Growing out a fringe
Hair in your eyes is NOT the only option when it comes to getting rid of a fringe!
Because all hair grows at slightly different speeds, you'll probably find that your fringe has become quite uneven by the time it reaches your eyes. Reaching for the scissors may be the last thing you feel like doing at this point in time, but it's a necessary evil. Why? Because a fringe that is all one length is much easier to manage than one that is all over the place. Give your fringe a very careful trim (or get a friend to do it, if you don't trust your own hair trimming abilities) so that it's completely even all the way across. This is the last time you'll have to cut it in months, I promise!
Once you've evened things up, you'll need to invest in some styling products (if you haven't already) to ensure that your transition hairstyle will stay in place. Sculpting waxes and pomades are two of the many hair products that will give your fringe excellent hold without making it too sticky or dry. Later, you'll find that bobby pins, hair clips, barrettes, and headbands will become invaluable tools in keeping your fringe at bay, so don't be afraid to splash out on some cute new hair accessories as the need arises.
Once you've evened things up, you'll need to invest in some styling products (if you haven't already) to ensure that your transition hairstyle will stay in place. Sculpting waxes and pomades are two of the many hair products that will give your fringe excellent hold without making it too sticky or dry. Later, you'll find that bobby pins, hair clips, barrettes, and headbands will become invaluable tools in keeping your fringe at bay, so don't be afraid to splash out on some cute new hair accessories as the need arises.
Going, going, gone! Rachel Bilson uses medium-hold styling products to make growing out her fringe seem effortless.
Once you have your hair product and accessory arsenal well sorted, it's simply a matter of playing with certain hairstyles and figuring out what works best for you. Sweeping your fringe to the side, like Rachel Bilson in the middle photograph above, is a popular option as all it takes is a bit of wax to keep it in place. Using a pretty hair clip, braiding it into an across-the-hairline braid, or simply sweeping it back under a headband are more great ways of keeping it under control (just don't skimp on the styling products when using a headband, as doing so will make the fringe stick straight up!)
Carrie Underwood, Alexa Chung and Reese Witherspoon demonstrate three of the many ways to style your hair as your fringe grows longer (click to enlarge).
And as the weeks pass, you'll find that you'll have an increasing number of styling options available to you as your fringe gets longer and more versatile. After about four to six months of growing, your fringe will start to blend with the rest of your hair, and your hairdresser will trim it at a sharper angle so that it blends even further.
Following these basic steps will make the growing-out phase as painless as possible, and you may even find yourself having fun along the way as you experiment with new styles. The beauty of changing up your hair is that nothing you do will ever be permanent, and even the worst hairstyle changes will only take a few months - at the most! - to lengthen and improve.
Getting over a bad haircut
There are few things in this world more painful than a bad haircut. Not because it's devastating on a grand scale (anyone who has lost a loved one can attest to that!) but because it's something that many people deem as being of little to no importance. "It's just hair!" they'll scoff, completely oblivious to your feelings. "It's not worth getting upset about." And when you DO get upset - which, by the way, is only natural - you feel that much worse for being upset over something that, apparently, isn't supposed to matter. Now, you not only have ugly hair, but you're being made to feel guilty about it as well.
Bad hair... we've all been there.
The first thing you need to realize is that there is absolutely nothing wrong with being upset about a bad haircut. You made a small error in judgment, and it's one that you'll have to live with for a little while to come. Keep in mind, however, that it won't be like this for the rest of time, because of one simple, beautiful fact: hair grows! Sure, it may not grow as fast as you want it to, but in a year or two it will look nothing like what it does right now, and there are plenty of things you can do to speed up the process as well.
In the meantime, here are my five steps for getting over a bad haircut as quickly - and painlessly - as possible.
1) Cry.
I've said it before, and I'll say it again: there is NOTHING WRONG with crying over a bad haircut. I've cried bucket loads over my various bad haircuts in the past. Going from a style you're comfortable with (perhaps a little too comfortable with) to one that doesn't suit you at all is a traumatic event. You feel ugly, but worse than that, you feel stupid because you were the one responsible for the decision. Don't compound those negative feelings by feeling guilty over your self-perceived "shallowness" as well.
Instead, cry as much as you can. I've always found that crying with someone - say, my mother, or my closest friend - works best for me, but crying alone will get the job done as well. Once you've let it all out (and it may take a few days of crying, on and off) you'll feel a hundred times better than you did before. Crying is the body's way of getting rid of the toxins that build up in your body during times of stress. Don't ever be ashamed to cry, as you won't be doing your body any favours by putting on a brave face.
2) Write it down.
If you keep a journal, then it's more than likely that you've already done this. But if you don't, then make sure you write down all of your thoughts and feelings that the bad haircut invoked. Make a concrete decision to never do this to yourself again, no matter how tempting the future situation may be. Keep the word document/journal entry/notebook somewhere that you can access again easily, just as a handy reminder not to go down that path again.
For me, I've made a firm vow to a) never have my hair cut above my shoulders again, and b) to never have a fringe (bangs) cut in ever again. Both of these looks simply do not suit my face or my lifestyle. Remember that you are the one who is going to have to wear that hair, and that just because Emma Watson's pixie cut looks sensational on her, doesn't mean that it's going to have the same effect for you. It's tough to have to learn these things the hard way, but it is a lesson that will stick with you for life - especially if you've taken the time to write it all down.
3) Read about other people's experiences.
If you've been on the receiving end of a bad haircut yourself, then reading about other people's experiences will undoubtedly make you feel better. In this instance, it's not so much a matter of schadenfreude than it is a matter of knowing that you're not alone. Just about everyone has suffered the embarrassment of a bad haircut at some point in their lives, and many of them will probably have some great advice on how they got through it as well.
So do a Google search for "bad haircut stories" and spend an hour or so reading about other people's hair-related misfortunes. Like with the crying, it's guaranteed to make you feel a whole lot better!
4) Make the most of what you've got.
When it comes to growing out a bad haircut, you'll quickly find that hats, scarves and bobby pins are your best friends. You'll also discover certain hair products and methods of styling that don't necessarily make your hair look great, but do make it look one helluva lot better than it did before. Experiment with different products and you may find a way to make your bad haircut look halfway decent.
Also keep in mind that you're never going to have your hair looking like this again, so you might as well make the most of it now. Being able to enjoy your hair at every length - well, as much as you can, anyway! - is part of what makes playing with different styles so much fun. Taking lots of photos during this time will not only serve as a reminder to never get your hair cut like that again, but will also make you see how far your hair has come when you look back on the photos in a year or two.
5) Learn how to make your hair grow faster.
Although the rate of each person's hair growth is genetically determined, with most of us having a growth rate of about half an inch a month, there are several ways in which you can get your hair to grow as fast as it possibly can.
The most obvious ways to accelerate hair growth are through (yep, you guessed it) diet and exercise. Certain foods - such as eggs, red meat, leafy green vegetables, and sushi - are known for speeding up hair growth, and increased exercise is beneficial also, as getting your blood pumping will increase the circulation of oxygen to your hair's follicles.
There are also a variety of hair vitamins you can try, ranging from your basic multivitamin to the extravagantly priced - but rather effective - Hair Formula 37. Biotin, zinc, folic acid, MSM, and iron supplements have also been known to make hair grow faster.
Finally, you may find that a follicle-stimulating scalp massage will noticeably increase your hair's growth rate as well. I massage my scalp at least once a week using a mixture of jojoba (a carrier oil) and rosemary. Simply running your fingers through your hair and massaging them in circular movements has the effect of increasing the blood flow to your scalp in a similar way to cardiovascular exercise. It's also very relaxing and will feel great, regardless of whether you use oils or not.
When it comes to getting over a bad haircut, the two most important things to remember are that you must allow yourself time to grieve... and that your hair won't be looking like that forever. Everyone makes mistakes, and some lessons must be learned the hard way. There's no need to keep beating yourself up over one bad decision! Doing this will only make the situation even more of a nightmare than it already is.
Instead, once you've given yourself time to accept what has happened, you must shift your focus to the future. Your hair will look great again, I can promise you that! And when it does, you'll appreciate it all the more for having experienced a bad cut, and you'll know which types of hairstyles must be avoided for the rest of your days.
2) Write it down.
If you keep a journal, then it's more than likely that you've already done this. But if you don't, then make sure you write down all of your thoughts and feelings that the bad haircut invoked. Make a concrete decision to never do this to yourself again, no matter how tempting the future situation may be. Keep the word document/journal entry/notebook somewhere that you can access again easily, just as a handy reminder not to go down that path again.
For me, I've made a firm vow to a) never have my hair cut above my shoulders again, and b) to never have a fringe (bangs) cut in ever again. Both of these looks simply do not suit my face or my lifestyle. Remember that you are the one who is going to have to wear that hair, and that just because Emma Watson's pixie cut looks sensational on her, doesn't mean that it's going to have the same effect for you. It's tough to have to learn these things the hard way, but it is a lesson that will stick with you for life - especially if you've taken the time to write it all down.
3) Read about other people's experiences.
If you've been on the receiving end of a bad haircut yourself, then reading about other people's experiences will undoubtedly make you feel better. In this instance, it's not so much a matter of schadenfreude than it is a matter of knowing that you're not alone. Just about everyone has suffered the embarrassment of a bad haircut at some point in their lives, and many of them will probably have some great advice on how they got through it as well.
So do a Google search for "bad haircut stories" and spend an hour or so reading about other people's hair-related misfortunes. Like with the crying, it's guaranteed to make you feel a whole lot better!
4) Make the most of what you've got.
When it comes to growing out a bad haircut, you'll quickly find that hats, scarves and bobby pins are your best friends. You'll also discover certain hair products and methods of styling that don't necessarily make your hair look great, but do make it look one helluva lot better than it did before. Experiment with different products and you may find a way to make your bad haircut look halfway decent.
Also keep in mind that you're never going to have your hair looking like this again, so you might as well make the most of it now. Being able to enjoy your hair at every length - well, as much as you can, anyway! - is part of what makes playing with different styles so much fun. Taking lots of photos during this time will not only serve as a reminder to never get your hair cut like that again, but will also make you see how far your hair has come when you look back on the photos in a year or two.
5) Learn how to make your hair grow faster.
Although the rate of each person's hair growth is genetically determined, with most of us having a growth rate of about half an inch a month, there are several ways in which you can get your hair to grow as fast as it possibly can.
The most obvious ways to accelerate hair growth are through (yep, you guessed it) diet and exercise. Certain foods - such as eggs, red meat, leafy green vegetables, and sushi - are known for speeding up hair growth, and increased exercise is beneficial also, as getting your blood pumping will increase the circulation of oxygen to your hair's follicles.
There are also a variety of hair vitamins you can try, ranging from your basic multivitamin to the extravagantly priced - but rather effective - Hair Formula 37. Biotin, zinc, folic acid, MSM, and iron supplements have also been known to make hair grow faster.
Finally, you may find that a follicle-stimulating scalp massage will noticeably increase your hair's growth rate as well. I massage my scalp at least once a week using a mixture of jojoba (a carrier oil) and rosemary. Simply running your fingers through your hair and massaging them in circular movements has the effect of increasing the blood flow to your scalp in a similar way to cardiovascular exercise. It's also very relaxing and will feel great, regardless of whether you use oils or not.
When it comes to getting over a bad haircut, the two most important things to remember are that you must allow yourself time to grieve... and that your hair won't be looking like that forever. Everyone makes mistakes, and some lessons must be learned the hard way. There's no need to keep beating yourself up over one bad decision! Doing this will only make the situation even more of a nightmare than it already is.
Instead, once you've given yourself time to accept what has happened, you must shift your focus to the future. Your hair will look great again, I can promise you that! And when it does, you'll appreciate it all the more for having experienced a bad cut, and you'll know which types of hairstyles must be avoided for the rest of your days.
*Six reasons to love your long hair
Anyone with long hair knows that there are days when you just get tired of it. Sometimes it’s because you’re experiencing long hair boredom (those times when a change, any change, seems desirable over keeping your length) and other times it’s because it’s gotten in the way yet again (and let’s face it, the opportunities for long hair to get caught in things are virtually endless). But the fact is that if you do succumb to the scissors and get it all cut off, you’ll be missing out on what it is that made you want to become a longhair in the first place. The reasons for growing, and keeping, your long hair are going to be different for everyone, but here are my top six – no doubt one or two of them will strike a chord with you, and will hopefully encourage you to keep on growing.
Long hair is timeless.
Fashions, and consequently hairstyle trends, will come and go; they are transitory by their very nature. And sure, there will be times when long hair is less in vogue than it was a couple of years ago, but you can rest assured that it will always come back into fashion eventually, for the simple reason that long hair is timeless. Pick just about any period film, and you can guarantee that several actresses and extras will possess gorgeous long manes (my favourites are Braveheart and Little Women, set in the 13th and 19th centuries, respectively).
So even though the fashion industry’s preference for long-haired models on the catwalks and in magazines may fade every now and then, they will always make a comeback in time, because ultimately long hair is a style that transcends fashion altogether.
Long hair is easier to maintain.
Now wait just a minute: surely if there’s more of something, shouldn’t it become more difficult and time-consuming to take care of? While this may be true of many things (including, but not limited to, children, pets, work and study), when it comes to hair I’ve found the opposite to be true: that in general, the longer my hair is, the easier it is to look after. I’ve had short hair before – a pixie cut, and later, a chin-length bob – and I can tell you from experience that it took a lot more time and effort to keep those styles looking good, than it does to keep my current length of hair (mid-back) looking amazing.
Why is this? Because long hair is a wash-and-wear style, whereas short hair requires daily styling in the form of blow-drying and hair sculpting products. Sleep through your alarm with long hair and all you have to do is put it up (when time-poor I usually go for a quick and simple romantic updo); sleep through your alarm with short hair and you’ll just have to accept the fact that you’re going to be late – unless, of course, you don’t mind stepping out in public with it sticking up in all directions, but if this is the case then you may as well shave it all off and call it a day!
Now, there is a point of diminishing returns (for lack of a better description), when your hair reaches a length that requires a lot of maintenance - but we’re talking thigh-length or knee-length here, and many women with hair this long really don’t mind the extra work to maintain their unique beauty. If you don’t believe me, check out the Long Hair Community website here (there’s also a plethora of articles and styling ideas on this site; it’s a true gem for those of us who love our long hair).
Now wait just a minute: surely if there’s more of something, shouldn’t it become more difficult and time-consuming to take care of? While this may be true of many things (including, but not limited to, children, pets, work and study), when it comes to hair I’ve found the opposite to be true: that in general, the longer my hair is, the easier it is to look after. I’ve had short hair before – a pixie cut, and later, a chin-length bob – and I can tell you from experience that it took a lot more time and effort to keep those styles looking good, than it does to keep my current length of hair (mid-back) looking amazing.
Why is this? Because long hair is a wash-and-wear style, whereas short hair requires daily styling in the form of blow-drying and hair sculpting products. Sleep through your alarm with long hair and all you have to do is put it up (when time-poor I usually go for a quick and simple romantic updo); sleep through your alarm with short hair and you’ll just have to accept the fact that you’re going to be late – unless, of course, you don’t mind stepping out in public with it sticking up in all directions, but if this is the case then you may as well shave it all off and call it a day!
Now, there is a point of diminishing returns (for lack of a better description), when your hair reaches a length that requires a lot of maintenance - but we’re talking thigh-length or knee-length here, and many women with hair this long really don’t mind the extra work to maintain their unique beauty. If you don’t believe me, check out the Long Hair Community website here (there’s also a plethora of articles and styling ideas on this site; it’s a true gem for those of us who love our long hair).
Your man will love your long hair too.
First, a disclaimer: Every man will have different tastes in women, and there are no doubt millions in the world who find short hair on women to be more attractive than long. But psychological and evolutionary theory-based research has shown that by far the greatest proportion of men in our society prefer women to have long hair. There are countless reasons for this phenomenon (you can read some of them here) but they include the ideas of long hair demonstrating genetic strength and good health, of long hair connoting classic femininity, and the simple fact that long hair flatters more women’s face shapes than short hair does.
As for me, personally, my boyfriend loves running his fingers through my hair, brushing it, and just playing with it when we’re hanging out together. It’s just another way a man can show affection for his partner, and it feels pretty amazing for the woman as well. Obviously you don’t want to decide upon a hairstyle simply because your man (or the man you have your eye on!) will prefer it over another, but it is nice knowing that you’re probably not the only one who loves the way your hair looks when it’s long.
Long hair is cheaper to maintain.
Now this reason is something of a subset of long hair being easier to maintain, but it’s a relevant one nonetheless: overall, long hair is much, much cheaper to maintain than short hair will ever be. This is mostly because of fewer visits to the hairdresser - short hair needs reshaping every six to eight weeks, whereas long hair can be left to grow for six months or more without needing a trim.
In addition, because long hair requires fewer styling products than short hair does, you’ll find that your monthly hair care expenses will be minimized too. To stay in shape, short hair will usually require a daily (or more!) application of a sculpting cream, wax, or gel, whereas these products will only weigh long hair down and make it look lank and greasy. Aside from shampoo and conditioner, the only product your long hair will need is a shine serum or leave-in conditioner. And if you really want to get finicky about your hair care expenses, you can consider the fact that less heat styling means less electricity used, and therefore a reduction in your household bills.
Long hair is an investment.
This reason could be considered controversial, in that there are many of us who wouldn’t dream of selling their hair… but for me it’s nice to know that such an option is available, should I ever find myself in dire financial circumstances. Long hair, particularly that which is considered to be ‘virgin hair’ (i.e. hair that has never been highlighted or coloured) can command quite a decent amount of money, should the owner decide to sell it. Human hair is highly sought-after by wig makers, for the obvious reason that it is so much more natural-looking than its synthetic alternative.
While the price of human hair will vary depending on the length, colour, and quality of the hair, as well as the economy as a whole, you can expect to receive a reasonable payment in exchange for the long locks you’ve grown tired of. There are a number of different ways to go about selling your hair, whether directly to the wig manufacturers or by alternative means, so make sure you do your research before you go for the big chop.
Obviously such a decision is entirely up to you, but if you’ve had long hair for more than ten years or so and absolutely must try a different look, then it’s comforting to know that it needn’t end up being swept into a dustbin on the hairdresser’s floor.
Long hair is becoming increasingly unique.
Let’s face it: there aren’t many people in this world who have the patience that growing long hair requires. Right now, we’re living in an age of consumption, where having the latest gadget or garment is (for some) an absolute must, and where everything else is tossed aside. It’s a time of ever-increasing change, and naturally, the kinds of women who have their wardrobes set on a constantly-updating rotation will also be more likely to change their hairstyle frequently as well…. and they can only colour it, add a fringe (bangs), straighten it or curl it so often before they are compelled to go for the chop.
As a result, short hairstyles are becoming more and more the norm, and longer hairstyles increasingly unique. Back in the 1970s (I'm told) it was commonplace to see women with hair brushing their waists; now it’s a genuine rarity and as such, has become a standout; something truly eye-catching in the crowds of medium-length and short hairstyles.
It also says something about the wearer: that while she may choose to pick up on certain trends, she is not one to be pulled along by the undertow of fashion and turned into something less than herself. Rather than wearing the same old haircut as everyone else, she’s chosen to keep this part of herself unique, and to an interested bystander, such a decision speaks volumes about her personal strength and commitment to her own sense of individuality.
While there are a multitude of other reasons to love your long hair, these are the ones that really speak to me when I’m experiencing a moment of long hair boredom – they’re the ones that remind me why I wanted to become a longhair in the first place. Long hair is not for everyone (it wouldn’t be anywhere near as special if it was!) but for those who choose it, it can be one of those elements in their lives that make their existence that much better.
So if you’re sick of your long hair and are contemplating a cut, make sure you remind yourself of the reasons you love your long hair, before it’s too late. Whether it’s mid-back, waist length, classic length or longer, hair that falls below your shoulder blades is a thing of true beauty, and not something to be removed on a whim.
If you need inspiration of the visual variety in order to keep your long-haired dreams alive.
Foods for faster hair growth
We all know that eating a balanced diet is essential for healthy hair, but there are certain foods that will cause your hair to grow even faster than it would with your everyday balanced diet. Eating foods that are rich in protein, as well as foods that are rich in iron, will not only keep your hair shiny and full of life, but will also allow it to grow at its fastest possible rate.
As hair is essentially made up of protein, it makes sense that a diet that contains lots of protein would be necessary to achieve maximum growth. Protein-rich foods include chicken, fish, cheese and eggs, or if you're a vegan, grains, beans, seeds and nuts. As for foods rich in iron, these include red meat, green leafy vegetables (especially spinach), nuts, eggs, and soy products like tofu and soy milk. The beauty of many of these foods is that their iron and protein contents often overlap - that is, foods that are high in iron will be high in protein, and vice versa.
It's also important to actually EAT these foods, as opposed to merely supplementing them with vitamins. Nutrient absorption from food has been proven many times over to be far more effective than the nutrient absorption from vitamins, so if you don't actually eat the foods, you'll be doing yourself and your hair a disservice. Thankfully the foods that are high in protein and iron are quite diverse, so if you don't like the taste of one thing, you can always replace it with another.
It's also important to actually EAT these foods, as opposed to merely supplementing them with vitamins. Nutrient absorption from food has been proven many times over to be far more effective than the nutrient absorption from vitamins, so if you don't actually eat the foods, you'll be doing yourself and your hair a disservice. Thankfully the foods that are high in protein and iron are quite diverse, so if you don't like the taste of one thing, you can always replace it with another.
The food that I've personally had the most success with, when it comes to increasing my hair's growth rate, is sushi. Like many women I go through 'food phases' - that is, favouring one type of food heavily for a few weeks or months, before moving onto something else. Since a fabulous sushi restaurant opened up in my neighbourhood a few months ago, I've been eating the stuff practically every day, and the results have been quite extraordinary! Even my boyfriend commented on how long my hair had become, and he's not normally the type to notice such things. Of course, sushi is extremely high in protein - being largely made of rice, seaweed, and raw fish - so this is what would have caused the steep increase in my hair's growth rate.
Remember that the most important element of your diet is that it's a balanced one, but by incorporating a greater proportion of both protein-rich and iron-rich foods, you'll be allowing your tresses to grow as fast as they possibly can. And when it comes to reaching your hair growth goals, the faster you get there, the better!
Want long hair? Don't cut it!
If only it were that simple.
Rather, it's a delicate balance between growing your hair fast and keeping it in style. You don't want to cut off what you grow, but at the same time you want it to look its best. Your stylist will likely tell you that you need a trim every six weeks, and I'm no hairdresser but I know that trimming your hair that often is unnecessary and counter-productive to your goal of long hair (see 'to trim or not to trim'). At the same time, going for years without a trim may also be counter-productive because you'll have a huge mass of split ends to have cut off the next time you step into the salon. You need to find a happy medium.
Everyone's medium will be different. It depends on your hair type, and how often you style it or have it coloured. If your hair is really brittle then you should deal with that - i.e. grow out your natural hair - before you go long. Long hair only looks good when it's in top condition.
If you're extra-gentle with your hair and lay off the colouring and heat styling, then you could easily go 18 months without a trim. Your layers (if you have them) won't have grown too far out of style, and you won't have many split ends. This is particularly true for fine-haired people as their hair doesn't split as easily as their coarse-haired counterparts.
If you're extra-gentle with your hair and lay off the colouring and heat styling, then you could easily go 18 months without a trim. Your layers (if you have them) won't have grown too far out of style, and you won't have many split ends. This is particularly true for fine-haired people as their hair doesn't split as easily as their coarse-haired counterparts.
Too much trimming perhaps?
Personally I have my hair trimmed once a year. I had it done just last week, and it looks great but seems so very short to me - you really notice 2 inches when you want long hair fast! Basically, if you want long hair that looks good, the occasional trim is necessary... but just how occasional depends on your hair's type and the care you take of it. Find your own happy medium and with a little patience you'll get the long hair you desire.
More exercise = more growth
Just in case you needed one more reason why you should exercise more, then here it is: exercise will increase your hair's growth rate. It gets your blood pumping, which increases the circulation of oxygen to your hair follicles, resulting in faster growth. Your whole body will feel healthier if you can make the time to work out three to five times a week. The key to exercise is variation; if you're not a fan of the gym then go jogging along the beach instead, go skiing, or go for a long bike ride - whichever is most convenient for you.
Essentially, the more blood you can get to your head, the more growth you'll experience. As I've mentioned before, massaging your scalp regularly increases growth, but exercise is even better. You'll feel stronger, your skin will be clear, your mood will be elevated from the endorphin rush and your hair will be glossy. So get out there and exercise girls, to allow your hair to grow at its fastest possible rate.
