Long hair comments

Good evening...tonites show.....sorry I was having that old dream where I was Alfred Hichcock...

Dave you said "All the long-haired people I know (who measure the length of their hair) use a technique in which the tapemeasure starts at the top of your forehead, goes over the crown of your head, and down to the ends of your hair. Although it overstates the length of the longest strands, it provides a basis for comparing your own measurements over time, to assess it's growth rate... (and for some, to compare with others)"

I am growing out MOST of my hair -- I am keeping my bangs trimmed and the sides still have many layers and are still not to my shoulders while the back is past my shoulders....

How would you measure my hair...if I was interested in measuring its length.

FEI (For Everyones Information) I think long hair kept clean and tangle free looks complimentary on males and females alike.

Peace and Balance
Bill aka Bearnup

Greetings, Miss Dee, and welcome!

All the long-haired people I know (who measure the length of their hair) use a technique in which the tapemeasure starts at the top of your forehead, goes over the crown of your head, and down to the ends of your hair. Although it overstates the length of the longest strands, it provides a basis for comparing your own measurements over time, to assess it's growth rate... (and for some, to compare with others)

Talking with other long-haired people about their hair is a great way to start a conversation, and can be an uplifting experience. I highly recommend it.

Though I rarely receive compliments from strangers, it is almost always from African-American women. Hmm...

Your husband sounds like a sweetheart. Aww..

It's great to hear you've been helped by the advice offered here. Thanks for coming out of lurk mode!

Miss Dee, I think it is the coolest thing in the world for a lady in her 40's to go long. My wife Sue is one such gal aso. She's 44! Eschew the brainwashing telling you that short is trendy, chic and professional. I'm sure your hair is an awesome sight. Welcome to the world of liberation, where women refuse to follow fashion dictates, and choose to remain their most beautiful. Congrats, Bob

First time to post.
Two years ago I started a new business and found that I just didn't have time to keep up with regular highlights and hair trims. As a result, my hair is now longer than I've ever had it...32" though I'm not sure how one measures long hair. (I measured it from the top of my head to where it reaches down my back.) My parents and siblings (brothers) have exceptionally thick, healthy hair for our ages. I'm the baby at 47! Outside the home, I wear my hair up or in a side braid, very rarely loose as I'm somewhat self conscious of the length. I feel a camaraderie with other long hair women when I see them about town. I had a Grandmother in Tennessee who wore her waist length grey hair in a braided bun except at night...and I feel like I'm continuing her tradition of simplicity. And it makes me feel young to have long hair. What is interesting to me is that the people who most comment on my hair are elderly women and African American women. It's the only thing I've ever been complimented on...while I know others may get compliments on their smiles or whatever...long hair has been the ticket for me, especially when I was younger. It's awfully nice when it happens.

I have some grey of course. Recently I found a local hairstylist who used Goldwell color to highlight around the face where most of the grey appears. It is very natural looking. Since it was highlighted in, it didn't cover all of it, but I like that. I use an EC Mode conditioner and various shampoos. Also, I use EC Mode products made for well water somewhat regularly and highly recommend them if you think your hair may be drying out as a result of minerals in your water. Mine was. Here is a link I found for the EC Mode shampoos. http://www.hairproducts4me.com/read+ec-mode.htm#EC-Shampoos

I've been trying different conditioners as a result of this board and even bought a negative ion Conair hairdryer (not sure I can tell a difference to be honest) and ceramic flat iron (also Conair) which is truly amazing at taming and smoothing hair if you want to wear it loose. I'm planning on trying the Redkin All Soft products that are often mentioned here. And I also thank this board for leading me to the shower comb I use to detangle and spread conditioner in the shower. I love it and bought several for the gym, travel bag, as well as home. Also, as a result of seeing mention of natural bristle brushes, I purchased a natural boar bristle brush (Conair) that seems so gentle on my hair. I can't believe that I've never owned a natural bristle brush until now when it is sooo much gentler on my hair than the plastic ones I've always used. Not sure I will splurge on a Mason Pearson brush, but would welcome any comparisons to the cheaper, easily available natural bristle brushes like Conair.

One last thing I want to share with fellow long hair enthusiasts is that my husband, who doesn't notice hair generally, takes mine down every night, removing the hair pins and draps it over his chest. It's the sweetest thing.

I appreciate all the information I've gathered from all of you and felt like it was time I participated, rather than lurked.

All the best to you,
Miss Dee