Wednesday 2 December 2015

Length goals 2016?

So. It seems I'm still firmly at top calf.
I've been at "top calf-ish" since the end of 2012 or so!

This is from December 2012:


Actually my hair was longer than now, but much thinner at the ends in April 2014.


So since I've been around the same length for the past 3 years, maybe it's time to either make a structured attempt to get more length or to suck it up and maintain around here.
I have around 40 cm to floor, so even if I got my full growth every month with no trims, theoretically it would take me over two years to get near floor length. And by then my hair would probably be very thin and sad at the ends. I just don't think my hair could get that long at all. And even if it could, I think I would dislike the end (Hah hah) result.

Either that or cut back to mid thigh, which was the length I enjoyed the most!
It was a lot easier to care for because I could detangle in one smooth sweep and didn't have to partially comb, lift up the ends and comb the rest. I didn't have to put my braid over a door handle to braid the ends either. And it was still plenty long to do all the awesome length-consuming updos I want to do!

So the 3 options for 2016 are:
  1. Attempt for more length: Make a good, solid haircare plan and stick to it. Get out of the benign neglect routine and give my hair some more love, especially the ends. Structure my use of treatments and oils. No trims, only S&D.
  2. Maintain: Trim off 1,5 cm each month and continue my usual benign neglect-haircare.
  3. Return to mid thigh: Gradually trim off my gained length for the month plus some. I'm something like 20-25 cm below fingertip length, so if this was a goal for the end of 2016, I would have to trim off (20 +12 x 1,5) / 12  = 3 cm each month. 
Hmm. Wow. The last one is pretty depressing, isn't it? Just 3 cm off every month for a year and I have removed all my growth for the year plus an extra 20 cm.
No wonder "Growing your hair 101" step 2 is to avoid the hairdresser. (Step 1 is of course to avoid heat and chemicals and step 3 is to adapt a benign neglect routine)

6 comments:

  1. It's pretty obvious to me that you'd love to hit floor length one time, if only to claim the honor.

    But frustratingly I don't think you have the genes to do it (and of course you're tall which makes it even more difficult based on the dimension). It's not like you're neglecting or damaging your hair now, so it's difficult to imagine any regimen that would give you the additional length.

    Of course there's always that chance encounter with the wizard who could transform the length overnight... ;-)

    I'm not sure if you're taking votes but mine would be for option #3: perfect hair at a still very long length and essentially full volume, no taper.

    In any event, enjoy it!

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  2. Hmmm. I guess you need to ask yourself if the goal of getting to floor length is something your really want or if you want easier to manage (ie mid thigh). I think once you decide what you want, then you will be able to figure out what to do. I know for me, I abandoned the super super long hair goal when I got very active with horses. It was just too hard to manage. I'm at tailbone and may go shorter as it's just easier to deal with and looks better---but those are my own choices. The fact you're not seeing any new length is likely just the shorter pieces getting longer and thickening your ends. I remember that phase all too well. Though I sometimes felt my hair went into a 'slumber', then all of a sudden, grew over night. Now I can even see that with my gray growing in ;) Good luck with whatever you decide :D

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  3. Okay, my vote might be unpopular, but I'd go with trimming back. Just from my personal experience, I can say, that I found it pretty cool to have classic length, but it was horribly time consuming, as I need to wash almost daily (eczema) and my hair tangles like hell. But it looked perfect, but I didn't really enjoy it, the fun of watching and pampering it while growing wasn't in it anymore.
    Then, one day I had enough and cut back to hip-ish/tailbone and loved my hair again. Easier to handle. Since then, I've cut back from hip to waist several times, as I've been becoming a lot more active in sports and it's easier for me that way. I go to the gym in the morning, shower there and then go directly to work, so I can spend an age drying to dry the hair. I figure I rather have a bit shorter hair and I can look professional with dry hair than having the super length I once had. I can always grow it back.
    So, sorry for the rambling above :-D I'm sure that once you decide how to proceed you'll be happy with your new routine!

    Buchfreundin

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  4. I think that the option 3 is the best for you. If you enjoyed it, you 'll like it. Would you trim yourself or go to the hairdresser? It's a problem if he cuts more... think about it!!

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  5. My vote: Option #1:
    The natural taper of the ends is very pretty. Only change that if it is lowering your quality of life somehow, such as being very hard to comb.

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  6. Maintain, then maybe grow. :)
    (Chris, Beatnik Guy)

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