Don't take this wrong but is life better for our longer hair members?

[meaganita]

I often see females.. celeb or non celeb and if their hair is mbl or longer I think they have it made. I know looks are not everything but for those of you that have this length of hair; when you step out the door is everyone at your becking call and treating you better because your hair is so long? If it's not any different then I am fine staying at brastrap length besides it's the inner person that matters the most. (Please don't think I am crazy ladies)

I think it depends on what your values are. For instance, if you consider long hair the "holy grail" than you'll probably view someone with long hair as someone who has "made it" or put them on some kind of pedestal. But if you think hair is just hair, then it's no big deal to you and you won't see them any differently. Plus, most folks that see black women with long hair think it's a weave or some "pieces" anyway.erplexed In the end, it's all about overall appearance/confidence.

 

[chica_canella]

I think I understand where the op is coming from. Within our society, we place a higher value on certain beauty aesthetics.

For instance, if you had identical twins with the same personality and confidence level, more people would flock towards the twin with long healthy bsl hair opposed to the twin sister that had a short, tapered cut.

Now, I know people will say, "beauty is in the eye of the beholder" so I will remind you all that I am speaking generally. Generally in this society, long healthy hair is seen as more beautiful than short, healthy hair.


Ok, when I take my braids out, women are so happy to see my real hair. They always question why I wear braids even before me taking them out and much more when I take them down. I think I get more attention but I wouldn't say that I get treated better.

Oh, and I know what you are talking about. If a black girl with long waist length hair walks in a room, she will get more attention. But often times, she has the "look" to go along with the attention.

 

[DivaRox]

I think I understand what OP is saying too, or at least to some degree. My slant is this: I'm more drawn to those things that I desire for myself. A longer haired woman would garner more attention from me than a shorter haired woman, all else being reasonably equal. That's what I want, that's what catches my eye. I'm drawn to gorgeous hair period, but favor the longer lengths. I don't treat them better though I'm more apt to go start a conversation to get a better look and so my staring at her hair won't seem stalkerish

 

[BrooklynSouth]

Life may not be "better" per se but it definitely causes people to think you are different, exotic. I think this is due to the false belief that pure {yea, I said P-U-R-E } black women cannot grow long hair so people think you have some mysterious mixture and history connected to the length. Don't even mention those with longer than bra strap hair and light contact lenses or naturally lighter eye color..good googly moogly...they stare like they are watching a movie!!! I know someone with alopecia {sickle cell and other medical problems} who wears waist length weaves and honey brown contacts...she hypnotizes people.

 

[Creatividual]

I get more attention with long hair than I did when it was shorter, but I don't know that I get treated any better.

I look back and realize I got just as much attention when my hair was short as I do now and it is longer. And most of the time now, I don't even wear my hair down that much but I still get just as much attention.

 

[CurleeDST]

i was at a house party last night with a cuban theme. they even had a guy teaching salsa! anywho i was out seated by the pool and there was this other couple seated across from my husband and myself. the girl had mbl hair and he kept stroking it saying "this my baby right here" ova and ova. but the short haired girls were getting play too.

 

[OneShinyface]

Can't say life is better..it is what it is. But when I wear my hair down, I get tons of attention from both males and females. Mainly because my hair is usually bunned.

I've found that if people think you are attractive, they are drawn to you no matter what the length of your hair.

Heck, I was at a conference last week and guys were flocking to me. They didn't care that I am average-looking or that I was married...they were just horn-dogs.

 

[meia]

i agree... but, i must say those with longer hair actually have more opposition (think haters) so i'm not sure if life is so made. i think generally when i wear my hair out i get generally positive feedback. but that positive feedback is countered by those who ignorant males and females that try to rain on your parade. i hardly think my hair is worth any positive feedback, especially since i don't take care of it the way i REALLY should.

i appreciate it but i do notice that some people have nothing but negative things to say and do- even just the other day some woman referred to me in a MOST NEGATIVE way that I was white and "damn white people".....ugh i don't even think it was my hair that illicited that response but its the fact that the hair combined with the face and everything else causes just as much negative as positive feedback. i think honestly its no easier i think it just seems like its easier for some people to have that certain something about them that makes their lives appear easier. but i think they encounter the same struggles as everyday normal people...

ETA: You know i've thought about something! Maybe things do tend to be better for our longer haired sisters because of the improved confidence, upbeat attitude, etc., Thats what i'm thinking anyways...

 

[knottyaaverage]

I often see females.. celeb or non celeb and if their hair is mbl or longer I think they have it made. I know looks are not everything but for those of you that have this length of hair; when you step out the door is everyone at your becking call and treating you better because your hair is so long? If it's not any different then I am fine staying at brastrap length besides it's the inner person that matters the most. (Please don't think I am crazy ladies)

i think this is such a good topic!!! i think about this occasionally. i went from being bsl for a looong time to being shoulder length now. and i dont like it but it's getting much better. when my hair was longer, i was able to wear versatile styles and one in particular was a loose deep wave similar to how beyonce wears her hair when it's wavy. it was like my signature hairstlye and it made me feel like a goddess. i was definetly more confident and felt that no matter what i wore i looked good because i could just throw a loose bun on top of my head and i still looked cute. since january of this year ive been wearing my hair in a bun and i got 2 sew ins. but now that the overall health of my hair is improving and i have alot more hair in my buns im feeling like myself again and i know im just that much closer to the way i was. my confidence is much better. i dress up instead of down and dont hide in baggy clothes and stay indoors until my hair grows. i do and don't think i get more atttention with longer hair. the wavy style was better suited for my face and i think it enhanced my features, thus making me look and feel better. but as it is now, i didnt have a man with long hair and i still don't have one now. i still get hollered at. but it really messed with my confidence. so life without long hair is deifinetly wat u make it.

 

[knottyaaverage]

I often see females.. celeb or non celeb and if their hair is mbl or longer I think they have it made. I know looks are not everything but for those of you that have this length of hair; when you step out the door is everyone at your becking call and treating you better because your hair is so long? If it's not any different then I am fine staying at brastrap length besides it's the inner person that matters the most. (Please don't think I am crazy ladies)

i think this is such a good topic!!! i think about this occasionally. i went from being bsl for a looong time to being shoulder length now. and i dont like it but it's getting much better. when my hair was longer, i was able to wear versatile styles and one in particular was a loose deep wave similar to how beyonce wears her hair when it's wavy. it was like my signature hairstlye and it made me feel like a goddess. i was definetly more confident and felt that no matter what i wore i looked good because i could just throw a loose bun on top of my head and i still looked cute. since january of this year ive been wearing my hair in a bun and i got 2 sew ins. but now that the overall health of my hair is improving and i have alot more hair in my buns im feeling like myself again and i know im just that much closer to the way i was. my confidence is much better. i dress up instead of down and dont hide in baggy clothes and stay indoors until my hair grows. i do and don't think i get more atttention with longer hair. the wavy style was better suited for my face and i think it enhanced my features, thus making me look and feel better. but as it is now, i didnt have a man with long hair and i still don't have one now. i still get hollered at. but ive always had long hair, so without i didnt feel like myself. it really messed with my confidence. so life without long hair is deifinetly wat u make it.