what has your new legnth brought to you?

[sky035]

When I started my journey I cut my hair off - cold turkey - to a short TWA, like Solange did. That was in 2006. Many people were horrified, even though I was happy with my decision. Now, I do get alot of compliments. I would say that my longer hair makes me look more like an individual with my own style...

 

[sky035]

I'd rather the smart *** children tease me for something true than to assume I have a weave. Who ever heard of being mocked for something you consider an achievement?


I used to teach grade 8. Kids will be kids. If you had a TWA, they would tease you about that, so no matter what, kids will find something to be kids about. I would ask those same kids if they were interested in joining an after school club on proper hair care .

Your hair is beautiful. Keep on doing what you are doing. When they tease you, let it be a reminder that you defy what society tell us that we are as Black women.

 

[NYAmicas]

Well I can do more styles, I get more attention and compliments now that it's longer, it's something I've always wanted so I feel great about that, and yes more feminine. Now a drawback is that it gets caught in things.

 

[beans4reezy]

Keep them coming ladies,

 

[ebonimama]

I voted, gives me more attention. The other things I already had .

I use to rock a mbl weave for about 5 years with unhealthy hair practices, so my hair never grew. But now that my hair is healthy and long I get the most attention in the salon. The other customers can't stop staring when I'm getting my hair done. That feels lovely.

Also, I love it when the wind blows my hair or when I toss it and know that it's all mine baby.

The only negative thing about it is my family and friends get use to seeing the length and to them it's no big deal. That's a downer because I really do put a lot of work into growing it. I'm hiding my hair for the next four months so maybe when I let it all hang out again, I'll see that look of astonishment on their faces. That look is priceless!

 

[Ms_Twana]

Also, I love it when the wind blows my hair or when I toss it and know that it's all mine baby.

The only negative thing about it is my family and friends get use to seeing the length and to them it's no big deal. That's a downer because I really do put a lot of work into growing it. I'm hiding my hair for the next four months so maybe when I let it all hang out again, I'll see that look of astonishment on their faces. That look is priceless!

@ the bolded. ITA!!

And YES, once you reveal your hair again, they'll have that look on their faces.

 

[Solitude]

I voted confidence, but I would say all of the above now that I think about it.

 

[Bene]

Can't say it's brought me anything, or that anything in my world has changed because of longer hair. Then again, I'm growing it just for the sake of having long hair.

 

[Truth]

I said no difference.. granted I look at my BC pic and then look at my hair now and.. wow.. in a year and a few months.. it hasrealllllllyyy grown.. However it hasn't brought me anything new but more hair to love..

 

[LushLox]

I have a colleague whose eyes just seem to widen when I occasionally wear my hair down. It's like she's saying to herself, where the *** did that hair come from! Let's hope I can give her something to really be shocked about next year!

 

[anon123]

It's mostly brought me new styling options. But learning to master styling options has improved my self-confidence.

 

[princessnad]

Nothing but a severe case of hair anorexia.

I'm layered grazing BSL

 

[caribeandiva]

I started with severely damaged ear length hair. I'm at full shoulder length now. Longer hair brings me all of the above. Whenever I wear my hair down all the naysayers get really quiet. When they thought I was failing at it they loved to remind me how I'm wasting my time and money. With friends like those...

I feel more confident, prettier and more feminine the longer my hair gets. As for the attention part, that hasn't changed cause I'm really tall and I get attention everywhere I go. I suspect that I'll get even more attention when I hit APL, then BSL and so on. I can't wait!

 

[Priss Pot]

I love my longer length now, especially because I know that I put in so much time and effort to get it where it is now, starting with only 1 inch of hair.

 

[sunnieb]

I voted "all the above".

However, the main thing I love about longer hair is that I can do practically nothing to it and it still looks good.

I bought my very first stylish hat (meaning it's not a baseball cap) last week and I can just comb my hair down straight, put the hat on and get all kinds of compliments. With shorter hair and a hat, it looked like I was trying to hide a bad hair day. With longer hair, people assume that's the style you were going for.

 

[Optimus_Prime]

I like to know that I have new styling options and all that, and I can use black rollers, but I have HAA (that's hair anorexia and anxiety), so I won't do much with it when I go out until I reach waist.
I was sl when I came here and I'm full-bsl/mbl now.
But I voted confidence, because at least I know I have it even if I don't show it.

 

[MrsIQ]

I voted all of the above. When I do wear my hair out (I love buns!) I get complements heaped on. But like abot of the ladies, I too have hair anorexia. Maybe when I get to full BSL, it will go away, or at least ease up.

 

[exoticmommie]

I voted more feminine/sexy. I have always been feminine, but it feels so sexy to be able to swang your hair, regardless of whether it's straight or I am rocking a braid out.

 

[LadyPaniolo]

I chopped off my SL relaxed hair down to a seriously short TWA 3 years ago. I had faith that I could grow my hair longer, stronger and healthier. Now that my hair is getting pretty long (though nowhere near my goal of classic length), I feel proud of myself that I have done this... I definitely feel more feminine too.

Just today as I was flat ironing my hair for the pic in my siggy, I was remembering when my hair used to look so awful... I dreaded going anywhere that I knew black folks would be because people would literally stop a car to tell me what a HAM I looked. Girls in my middle school would be SO cruel to me... pulling out all the stops to clown me in front of everyone about my hair. Nevermind the fact that I had a banging body and a WAY prettier face than them, and that I was way smarter as well. My hair was a mess and they had to make sure I never spent any time feeling like a human being because of it. I really WISH I could track those pigeons down right now and do the hair flip of death in their faces!

So to get sidetracked, lol... yeah. I like my current length.

 

[chrisanddonniesmommy]

No difference. I've always felt feminine, even when I cut my hair short (I always had long hair, except when I was adventurous) and I got plenty of attention, wanted and unwanted.

But, seriously, if you are seeking a self-esteem boast due to length of hair, please seek therapy or re-evaluate your sense of self.

 

[beans4reezy]

But, seriously, if you are seeking a self-esteem boast due to length of hair, please seek therapy or re-evaluate your sense of self.

I could be wrong, but the ladies may be alluding to the feeling that longer hair positively impacts their self esteem- long hair isn't the basis of their esteem. In other words, the positive self esteem is there already, longer hair simply enhances it.

 

[LadyPaniolo]

Thanks, beans I was a bit erplexed at that comment.

I mean, if you felt like you were feminine and pretty before but the people around you treated you like :creatures .... then having long hair can help reduce some of that. I don't think it means you have mental illness just b/c your long hair makes you feel prettier.

 

[chrisanddonniesmommy]

Thanks, beans I was a bit erplexed at that comment.

I mean, if you felt like you were feminine and pretty before but the people around you treated you like :creatures .... then having long hair can help reduce some of that. I don't think it means you have mental illness just b/c your long hair makes you feel prettier.

I wasn't implying a mental illness. All I was saying is that if you need long hair to feel feminine and pretty, then a re-evaluation is in order. If you felt pretty without long hair, you have a pretty healthy sense of self.

To be quite frank, if someone's not paying you attention without long hair, the long hair must likely won't change that either. If it does change and the only thing that attracts the person to you is the long hair, something should be reconsidered.

It's a fair assertion. If it doesn't apply to you, don't worry about it. However, if it does, well...

 

[Shananyganz]

I'm a firm believer in self validation, but I will admit that IIIIIIIIIII enjoy myself with and prefer longer hair, WITH that (longer healthy hair) comes attention, but I believe that because of the woman I am and how I carry myself, I'd get that regardless. I'm aware enough to know that some will not think as I do; that is fine and why I personally see both sides. There are some (I hope a very small minority) that attributes long(er) hair directly to self-esteem and self-image. In other words, without long(er) hair, they not only feel like nothing special, they believe that they are nothing special. I think a vast majority of the women who have commented thus far are the exact opposite and as one poster stated, feel/believe that longer hair enhances what was/is already there. Some are not moved by long(er) hair and that is well within their right; just like it is well within the right for some to feel some kinda way when hair cascades over their shoulders and back.

I'm often moved by shoes....that's my THING. When I got on a banging pair of 5" heels with the fresh French tip (compliments of yours truly) peeking out, can't nobody say No. Thing. to me. In the same token, I can lace up my chucks and rock them to no end as well...depending on the day, you might get a word in...lol. My point is, I would think that for some...hair, while not the same, is similar. For a vast majority, there will be that ONE thing (in the very least) that makes them feel some kind of way. Now if you rely on that thing....that might be an issue. However, if it brings out what was/is there...the harm?? My thinking is that the previous posters original statement does not and will not apply to all....but the thing is...it will apply to some.

 

[JFK]

Well, I think having long hair is a self-esteem booster for many ladies on LHCF because for years, even decades, some have struggled to have long and healthy hair.

When they finally learn what to do, and actually stick with it, it can be a tremendous self esteem booster. Some people here can hardly stick with a plan for a week, not to speak about a plan to patiently grow long/healthy hair for years.

So, God willing, I will be reaching my goal of WL healthy natural hair and I hope my self esteem will increase greatly. Not only because I think I look nice with long hair but because I had a goal, made a plan, stuck to it, and God allowed me to see the results.

 

[Shananyganz]

I totally agree with the above post. Having long(er) hair? A self-esteem booster..yes...all day, but the reason FOR self-esteem...in my opinion..not so much.

 

[IMFOCSD]

I know for me when my hair is looking nice, I feel "better" it "boosts" my self esteem, so I can just imagine how I will feel when I accomplish something that I have always wanted....LONG HAIR....

:Rose:

 

[Jazala]

No difference. I've always felt feminine, even when I cut my hair short (I always had long hair, except when I was adventurous) and I got plenty of attention, wanted and unwanted.

But, seriously, if you are seeking a self-esteem boast due to length of hair, please seek therapy or re-evaluate your sense of self.

lol...

It's sorta like putting on a new outfit and steppin out for the first time looking fly and smelling good... you get a confidence boost because you made an effort to look special and you FEEL special.

With hair (as our crown and glory), you really feel good that your hard work paid off and you can rock a beautiful hairdo with ALL YOUR OWN HAIR that grew out of your scalp.

Since you already "always had long hair" you would not have the same sense of accomplishment that some of us have now. Some of us came here to learn how to grow our hair to apl and beyond. This is exciting and new.

Consider yourself lucky that your hair takes no effort to grow and maintain.

 

[caribeandiva]

.I really WISH I could track those pigeons down right now and do the hair flip of death in their faces!

"The hair flip of death". I love that!

 

[chrisanddonniesmommy]

I see what all of you are saying. But, I think many of you misunderstood what I was saying. Sure, a new pair of shoes, a cute outfit, etc., can enhance what we feel about ourselves. But, does it end when you take them off? Do you feel the same without them on? I've lurked a long time before I responded to posts. I've read many posts that implied that they wouldn't feel beautiful or special without the length. THAT was what I was referring to.