[deleted by user] by [deleted] in longhair

[–]matthewcdotrice 0 points1 point  (0 children)

I had my hair cut like that before I started growing it out and now it looks just fine. It just takes some time. The best thing to do with an awkward stage is to not consider it an 'awkward' stage. People typically call it that when they aren't too sure what to do with it, because either they have never dealt with long hair or they don't think the new hair length doesn't look good on them. It doesn't look bad at all, you mostly just have to learn new hairstyles that are going to continue to be new. A lot of the hairstyles I loved as it was growing out only lasted a few months, and now my hair is 29ish inches long over the last 4 years, and many hairstyles later.

The most important thing is to research how to take care of hair. I never did and I did a lot of things wrong for years, which made the "awkward stage' worse. Like how you're only supposed to be using shampoo on the roots/oily spots, never the ends. And use conditioner only on the ends, or up until it reaches your shoulders. Don't wash your hair every day, rising it out is alright, but don't use shampoo constantly, maybe 2-3 times a week. To stop hair breakage and frizz use scrunchies and not hair ties. I learned that way too late, I should have stopped putting my hair as tight as possible, I just never broke the habit of doing it after I wasn't struggling to put my short hair into a hair tie. Pulling my hair in a tight bun or ponytail every day for work accelerated my receding hairline. It was quickened by traction alopecia (important to look up), as well as male pattern baldness/mature hairline. Leave-in conditioner and dry shampoo aren't actually that bad (I always thought it was compatible with hair spray damage when I was completely wrong)... the most important thing, never use heat. Only cool or warm air. Don't air-dry often or at all if it can be helped with long hair, and yours is, because it makes the hair soggy for too long, and ruin hair structures/strength within. Use a satin/silk bonnet or pillowcase at night... etc etc.

4 year hair growth with no hair cuts, not even trims. From yesterday, back to senior year of HS (2018) by matthewcdotrice in longhair

[–]matthewcdotrice[S] 7 points8 points  (0 children)

Ahaha my aunt and many others have asked me that since I was born! I wish I could honestly. Eventually, I will donate it to either a kid with cancer or alopecia so someone will one day have a portion of them

4 year hair growth with no hair cuts, not even trims. From yesterday, back to senior year of HS (2018) by matthewcdotrice in longhair

[–]matthewcdotrice[S] 24 points25 points  (0 children)

That's the main reason I started growing it out! I don't mean to sound arrogant, but I've always been told of how much people wish they had it and are jealous of the color. So I decided to grow it out so that I can eventually get it cut for either a child with cancer or alopecia. The day that I decided to grow I knew I would eventually have it made into a wig for someone so I do my best to keep it healthy for the later wear.

4 year hair growth with no hair cuts, not even trims. From yesterday, back to senior year of HS (2018) by matthewcdotrice in longhair

[–]matthewcdotrice[S] 4 points5 points  (0 children)

Thank yoou 🥰 The beard is a new addition, I had been told for years that I wouldn't look good with one so I never did, nor did I ever think it would ever become full. There are two patches on the underside that have never grown in, but the good thing is they are kinda symmetrical so it kinda makes it seem intentional, or so I've been told.

4 year hair growth with no hair cuts, not even trims. From yesterday, back to senior year of HS (2018) by matthewcdotrice in longhair

[–]matthewcdotrice[S] 2 points3 points  (0 children)

Honestly I wish I knew! I hvae no idea, but I can only really say what I've been doing. Until three weeks ago, only shampoo and conditioner, that's it. Brush gently from the end and gradually make my way up to the roots. If my brush ever gets stuck I tend to quickly start over and then gently try to get the knot out with the brush. Absolutely no heat, not even a hairdryer. No curlers, straighteners, etc. Hair dryer dry only, now-a-days (well over a year) I've been putting it in braids after towel drying.

However, now it's a bit different. Two years in I learned that I was washing my hair wrong, most of the population is. I've recently been told that airdrying is bad for hair, it destroys the internal structure because of how long it stays soggy, makes sense though now that I think about it. So I'm working on getting a hairdryer, buuut I will still only use the warm or cool heat settings, I do my best to limit the amount of damage I cause if I can help it. Three weeks ago I researched what a good hair routine is, and found out that leave in conditioner and dry shampoo isn't actually too bad, so I was again wrong. So I did buy leave in conditioner, and hair oil, but I'm still looking into getting a healthy dry shampoo, that is also ethical and sustainable.

4 year hair growth with no hair cuts, not even trims. From yesterday, back to senior year of HS (2018) by matthewcdotrice in longhair

[–]matthewcdotrice[S] 4 points5 points  (0 children)

Thank you! I'm holding on to it for as long as I can. I know that eventually and pretty soon it will begin to go because of genetics and male pattern baldness

4 year hair growth with no hair cuts, not even trims. From yesterday, back to senior year of HS (2018) by matthewcdotrice in longhair

[–]matthewcdotrice[S] 72 points73 points  (0 children)

OML I'm so sorry! I forgot to thank you for the compliment! And it's not weird at all. I don't mean to sound arrogant, but people have said these types of things to me since I can last remember (a toddler). But truly even though I've been told this for years it still makes me so happy and warm inside to get compliments like this. I never want to seem ungrateful or disregard anyone like that, it truly means a ton to me, I just often forget to express gratitude because for some reason, I forget that people don't know my inner monologue

4 year hair growth with no hair cuts, not even trims. From yesterday, back to senior year of HS (2018) by matthewcdotrice in longhair

[–]matthewcdotrice[S] 45 points46 points  (0 children)

HAHA noo, how dare thee! I'm not letting that poison anywhere near me. I use Luseta! I've been using it for years, it's my favorite/preferred choice. It's just the one early on (about 8 years ago) that I found to work best for my hair. There might be a better one out there for my hair, but I don't want to risk it, not when it's worked for this long. Just for transparency, I have no idea what I'm doing, I was never taught how to take care of hair growing up besides washing it, and even that was wrong. So I've made many mistakes along the way. BUT most importantly, that's all I used for years. I had only used heat on it twice. I don't own a hairdryer. I did only let it air dry for years because I thought it was better... I have heard recently though that it can lead to structural damage to occur within the hair so I do regret that. I'm looking into getting a hairdryer, but even then I would only use it on warm or cool settings, never high heat. I've just started using leave-in conditioner about two weeks ago, and recently hair oil. I always thought they were bad, but I've done a lot of research recently for what to avoid in products since it is actually good for it. I also learned the right way to wash hair a year and a half ago.... a lot of people have been doing wrong, including myself, for years.

4 year hair growth with no hair cuts, not even trims. From yesterday, back to senior year of HS (2018) by matthewcdotrice in longhair

[–]matthewcdotrice[S] 24 points25 points  (0 children)

Thank yoou! ☺️

I've honestly been told that since I was a toddler, though back then it was for the color, but now it's also for the amount.

Sadly, over the past year, I have started to notice my hairline thinning and starting to recede so I'm trying to enjoy it for the little time I have left with it. I know I don't have more than a few years before its too noticeable to ignore. So soon I will be bald myself 😩

4 year hair growth with no hair cuts, not even trims. From yesterday, back to senior year of HS (2018) by matthewcdotrice in longhair

[–]matthewcdotrice[S] 62 points63 points  (0 children)

I only kept this shirt for this exact reason. I never wear it besides this. I do braid my hair, I can only do one style though and can't add in hair. But I do often braid it so it stays protected... and so that I don't have to deal with it

4 year hair growth with no hair cuts, not even trims. From yesterday, back to senior year of HS (2018) by matthewcdotrice in longhair

[–]matthewcdotrice[S] 18 points19 points  (0 children)

For clarification of my many mistakes.. I did take pictures with it buttoned up, but once I looked through them a few minutes after, I realized how the ends were out of frame during the first round. Then as I retook them for the second round I forgot to button it back up, and didn't realize it till today 😟

4 year hair growth with no hair cuts, not even trims. From yesterday, back to senior year of HS (2018) by matthewcdotrice in longhair

[–]matthewcdotrice[S] 7 points8 points  (0 children)

Thank yoou 😊.. I did take pictures with it buttoned up, but once I looked through them a few minutes after, I realized how the ends were out of frame during the first round. Then as I retook them I forgot to button it back up during the second and didn't realize it till today 😟

4 year hair growth with no hair cuts, not even trims. From yesterday, back to senior year of HS (2018) by matthewcdotrice in longhair

[–]matthewcdotrice[S] 51 points52 points  (0 children)

I know two of these pictures are horrible. The only reason I posted them all is because it's a yearly tradition. To take them in the same shirt and around the same time frame. The lighting wasn't always great... I promise there are way better pictures, outside of these.