Having a hard time adjusting....

[topnotch1010]

...to my new length. My hair is not NEARLY as long as a lot of women on here, but this is the longest my hair has been EVER! I've been wearing EL to SL bobs since '90 and before that I wore ponytails. I currently wear my hair in a lot of roller sets and I bun sometimes, so I don't pay attention to my length and APL snuck up on me. I'm having a hard time adjusting to this new look and I'm not sure I like it. I absolutely hate it bone straight.


Did anyone else have a problem adjusting to your new length/look? I know we're all working hard to retain our length but have you ever second guessed your new look because you're so used to looking at yourself with a particular style and you're not sure the new length actually complements you?

 

[Curlybeauty]

I'm on the grow like you. I recently reached APL just to get knocked back to SL from a happy stylist. However, I hate wearing my hair down most of the time, cause my sides have some catching up to do

I guess all you can do is hide your hair in styles that don't flaunt kength until you reach a happy place. What is your goal length?

 

[topnotch1010]

I'm on the grow like you. I recently reached APL just to get knocked back to SL from a happy stylist. However, I hate wearing my hair down most of the time, cause my sides have some catching up to do

I guess all you can do is hide your hair in styles that don't flaunt kength until you reach a happy place. What is your goal length?

I was going for WL but I'm starting to think it might age me. I know that sounds so stupid but after 20 years of looking at myself with big poofy layered bobs, the slightly longer flat look doesn't look at hawt as I thought it would on me.

 

[PDub]

I know exactly what you mean. I just relaxed today after a 19 week stretch and my hair is at a length that doesn't allow for anything cute. It's longer than SL but not quite APL. I'm starting to rethink this whole growing long thing. So I'm going to protective style (bun, wig, braids, whatever!) and stretch for another 6 months. And if I can't do anything decent to it by then, I QUIT!!!

 

[JJamiah]

on reaching APL and I know exactly how you feel about long and flat, I have actually enjoyed wearing the beach wave set shown by Macheriamour (I could have jacked the name up) But they come out lovely and make my flat hair more bodified (made that one up) LOL

I was my goal length for a very long time and CUT it because I honestly got tired of doobies, (all but the last time)

this time I swore I'd have fun with it.

As your length changes your need for different styles will probably as well.

 

[Rae81]

i got my hair "trimmed" from a lil above apl to sl back in april and my hair has grown back fast. before i i got my "trim" i wore my hair in a straight wrap everyday and had no problem with it, now i hate to have my hair straight , I just like to have some type of texture to my hair now, so i do alot of braidouts or banto knot outs. Here lately i have been wanting to cut back to sl or just below.

 

[Carisa]

This is something i never considered. If i can reach mbl i hope that i like it. I would b a little dissapointed if i spend all this time growin it out just to look at it and feel like i want to cut it. I hope that u find some styles u like at your lenght though.

 

[topnotch1010]

on reaching APL and I know exactly how you feel about long and flat, I have actually enjoyed wearing the beach wave set shown by Macheriamour (I could have jacked the name up) But they come out lovely and make my flat hair more bodified (made that one up) LOL

I was my goal length for a very long time and CUT it because I honestly got tired of doobies, (all but the last time)

this time I swore I'd have fun with it.

As your length changes your need for different styles will probably as well.

Thank you!!

I think this may be my problem. I need to find some new styles. I tried the beachwave tutorial twice, the 1st time I loved it. The 2nd time, not so hot. I think I'll revisit this style at this length. Thanks for the suggestion!

 

[diadall]

I am shoulder length now and I am known for having big, poofy hair with lots of body. I love it and it suits me well. Now that my hair is growing its flat and harder to get that "Tina Turner" hair that I have been known for. I do want it to get longer so I can wear a variety of styles but I want to maintain the carefree hair that makes me--me.

I guess I forgot that my hair was short, sassy and sexy and I felt sexy with my old hair. Men loved to touch it and my SO would randomly run his fingers through it. Don't get me wrong I am not cutting but I kind of feel like every other woman (flat hair).

 

[HairBella08]

I know exactly what you mean OP. My hair is not as long as yours, but I feel like the longer hair just doesn't suite my face. I felt fierce with my EL or NL bobs. Now, it's just blah for me. I've considered cutting and just rocking a sexy, sassy bob...at least it will be healthy, but I'm trying to hold off until the beginning of the year to prevent myself from making a rushed decision.

 

[Chaosbutterfly]

LOL, NOPE. I notice that no matter how much my hair grows, it always looks SL to me. So I don't have this problem.

But I don't really understand the complaint....just because your hair is longer doesn't mean that it has to be flat. If you want some volume with straight hair, instead of wrapping it at night, do some loose pincurls or throw a few flexi rods in. Or do textured styles so you get some volume and a little shrinkage. You don't have to have flat hair.

 

[loveisnthehouse]

I understand what you mean about not liking your hair straight. I think straight hair looks ridiculous on me lol, that's why I always wear my trusty flat twist out. The only time my hair is straight is if I am length checking or BKTing.

 

[Janet']

Chaosbutterfly: My hair is SL to me too!

OP, I must admit that getting used to my length as well, but I think that looking at things from a different perspective might help. As JJamiah said, long hair doesn't have to equal flat hair. Best wishes on your continued journey- Personally, I think you look GREAT with APL hair!

 

[topnotch1010]

^^ Janet' Thank you and I love your big hair!

I am shoulder length now and I am known for having big, poofy hair with lots of body. I love it and it suits me well. Now that my hair is growing its flat and harder to get that "Tina Turner" hair that I have been known for. I do want it to get longer so I can wear a variety of styles but I want to maintain the carefree hair that makes me--me.

I guess I forgot that my hair was short, sassy and sexy and I felt sexy with my old hair. Men loved to touch it and my SO would randomly run his fingers through it. Don't get me wrong I am not cutting but I kind of feel like every other woman (flat hair).

I know exactly what you mean OP. My hair is not as long as yours, but I feel like the longer hair just doesn't suite my face. I felt fierce with my EL or NL bobs. Now, it's just blah for me. I've considered cutting and just rocking a sexy, sassy bob...at least it will be healthy, but I'm trying to hold off until the beginning of the year to prevent myself from making a rushed decision.

This is exactly what I mean. I used to get compliments on my big sexy hair all the time. Now I'm just like every other flat haired lady and it doesn't fit my face. I'm going to let it grow out just to see how it looks but if I don't like it I'm going to go back to my old sexy bob.

 

[~~HoneyComb~~]

I know exactly how you feel and that's why it's been hard for me to get past BSL. As soon as I get to that length, I don't feel as though it complements me like my shorter hair does. Then I cut. This time though, I'm determined to reach a goal of MBL or longer and take it from there.

I'm BSL currently and I have no intentions cutting anytime soon, although I do miss my shorter hairstyles....

 

[topnotch1010]

LOL, NOPE. I notice that no matter how much my hair grows, it always looks SL to me. So I don't have this problem.

But I don't really understand the complaint....just because your hair is longer doesn't mean that it has to be flat. If you want some volume with straight hair, instead of wrapping it at night, do some loose pincurls or throw a few flexi rods in. Or do textured styles so you get some volume and a little shrinkage. You don't have to have flat hair.

Yeah, I guess that what I mean by adjusting. With my bob, the way it was cut made it sit out. I didn't have to do a lot to it to make it big. As it gets longer I have to put more effort into it to make it big like I like it. My curls usually only last a few days because I either (a) wrap it and I lose the curls after the second day or (b) attempt to sleep pretty and that only works on the first night. Pincurling takes forever but I've been practicing and I'm getting better!

Thanks for the advice.

 

[topnotch1010]

~~HoneyComb~~



That's all I have to say!

 

[diadall]

^^^I know what you mean about the effort. I would wash my shorter hair, blow dry and flat iron and was bouncy and flirty. Now If I did the same thing it just falls flat. I did wear my hair natural last weekend and the curls and shrinkage gave me that big flirty hair I like. I may have to resort to going natural.

 

[topnotch1010]

^^^I know what you mean about the effort. I would wash my shorter hair, blow dry and flat iron and was bouncy and flirty. Now If I did the same thing it just falls flat. I did wear my hair natural last weekend and the curls and shrinkage gave me that big flirty hair I like. I may have to resort to going natural.

You and me are right >>>>here<<<<! I was thinking the exact same thing, I'm going to have to go natural to get that big hair look again.

 

[ebonylocs]

This is something i never considered. If i can reach mbl i hope that i like it. I would b a little dissapointed if i spend all this time growin it out just to look at it and feel like i want to cut it. I hope that u find some styles u like at your lenght though.

Carisa: Nothing to add to this thread, but WOW you have made a lot of progress.

 

[Imani]

Ive not made apl yet but ive been thinking the same thing. Ive had the big fluffy layered nl hair for several years. And I absolutley hate long flat straight hair on me. It is so blah on me and does not suit my face or my petite frame.


I just transitioned to natural so for the natural styles I want to do I need some length. And hopefully the fact that I'm natural will add some body when straightened. And making sure it has curls like a roller set look. I wont make apl until end of next year. I hope I don't put in all this work and hate it, lol

 

[JJamiah]

Thank you!!

I think this may be my problem. I need to find some new styles. I tried the beachwave tutorial twice, the 1st time I loved it. The 2nd time, not so hot. I think I'll revisit this style at this length. Thanks for the suggestion!

Okay trick is, roll it from about 2 inches from the roots, then start to roll from top with the ends landing last, after then roll up and close the satin tips on it. I get a gorgeous rollerset beach wave every time. I AM SO happy I learned this set, this is how I love to wear it when my hair is out. HUH, Those were the days

Just have fun trying new styles for now.

YOUR HAIR IS GORGEOUS OP look at that siggy you took that pic TODAY A-W-E, S-O-M-E awesome awesome awesome are we. (SORRY went into cheerleading mode) LOL

 

[Whimsy]

I'm surprised to see this thread. I would expect everyone with long hair goals to be happily excited at reaching a new milestone!

I second your need to find new styling options. With length comes more options for styling. Check out youtube and look for style tutorials and see what catches your eye.

I'm sure you'll grow to love your new length and start to see yourself as someone who is supposed to have APL+ hair.

And if not, you can always just cut it back to EL/SL where you're comfortable instead of sitting around not liking it

 

[topnotch1010]

Thank you! I took me FOREVER to get here so the cheerleading is MUCH appreciated.

Ah-hah! I'm rolling it too high. I place the roller directly on the root and that's where the problem came in. Thank you for that tip!

Okay trick is, roll it from about 2 inches from the roots, then start to roll from top with the ends landing last, after then roll up and close the satin tips on it. I get a gorgeous rollerset beach wave every time. I AM SO happy I learned this set, this is how I love to wear it when my hair is out. HUH, Those were the days

Just have fun trying new styles for now.

YOUR HAIR IS GORGEOUS OP look at that siggy you took that pic TODAY A-W-E, S-O-M-E awesome awesome awesome are we. (SORRY went into cheerleading mode) LOL

 

[Carisa]

Thank u ebonylocs! Im workin on it- me and my wig lol

 

[BostonMaria]

I'm surprised to see this thread. I would expect everyone with long hair goals to be happily excited at reaching a new milestone!

I second your need to find new styling options. With length comes more options for styling. Check out youtube and look for style tutorials and see what catches your eye.

I'm sure you'll grow to love your new length and start to see yourself as someone who is supposed to have APL+ hair.

And if not, you can always just cut it back to EL/SL where you're comfortable instead of sitting around not liking it

OP at least you have the option of cutting. Misery would be having EL hair and having to wait months (sometimes years) for APL hair.

 

[RegaLady]

Op, I feel you like forever, and truth be told this is one of my greatest fears about growing my hair out. I have always rocked pixie cuts or bobs and the attention was NON STOP. More importantly, I loved them on me. When I wear longer weaves and or anything, all I get is crickets, lol. I have been told even by DH, that longer hair won't look great on me. But i have no choice because first of all, I can't afford cuts and second, I am not relaxing.

If that is the hair you are talking about in your avatar, I can say you look very pretty with your hair and your hair is super cute. Try to give the illusion of a short bub if you want to, that way you have more styling options. I am almost certain that when my hair reaches apl it will be either in updos or textured styles. In other words, make the length work for you!