I need a suggestion!

[Johno]

Gotta start out by saying that I've had long hair for most of my life and while I don't really want to cut it, I think it needs a style of some sort. I don't even know where to start..

http://i81.photobucket.com/albums/j2...cakes/hair.jpg
http://i81.photobucket.com/albums/j2...akes/hair2.jpg
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http://www.australianmusician.com.au...ettencourt.jpg
I really like his style, but I'm not sure if I'd be able to pull it off. Color, etc.. ..What do you think? -John

[Toni]

Hey there Johno!
Welcome to the forum!!!

I love the long hair and think you definitely should not go any shorter than this pic. Not at this point in your life at least...maybe later.
It's going to feel weird at first so you'll have to give it some time. I think you'll find the movement it will give will convince you to wear it like this or perhaps a little longer..same style.

As for the color. IMHO I think it would look great on you. The stunning contrast between really creamy skin tone and the dark hair color is awesome and a treat you MUST enjoy while you're young as this would look horrible on anyone older with wrinkles LOL. However, someone like yourself would really enjoy it.

However...and I know you saw this however coming. I just want to caution you. If you are ready for the change and ready for the haircut. Go for it. I just hesitate with the color at this moment only as I would like to see you adjust to the shorter length first. I mean, this is going to take some getting used to all by itself. I don't know you and therefore, don't know how you'd feel adapting to a drastic change of cut AND color. And it would look just fine at this length in your natural hair color. THEN when you're adjusted and ready, go all the way and dye it totally black. I always like to slow people down to a two or three step transition as I know change is hard. We suffer so many changes in our lives that we don't ask for, don't foresee, etc. and they take their toll on us. Something like this should be a pleasant change and I would want it be just that.

What I usually do with those who have extremely long hair that want it all cut off, I talk them into taking large increments off at a time and build up to it with each hair cut. Just to make sure that the first or second change might not be enough? So you can understand where I LOVE to see people make changes to feel good about themselves, I also want to know that those "NEW YOU" looks are what they really want, cause let's face it. Once it's done, it's done.

With that said, don't think I am trying to talk you out of it. Cause I think it would look GREAT. I just want you to think so too when you decide to do it.

Let me know what you decide!!!

[Johno]

Weelll honestly, I really like my hair long and can't imagine it short again! (It's been long since I cut it in the 6th grade and began growing it again) The thing is, I'm sorta worrying that I'd have to cut it to get a job, being that I live in a redneck town..

But anywho, if I don't cut it, do you think the color itself would work out? It kinda worries me to dye it because I've seen some pretty bad dying jobs..
..Also, being male, I have no idea about any of this sorta thing. Is this a 'salon' sorta deal, or something that could be done *well* at home? (Kinda scary!)


Another thing is, when it's humid outside my hair sorta explodes. Is there anything I can do to keep it down? I like it when it's straight, but straightening irons kinda scare me..

Thanks for the response!
-John

[Toni]

I had a feeling you were not sure about cutting it off and that's why I went on about cutting hair a little a time to not be so drastic that you grieve over the hair loss. I certainly can understand that. AND I can also relate to living in redneck towns.

Thing is, cutting your hair for a job will depend on the job you're going after. If you are going for a white collar job, and you know your stuff, have your resume in order and know you're stuff, your presence should just be clean cut. Long hair can be banded into a ponytail and successive bands down the length will keep it in tact. Some jobs could care less about your appearance, (blue collar work) so long as you keep hair out of any machinery and you do your work.

As for the color, at the risk of anytime sounding biased, color should always be left to a professional. And dude, you're going to have to get the new growth done from time to time to keep it looking fresh. If you're up to all that, then go to a uni*** shop and go for it.

Or...there IS something else you can try. In the haircolor section of any drugstore and I think at least some Walmarts and definitely in beauty supply stores, there's this product called "Fanci-Ful" (website for you to see what I'm talking about) and you could use the Black Rage. All you do is after shampooing and rinsing, you hold your head over a sink and squirt this stuff all over your hair...rubbing into good to the scalp. It does nothing to hurt your hair, and it is "TEMPORARY" color meaning it will wash out when you shampoo. It may take a couple of shampoos for this black to come out, however, if you try the Black Rage, you can see how well you like your hair black WITHOUT doing anything permanent. A bottle can be used multiple times, yet with your long, thick mane, you won't get such an economical deal I'm afraid. Yet, you'll have fun checking out what darker hair will look like.

Word of warning though, it's not going to make your hair as black as you'd like it since it's just a temporary rinse that coats the hair and doesn't penetrate it. If you happen to have really porous hair, it may look pretty black though and therefore will take more shampoos to completely wash it all out.

As for the humidity. I know that feeling too. Think a lot of us have some degree of problems with it, just some more than others. I would try a lttle of the hair wax that comes in tubes. Rub a little between your palms and run it down the top layer of your hair. Just a LITTLE though. Too much will make it too dirty looking.

I tell guys about electric hot combs. They like them much better than flatirons. A hot comb is as easy as using a comb. You comb your hair with them and pressing the length of your hair against the back of the comb helps really straighten out. It's quick, easy and they can be found in just about any department store where flatirons and curling irons are sold.

Good luck and let me know what all you decide. If you decide to get it cut, take steps to bring it up no shorter than just past your shoulders for a while. Then take it from there!