Growing out my hair-AGAIN

[Ary99]

I have always wanted long hair but haven't had it since I was about 8. I have fine hair, somewhat thin, and I have been dyeing it brown (slightly lighter than my natural color) for years.

I have a couple of issues here:

1. In my head, while not trendy, longer hair that could be pulled back is more appealing to me and SEEMS easier that the multi-layered mess I am committed to right now. What do you guys think? Function or fashion?

2. I an ENSLAVED by the hair dye. at least I no longer get highlights which fried my hair. Should I get it dyed darker, closer to my natural color or go cold turkey? It would look really horrible for a very long time if I did that

3. Honestly, has anyone ever wished she had an excuse to shave her head and start over? Bald is so socially unacceptable unless you have a serious illness, but I really wish sometimes I could just start OVER

[velcromom]

Function or fashion?

I refuse to get my hair cut to a length that can't be pulled back, I just can't stand not being able to get it out of my face. I think it's possible to have a modern shape with longer hair, you just don't get to try the most trendy cuts which are always so short it seems. I seem to go in for a cut with a trendier shape about every three or four years and in between let it grow out. Most of the time I'm content with my hair pulled back in some way anyhow.

You are going to see that line of natural hair color grow out at some point whether you do it now or later, unless you keep dyeing it.... so putting it off is no good! If you really hate the idea, maybe you could do one last dye in a shade between the dark color and your natural color, to blur the line between the lighter and darker hair.

Bald, hmm. It looks great on some women but I have a funny shaped head under all this hair so, not for me! LOL

[CarrieMF]

I used to have really long hair and all I did was put it in a ponytail or left it. Then I caught it on fire one day(just singed it), cut it all off 3 days later(from bum to chin). I let it grow out again, but it never got longer than bra length. It was collarbone length when I had my first child and bra length when I decided what was the point in having long hair if all I do it put it in a ponytail. I've gone shorter & layered ever since.

I'm in the process of growing it out again. In a couple of months it will be collarbone length. The problem is every few months I get sick of it and need to do something different and the length usually gets chopped off. I did cut about 2-3 inches off not that long ago because the bottom layers were way too thin for the top layers and it looked odd. There are times I miss my long hair and that's what I'm attempting to go back to.

I have very thick & coarse hair with tonnes of it on my head. To style I just blowdry on the hottest & strongest setting with my head upside down and it does its thing.

Personally roots do not bother me. I henna'd a few weeks ago. It doesn't do much to my hair because it's so dark, but the light chunks did change. The blondeish parts went more reddish but you can still see the roots.

[applejuice]

Silica helps the hair grow well...you can get it in the vitamin department in the HFS.

[beemama]

I went from hip length to shoulder length in May, w/some long layers. I don't miss the length too much... just wish I would've left out those layers... I miss being able to pull it all back w/out barrettes or headbands.

[BabyBumblebee]

Another mama in the process of growing my hair here. I had it all (1/2 way down my back) cut off just before dd was born - what an incredibly stupid thing to do Now it's getting towards my shoulders again, thank goodness, and I can pull it into a very practical ponytail when I have stuff to do. I am *never* going to have it shorter than this again - it's paradoxically much easier to deal with when I can just wash it, leave it to air dry, and put it up if necessary. Dd seems to like it better too - the curls make for very interesting playthings :LOL

[BabyBumblebee]

Oh, and on the subject, does anyone know if silica/horsetail is safe to take whilst bf'ing? I can't find any info....but I would love to start taking it again now that my hair is getting longer.

TIA

[GoldBerry]

I had my hair cut super short at age 21 and just this year at age 35 have let it grow sholder length. I feel like a new person- it's fun. My 1 year old loves to play with it which is really sweet. I tried to grow it out a couple times before but I would get fed up and cut it short.

I think my short hair cut was easier, but I was ready for a change.

Sorry no advice about the dye. I guess you have to keep going or bite the bullet.

[De-lovely]

I vote function WAAAYYYYY over fashion-my hair has layers but has always been able to be pulled back.........though on the shaved head scene-I did rock a shaved head for almost 2 1/2 years-OI! :LOL ANyway-I say cold turkey on the dye-definetly.Get some deep moisturizing hair treatments or even something like BB's Avocado treatment......good luck!

[prairiechild]

I'm growing my hair out to at least waist length. It is currently almost bra strap length. I had it short and it was way too much work and I didn't like the look either. To me, long hair is a classic style and I'm OK with not looking like everyone else. I also color my hair with henna and love it. If you need inspiration or encouragement to grow out your hair, go to http://forums.longhaircommunity.com/

I've learned so much over there about taking care of my hair and it is much healthier now. If you want to see my henna pics, go to the forum and search for Prairiechild's Hair Journal.
HTH
Prairiechild