reach the goal of long hair again. Hang in there. We are all hangin' with you! :D

fairydust

February 17th, 2009, 10:03 AM

The hair at the back of my neck sticks out like a ridiculous crest. I'm a great crested grebe bird at the moment. But then next week it could be laying flat,:).
Beaky

I so know how you feel - and look! I'm at the same stage. I have a mullet, almost. I look absolutely ridiculous, and I can't let my hair get the least bit oily, because it will stick out even more. Urgh! But, luckily, it does seem that after one bad week, the next one is a bit better hair-wise.

wintersun99

February 17th, 2009, 10:37 AM

...................

Pixna

February 17th, 2009, 10:43 AM

At our current lengths, we all seem to be having good weeks and bad weeks -- or in my case, good days and bad days. I know that once our hair gets long we won't have any bad hair days anymore. It sure is something worth looking forward to!!

fairydust

February 18th, 2009, 07:09 AM

How interesting. I find that a little bit of oil (I use coconut oil) or non-freshly washed hair is WAY better for me. It's not "airy" and tends to lay flatter against my head and stay in place better. Also, a bit of oil seems to tame the top layer that likes to stick straight up. Hmm... well, if nothing else I'm learning to break my habit of washing my hair daily...

Oh how I wish my hair did that! I did have a week in January, when slight oiliness made my hair look better and even wavy, which really is a miracle since my hair has no wave whatsoever. Now my hair isn't behaving at all; it looks awful when I try to go longer between washes (ie. my mullet-y neck hair sticks out and the rest is completely flat), but it doesn't really like frequent washing (it's flyaway and static, but at least the mullet behaves a bit better freshly washed). Oh well. Maybe next week I can actually start pinning the front pieces up and somehow slicking the back down or something :)

wintersun99

February 18th, 2009, 12:54 PM

................

fairydust

February 20th, 2009, 11:55 PM

I just wanted to pipe in (again) to announce that I had my first trim last night! Eek!

My hair actually turned out really nice, I think, despite the fact that it was my DH who cut it and it was his first time cutting anyone's hair. I really, really like my hair now. He only cut a little bit off at the back - maybe an inch or so (well, with my current length I guess an inch is quite a lot :D) and didn't touch the layers. Now, the longest part - the icky wispy mullet - is gone, and my hair is starting to resemble a nice bob! I'm so happy, because I've had a bad hair week, and now I look like a human for a change :).

The only problem is that I like it so much, I'm not sure I want to grow it long :o. However, I'm also quite lazy so a high maintenance short style won't work, and I'll most likely opt for growing it out. I do think a slick bun or a neat French braid is the best style for me, because I like a kind of a clean look, and I can't really achieve it with short hair. Of course the good thing is that growing won't be a pain now that I actually like my hair in the in-between stages.

I'll post a photo later, if I can get a good shot of myself :).

Pixna

February 21st, 2009, 06:42 AM

Fairydust, I'm glad your first trim went well, even though it was your DH's first time! EEK! It's great that you trusted him and he trusted himself enough to do it.

You make a good point -- if we can somehow like each stage we are going through on our way to long, it will make the process a whole lot easier to bear. There are days I actually like my hair, too, and I think that if I decided to keep it at this length, all the waiting would be over with. But I do desperately want long hair (again) and the ability to do all kinds of wonderful (and easy) things with it, so staying at this length is not an option for me.

Let us know when you post the pic (or post it in this thread!). Looking forward to seeing it!

fairydust

February 21st, 2009, 08:07 AM

Fairydust, I'm glad your first trim went well, even though it was your DH's first time! EEK! It's great that you trusted him and he trusted himself enough to do it.

But I do desperately want long hair (again) and the ability to do all kinds of wonderful (and easy) things with it, so staying at this length is not an option for me.

Well, I figured my hair couldn't possible look much worse than it did before the trim, so if he messed it up royally, it wouldn't really matter :D. Luckily it turned out nice, and I think I convinced him of his talents and he'll trim my hair again.

I definitely feel the same way as you do; even though I like my hair fine now, I do want the length I had back. I truly miss the easiness of long hair: I could always put it in a neat bun or braid on bad hair days.

funnybunny668

February 21st, 2009, 04:37 PM

Lamb

February 21st, 2009, 05:12 PM

Fluke

February 21st, 2009, 05:32 PM

I was out having dinner with some friends yesterday, and I suddenly felt my hair brushing my back just a cm below the bottom of my neck! :D If I hold my head straight instead of letting it hang down, the longest part is evidently in the shoulder area. :cheese:
That settles it. I am not trimming in the next two months, I don't want to halt this awesome progress.

Ooooh, I remember that feeling from the last time I grew my hair out from short-short!
I was sitting in the car with my mom and brother on our way somewhere and something kept tickling my neck. I thought it was something in my clothes, loose thread or itchy label. After having reached back several times to straighten my clothes I discovered it was my hair :bounce:

Pixna

February 21st, 2009, 05:45 PM

Hi Pixna, I remember you!
My hair is short right now. My journey is similar to yours. I don't remember the measurment, but my hair was a few inches past BSL when I left LHC and started cutting it. First it was just below shoulder, then it got shorter. I had waffled back & forth on coloring or not for a long time, and then when I decided to stop coloring it for good, I didn't like the 2-toned look I was getting growing it out, so shorter it went again. I actually liked my short hair, and had decided to keep it, until I got a bad haircut. That made me miss the days of never having to set foot in a salon again.
So, here I am! ;)

Hi, funnybunny!!! It's so nice to be remembered -- well, I guess I do have one of those unforgettable faces. ;) Welcome back (to both of us!). So when did you get The Big Chop and where is your hair currently??

I think it took a lot of courage for us old-time longhairs to return to LHC considering our current, um, situation, so kudos to us both! :D

Will you be posting any pics? I posted some of my current length (my plan is track my growth progress every three months with a new pic), though it's painful to see. Down the road, it will be a good reminder of where I never, ever want to go again!

Glad to see you again!!!

Rhea

February 22nd, 2009, 08:23 AM

so kudos to us both! :D

:beerchug::beerchug::beerchug::beerchug: :beerchug: ! Yes !

funnybunny668

February 22nd, 2009, 10:03 AM

Hi, funnybunny!!! It's so nice to be remembered -- well, I guess I do have one of those unforgettable faces. ;) Welcome back (to both of us!). So when did you get The Big Chop and where is your hair currently??

I think it took a lot of courage for us old-time longhairs to return to LHC considering our current, um, situation, so kudos to us both! :D

Will you be posting any pics? I posted some of my current length (my plan is track my growth progress every three months with a new pic), though it's painful to see. Down the road, it will be a good reminder of where I never, ever want to go again!

Glad to see you again!!!

Oh, my hair is shorter than chin length now, with layers. I had thought once before to grow it backout when I had it about shoulder length, but ended up going shorter yet. I liked it short and might have kept it for a while if not for the bad haircut. But everytime I was due a haircut I'd wait for a while to be sure it's what I wanted, then I'd end up going in overgown and shaggy. Guess the 2 week rule stuck with me! LOL

tiggens

February 23rd, 2009, 11:18 AM

Fairydust -- I'm so happy your trim went well! I think my mullet has reached critical stage, and it too must be neutralized. Would you mind posting a picture?

My hair is just...ugh! right now. Total frustration. I feel so ugly all the time and I wish it would just be long already! This thread is a lifesaver, though. ;)

Eireann

February 23rd, 2009, 12:04 PM

Fluke

February 23rd, 2009, 12:12 PM

I had a pixie cut for years, and would occasionally grow it out to about shoulder, get fed up and cut it back to pixie. I always had long hair as a child, through college. I like my hair very long and very short, but not in-between, so when it *is* in between, it's easier to go to very short than to very long. I finally tested my patience long enough to get past BSL for the first time since my first haircut back in college and I FINALLY feel able to resist the lure of the pixie! (It helps also that my DH would probably divorce me if I got a pixie-cut. . .he's got a thing for super long hair!) I'm shooting for tailbone, and who knows? Maybe classic!

That's my problem right there, I like (or would like) my hair either very short or very long.
I've never had my hair longer than slightly longer than APL, so I don't really know how I would like the hair lenght I'm shooting for (classic or longer) but I like the *idea* of long hair. Or very, very short, heheh..
As you say, the very short is the easiest of the two... :) I'm also hoping to resist the lure..
I've tried growing my hair out two times now, let's hope it's lucky number three for me :)

Pixna

February 23rd, 2009, 01:16 PM

Eiraen and Fluke, I'm the same way -- a sort of "all or nothing" kind of gal. But hopefully once we really start growing the lure of long hair will have a much stronger pull on us than the other way around.

tiggens

February 23rd, 2009, 10:33 PM

In a fit of disgust and desperation, I outfitted myself with a turban so I could roam the streets without my hair proliferating its puffitude all over town.

I think it came out quite nicely ;) If anyone wants a how-to, I can attempt to give them...results not guaranteed. :)

http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3645/3305789976_eecf82ecaa_m.jpg

Pixna

February 24th, 2009, 07:42 AM

Tiggens, that looks GREAT! What a terrific tool to help you get through this difficult growth period. I must admit, I'm totally turban/scarf challenged, but I bet everyone in this thread would be interested in how you did this. Did you start with a scarf?

I don't think a turban would look good on me at my current length -- though once my hair is long and I can actually do some updos, it would be a skill worth knowing! You look beautiful!

wintersun99

February 24th, 2009, 09:45 AM

............

LawyerGirl

February 24th, 2009, 09:47 AM

Very cute Tiggens!

tiggens

February 24th, 2009, 10:27 AM

Woohoo the turban's a hit!

I think the key to success with this is the scarf you use. I used one that is about 10inches wide and 5 feet long and that seemed to be perfect. I found the middle of the scarf, laid that over my head and then wrapped the scarf around and back up to the top. Then I simply knotted it, tucked the ends into the part that had been wrapped around, and tucked in the backflap part. I let my bangs lay flat and side-swept on my forehead. It was pretty easy and intuitive, and I recommend just playing around with a scarf of that size to see what works for you.

On another note, I'm having the back trimmed today! :scared:

LawyerGirl

February 24th, 2009, 10:34 AM

Here is an update on my growing.... from October 16th-ish or so until now.... with trims...
http://i17.photobucket.com/albums/b66/Elena1282/hairsigFeb23.jpg

tiggens

February 24th, 2009, 10:53 AM

LawyerGirl

February 24th, 2009, 10:59 AM

Lawyergirl! Your growth is pretty dramatic! You're a good lookin' gal and pulling off these stages so well! Looks like you're well on your way to bob-land. Also, I love your new avatar picture, very...french. vive la {pixie} resistance!

Haha thanks! I just discovered you can photoshop out the tired-lines!! LOL I should have done that in the February photo too! :p

For those that have grown out pixies... how long between jaw and shoulder?

Pixna

February 24th, 2009, 11:23 AM

Good luck with the back trim, Tiggens! Keep us posted on the outcome!

Love the new avatar pic, too, LawyerGirl. You are looking tres chic! :D

My pixie has grown out, but I'm still at the awkward in-between stage -- Nowhere Land. I think in another 4 to 6 months I'll hit SL, according to LHC. But, personally, I view SL as hair that touches or goes beyond the shoulders without stretching it straight. So, although my stretched-straight hair might reach SL in 4 to 6 months, I don't know if it will look like it unless I stand around pulling it straight 24/7. That said, hopefully I'll get there sooner and in 4 to 6 months it WILL be touching or beyond my shoulders without stretching it. :pray:

funnybunny668

February 24th, 2009, 05:46 PM

I was going to try to get lenght photos to post, but my camera battery conked out. It's on the charger now. It's tough to get back of the head shots when you're the only one home, so I may wait until DH has time to help me.

Any way, last time I grew mine out, it was shoulder lenght when I started, but 4 to 6 months sounds about right.

tiggens

February 24th, 2009, 07:04 PM

Lawyergirl & Pixna--Jaw and shoulder was about 8 months for me, if my spotty, recently discovered photographic evidence is to believed. My hair grows a steady 1/2 a month but I'm pretty tall so if you've got less distance to cover maybe you will reach SL sooner.

Funnybunny-- I always wind up taking pictures of the towel rack or the toilet because I turn the camera too much when I'm taking a back of the head shot. Does your camera have an auto function? Maybe that will be easier? If not, you've got hubs.

My trim went really well! It was definitely the right decision for me. I will say that I am happy that I held off for a month though. The whole thing was just a great experience (they offered me a glass of wine while I waited for my stylist!) and I'm happy with the result. Just trimmed the back and a tiny bit at the ears. It now looks like a bob with bangs which makes me feel like I've accomplished something. :p I'd take a pic but I currently am wrapped up in henna.

turtlelover

February 24th, 2009, 07:07 PM

My hair is chin length right now with some layering. I started w/ it 4 inches long, but the top layer has now grown to 7 inches. The problem is that my hair is wavy/curly, and thick, so it grows OUT before it grows DOWN if that makes sense. So, I'm getting this annoying triangle shape to my hair. I have to try to fight the pyramid look until my hair has some weight to pull it down. I've had long hair before and loved it, and I like my hair pretty short, but these in between stages are the PITS. I hate this!!! Ugh!!! Looking on the bright side, I have super healthy hair, and I already know it looks good when it gets longer. Also, the side are long, so I can pull them back in a barrette or elastic band. I also won't have to endure mullet phase anymore because it is more bob shaped and the layering is light. Now I need patience, patience, and more patience. I did have to trim it today because it was growing lopsided (what is up with THAT?), but it wasn't a big trim, so I can barely notice it. It took soooo much effort to resist just cutting it off again. I hope I can hang in there. I'm aiming for bra strap length, though the waist would be nice. Even butt length would be great, though since my hair tends to tangle when it gets super long, I'm not sure I will let it get THAT long.

grandmakim

February 24th, 2009, 07:46 PM

I am returning, after a very, very long absence. Around August 2007, I had a major (and I do mean MAJOR) chop. My hair ended up about 1 inch long all over, and I have been trying to recover ever since. I am now at about 10 inches, which doesn't sound long at all (mainly because it isn't), but I am trying to get back to long. It's a slow, painful process.

Is anyone else in the same boat? If you are, what length did you start at and how is it going for you?

I feel for you. I also had waist-length hair and just a few months ago had about 6 inches cut. That wasn't so bad until I got talked into going chin-length. That is where it is now. Unfortunately, I had a really bad cut and had to go get it fixed, so it is really short. I could just kick myself for ever even trimming it. I hate it and have many, many months to go.

oneKnight

February 25th, 2009, 01:45 AM

http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3484/3307960877_2bb39531e7.jpg?v=0
Me in the past, was about tailbone length.

http://i18.photobucket.com/albums/b139/marvinranch/Picture163.jpg
Me on Jan 24 2008. I liked it . . . mostly.

http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3435/3307961063_49fda8e487.jpg?v=0
http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3549/3307960915_fc8b4da08a.jpg?v=0
Me in December 2008. I'm getting some hair back!

I'm not sure that I'm going super-long again though. I think I like bangs.

Pixna

February 25th, 2009, 07:13 AM

Welcome to LHC Turtlelover and Grandmakim! Sounds like we are in a rather large boat right now (we might be needing a ship soon, if more of us come out of the closet!), sailing back to long hair together.

Turtlelover, patience is indeed the key -- something I know I need more of, as I want my hair to be TBL by tomorrow! ;) You are lucky that you know your hair and realize that it's just a waiting game until the weight moves it from growing out to growing down. I look forward to seeing more pics of it, as your hair sounds thick, wavy, and lovely.

Grandmakim, I'm so sorry you ended with a bad, super-short cut. I, too, regret ever cutting my hair. In the past, I have listened too much to other people's opinions of my hair and suggestions for what I should do with it. I have vowed to never let that happen again. Let's stick together on that and grow back to long in unison!

OneKnight, your long hair looks like it was sleek and healthy. You sure went for a dramatic change! It's definitely growing back now. If you don't want to go for super-long, how long are you aiming for?

Tiggens, I'm glad the trim went smoothly and painlessly and you are pleased with it. Anything that helps us get through this awkward phase more easily is worth a try (as long as it doesn't set back our goals!). It's funny that they gave you a glass of wine. If I ever step foot in a salon again (which I have no plans to do), I think I'd need that and a few shots of whiskey to go with it! :laugh:

grandmakim

February 25th, 2009, 07:42 AM

Pixna: Thank you for the warm welcome! I have never joined anything like this before and am not terribly computer savvy or I would post a picture of what my hair looked like before I had it cut. I look at that and others taken with my husband of 37 years on our anniversary cruise when it was the longest it has been in our marriage! Thankfully, he is fine with it no matter what length I have it. Through the years, it has been mostly around shoulder length, but for about 5 years I did wear it in a pixie-type style. I was always worried it looked like a boy, but everyone said I looked great. I am very girlie...love ruffles, lace, pearls, dresses and feel especially feminine with the long, flowing hair. I miss it...but I know it will grow back!

Pixna

February 25th, 2009, 08:29 AM

Grandmakim, my husband married me when my hair was a buzz cut -- :bigeyes: -- so I know it's not a deal breaker (we've been married for 30 years). But, like you, I'm very much a girly girl, and there's something about long, flowing hair that makes me feel so much more feminine.

I hope you will be able to figure out how to upload a pic, though I think you have to have a certain number of posts on the site before you are allowed to do that. Stick around -- you'll find lots of support, and, surprisingly, lots of people our age and even much older. Quite a few of us are starting over again, so we are in good company. :)

loves2spin

February 25th, 2009, 08:39 AM

I am returning, after a very, very long absence. Around August 2007, I had a major (and I do mean MAJOR) chop. My hair ended up about 1 inch long all over, and I have been trying to recover ever since. I am now at about 10 inches, which doesn't sound long at all (mainly because it isn't), but I am trying to get back to long. It's a slow, painful process.

Is anyone else in the same boat? If you are, what length did you start at and how is it going for you?

I started out with very short hair here also, not pixie, but short, nonetheless. At one point in growing it out I got disgusted and chopped it again! Then I decided NEVER again. The only cut I've had since that awful day was having my dd remove some very wispy fairytale ends that just didn't fit in with the rest of my hair. I am very lucky in that I don't get split ends at all, so I have no need of trims unless I don't like the hemline. Hang in there. Growing hair along with our friends on the LHC is a very pleasant journey with excellent info and support. All you have to do is.... wait a minute.... nothing! (And take good care of your hair. ) :)

grandmakim

February 25th, 2009, 08:49 AM

I started out with very short hair here also, not pixie, but short, nonetheless. At one point in growing it out I got disgusted and chopped it again! Then I decided NEVER again. The only cut I've had since that awful day was having my dd remove some very wispy fairytale ends that just didn't fit in with the rest of my hair. I am very lucky in that I don't get split ends at all, so I have no need of trims unless I don't like the hemline. Hang in there. Growing hair along with our friends on the LHC is a very pleasant journey with excellent info and support. All you have to do is.... wait a minute.... nothing! (And take good care of your hair. ) :)

I am so glad to see others in our age group here! I will be 55 this summer. Most people try to tell us you have to have short hair at our ages...why is that??!! You are right that this is a very good place to be for a relatively pleasant journey back to long locks!

Pixna

February 25th, 2009, 09:44 AM

wintersun99

February 25th, 2009, 04:47 PM

...........

oneKnight

February 26th, 2009, 01:04 AM

OneKnight, your long hair looks like it was sleek and healthy. You sure went for a dramatic change! It's definitely growing back now. If you don't want to go for super-long, how long are you aiming for? Oh it was great, thanks to LHC, but it was all sleek and undamaged mostly because I kept it in a braid 24/7. I got bored.
It's gotten past shoulders, but parts still don't fit behind my ears well, it needs a trim to get the layers out. I actually think it looks pretty good right now, I just can't DO anything with it. (which is odd because I never DID anything when it was long.......oooooh whatever)
I was thinking about keeping it close to BSL, but ya never know once I get there. The LHCer in me might take over :cheese:

Robbi Dehlinger

February 26th, 2009, 01:07 AM

Hi Pixna!

Glad to see you again!

I have changed a bit over the years too, as my picture will show you.

Sorry about the cut, but glad you are growing back:)

<<hug>>

loves2spin

February 26th, 2009, 05:45 AM

I am so glad to see others in our age group here! I will be 55 this summer. Most people try to tell us you have to have short hair at our ages...why is that??!! You are right that this is a very good place to be for a relatively pleasant journey back to long locks!

It is a curious thing how many people think long hair is for young women. I had a grandmother who never cut her hair, her whole life! And neither did her mother. I love my long hair. And it is SO much easier to make look nice than the shorter hair I had. :-)

loves2spin

February 26th, 2009, 05:49 AM

Loves2spin, thank you for your encouragement!! Our hair types look very, very similar. I can't wait until I get to your length (again). I hope mine will look as beautiful as yours! From the back, you look like a teenager. Do you color your hair or were you somehow blessed with hair DNA that doesn't turn gray?

Thank you! You make my day. :joy: I do have some gray, but not a lot. My hair used to be a lighter brown, too. I have not colored my hair since college when I tried that for a while (as well as getting my ears pierced ~ What a rebel I was! ;) ) All that being said, I have plenty of wrinkles if you saw me from the front, but I get the idea that most people don't post their front image because of security or something. What is the deal with that anyway? I just wish they'd take my driver's license picture from the back. Much less embarrassing.... and now, in Indiana, they aren't even going to let us smile! Yikes!

Pixna

February 26th, 2009, 09:04 AM

Wintersun, you can REALLY see your growth!! In another two months you should be close to all one length. Congratulations!

Robbi, it's great to see you, too! It took a lot of courage (topped with plenty of embarrassment) for me to return here after The Massacre. It seems that many of us have had our hair ups and downs over the past several years, so that helps me not feel quite as bad. Thank you for the encouragement -- and please feel free to keep it coming!! :D

Loves2spin, you sure were blessed with some great hair genes! I can only wish that my driver's license photo was taken from the back. Truth be told, my last pic was so awful that it played a part in my insane Hair Massacre (along with many other stressful, crazy contributors). I simply hated the way I look in it. But here's the funny part -- I look at that pic now, several years after it was taken, and I'd give anything to look more like that than I do right now. Perspective is everything, isn't it?!

In Indiana they won't let you smile for your driver's license photo??? I never heard of such a thing. That is really bizarre!!!

People on LHC don't generally take face-front pics because they don't want their faces spread around the Internet and used without their permission or in some unseemly fashion. There are plenty of strange people on the Net, and, unfortunately, quite a few hair pervs too. Also, most of us just simply prefer our privacy.

funnybunny668

February 28th, 2009, 04:02 PM

Another reason for posting back photos is that it's generally easier to determine hair length that way, IMHO.

Speaking of, here's my photo, finally. I posted photos in my album of where my hair was at it's longest, and where it is now. Quite a difference! But we can start over and grow it back out any time. ;)

Oh, sorry for the camera flash...

http://i12.photobucket.com/albums/a213/funnybunny668/Feb2009.jpg

Demetrue

February 28th, 2009, 08:31 PM

I feel kind of annoyed with myself that I am still growing out the same haircut for 2 years. I just had to get the coloring, dying bug out of my system, I guess. Now I am transitioning to grey/white, which is rather shocking in and of itself, and trimming away all the bleached blonde straw. I keep telling myself in 4-6 months it will be all virgin hair, albeit still layered and barely shoulder length - argh!!!

fairydust

March 1st, 2009, 05:21 AM

Hey again, super-shorties thread :). I was away for a few days (winter holiday), so I haven't yet gotten round to posting a photo of my recent trim to almost-bob. I promise I'll post one soon, once I get a decent shot and figure out how to post one :o. I'm technically challenged.

Pixna

March 1st, 2009, 07:32 AM

Funnybunny, thanks for posting the comparison shots. We'll get back to long -- it may take a while, but we'll get there!

Demetrue, the first big chunks of white/gray/silver that I got were indeed shocking. I'm starting to get used to it, and almost like it, but it's taken me a few years to get to that point. Sounds like your hair is going to be getting into great shape over the next few months.

Fairydust, I'm a bit technically challenged, too, but it's pretty easy to post a pic here. I'm sure someone will help you if you get stuck. Looking forward to seeing it!!

Chrissy

March 1st, 2009, 07:38 AM

Just popping in to say hello all you fellow shorties!!!

Pixna

March 1st, 2009, 07:39 AM

Hi, Chrissy!! :waving: How's it growing?

Beakywitch

March 1st, 2009, 10:22 AM

That made me LOL, Beaky! It's great to have small goals, like getting the hair past the ears. You can really see progress that way. If we focus too hard on the end goal (like mid-back), we're just going to get frustrated. My next goal is to get my hair down to my shoulders. Even if it just touches my shoulders I'll feel like I'm really on my way then.

I enjoy looking at women with long hair, too, for inspiration. I know that if I get impatient or irate with my hair and do something drastic, I would regret it instantaneously, and seeing luscious long locks helps keep me on track.

Each of these steps is interesting in its own right. And, we've got to stay strong and get through them to reach our destination.

Luckily, I've reach a stage where I don't look (too) dorky. It (almost) looks as though my hair is this length intentionally, which is exciting in and of itself. I'm not too displeased with it (even though it's certainly not where I want it to be!), but it's still too short to do anything with except wear it down. I guess I could pin parts back with a barrette or maybe even a flex-8, but I think it still doesn't look quite right with those accouterments yet.

We're getting there, though. Just think -- we're farther along than we were only a month ago! :thumbsup:

Hey Pixna thanks for that answer. I've been soooo busy and tired and it was great to log in and find it.

I am loving the journey this time, even the challenges along the way and it's funny but when I look a bit bad because I'm ungroomed( hair all over the place and no obvious style), I actually have a laugh to myself because I think, just wait til a year's time and beyond!

Beaky

Pixna

March 1st, 2009, 11:16 AM

It's true, Beaky. In a year's time, our hair challenges will all be behind us (hopefully, literally!). I'm paying closer attention to each stage this time around and doing my best to enjoy it. Even though I am having bad hair days about 5 days a week, those 2 halfway decent ones are carrying me through. I'm trying laugh as well and just go with the flow. I think my hair has a sense of humor (at least that's how I'm interpreting things!). :D

smilinjenn71

March 1st, 2009, 11:56 AM

Just wanted to say :waving:to all my shorty peeps! Hope you all are doing well and still growing!:hifive:

Pixna

March 1st, 2009, 12:59 PM

Hi, Jenn! I just took a peek at your latest pic. Even in a few short weeks I can see that it has grown. It looks like your layers are almost all grown out now! Congratulations!

Oskimosa

March 1st, 2009, 03:26 PM

I've been watching this thread but was trying to find an older pic of my hair, from right after I cut it off. Oh well. This is the oldest shot that really shows the length I could find. It's about two months after I had first cut it.
http://www.geocities.com/kornroses/hair.jpg

I had just hennaed it. That was sometime in March, and my siggie is me today-ish :)

Pixna

March 1st, 2009, 03:29 PM

Oskimosa

March 1st, 2009, 04:05 PM

Hi, Oskimosa! Thank you for posting your pics! When did you do the Big Chop and how long did it take you to get from the length in your pics to your current length (APL)? By the way, your hair color is lovely! :)

Thanks! :D I cut my hair barely a month after my wedding :rolleyes: It was in mid January '08 and I was on this big kick where my hair was bothering me and I wanted to donate it. So I had it cut for Locks of Love, but the girl who did it gave me this horrible bob, and another stylist had to cut off a few more inches to make it look like... what you see in the picture. I wanted something layered and funky. Ugh.

Since those pics are from late March '08, it's been almost a year from the pics to my siggie line. I guess that's fair progress... No trims of any sort.

LawyerGirl

March 1st, 2009, 04:07 PM

Oskimosa, that is great! I am crossing my fingers to have my hair to shoulder by the end of the year.... your pics give me hope :)

RancheroTheBee

March 1st, 2009, 04:47 PM

By my calculations, I should hit shoulder in about four or five months. :cheese: Brushing shoulder, mark you, but shoulder nonetheless. I promise to post pics. :D

Pixna

March 1st, 2009, 05:00 PM

Oskimosa, I agree with LawyerGirl, your progress imparts much hope (thank you!)!! I am also crossing my fingers that my hair will be SL or thereabouts by the end of the year. Let's hope this challenging stage I currently am passing through will be worth it (and will pass quickly!).

That's exciting, RancheroTheBee! Five months isn't all that far off! :hollie:

funnybunny668

March 1st, 2009, 06:08 PM

Yes, that's some great progress in a year's time!

Here's a question for you, fellow shorties. This winter I have been cold constantly. I don't usually notice the cold, I mean, yes it's cold, but it doesn't bother me. This winter I have been cold all the time. I really think it's because I cut my hair so much shorter than what I'd been wearing it and my ears and neck were exposed. I can't wait until summer so I won't be freezing all the time, and hopefully by next year my hair will be long enough to cover my neck & ears enough to insulate them!
Any one else experience this with super short hair?

Woven Darkness

March 1st, 2009, 06:54 PM

For about 5 years I wore my hair so short that I would just take the buzz-clippers to it every Friday after work. it was about an inch or so long, all over my head. I really, really loved the freedom from worrying about it, tossing it around, running my hands thru it, swinging it out of my eyes, pulling it out from my jacket, etc. ( it was bsl before I cut it). After 5 years of 'the short', I started to envy people with long hair and decided to let mine grow. it was sooo difficult. My friend (and Hairdresser) would cut a little bit off every month or so as I tried to get the layers to all match; and when I got desperate and begged her to just cut it short again - she would flat-out refuse. Thanks to her persistence, I finally have shoulder length hair, and have a goal of BSL in the next few years. It's been quite an adventure!!

Oskimosa

March 1st, 2009, 10:33 PM

Thanks so much for the compliments! I have been feeling like it is such slow going, but I guess .5"/month is average. I figure I'll be back to where I started sometime after April. I was just below BSL when I cut in January, and I should hit solid BSL in April. If it keeps up, maybe I'll reach my goal this time next year :)

Funnybunny, the only thing about long hair in the winter is the incredible STATIC you build up with longer hair. It's hard to stuff under hats and scarves. Once it's really really long, it's much better. And in the summer, it can make you really hot to have it long. But if it's in between, you can't pull it up and you're much more miserable. Either supershort or superlong is quite comfortable. :)

Pixna

March 2nd, 2009, 06:42 AM

Funnybuuny, part of the reason for my Hair Massacre was a post-menopausal meltdown. I simply was hot, hot, hot and could not stand anything on my neck. However, the minute my hair was cut, I was absolutely freezing (and it was summer!). By that fall, I was unbelievably cold, especially my ears. I was so eager to have my hair grow long enough so my head would no longer be cold.

Of course, if I had kept my sanity prior to the Massacre, I would have just worn my hair in updos, but noooooo. :brickwall

So, you are not alone. Super-short hair made me freeze, too!

Woven Darkness, welcome back from your foray into short hair. You were lucky to have such a persistent hairdresser who knew what you really wanted. That is rare!! How long did it take you to go from super-short to SL?

funnybunny668

March 2nd, 2009, 06:00 PM

Pixna, glad to know I'm not crazy with the cold ears! LOL I was wondering if it was the hair cut or turning 40 that was messing with my temperature. I really think it was the haircut.

Oskimosa, when my hair was longest (about 3 inches below BSL) and very thick, in summer I would put it up in buns, ponytails with the last loop not pulled all the way through, anything to keep it off my back.

But now I look at it like this, at least I can get the long hair off my neck, but with it this short I can't get it down over my ears! LOL ;)

Cricket1

March 2nd, 2009, 08:53 PM

Great thread.. Once I was complaining to my Mom about how hard it is to grow hair out, and she said "Psh, that's the easiest thing you can do.. You don't have to do anything." So I always think about that when I get impatient. But it is so hard not to think about it! I guess like anorexia, its a mental disorder.:lol: because hair length is irrelevant because most of the time it looks good and nobody else really cares. :o

loves2spin

March 3rd, 2009, 06:33 AM

That is one of the wisest posts I've ever read! Yep, usually no one else cares at all. AND, your mother is so right! :)

Cricket1

March 3rd, 2009, 03:54 PM

Well thank you:hooched: :D mothers know best.... I think everyone should post pictures when they reach shoulder length..:whistle::hollie:

wintersun99

March 3rd, 2009, 04:58 PM

............

Cricket1

March 3rd, 2009, 06:07 PM

I'm getting close (if you are looking at the back) but not so close (if you are looking at the sides, still ear length)... so, when do I post pictures? When the back reaches SL (maybe another 1") or when the sides reach SL (maybe another 6")... :D
Ooh good question.. :eek::confused: :hmm::meditate:

LawyerGirl

March 4th, 2009, 11:33 AM

Well... I'm back to the shaggy dog look. :rolleyes: Sigh.

http://i17.photobucket.com/albums/b66/Elena1282/Image284.jpg

I'm bummed because not only is it short, but thin.

ETA: BUT... it moves. If I move my head, it moves too. It has been a really long time since I felt my hair move.

Fluke

March 4th, 2009, 11:55 AM

ETA: BUT... it moves. If I move my head, it moves too. It has been a really long time since I felt my hair move.

Even I had one of those moments just this morning too!!
It still doesn't move when it's dry but when I had wet hair this morning I could feel it move when I shook my head. It didn't do that last week :D

ZadenWillowfyre

March 4th, 2009, 12:05 PM

I've had short hair many times and my hair is approaching the longest I've ever had it! I enjoy my short hair when I have it but I am really digging my long hair right now.
Off topic..when I saw the title of this post...the first thing I thought was "Oh YAY...I'm only 5' nothing! A thread for us short people!"....OYE....

Pixna

March 4th, 2009, 12:11 PM

LawyerGirl, what exactly did the stylist do? Is your hair layered now, or did he/she do something else? It looks real cute. Can you just let it grow now?

Fluke, congratulations!! I remember when I first felt my hair "sway," too. It was such a thrill -- a real milestone. You're on your way now!

ZadenWillowfyre, oddly enough, there are a fair amount of us shorties in this thread! I'm only 5 feet, also. The advantage we have is that it doesn't take as long for us to reach body-part milestones with our hair! What is knee-length on us might be just SL on a tall gal! :D

wintersun99

March 4th, 2009, 12:31 PM

..........

Pixna

March 4th, 2009, 01:19 PM

Congrats, Wintersun! Let the breezes blow through your hair! :redgrin:

Naluin

March 5th, 2009, 09:52 AM

Me!

I was super short... and then I grew a bit... and now I'm back to super-short because I'm starting over again after chemical straightening.

Annoying, but what can you do-- short of voodoo, kitchen witchery and scalp massaging like mad in attempts to make it grow faster, that is? :D

Pixna

March 5th, 2009, 10:01 AM

Hi, Naluin. Welcome to the Shorties Group! Hmmm -- voodoo and kitchen witchery, eh? I'll have to give those a try! ;)

LawyerGirl

March 5th, 2009, 11:17 AM

Haha Pixna you read my mind ;)

Pixna

March 5th, 2009, 12:00 PM

Hey, LaweryGirl -- let's get in the kitchen and brew up some hair-growth spells!!! It couldn't hurt, right? :stirpot:

I love your siggy pic. You have the most beautiful face, and your hair looks like it's really growing (really!). I've been wearing bigger earrings, lately, too. I guess they make me feel a bit more feminine while I am waiting (impatiently) for my hair to get longer. :smirk:

Demetrue

March 5th, 2009, 12:44 PM

Oh yeah - I've been wearing hoops, chandalier earrings - anything big to counteract my no-hair/pin-head look!

Pixna

March 5th, 2009, 01:11 PM

Alrighty then! Pixie pin-head freaks with long earrings UNITE!!!!! I had no idea other shorties were doing this. I'm actually quite relieved and happy to know that several of us had the same solution -- divert attention from head to ears. I do think long earrings make my short hair look longer -- or maybe I'm just delusional. It's gotta be one or the other! :laugh:

wintersun99

March 5th, 2009, 01:13 PM

.............

Pixna

March 5th, 2009, 02:32 PM

Good idea, Wintersun. It's the same kind of diversionary technique . . . and I bet it makes your hair look closer to your shoulders! ;)

templeofvenus

March 6th, 2009, 12:49 PM

shortie here well just above chin length stacked bob aiming to grow to collar bone to start with mini goals all the way!! I have grown my fringe out that is now almost chin length!! lets all grow together:)

wintersun99

March 6th, 2009, 01:14 PM

...............

turtlelover

March 6th, 2009, 06:32 PM

When my hair was even shorter than it is now, I did the dangling earring thing too. I thought it made my face look less round w/ the super short hair. Maybe it is an optical illusion, I don't know.

Pixna

March 7th, 2009, 07:24 AM

Maybe it is an optical illusion, I don't know.

LOL!!!!!!!! Well, even if that's what it is, it seems to work. It's the "don't look THERE, look HERE!" approach! :D

Demetrue

March 7th, 2009, 07:45 AM

I am seriously thinking of making some clip-on extensions to wear around the house to make me feel "like myself" again and remind myself why I don't want to cut again. I already have an extra package of extension hair and might dye it to match my new "sand and salt" aka blonde hair going gray.

DecafJane

March 7th, 2009, 07:48 AM

Just dropping in to offer some encouragement and congratulations on all of your recent growth - well done!
It feels like yesterday (and was only this time last year) when I was going through the same thing. I'm still not long, but at least it flows down my back a little.
It will pass, just don't cut! :)

Pixna

March 7th, 2009, 03:17 PM

Thanks so much, DecafJane!! It was so sweet of you to stop by and offer encouragement. I think I speak on behalf of all of us when I tell you how much we appreciate it, especially your reinforcement that "it will pass." This is a tough stage, and knowing that you survived it intact and are still growing strong helps a lot!

ecologystudent

March 13th, 2009, 11:48 PM

loves2spin

March 14th, 2009, 06:26 AM

Alrighty- I need some help here. I'm entering the shaggy phase, and I need to look more professional for my work and for interviews. My hair is the length it is in my avatar- too short to go into a pony tail, but long and wavy enough that it just won't do to let it be.

Any tips? I can get it up if I use 3 pony tails, but it's basically that or 2 pony tails and a loose strip at the bottom. Anyone have any clever ideas?

ETA: Oh, and I got a bit of the mullet thing going on to, though the pic doesn't show it. My nape hair almost touches my shoulders.

First piece of advice: Don't give up now!!!!
2. It looks pretty in the photo
3. Please tell us more about how you currently style it. I know for me, it was important to hang my head upside-down when I blow-fried it at that stage.
4. At the risk of sounding blasphemous, would it help to trim JUST the mullet part a little bit till the other hairs catch up more?
5. What would happen if when your hair is wet, you scrunch through some sort of jell, comb it in well, and then gently crunch it up? Do you have any curl?
6. I hope others will chime in here. I know it can be very hard at this phase, but you'll make it... like I've said before, all you have to do is....uh... nothing! :joy:

Pixna

March 14th, 2009, 11:33 AM

First piece of advice: Don't give up now!!!!
2. It looks pretty in the photo
4. At the risk of sounding blasphemous, would it help to trim JUST the mullet part a little bit till the other hairs catch up more?
5. What would happen if when your hair is wet, you scrunch through some sort of jell, comb it in well, and then gently crunch it up? Do you have any curl?
6. I hope others will chime in here. I know it can be very hard at this phase, but you'll make it... like I've said before, all you have to do is....uh... nothing! :joy:

Hi, Ecologystudent! I agree with what loves2spin said, especially points 2, 4, 5, and 6. I think trimming off the mullet so you are one length all over (or close to that) would help enormously with getting you through this stage. Don't touch the sides -- just the mullet. If you can't self-trim, then go somewhere you trust and tell them you want your hair to be all one length -- no layers! And that you just want the back trimmed -- you don't want them to touch the sides. Be adamant, and make sure they are on the same page with you BEFORE they pick up the scissors. You have to let them know in no uncertain terms what you want and that you are trying to let your hair grow long.

I am fortunate to have had a beautician who truly understood my needs the first time I was growing long. Unfortunately, she also thought light trims every couple months were essential, and that probably set my growth back a lot. But other than that, she was great. This time around I was/am able to self-trim (and for 2009 I'm on a NO trim kick), but if your hair is super short, that may not be possible yet.

If you are comfortable with a very small barrette or attractive clip, you could use one to pull the one side back and out of your face. It is possible to get some that look smart and sophisticated.

From your stats, it sounds like you have some wave or curl to your hair, so definitely try some gel and scrunching and see what you think.

You could also try parting your hair a little higher or lower and see if it helps keep the hair out of your eyes on the one side.

A skinny headband can look very cute and polished and will keep the short bits from falling in your eyes and face.

Hope a few of these will work for you!

Evie

March 14th, 2009, 11:38 AM

I used to do this, and plan to again when my hair gets long enough....

Take a section from the front of your hair, I used to take mine from kind of eye level.

Twist it into a rope - at this point you can either keep it as one seperate strand, or add in other small sections of hair from the side of your head (I used to do so from above the 'rope') kind of like a braid.

Fix it with a little tiny butterfly style clip.

I found this helped keep any long bits out the way and off my face, which helped me look professional if I had to for work etc.

HTH - will try to put together some sketches illustrating this because I'm rubbish at instructions!

ecologystudent

March 15th, 2009, 01:17 PM

Thanks for the replies! Don't worry, I'm not going to chop it---I want a pony tail so badly!

My current "style" is to part it down the sides, and then comb through some aloe gel while it's went to keep it from frizzing, or doing a really 70's feathering above my ears. Which I hate. I also just found that I can make a tiny little pony tail at my nape to contain the mullet- then I have a nice looking front. But it doesn't stay that way for the whole day- it poofs, or just don't look right after awhile, and that's what the problem is.

I hadn't thought of trying to get a little curl- I would love that, if it worked!

It looks like I'll be getting some clips because I like Evie's and Pixna's suggestions. Got to go, thanks people!

KajiKodomo

March 16th, 2009, 08:56 AM

My hair is still pretty short. I've only been growing it out for about 4 months. I started with not much more than a buzzcut, and now have about 4-5 inches in the front and a bit less in the back (as the cut I had was longer on the top and shorter on the sides and the back).

I'm growing out to tailbone. I've been here since 2003, and have gone back and forth, usually chopping my hair off right before it reaches waist-length. This time I won't do it! I may post a thread once I get around that length to get encouragement to not cut this time. I will be staying around the boards more than I used to, because it seems that when I stop coming around, the cutting bug seems to get a hold of me! :)

Pixna

March 16th, 2009, 09:51 AM

Stick around Kaji!!! We all need support, especially when the growing gets tough. Glad you found us again and will be growing long and strong this time!

tiggens

March 16th, 2009, 10:09 AM

KajiKodomo

March 16th, 2009, 10:26 AM

Thanks Pixna! :D

Pixna

March 16th, 2009, 10:38 AM

Hi, tiggens! I'm glad you are making progress -- 1/2 inch per month is right on schedule, though I know (from my own experience!) how slow it seems. It sounds like you have come up with some terrific ways to make the process as pain-free as possible -- do you have any pics ready to post of your new dark color? Your photo from Feb. is really cute. I swear the dangly earrings really help -- I know they do for me. I just invested in a few more. They make me feel (and look) more feminine now, and they'll still look great when our hair gets long. Yay for tiggens!!

P.S. ecologystudent, I agree with tiggens about the mullet. Once it goes, you might even feel your hair is longer because it will be more even all around.

Evie

March 16th, 2009, 12:46 PM

Hi all!

The hair is still growing. I can really tell when I look at pictures. However, the pixie shape (which I loathe) is still haunting me so sometimes it feels like I haven't made much progress at all. I measured with a ruler today: 4.25 inches! Right on schedule with a steady half inch per month.

I also do the dangly earring illusion! It definitely makes me feel more feminine. I've also been henna-ing my hair which keeps things interesting. Last night I did indigo and I love the black look. I dyed my hair black for many years with chemical dyes and it's so awesome to know that I can get the same look without the damage. Thanks LHC! All in all I'm trying to change what I can about my hair without cutting. Seems to be working, though the hair-mares of shaving or chopping again still rule my dreams.

ecologystudent-- I definitely recommend trimming JUST the mullet. I put it off as long as I could because I didn't want to lose length, but eventually I just looked silly. I had the back trimmed and it made all the difference!

Happy growing!

Hi Tiggens - just a quick q, how did you wrap that turban style you posted a pic of earlier in the thread? I love henndigo too - here is the current colour, though its a bit longer than this now, and has hit a shaggy stage.....:rolleyes:
http://i165.photobucket.com/albums/u63/evie_066/recentlength.jpg

ETA: just looked at the pic, and noticed the dangly earrings - would you believe I hadn't really noticed how much I do this before!

Some assistance for the turban-challenged like me....

http://www.ehow.com/how_2098787_wear-turban.html

http://www.davina.org/turban/sample2.html

http://www.bcoole.com/designs/turban/wrap_a/index.html

http://www.bcoole.com/designs/turban/wrap_b/index.html

tried to look back at the scarfworld site posted some time ago, perhaps that turban was tied this way? Will have a go when I've got a min....promise you all won't laugh at the results :eyebrows::eyebrows:

tiggens

March 18th, 2009, 09:40 AM

Hi Evie! I just saw your turban request. I posted some instructions up-thread but this thread is getting quite long (much like our hair hi-yo!) so I'll just repost them here:

"I think the key to success with this is the scarf you use. I used one that is about 10inches wide and 5 feet long and that seemed to be perfect. I found the middle of the scarf, laid that over my head and then wrapped the scarf around and back up to the top. Then I simply knotted it, tucked the ends into the part that had been wrapped around, and tucked in the backflap part. I let my bangs lay flat and side-swept on my forehead. It was pretty easy and intuitive, and I recommend just playing around with a scarf of that size to see what works for you. "

They might not be the most comprehensive directions in the world, but the turban just kind of happened and I went with it. If you have any questions, feel free to PM!

I can't wait to be out of the pixie shape. The short front, the gradually longer sides, they need to just grow already! It's funny because I really like how super short hair looks on women, just not me!

Pixna: I'll have to take a picture of the indigo. I have a photo in my album of me with black hair a few years ago.

Kaji: It looks our hair is about the same length now. Wanna race? :eyebrows: