What's The Point If I Can't Show It or Touch It?

[Melody.Monroe]

There are so many people that say that the way to healthy long luxurious hair is PSing and low manipulation. I like to show off my hair because I love how it looks, and love to play with styling - all of that. So the low/no manipulation is a no-go with me. I have to change it up all the time. even when I braid my hair in individuals - I creat 50 million styles! LOL! (Will be posting pictures as soon as I am done with braiding this time around). I don't want to bun all the time and other PS styles where my hair is kept under wraps - my head is HUGE so it only looks nice when the bun is full and I stuff it...

I said all that to say this...whats the point of growing my hair long and strong only so that I nor anyone else can see it?? I just don't get that part...and yes there are people shakin' their heads at me but really...

 

[Lynnerie]

I feel the same way OP. I know what I probably need to do ...low manipulation and Protective styling but I have severe hand in hair disease and I just can't do it. I know it may take me longer to get to my goals but I intend to enjoy my hair in every stage.

Plus...there are many ladies here who have long hair who don't PS to get there and sometimes PSing too much can cause other setbacks. Enjoy your hair OP.

 

[Beautytalk69]

I feelss you girl! Right now i'm PS..but when I get me some APL..it will be hard for not to show it!

 

[Melody.Monroe]

When I got my sew-in I was excited because I didnt have to do my hair every morning BUT after 2 weeks I was DYING to touch my real hair and comb it and all that. I'm addicted to my hair and sometimes obsess about it. I don't take my hair for granted. Anything loved can be easily taken away...

 

[PJaye]

I do not view PS’ing as necessarily diminishing an individual’s enjoyment of their hair’s health or length. IMO, a kick-a** ponytail or bun can be equally as pleasurable as an exceptional roller set or blowout.

Personally, PS’ing works for me because I don’t have the desire for demonstrative diversity that you appear to have, in that, I can wear the same hairstyle for 4,180 days straight with absolutely no problems. And, since I dislike the feel of hair hanging in my face or on my neck, buns and up-dos are optimal solutions for me. I am perfectly content with my decisions on this issue.

 

[Nonie]

It depends on what your goals are. If you're anxious to get to greater lengths and show those off, then a little sacrifice is needed and if there was ever a poster child for that it's Yvette.

If length isn't that important to you and you'd rather show your hair off at every stage, then wearing it out daily and changing styles frequently should be your thang and I don't think you should feel any pressure to change. But don't be surprised if your retention isn't as it could be and it takes longer to reach greater lengths.

If you're lazy (like me) and doing hair daily would feel like a chore, then low mani is quite the blessing, and that retention is assumed with it, is just a bonus.

I don't think anyone should do anything they don't feel like doing just coz others are doing it. This hair journey is supposed to be fun, not feel like prison.

That said, I think buns are so elegant. I personally would have no problem wearing them daily and changing them up since there are so many options for buns and so many ways to dress them up. There's nothing as anticlimactic than stepping out one day in your best glad rags, face done up, hair flowing...feeling like a million bucks, then someone who's seen your hair looking like that day-in, day-out looks at you with a frown and asks "So you chose not to do your hair for this special occasion?" Coz to them, that's become commonplace and boring. I like to wow people so buns would be a fun way of me to look "normal" and then drop the bomb when folks least expect it.

 

[cheryl26]

I think that a lot too while reading some of these threads. People doing so much work and can't even show it It's way too hot to have something glued or sewn on top of your head anyways at least here, it's 110!

 

[ms-gg]

If you don't like wearing protective hairstyles then my recommendation is to not do them. Not to sound snarky but honestly, there are people (like me) who enjoy protective hairstyles. I like the ease of just getting up and going in the morning without having to fluff and style my hair-my hair is already done! I can go 2-3 weeks without having to do anything to my hair except to moisturize it maybe once or twice a week.

 

[Melody.Monroe]

I'vw NEVER PS...and the longest I have gotten was BSL but then tried to trim it myself and messed up and had to cut 4 inches off. Point is - I know I can reach my WL goal without PSing and low mani. I think I just need to take care of it and keep up wwith conditioning it like I do. My hair barely sheds (other than the norm) so that makes me happy. I must be doing something right...

 

[topnotch1010]

A lot of people don't PS and are retaining just fine. I think the people who PS are just more vocal.

Do you.

 

[FoxxyLocs]

IA w/Nonie. It's not necessary to PS in order to have long hair, but it does help you get there faster. If you aren't concerned and just want to enjoy the journey, that's ok too. I PS a lot of the time just for convenience, not really because I'm trying to protect my hair. I don't want to have to put forth the effort to style everyday, especially when I'm not really going anywhere.

 

[Makenzie]

When I got my sew-in I was excited because I didnt have to do my hair every morning BUT after 2 weeks I was DYING to touch my real hair and comb it and all that. I'm addicted to my hair and sometimes obsess about it. I don't take my hair for granted. Anything loved can be easily taken away...

I feel the same way. PS'ing in a bun has really benefited me and helped get me to APL . But I am sick of the bun. Gonna get a sew in. But I know I will get tired of that and want to feel MY hair and play in MY hair.

 

[RoseTintedCheeks]

IA w/Nonie. It's not necessary to PS in order to have long hair, but it does help you get there faster. If you aren't concerned and just want to enjoy the journey, that's ok too. I PS a lot of the time just for convenience, not really because I'm trying to protect my hair. I don't want to have to put forth the effort to style everyday, especially when I'm not really going anywhere.

All of this. I like surprising myself with my length when I flat iron. It's like Christmas for me .

 

[curlyninjagirl]

I loooooooooove PSing! It's great because there's No More bad hair days. (Having to put my hair in a style daily was so frustrating, especially when you are pressed for time and your hair is being a beast that day!)

I don't know about anyone else's reasons for wanting long hair but in my case, I don't care if anyone ever sees my long hair. I'm growing my hair long for me. So that when I take a shower I feel it cascading all the way down my back! (And I don't want long-hair-haters chasing me down the street with scissors trying to cut off my luscious long locks! j/k )

 

[Melody.Monroe]

I guess one of my main problems is that I get bored easily...

 

[hothair]

I get it, and have stated variations of what you're saying. I think there's a balance. Mine was learning first to make my hair the healthiest it can be so I can wear the styles that I like, I have done that.

Also I prefer to wear my hair straight/ish so I relaxed so I'm doing less to my hair. I like the beach look so my hair never really looks all sleek and perfect, I pin it in updos because I don't like feeling stuff on my neck (I just found this out) but I wear it down if I'm going on an evening out or something

 

[dancinstallion]

I like protective styles for the convenience and I don't do it to actually protect my hair. But you can still change up your hair once a week if you want a different style and still protect your hair. I like to change it up but doing my hair everyday or every other day is a hassle to me, Changing it up once a week is good for me. Then when I eventually flat iron and wear my hair down then family coworkers are like WOW, your hair is long, they seem to forget and I like the look on their faces.

 

[suns4i6e]

I've said it before and I'll say it again, I NEVER PS. Not ever, but for an occassional bun for style purposes. I don't see that changing. Like some of the other ladies, I enjoy hair too much...keeping it up and away feels like I've put it on punishment for some ill doing. Seems a shame to take a trip and be so focused on the destination, you miss all of the joy and beauty in getting there. And I've enjoyed the trip from an inch and a half to mid back length very much. That's what makes this board so enriching...different points of view, different paths and different priorities.

 

[mzteaze]

My current style works for me and its as close to protective as I can get. I don't like PS for the most part either. however, I am still able to retain my growth. Thats all that that counts for me.

 

[mzsophisticated26]

I use protective styles mostly custom handmade wigs because I like to change it up and I dont like doimg my hair in the mornings. I have alopecia so even if I reach my goal I still will be wearing wigs, buns, rollersets or something to disguise the thinning.

 

[LadyRaider]

I want length AND I want to play in my hair. Sooooo. I just take it a day at a time. I am probably slowing down my growth, but I AM growing.

 

[divachyk]

I protective style almost always. For me, it started out as means to control acne and now its just a way of life. If I retain and gain length, great but that's not my focus or intended goal. I enjoy the variation that PS brings. When I wear my hair down, it's pretty much the same look daily. Therefore, PSing keeps it fun and exciting. I sometimes enjoy wearing my hair out because I, along with others, seem to appreciate it more because its not out often. As many have indicated, if PS is not for you, then do what works best for you based on your hair goals and objectives.

 

[Nelli04]

I get what you mean. I plan to do PS and low manipulation until I get to my main goal (MBL)...after that I will do more with my hair

 

[Rei]

I PS allt he time. I want long hair. I don't care about the "journey". I've been on the same damn journey for over 9 years (since i relaxed for the first time as a kid and all my hair broke off). I'm over it, lol. Get me to MBL already

 

[nysister]

I'm medium manipulation, but I wear it out. I'm sure I could retain more, but I LOVE my hair like this, and I want it to be SEEN!

 

[BEAUTYU2U]

I think people get carried away some time. Some people's hair is more resilient and doesn't need extra care to get it long, some do. I think it's about a balance that you can live with. Do you.

 

[bludaydreamr]

It's a personal choice, I didn't like the idea of protective styling before I bc, but soon after being natural I realized I wanted to get to my goals as fast as possible. I also don't like having to style my hair everyday, so PS was essentially my best option.

When I had relaxed hair I wore in the same hair cut/style for 3-4 years, so variety it's as important to me as it is to some.

 

[whiteoleander91]

OP I know what you mean! Plus I love wearing my hair down and don't want to get so caught up in PSing that I am afraid to do so. I've read so many threads where people are like "ahh, I wore my hair down today and my ends were rubbing on my t-shirt, so glad it's back up now." I don't want to ruin the fun of having my hair out by being too scared to do it. I do like buns though and plan to mostly wear buns during the winter, but it's nice to not feel like I have to. I think if you just take good care of your hair and especially your ends, then you're good to go :3

 

[JJamiah]

I loved wearing PS before LHCF came into my life.

I dislike hair on my back and touching my arms, and when they touch my elbow it feels like little bugs are on me.

Butttt..... I have my moments when I wear it out, but it may be 10% of the year and the other 90% I am happily wearing a nice Bun, wig or French Twist.

It makes for an awesome exercise style and easy for a mom of 4.

While it isn't necessary for growth or retention, it is a personal choice and some love it, some don't.

In the end you have to do what you like

 

[4evershika]

I totally agree with you. I find that when I FORCE myself to PS I start feelig badly about my hair. I WILL admit that I retain more when PSing regularly but I figure I will reach my goal either way, why not balance hiding my hair with enjoying it?


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