Which is easier: long or short?

>> I been on both side of the coin. I had very short hair and loved it at the time because all I needed to do was jump in the shower and run out.When I had shoulder length it was tons of work. I found myself styling it and using a hair blower etc. I found that I was at the stylist so often and I was always trying a new style because I was sick and tired of the old style. I found I spend hours and hours fixing my hair.Now I have waist lenght and it is so so easy.

> Hey all. From time to time, I've heard people mention> that long hair is a lot of trouble, or difficult to> take care of, and I wondered what everyone thought.> Some people argue that long hair is a lot of work,> keeping it detangled, the amount of shampoo we use,> etc. Others think the frequency short hair needs> trimming, or the time people spend styling it is more> of an inconvenience.> I can see both sides. If I had short hair, I probably> wouldn't need to braid or put it up before bed, but on> the other hand, my long hair doesn't get funny waves> or cowlicks in the morning like it did when it was> shorter. I do have to braid my hair for the gym or on> windy days, but I enjoy this more than fiddling with> curling irons or constantly having to get trims. Plus> I think long hair has more "bad hair day"> options (i.e. buns, updos), but that could be a> misconception due to the fact I haven't had short hair> in awhile.> What do you think?> KimAnd for a guys perspective. I've had both short military hair and long(current config) and overall I'd say that long is much easier. Constant trims and time with short hair is not cost effective or easy on the budget. long hair you might spend more on shampoo but think what a haircut cost these days. Yes I will definitley(sp) take long any day.

We all seem to have different definitions of short hair. Just for clarification, how short is yours?Thanks!

My late husband use to complain that my hair would clog up the drain.Your story reminded me of his complaint.

I have never had really short hair since i was a kid but I've had several what I would consider short hair styles around the chin or jaw length range. I spent SO much time doing my hair when it was in those lengths. I had to blow dry and style every day unless I was sure I was not leaving the house. I hated not being able to put it up in a pony tail. Since I have never had what you guys would call really short hair I can't comment on that but I think my long is easy to care for. Last Christmas I had those awful "Friends" layers done and a couple of inches cut off. What a pain in the butt! Styling every day and using tons of products. I am growing out my hair again as fast as I can. It is now just slightly layered and halfway between mid back and the shoulders. It is so much easier to care for now that I can just wash and let it dry if I want to. I can french braid it damp and have nice waves later on. I don't have to wash and style every day if I don't want to. For me long hair is definitly easier. I also have the payback of long beautiful hair that I get great compliments on all the time and besides that long hair makes me feel so good and feminine. My vote is for long hair. It works so well for me and my lifestyle.

Hi,Yes, I do style my long hair. I don't do anything but pull it back in an ordinary braid for work, but when I'm off work, I love to do things with it. I like to put it in nice braids, and to pull the hairs around my face into a topknot, which I will either just clip back or braid. Sometimes, I will wear it completely loose. When I do this, I will generally try to set it by putting it in a french braid or bun first, to make its waves (probably loose curls pulled out by the weight, since my baby hairs curl and my hair did curl when it was shorter) less unruly, or I will at least put something in it (mouse and a drop or two of oil) to keep it from frizzing so much. Now, as to the question about washing, I usually wash my hair at night and sleep with it loose so that it will be dry by morning, but if I have to wash my hair during the day, I will just put it in a bun while it's wet and go out like that. It is rarely cold enough down here to make wet hair is uncomfortable. I don't blow dry my hair anymore. First of all, it is bad for it, and, secondly, when I used to do this, I did it only to force my hair to be straight, and the effect never lasted an hour. The humidity where I live, Southeast Texas, is such that my hair would never stay straight and attempting to make it straight just made it frizz more. I decided that my hair looks better if I let it wave than it does when it is attempting to return to its natural texture.Erika

Kim -I vote "blessed." :-)As a Californian (still), my sympathies on moving to the harsh climate of Minnesota. Blow-dryer? Yuck!!! (use conditioner!)--Bruce> Hi.> I do style my long hair, although not much. I used to> use curling irons and such years ago when I was first> growing it out, then it got kind of curly on its own,> so now I let it do it's own thing. When I lived in> California, I would leave the house with it wet, walk> to work, and by the time I got there it would be> nearly dry. Now I live in Minnesota and have to deal> with freezing temperatures so I bought a blow dryer,> which I hate. I'm moving in with two roommates, and> plan to start washing my hair at night time; the> shower should be in less demand, and I can avoid the> dreadful blowdryer (hopefully).> I am blessed (or cursed) with naturally> "big" hair so unless it's tightly braided or> overconditioned, I usually do have volume around my> face.> Kim

Wow. It looks as if everyone who reads this board has entered a vote on this, so I will, too.First, let's say :short, above the shoulders.medium, shoulders to bra strap.long, bra strap to waist.very long, waist to thighAt fourteen, I was in the first catagory, by eighteen, the third catagory, and by twenty-one, the last catagory. I'm twenty-nine now, and I don't think I have had a bad hair day in eleven years!As for ease, short hair is quick and easy to style and wash, but that's where it ends. I feel it is harder to wear. There are fewer options than there are for long hair. When my hair was short, it always seemed to be in my face.Long hair is much more fun! So, I just get up from bed earlier to chose from an up-do, braid, ponytail, or any of the other options I have for the day!Anyway, it's just an opinion. we should choose what's best for ourselves.

> I often hear my sister mention that her hair is in her face.The funny part is that when we are at the lake my short hair sister will spend a good hour or so in the washroom fixing her hair and meanwhile I am already at the dock with a cup of coffee seeing the loons, fish that jumping in and out of the water etc.

> Wow. It looks as if everyone who reads this board has> entered a vote on this, so I will, too.I agree with Deane. Wear whatever length you like :)But, us short hair people can do just as much with our hair.1) can we say cute hair clips? short hair gals can really work these2)wear it curly one day, straight the next(the lesser the hair length, the shorter the time)3) spike it!4) we can also work the bed head look perfectly5)we can coil it, wear it in tiny braids, etc..:-)