Shoulder | Armpit

**Pol** · September 24th, 2015, 11:37 AM

This is my first post - I've been reading back through the last few pages of this thread and it's so encouraging! Thank you! I've recently decided to grow my hair out again (hence joining you lovely folks on the LHC!), having hovered around shoulder or collarbone length for what seems like forever. I've been so indecisive - every time I start to grow it it reaches this stage where it looks awful and I end up cutting it off again! This thread is definitely going to keep me motivated, nice to know it's not just my hair that look simultaneously flat and poofy at this length. I do like the idea of just throwing it back each day and forgetting about it! I might cut my long fringe back in for some interest too, maybe it'll stop me from being so hair-bored (totally a thing). I'm definitely going to hang around here for further inspiration - congrats to all who've made it over the APL hurdle!

**Mammasaurusrex** · September 24th, 2015, 12:09 PM

Ugh, yes! The abyss! That is what Im going with. It always curls so weird right now. In three inches or so the weird goofy curl I have starting at jaw and going to shoulder will hopefully not look so goofy. My hair needs some weight to hold it down I think so the longer the better.

**ReadingRenee** · September 24th, 2015, 12:15 PM

Originally Posted by Pol

This is my first post - I've been reading back through the last few pages of this thread and it's so encouraging! Thank you! I've recently decided to grow my hair out again (hence joining you lovely folks on the LHC!), having hovered around shoulder or collarbone length for what seems like forever. I've been so indecisive - every time I start to grow it it reaches this stage where it looks awful and I end up cutting it off again! This thread is definitely going to keep me motivated, nice to know it's not just my hair that look simultaneously flat and poofy at this length. I do like the idea of just throwing it back each day and forgetting about it! I might cut my long fringe back in for some interest too, maybe it'll stop me from being so hair-bored (totally a thing). I'm definitely going to hang around here for further inspiration - congrats to all who've made it over the APL hurdle!

Yes poofy and flat at the same time! Great description. I think this is the worst length ever for my hair. Back before LHC, this is when I would cut. It's terribly unflattering and frustrating. Welcome Pol!

**ReadingRenee** · September 24th, 2015, 12:16 PM

Originally Posted by Mammasaurusrex

Ugh, yes! The abyss! That is what Im going with. It always curls so weird right now. In three inches or so the weird goofy curl I have starting at jaw and going to shoulder will hopefully not look so goofy. My hair needs some weight to hold it down I think so the longer the better.

My waves are totally non uniform and look ridiculous right now. Also, I hate the way this length always seems to stick out on my back from the side. Instead of hanging down. Yep, grow hair grow!

**Mammasaurusrex** · September 24th, 2015, 12:17 PM

Yea, it sticks out so oddly and flips up! If it is being extra odd and flipping up a lot it will flip up above my shoulders and it looks like the brady bunch mom hair

**ReadingRenee** · September 24th, 2015, 12:27 PM

Originally Posted by Mammasaurusrex

Yea, it sticks out so oddly and flips up! If it is being extra odd and flipping up a lot it will flip up above my shoulders and it looks like the brady bunch mom hair

I know exactly what you mean. I just got out of the brady bunch mom 60's flip phase about a month ago.

**turtlelover** · September 24th, 2015, 12:47 PM

Poofy and flat at the same time -- that's IT! Heavy enough to be flat on top, but not heavy enough to keep it from pyramiding on the sides, giving it a weird triangular effect at times. Thanks God for messy buns! I'm almost officially APL, and when I get there, I might start microtrimming for awhile to get rid of the majority of the layers so I can just blow dry it straight. The waves just look flat on top and messy on the bottom lately. Blah! I've really TRIED to embrace my own texture, but I hate it most of the time unless my hair is shorter and layered more. I am starting to think that if I am going to have long hair, I am going to be blowdrying.

**Pol** · September 24th, 2015, 04:06 PM

Thank you for the welcomes! Whilst obviously I am not wishing unflattering hair on you guys, it really does help to know I'm not alone! Yesterday when my hair got rained on it dried in a triangular shape! I looked like a badly drawn children's cartoon... Which is not the look I'm generally going for. I think, despite my yearning for length, a tiny trim might help as my ends are slightly dry, which I don't think is helping. I think I'm 2-3 inches from APL... So close! So far!

**Pol** · September 24th, 2015, 04:13 PM

Originally Posted by turtlelover

Poofy and flat at the same time -- that's IT! Heavy enough to be flat on top, but not heavy enough to keep it from pyramiding on the sides, giving it a weird triangular effect at times. Thanks God for messy buns! I'm almost officially APL, and when I get there, I might start microtrimming for awhile to get rid of the majority of the layers so I can just blow dry it straight. The waves just look flat on top and messy on the bottom lately. Blah! I've really TRIED to embrace my own texture, but I hate it most of the time unless my hair is shorter and layered more. I am starting to think that if I am going to have long hair, I am going to be blowdrying.

I think I need to do more buns, they hide all manner of sins! I can't decide whether layers make me more prone to triangle-head or less, by lightening the ends. Mystery! I am also not a fan of my natural straight hair. I really like to play up the (tiny!) natural texture in my hair by sleeping in a braid or headband, but even that looks stupid at this length. I think if blowdrying makes you hair-happy it's worth it - one good thing about this length is it takes less time to dry, even on the cool setting.

**Mammasaurusrex** · September 24th, 2015, 05:18 PM

Originally Posted by Pol

I think I need to do more buns, they hide all manner of sins! I can't decide whether layers make me more prone to triangle-head or less, by lightening the ends. Mystery! I am also not a fan of my natural straight hair. I really like to play up the (tiny!) natural texture in my hair by sleeping in a braid or headband, but even that looks stupid at this length. I think if blowdrying makes you hair-happy it's worth it - one good thing about this length is it takes less time to dry, even on the cool setting.

Have you tried a french braid or dutch braid overnight? When I braid from my ears down it looks weird but if I do a dutch braid, when I wake up in the morning the waves start closer to my scalp and it doesnt look so weird. I made the mistake of putting some product in it one morning to hold the wave and it ended up sticky and gross and oily. It works better for me without it =]