Four years, two months, three days—and a foot shorter

[snowbear]

This is my long overdue four-year anniversary post. I haven’t done one since 2006, so this will be extra photo-filled to compensate. (Dial-up users, now would be the time to press your escape button.)

I've been a part of this community for so long, I've probably said all that can be said numerous times, so I'll be brief: This community is a fantastic internet anomaly. Our members are kind, knowledgeable, and our staff is superb. It's an honor to be a member here.

On to the pictures!

I cut my hair to 19” on Nov 22, 2004:
http://forums.longhaircommunity.com/picture.php?albumid=3374&pictureid=42886

I joined LHC on July 21st 2005, but didn't begin posting until August 22nd:
http://forums.longhaircommunity.com/picture.php?albumid=3374&pictureid=42887

I then went to (Supercuts?) and got my hair trimmed to APL:
http://forums.longhaircommunity.com/picture.php?albumid=3374&pictureid=42888

Then I grew to BSL in 2006:
http://forums.longhaircommunity.com/picture.php?albumid=3374&pictureid=42891

And from BSL went to waist in 2007:
http://forums.longhaircommunity.com/picture.php?albumid=3374&pictureid=42894

And from waist went to hip in 2008:
http://forums.longhaircommunity.com/picture.php?albumid=83&pictureid=10033

And from hip went to tailbone in 2009:
http://forums.longhaircommunity.com/picture.php?albumid=3374&pictureid=42896

And from tailbone went to almost classic in 2009:
http://i579.photobucket.com/albums/ss236/snowbearLHC/before.png http://forums.longhaircommunity.com/picture.php?albumid=83&pictureid=45034

And then, having decided that 42" of 5" iii hair was too much for me to deal with, hating my limited options, and wanting a change, I went from inches away from classic to bottom of BSL on Sept. 23rd, 2009 (this one is clickable):
http://i579.photobucket.com/albums/ss236/snowbearLHC/th_IMG_1603.jpg (http://i579.photobucket.com/albums/ss236/snowbearLHC/IMG_1603.jpg)

I'm now just above 30" with almost 4" of heavily layered iii hair. I'm ecstatic.

So, there you have it folks. My hair is now layered with bangs, and shorter than it was in 2007. I'm not planning on growing it back out--if anything I may go shorter--but I'm not planning on going anywhere, either.

[OhioLisa]

You have gorgeous hair. Congrats on your anniversary, as well as finding the best length for you. :flowers:

[Shiva]

Beeeeeautiful!

[kmangus]

You have AMAZING hair! I want my hair to look like yours when i reach BSL! -hugs- Happy Anniversary!!! :)

[kam984420]

As long as you're happy with it, thats what matters. I definitely WOULDNT go shorter. If i were you. i would leave it waist length and maintain it.

[lindaton]

It looks beautiful. Glad youre happy with youre decision.

[Shermie Girl]

Happy Anniversary! :D

You have beautiful hair. So shiny and thick.

[SandyStar]

Your hair is amazing! It's so thick and shiny!

[DragonLady]

Awesome hair!!!

[Rain]

She really was ecstatic. I was there. She squealed! It was adorable. :)

[snowbear]

Thank you all for your kind words! :grin:


She really was ecstatic. I was there. She squealed! It was adorable. :)
I'm sure I also hit notes only dogs can hear. The entire drive home I was still squealing...the other drivers must have thought I was nuts.
Thanks again for coming!

[little_acorn]

Looks gorgeous - congrats on your anniversary

[maskedrose]

It really does look FANTASTIC. I'm glad that you're so happy with it - squealing all the way home is definitely happy :)

[HeatherMae]

I really enjoyed your Post O' Pictures!! How fun!! Your hair grows extremely fast! I think it is so very beautiful!! I love your new cut! Did you have it lightened some? It looks AMAZING!!!! :)

[julya]

Your new length looks lovely! Congrats on your anniversary and finding the length that's right for you!

[Lamb]

Congratulations on your anniversary! :flowers: YOur hair is beautiful, what a journey!

[Redheaded Raven]

Happy Anniversary! :D, I am so happy you found the length that's right for you! :cheese:

[freckles]

Your hair is gorgeous and the layering really suits you! :)

[Chrissy]

I think it's a great idea to grow really long like you did. Then you can find out if it's the right length for you. You did a great job finding your ideal length. Your hair looks really healthy. Congrats on 4 yrs of beautiful hair.

[Amara]

Oooh your hair is so lovely! Congratulations on your long growth journey and finding a length that you love!

[BlueWaterRed]

At all of your lengths, your photos are an inspiration to a shortie like me. Thanks and congrats on four years. Your new cut is beautiful.

[Taika]

So beautiful!!!!!

[Samara Morgan]

Aww snowbear, your hair looks lovely at any length :agree: And you're one of the friendliest LHC members around :cloud9:

[embee]

Ah, snowbear, you have hair I can only dream of! Thanks for the tour, it is cool to see the changes. Glad you found "your length". The hair is lovely! :)

[Tap Dancer]

Your hair looks better than ever right now! I really mean it. :inlove:

[Carolyn]

Congrats on your LHC anniversary! Your hair looks fantastic and I'm glad your thrilled with it.

[rags]

Congratulations on your anniversary! Your hair was beautiful at every length, and is gorgeous with the layers!

[smilinjenn71]

Very nice re-cap of your journey! I'm glad you have found what length seems to work for you because isn't that really what it's all about?!?!?! Thank you for sharing!

[cindy58]

Your hair looks beautiful!

[DarkChocolate]

Beautiful hair:) You had some impressive growth too:)

[DavidN]

Congratulations, Snowbear, on having been here for well over 4 years!:cheer:

Thank you for sharing your hair history with your fellow LHC members. Your latest trim went very well, and you are blessed with thick, shiny, and healthy hair, with outstanding colour!

[halo_tightens]

Your hair looks great at ALL of those lengths, but I'm happy that you've found a style that makes you happy enough to squeal! :D

[Medievalmaniac]

congratulations on your LHC anniversary, and your hair is beautiful. :o)

[free_hug]

Beautiful hair, good for you - and what an amazing journey you had :)

[MsBubbles]

Nice progression! Thanks for laying it all out so clearly. Looks like a year per milestone (APL - BSL - WAIST - HIP etc). But then you do have lovely thick hair. It looks lovely whether APL or TB.

[friskybiznus]

Wow, fabulous hair and progression! I am encouraged and inspired! Thanks for sharing and squealing! :)

[lapushka]

I love the layered look!

[patience]

Happy Anniversary!
Absolutely beautiful... at any length.

[Bellona]

You have beautiful hair in all your pictures. I REALLY like the new cut though. It looks so good :)

[NiAosSi]

Beautiful! I love the cut!

[Wind Dragon]

Your squeal is infectious. And I didn't even hear it. :lol:

It does look good, glad you're happy with it! :thumbsup:

[Elfe]

Your hair looks so beautiful and shiny! :D
I love it :crush:
And I hope you enjoy your new cut :p

[snowbear]

Thank you all so so much! :grin:

I'm still absolutely in love with it. It's so much less hair that actually I look forward to styling it now.

I have not had my hair lightened--it just can't decide what color it is. :lol: Some pictures it looks reddish, in some it looks blonde, and in some it looks brunette. During the summer it gets much lighter, but this summer I stayed out of the sun so much that it didn't get noticeably lighter.

As for the length, I probably cut about 5" a year, average, throughout the whole growing process. My hair grows quickly, so while I hit one milestone a year, I probably could have been at knee had I not cut since I joined.

I'm thrilled that I can be growing inspiration for some of you. :cloud9:

[Garnet66]

Congrats on your four year anniversary. I love your hair. It's so shiny. Congrats on finding a length that works for you. I'm so happy that you're so happy.

[Amoretti]

It looks amazing, Snowbear! Congrats on your anniversary. :flowers: It's been a pleasure getting to know you all these years. :)

[Kiraela]

Congrats on your anniversary, Snowbear!! Your hair is beautiful at all lengths!

[Keenkitty]

Snowbear your hair looks so pretty and shiney! Did they do anything special like a blowout or is that just how it dried?

Its so soft looking!

KJ

[PseudoScot]

Great progress, it looks so great! Very pretty. Congrats!

[PaleDale]

[quote=snowbear;781962]This is my long overdue four-year anniversary post. I haven’t done one since 2006, so this will be extra photo-filled to compensate. (Dial-up users, now would be the time to press your escape button.)

I've been a part of this community for so long, I've probably said all that can be said numerous times, so I'll be brief: This community is a fantastic internet anomaly. Our members are kind, knowledgeable, and our staff is superb. It's an honor to be a member here.

This is a cool post. Nice pics, I especially like your "And from waist went to hip in 2008:" pic, I wish my hair looked that nice :(

[jasper]

Fun pictures! Thanks for sharing! I think your hair looks great at every length.

[girlcat36]

Your new cut is really beautiful!

[Starr]

Just beautiful!

[kimberlily]

It looks awesome, Snowbear :D I layered my hair last week too, and I love my hair again :D

[~GypsyCurls~]

Wow, your hair looks so healthy and that is such a nice cut! It's totally understandable about a long length not being practical for you- my goal technically is classic but I want to be able to wear it down for the majority of the time without it bothering me-no point in having long hair if you don't enjoy it :)

[littlemiss]

what a great journey your hair has been on thanks for sharing !!
you hair is beautiful!

[Sissy]

your hair looks lovely, at all lengths. Happy 4 year anny :)

[MOrab46019]

Glad that you found your right lenght. Thank you for the time line and pics.

[Jessikinz]

Your hair looks really good with the layers and very healthy. It's all about finding the length that you're happy with and you can enjoy it too at the same time. Glad you found the right length for you, I'm sure you are going to have fun with it. :)

[ponyboy]

Congratulations on finding your ideal length! After 4 years of taking care of what Crystal Gayle once referred to as another child, and achieving classic length; it must have been a little traumatic to make the big cut. The main thing is you're happy with the new length, and it really does look great!

[JamieLeigh]

Your hair is so lovely!! I will be honest, I liked it better longer, but if you're happy then that's what's important. I can understand longer, thick hair might be a bit much to handle. It's still very very pretty, and I love the color! :flower:

[JCFantasy23]

Gorgeous, I think that's an ideal length for you. I wouldn't go shorter but that's up to you, I think you look wonderful this way (and the others as well) I wouldnt want past waist either for myself, too much upkeep and my hair just isn't thick enough to pull it off without looking anemic. With the length you have now you can do a lot of updos while still wearing it down a lot to where it's lovely and easy to care for. Glad you are happy with your cut!

[JCFantasy23]

I have not had my hair lightened--it just can't decide what color it is. :lol: Some pictures it looks reddish, in some it looks blonde, and in some it looks brunette. During the summer it gets much lighter, but this summer I stayed out of the sun so much that it didn't get noticeably lighter.



I often joke I have chameleon hair, seriously. I dyed it to my natural color about four years ago. I swear off and on for the first year sometimes my dark brown seemed to be lightening itself back to blonde, people kept asking me if I lightened it. Other weeks it would look my normal color. Yet other weeks people would ask me if I darkened it, as sometimes it just darkens by mood. It's odd but kind of cool.

And yes, agree with everyone else when I saw beautiful color. Perhaps your hair is just giving off a sunny color because you and it are happy. A cheesy way of looking at it, I know, but we all have our cheesy moments. :poot:

[adiapalic]

So you've been "There and back again" :) I think you've undergone a great hair-journey and made discoveries to let you be true to yourself. Bravo snowbear! Your hair is as beautiful as ever :flower:

[Barbie Diamond]

You have about the most beautiful hair I have ever seen. I wish mine was like that.

[RavennaNight]

Happy Anniversary! Wow 5" thickness!? :shocked: Your new cut looks lovely!