The Pros and Cons of Long Hair

[cocoberry10]

I just perused another long hair care site (it looks like mostly non-black/ethnic women are members). She posed this very question, asking people in different categories to list what the pros and cons of their length are (she started with shoulder length, I'll add a few more):

TWA to ear
Ear to Collarbone/Shoulder
Shoulder to BSL
BSL to Waist
Waist and Beyond (The other website had people up to floorlength, but I don't know anyone in this category on this site???)

 

[simplycee]

My hair is bsl and relaxed so:

PROS
- I am only 3 inches away from my final goal of mid back lgnth
- my ponytails no longer look pathetic
- my bun is full and looks good high or low on my head
- major swing-ability (I know, not a real word)
- I can wear a decent french braid

CONS
- gets in the way alot
- takes longer to dry
- takes longer to style
- more likely to tangle
- more likely to become the victim of a SH stylist

 

[brownhaired_bonanza]

Pro: I'm a shy person so I can hide under it. If I don't want people to see my face, they won't see it.

Con: It gets caught in the seat-belt. Don't laugh, it happened to me just this evening.

 

[BAILEYSCREAM]

My hair is Armpit length, texturized....Unfortunately, I have more cons than pros.

PROS

- I love long hair and prefer it

- People get to make nice comments about it

- Looks good when it's all out and nicely styled

- Nice to prove that black women can have long hair

- I get to try out ever more new products every few weeks

CONS

- Wearing it up can be a challenge...trying to figure out what to do with the ponytail part apart from baggie and a plait or clipping it up.

- Gets in my mouth when I'm eating

- Definitely takes longer to dry

- Tangles up a lot more readily especially when wet

- Takes too long to dry under the hooded dryer

- Ends can get really dry if I neglect it

- Noticeably sheds from time to time

- People come up to me and put their hands in my hair

- People ask if it all my hair - I overheard some women talking on the bus last week and one said "it's a wig" ....So yeah, people think it's fake/false hair from time to time....whatever!

 

[amy1234]

"from time to time" -reminds me of dave chappell (it made me smile)

 

[Divine Inspiration]

I'm bra strap relaxed...

PROS:
~It's beautiful whether it's curly or straight
~Heat styling is an option not a necessity
~No need to run to the stylist to keep hair cuts looking fresh
~It keeps me warm
~It moves & swings when I walk
~It makes me feel beautiful
~It proves that black women aren't "meant" to have short hair
~It's a testament to my discipline & TLC
~It looks great on me
~I get tons of compliments
~On bad hair days, I can throw it in a cute ponytail and go

CONS:
~A lot of women hate on it for no real reason
~It becomes the topic of conversation more than I would like
~People insist on trying to touch it
~It takes longer to do simple things like roller setting
~It requires more products
~It requires more time & care
~It increases the odds of stylists abusing it ("It's long, it can take it!"...NOT!)

That's all I can think of right now...definitely more pros than cons.

 

[Sweet_Ambrosia]

My hair is 2.5 inches from BSL transitioning to natural.

*Pros:
*I can wear just about any style I want to
*Its easy to manage
*It adds to my femininity
*I enjoy the compliments I get
*It breaks the myth that black women cant grow long hair
*It looks good no matter if I wear it up or down
*I dont have to worry about jealous stylists chopping it off, because I'm my own stylist

*Cons
*It takes too long to dry
*Some women stare wondering if its fake or not, just ask me or quit staring!
*Takes a bit too long to style

 

[Porsche19]

Just saying... If I WERE sensitive about having short hair I could be offended at some of the comments here... because it's not as if short hair doesn't have many of the pros that long hair does, it just seems to be stated in a way sometimes that implies that only long hair has these abilities.

but I'm not

I am in the Ear to Collarbone/Shoulder category


pros

Less drying time

Less detangling

Less amount of product use/less money spent on products

Hair is easier to keep healthy because all of it is relatively "new" no delicate six year old ends

Hair is full of bounce and swing that is not hampered by purse/bra straps/other annoying things

No need to protective styling for the ends because the ends don't reach the shoulders

Easier to keep out of your face


Cons

Shrinkage makes you look like you only have 3 inches of hair

The long wait for long hair

If you mistakeny OD with a product (easier to do with short hair), your hair will look and feel like a grease pit.

 

[DatJerseyDyme]

About an inch past b/s.

Pros:
Can easily put it in a pony/bun and go.
It's nice to have.

Cons:
People think they can touch it, stroke it, putt it, etc.
It attracts attention you wouldn't normally get (*****, I see you EVERY DAY, I wear my hair down and you think you want to notice me now..please)
You go through products (especially conditioner) really really fast.
Gets stuck under purse/bookbag straps and in lipgloss

I guess I have more cons than pros, too. I like having longish hair though, so IDK what the reason for that is. Perhaps the two pros greatley outweigh all of the cons.

 

[goldensugar23]

Your hairs looks so pretty datjerseydime!

Hairlength:lower back-past bsl

pros:

Prove black women can grow their hair out
I love the versatility of long hair (ponys,braid outs,blow outs..whatever).
Big man puller(hey i'm not married so i need all the help i can get!)

Cons:

Really getting tired of those stupid questions non-ethnic women like to ask like..(Are you mixed with something because your hair isnt short and course like negro hair).

People putting there nasty hands In my hair to give me a weave test(doesnt happen often).

Being charge an extra 5-10 bucks at the salon for my hair length.(so very silly )

 

[moda]

I'm bra strap natural

PROS:
*A decent hair day is only a ponytail, or french roll away
* With shrinkage I can go from looking like I have chin length hair to brastrap depending on how I style it. I love shrinkage
* I no longer feel like I need a stylist to do my trims, I can do it just fine myself.

CONS:
*Airdrying takes 2 days
*Some stylist want to charge me more because of my hair being not only longer but natural but I do understand

 

[MissYocairis]

I'm bra strap relaxed...

PROS:
~It's beautiful whether it's curly or straight
~Heat styling is an option not a necessity
~No need to run to the stylist to keep hair cuts looking fresh
~It keeps me warm
~It moves & swings when I walk
~It makes me feel beautiful
~It proves that black women aren't "meant" to have short hair
~It's a testament to my discipline & TLC
~It looks great on me
~I get tons of compliments
~On bad hair days, I can throw it in a cute ponytail and go

CONS:
~A lot of women hate on it for no real reason
~It becomes the topic of conversation more than I would like
~People insist on trying to touch it
~It takes longer to do simple things like roller setting
~It requires more products
~It requires more time & care
~It increases the odds of stylists abusing it ("It's long, it can take it!"...NOT!)

That's all I can think of right now...definitely more pros than cons.

Divine....*sigh*....your answer made me want brastrap length SOOOOOO BAD! I cannot WAIT! I will be armpit length by my Christmas retouch (afte 16 week stretch), God-willing. I hope and pray to be brastrap length by April or May 2006, but it could very well be summer. Either way....your post has made me REALLLLLY long to reach my goal.

 

[Vintagecoilylocks]

Well I am in the waist to tailbone group.

PRO'S

Definately gives a soften feminin look on most woman.

Looks less controlled, carefree and natural. (A"well of course I have long hair" look)

Diversity of styles and looks.

Even in a simple braid people are fascinated and complimenting.

Brings with it a look of healthyness in ones life.

Reflects a woman not chained to a hair style, fad or beauty parlor.

Wind blown it still looks good(Photo of the Crown and Glory lady as a example)

Definate need to be healthy to maintain it.

Feeling of complete womanly beauty.

Just think of all the great scenes in movies when that long hair made such a statement.

CON'S

I am extemely over protective of it.

Love to spend money on it.

 

[carameldiva]

ITA with everything that Porshce19 said- i did the bc on June 6, 2003 but i don't really like wearing protective styles- i have realized that something was lacking in my regimine(corrected that issue now by adding glycerin, aloe vera and protein)- but i think that i can grow my hair longer naturally without protective styles- so i am trying to shatter that myth now.

 

[NoNapNique]

Ohhhh!!!! This post makes me want waistlength sooo bad!!! (well... brastrap on most people, I have a short torso w/long legs) I'm already "armpit", but I am trying to get more thickness before more length... Hopefully I will be there by June 2006. I can't wait to get that ponytail "Swing Action" (remember Regine from "Living Single" )... But so far from what I can see here are some pros/cons...

PROs
*I just love the way it makes me feel - I like having that extra boost in confidence when I'm hating on another body feature (or two, or three, or four...)
*I am not a very disciplined or patient person, so this whole hair growing thing is a lot "bigger" than simply having hair down my back - I too want a physical testament of my discipline, patience, and TLC.
*I like thinking how my daughter will want to play in it and "be like mommy" when she's older
*It attracts the "right" kind of attention
*No longer do I worry that I have a booger hanging out of my nose when people stare - It's the hair, and they are trying to see if it's real!
*It's nice when you meet a man who tries to see if your hair is real, and you can verbally state, "No, it's not weave - it's all mine."
*It is more feminine, and shows your delicate nature

CONs
*Ignorant relatives who make comments like, "Girl where'd you get all that hair from... you was a nappy-headed chile with short hair" (no mind that my mother had thick long, nappy hair when she was younger)
*It takes a LOT longer and more physical effort to style/control it - I have literally broken into sweats trying to blowdry or flat iron it!
*NEW GROWTH!!!
*TANGLES!!!!
*People think differently of you just because you have long hair - as if you think that you're more superior than all of mankind
*It attracts the WRONG type of attention - people marking themselves for hell hating on you
*Using and needing more and more products to style/contol it
*Wondering if a man likes you "just because" you have long hair (would he like/love you as much if you had a nice, layered bob?)

 

[Jewell]

My hair is past bra-strap and I am relaxed so I am in the bra-strap to waist group:

Pros:
-Long hair looks better on me...then again I've never worn it shorter than 3 inches past shoulders.
-Versatility of styling...more hair to work with.
-Adds femininity (sp?)
-My hair is healthy-that shows my dedication to good hair and good health habits.
-Shows that black women can have long hair.
-Not so common to see naturally long hair on black women around here.
-Easier to care for IMO...I don't have to maintain a cut every 2 weeks at the salon, I don't have to use heat to do a style I like.
-My SO can run his fingers through my hair without running up on a track...
-I can swing it and I don't have to go crazy over my hair if the wind blows it or if it gets wet in the rain or frizzy in humidity...(versus if I had a short coiffed cut and had it curled regularly for example).

Cons:
-Use more products.

 

[Tanelions]

My SO can run his fingers through my hair without running up on a track...

Alright, I'm trying to finish the rest of this coffee.

 

[cocoberry10]

Thanks Ladies. Bumping for more answers

 

[BAILEYSCREAM]

Just saying... If I WERE sensitive about having short hair I could be offended at some of the comments here... because it's not as if short hair doesn't have many of the pros that long hair does, it just seems to be stated in a way sometimes that implies that only long hair has these abilities.

but I'm not

Ok, that's good....short hair is just as nice as long hair, but I don't think any of the comments are meant to offend anyone (well mine weren't).....Just my experiences with the hair.....anyway, when it's shorter you can't eat it

 

[Maestradiva77]

I am a "past bra-clasp length" natural (stretched).

PRO: Long hair is fun!
When I am not in the mood to redo my twists, then I can just bun it up and go.
CONS: Women haters (this happens a lot!)
People constantly staring, sometimes more than I would like.
Tangles more the longer it gets.

 

[beyondcute]

Im transitioings with hair about an inch away from bra starp *starightened*

Pros
~the super saver ponytail
~admiration from those who know where my hair came from

Cons
~ Id liek the lip gloss to saty on my lips
~I wish the wind didnt tear my hair to pieces
~Curls that fall out in an hours time
~Expensive and too long) stylist trips
~The products that I go thru like toilet paper!

I cant wait until its all natural....

 

[DatJerseyDyme]

Thanks golden

 

[cocoberry10]

My hair is Armpit length, texturized....Unfortunately, I have more cons than pros.

PROS

- I love long hair and prefer it

- People get to make nice comments about it

- Looks good when it's all out and nicely styled

- Nice to prove that black women can have long hair

- I get to try out ever more new products every few weeks

CONS

- Wearing it up can be a challenge...trying to figure out what to do with the ponytail part apart from baggie and a plait or clipping it up.

- Gets in my mouth when I'm eating

- Definitely takes longer to dry

- Tangles up a lot more readily especially when wet

- Takes too long to dry under the hooded dryer

- Ends can get really dry if I neglect it

- Noticeably sheds from time to time

- People come up to me and put their hands in my hair

- People ask if it all my hair - I overheard some women talking on the bus last week and one said "it's a wig" ....So yeah, people think it's fake/false hair from time to time....whatever!

LOL on these two

 

[~*~ShopAholic~*~]

I am in the Ear to Collarbone/shoulder length relaxed:
Pro's:
Doesn't take as long to dry or rollerset.
I love to watch it grow and set knew goals.
Product's hang around longer.
Easier to wash in the sink, for now.
Layers are more defined
It does not post any health hazards yet.
I love the bouncy, fluffiness of it.
Keeps you striving to maintain the health and retaining length to get to the ultimate goal.
Con's:
The ponytail is not quite where I would like it.
The longer the better, for me it's just sooooo dang on feminine, and sexy.
Protective styles are soooooo tiring/boring after awhile.
Sometimes it takes to long to get rid of that product you never should have purchased.
All of my favorite styles are waiting down that road of APL OR BSL, .

I believe that's it.

 

[FlowerHair]

My hair is a little below waist length, natural:
Pros:
Easy styling - bun, single braid, French braid or ponytail in 3-5 minutes
I love long hair, so I'm happy with my current length
My hair actually gets easier to handle the longer it is.
Looks better every cm it grows!

Cons:
hair gets in the way, especially when I'm sleeping
It costs a lot to buy conditioners etc
Takes forever to dry
More tangles

 

[Honi]

I'm waistlength to tailbone length

Pros:

Can snatch it up in a bun and go
Nice to wear it down on occasion


Con:
Tangles
Takes a long time to dry under hooded dryer
Arms get tired when rollersetting
Folks like to put their hands in your hair to see if it's real or not
Women sometimes make negative comments
Scissor happy stylists

 

[nurseN98]

I"m in the shoulder to BSL category and I'm natural.

PROs
-some styles just look better with longer hair (on me)
-it's a testament to the fact that I can take care of my natural hair and it will be healthy
-i can finally do a low puff & ponytail

CONs
-only 1...the TANGLES drive me crazy! It takes longer to detangle and I have to do it more often. So I have to start protective styling.

 

[Bublnbrnsuga]

Cons- folks analyzing your head to see if it's all yours, even if you tell them it is.
Pros- knowing that it's all yours!

 

[honeisos]

OHH I get this a lot as well... Curly weave LOL

 

[tenderheaded]

My hair is past shoulder length.

Pros:

I can do my beloved french roll, tucked under pony tail, or my '40's pin up do. This takes no time or styling

I can do a braid out that when I pin the braid under I have waves touching my shoulders.

I get more male attention. Hey, it's not my idea - they're just like that.

I blow in the wind!!!

Cons:

More maintenance.

I have to be careful about breakage.

I lost my hair last year because of a bad professional relaxer - it was less than 1/2 inch, so the cons are not really complaints. I'm glad to have my hair back - but I still have my wigs for truly effortless styling!!!