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View Full Version : Awkward Phase - Cut or No Cut?



3894732
September 7th, 2009, 09:42 PM
I shaved my head a few months back in the interest of regrowing my once long hair without the damage of dye, bleach, and travelling split ends. Now it's in that awkward phase where it's too short for clips, and I'm getting sick of wearing hats all the time! It's about an inch and a half to two inches long, perfectly straight, and relatively thick, causing it to stick up in all directions like someone had rubbed my head with a balloon.

Is there a cut that can let me grow my hair out gracefully, and if so, at what length do I go in to ask for it? Do I just have to tough this out?

My hair has always been long, so I've never used gels or hairspray. Would they damage the hair? Am I better off pretending they don't exist, or are they worth it for this phase?

I'm so lost, and terrified of the salon! :D

SimplyViki
September 7th, 2009, 09:48 PM
From what I've read about very short hair growing out, I believe it's mostly something you just have to tough it out on your own. Some have gotten very frustrated from going to the salon to have a short cut "evened out" so they can keep growing, and the stylist basically just cuts it back to where it was. A bit of advice I remember seeing somewhere is to just trim the bottom of the back, so you don't end up with a scraggly "tail" down the bottom, and just maintain that while you wait for the upper hair to catch up.

Another bit of advice I've read pertaining to the gels and such, is that it's probably worth it to keep your hair looking presentable, so you can bear it to keep growing through the most awkward stages. My own thought is that by the time you've grown it out to, say, shoulder length or APL, you'll probably have trimmed off most of what was exposed to the gels and such anyway, so the minimal damage incurred will be cut off eventually anyway.

Good luck!

Er, and I've got to ask, what on earth inspired your username? :bigeyes: I don't think I've ever seen anyone voluntarily choose an all-numbers username.

RancheroTheBee
September 7th, 2009, 10:13 PM
Just so you know, this is totally the length where you can get away with using gels, sprays and pomades. In fact, it makes it a lot easier. My hair did the same thing, and I never cut it; I just made do by making little fauxhawks and the like.

spidermom
September 7th, 2009, 10:26 PM
You can buy more or less natural gels, like aloe vera gel (the clear kind in the skin care sections of drug stores and department stores). Avoid alcohol and it's not going to dry your hair out. Gel is very helpful for controlling hair and giving it direction and style. I recommend trimming nothing but the very bottom so that you don't get a long, thin bottom-most layer

Flynn
September 7th, 2009, 10:28 PM
Rock them messy spikes!

Naters
September 7th, 2009, 10:31 PM
I went through the exact samething last july, and what i can tell you is just stay away from getting it cut. It's going to go through some pretty awkward stages, but just have fun with it. Before you know it, your hair will be long again. I tamed my crazy hair with lots of pomade and then once is got a little longer tons of headbands to keep it out of my face. It's been about a year since then and my hair is below my shoulders already, so you can do it!!:cheese:

RocketDog
September 7th, 2009, 10:33 PM
I spent that phase playing with styling products and having all sorts of fun doing fingerwaves and fauxhawks and spikes. For me the hard part was 4-8" since my hair had enough length to curl but not enough to look 'styled' no matter what I did to it. Headbands and a curl mousse or gel got me through that year...

Lilli
September 8th, 2009, 07:19 AM
Let it get dirtier so it will lay down more. I advocate not cutting the bottom tail - sure, it will look weird for a few months, but a girl at my husband's work shaved her head and didn't trim at all as it grew, and she has long, layered hair now b/c it grew out in layers! It looks nice now and longer b/c of those bottom layers.

cakedcake
September 8th, 2009, 07:28 AM
Let it get dirtier so it will lay down more. I advocate not cutting the bottom tail - sure, it will look weird for a few months, but a girl at my husband's work shaved her head and didn't trim at all as it grew, and she has long, layered hair now b/c it grew out in layers! It looks nice now and longer b/c of those bottom layers.

I agree with this. I didn't ever have buzzed hair, but I haven't trimmed at all since growing out a pixie, and it's layered, but the layers are somehow mostly even now by their own accord. I just subscribe more and more to the notion of "leave it aloooone and let it grow."

redwoman
September 8th, 2009, 08:06 AM
I vote for trims, but then again I like all one length hair (mine is) As for gels and stuff, go for it! They will help you through the ackward stages. :)

free_hug
September 8th, 2009, 08:10 AM
From what I've read about very short hair growing out, I believe it's mostly something you just have to tough it out on your own. Some have gotten very frustrated from going to the salon to have a short cut "evened out" so they can keep growing, and the stylist basically just cuts it back to where it was.

Mark these words, number named user. So very true. At 2 inches you want to get anything but a haircut. In fact, this might be the case even at 10 inches. As for the tail at the back, you'll have to decide for yourself, many (including me) prefer to gradually get rid of it and come to a layered bob-ish do, but as you can see there are supporters as well.

I might link some earlier threads on how to grow out very short hair, they helped me a lot - if i find them of course :)

free_hug
September 8th, 2009, 08:14 AM
So here they are, Numbers (mind me call u this way? :) )

The Starting from pixie (http://forums.longhaircommunity.com/showthread.php?t=23521)thread
The How did you grow it (http://forums.longhaircommunity.com/showthread.php?t=23509) thread

And a motivational thread (http://forums.longhaircommunity.com/showthread.php?t=16839) too :D

Hope you'll find them useful

lora410
September 8th, 2009, 08:24 AM
Have you tried making flaxseed gel? I haven't made it but some ladies on here have and it holds great and won't harm your hair.

I have been through the awkward stage when a salon butchered it up to 2" long. Trust me, it's not worth cutting and going through it ALL OVER AGAIN. I used gel and styled it kinda spikey and just found ways to deal with it. headbands work great too.

3894732
September 13th, 2009, 11:43 PM
Thanks for all the replies! I bought some hair clips today as minor incentive. If I can't grow my hair out long enough to use them, they'll just sit in my bathroom, haunting me!


A bit of advice I remember seeing somewhere is to just trim the bottom of the back, so you don't end up with a scraggly "tail" down the bottom, and just maintain that while you wait for the upper hair to catch up.

Er, and I've got to ask, what on earth inspired your username? :bigeyes: I don't think I've ever seen anyone voluntarily choose an all-numbers username.

I think this is what I'm going to do. The tail is the most silly looking part, and the only part I can't cover with a hat!

I couldn't think up a username, so I pressed random numbers. I was worried when the site told me that I'd have to be approved by an administrator.. Thanks for not assuming I wasn't a real person! :o


You can buy more or less natural gels, like aloe vera gel (the clear kind in the skin care sections of drug stores and department stores). Avoid alcohol and it's not going to dry your hair out.

Thank you for the direction; I was looking at all sorts of different things and feeling pretty overwhelmed! It reminded me of trying to choose a shampoo!


So here they are, Numbers (mind me call u this way? :) )

The Starting from pixie (http://forums.longhaircommunity.com/showthread.php?t=23521)thread
The How did you grow it (http://forums.longhaircommunity.com/showthread.php?t=23509) thread

And a motivational thread (http://forums.longhaircommunity.com/showthread.php?t=16839) too :D

Hope you'll find them useful

Sure! These threads are great, thank you! I think it was in one of these (gotten all these threads mixed up!) that suggested wearing a bandanna down over the back of my hair. Mullet spy going undercover.. :D


Have you tried making flaxseed gel? I haven't made it but some ladies on here have and it holds great and won't harm your hair.

Haven't heard of flaxseed gel before, sounds interesting. The searches I did came up with recipes with very few ingredients. I like! I'll have to try it out. :)

adiapalic
September 14th, 2009, 12:13 AM
Tough it out, cause cutting ain't going to make your hair grow any faster! Okay, that's not really advice, that's just being Miss Obvious. I think aloe gel could help tame it a bit if you're tired of hats. Also, there was this cool artsy girl at my old college who used to put all these little bobby pins all over her head to tame/style her 2 inch long hair. It was really cool looking.

Addy
September 14th, 2009, 05:59 AM
I agree, TOUGH IT OUT! It's hard growing out from real short hair and it takes alot of time but before you know it, you'll be posting that your hair has grown a load! :D

metalgypsy85
September 14th, 2009, 10:10 AM
I'm in the same position, I decided to just tough it out and let the layers grow out all trippy even though they look stupid in this stage. I have no one to impress at the moment.

frodolaughs
September 14th, 2009, 10:17 AM
I've been through that stage, and will add my voice to everyone who says to just tough it out. It feels like it's awkward for a long time, but trimming only makes it last longer.

halo_tightens
September 14th, 2009, 12:29 PM
In my own experience, the length you're at now is actually one of the most fun! I LOVED using pomades and waxes to create all sorts of messy, spiky styles. You can do anything from punky/rebellious to cute and trendy by doing this!

If you're staying natural, I bet flaxseed gel would do the trick just as well as the store-bought products. Just slather it on and mess it up-- it looks awesome and takes only seconds!

Addy
September 15th, 2009, 04:21 AM
I can honestly say I did rock out the spikes when I had short hair. :D

I also did the messy look for awhile too! :cool:

luluj
September 15th, 2009, 08:08 AM
I shaved my head a few months back in the interest of regrowing my once long hair without the damage of dye, bleach, and travelling split ends. Now it's in that awkward phase where it's too short for clips, and I'm getting sick of wearing hats all the time! It's about an inch and a half to two inches long, perfectly straight, and relatively thick, causing it to stick up in all directions like someone had rubbed my head with a balloon.

Is there a cut that can let me grow my hair out gracefully, and if so, at what length do I go in to ask for it? Do I just have to tough this out?

My hair has always been long, so I've never used gels or hairspray. Would they damage the hair? Am I better off pretending they don't exist, or are they worth it for this phase?

I'm so lost, and terrified of the salon! :D

Just go with the "grow" and have fun! I am growing out a "down to the wood chop" and my curly hair is all over the map right now! I only wash once a week but condition daily to keep my hair somewhat "calm." NO SALONS for me either!:scissors:shudder:

aprilmay
September 15th, 2009, 10:28 AM
I would recommend playing around with different hair products. Maybe use bobby pins or small clips to secure your bangs and add some style. Growing hair out can be frustrating, but I think it is worth the effort. Good luck!

brista
September 16th, 2009, 01:30 AM
If you don't want to embrace the spiky/fauxhawk styles, how do you feel about hair bands or head scarves? Since my hair is kinda thick and spiky hair is not at all my style, it looked ridonkulous that single time I tried to work with the natural morning bedhead. Wide headbands, on the other hand, were a lifesaver. I also really like the look of headscarves/wraps/bandannas that cover the whole head, but I've never been brave enough to go outside the house with the scarf-turned-turban action. But...if it fits your style, it can be a great way to do the "just put it up and leave it alone!" recommendation.

http://img12.imageshack.us/img12/631/hairaccessoryhairbands.jpghttp://img197.imageshack.us/img197/7061/2413768885c0348b63e6.jpghttp://img33.imageshack.us/img33/5010/il430xn90729995.jpghttp://img33.imageshack.us/img33/962/garlandvineadjustablehe.jpghttp://img32.imageshack.us/img32/5904/002sec01.jpg

http://img188.imageshack.us/img188/1438/bkc2371s.jpg
I also really like the look with three or four of those thinner headbands and I think it looks especially cute on short hair.

http://img32.imageshack.us/img32/1165/woodbeadadjustableheadb.jpg

Personally, I'd use whatever products/styling tools you need until you get some more length unless your hair is very, very badly damaged. In time, the hair on top of your head grow and you'll be trimming that part off anyway, so unless your hair is very, very damaged, I wouldn't worry too much about it. Maybe make yourself a no-cut challenge for however many months then when that time comes, re-evaluate.

Just hang in there. Remember: no matter where your hair is at in the growing-out stage, there is at least one person in the world who pays a lot of money for that look. (No matter how terrible it is. (http://celebrityredcarpetstyle.onsugar.com/3751528))

Case in point:
http://img14.imageshack.us/img14/6663/2005shortspiky.jpg
This is actually almost exactly how my hair looked every morning when I woke up. I haaaaated it. I bet the hairstylist spent lots of time and products creating what I spent lots of time and products taming!

3894732
September 16th, 2009, 02:08 AM
there is at least one person in the world who pays a lot of money for that look. (No matter how terrible it is. (http://celebrityredcarpetstyle.onsugar.com/3751528))

Case in point:
http://img14.imageshack.us/img14/6663/2005shortspiky.jpg


Bahahaha! I snickered when I clicked the link, and then again when I read the text: "I just have to say I adore Kate Gosselin's Haircut". Madness.

I guess I'm no better, though, as I do actually like the second image. It's what I'll be doing soon. It's the length I can't wait for: the beginning of the end!

My hair isn't long enough to lie down yet, still rocking the white girl afro. I'm going to give the babushka look & that flaxseed gel a try. Need to go get a bottle so I can make the gel, still. So lazy!

pluto_crna
September 16th, 2009, 04:28 AM
keep your chin up it will grow out of the awkward phase in no time ;)

3894732
September 16th, 2009, 06:45 AM
I can do it, I can do it!

*shadowboxes*

embee
September 16th, 2009, 07:15 AM
Just remember, if you cut now you'll just hit a similar awkward growing out spot again soon and want to cut *again*. There's nothing for it but tough it out, grow through it.

Have fun with scarves and pins and clips and gels. Hang in there!

tiggens
September 16th, 2009, 07:45 AM
Just joining the chorus!

from one buzzcutter to another :

You're gonna look dumb. At some points you are just plain gonna look dumb. Embrace this, mock your silly sticky-out hairs with the knowledge that one day they will submit to you. Resist the urge to cut -- you are just prolonging the dumb magic. However, I do highly advocate mullet trims. You don't have to look THAT dumb. The mullet phase is VERY long and you will have a really bad looking haircut for the better part of a year if you don't trim the back. Now I know others have had success with not trimming at all (and i went for as long as I could 4+ months without trimming it), but I decided I'd much rather hold off on overall growth for a little while and have a series of cute growing-out pixies, than a megamullett for months and months.

Anyway, the choice is yours of course. Growing out SUCKS no matter what you do, but this place is a great resource for inspiration and support. If you find yourself being tempted to cut, come here and look at all the beautiful pictures of long hair, try out a recipe for a treatment or cry to us (we will not judge.)

BlackfootHair
September 16th, 2009, 07:47 AM
When my hair was that length I used hair creams and light hold gels to keep the wet look during the day.