Growing SHORT hair OUT after 12 yrs
Printed From: HairBoutique.com
Category: Long Hair Happenings
Forum Name: Long Hair Support
Forum Description: Growing it long takes commitment and support.
URL: https://talk.hairboutique.com/forum_posts.asp?TID=62262
Printed Date: April 11 2025 at 10:38pm
Topic: Growing SHORT hair OUT after 12 yrs
Posted By: smilinjenn71
Subject: Growing SHORT hair OUT after 12 yrs
Date Posted: August 23 2008 at 10:05am
So, after having my hair short for over 12 yrs, I'm finally growing it out again. I've read online that hair grows about 1/2 and inch each month, so it will take awhile for it to be to my shoulders again....UGH!
If anyone has tips and/or advice for me on how to grow out without getting frustrated and cutting it all OFF again, please chime in! Also, my hair is pretty straight. That information might help you in giving advice. I might even get organized enough to post pics from where I started to the end of the journey. I haven't had it cut in 5 weeks... my usual was every 3 weeks.
Thanks!
 Jenn
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Replies:
Posted By: Addy
Date Posted: August 23 2008 at 7:57pm
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The growing out stage is the hardest!
What I recommend comes from within and that is patience! Have fun with your hair while you are growing it out! I liked the messy look myself for a long time, styled with products and maybe even some cute barrets or something until it becomes more managable...
but yeah, lotz and lotz of patience! AND maybe a hat!
 A hat will never fail you! |
Posted By: smilinjenn71
Date Posted: August 24 2008 at 9:32am
| LOL... yea maybe I should invest in a hat or two! |
Posted By: paper
Date Posted: August 24 2008 at 2:46pm
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I've been growing out my short hair for about a yr. I grew my hair to shoulder length. Maintained it there while trimming off layers. Oh, I wore a headband alot too. Good luck! I will be looking forward to your progress pics. ------------- |
Posted By: Bob S
Date Posted: August 26 2008 at 4:40pm
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Welcome to HB, Jenn! Since you have maintained your hair at a short length for more than a decade, growing it will really be stretching your comfort zone. It will take plenty of guts and resolve. Especially, on a not-so-great hair day when someone (almost certainly a woman) sighs that she *really* had loved your short hair. You'll have to keep your eye on the target.
I suggest keeping photos of long styles that you might realistically achieve on your bathroom wall to inspire you during moments of waning enthusiasm. Also, find another woman who is growing out, so you can celebrate achieved goals and commiserate about your struggles. There may be some on these boards who would be interested. Of course, keep posting here. Some really terrific gals here!!
The best story I can relate is that of my own wife, who had a semi-spike crop in the summer of '98, and for the past half decade has had hair between her waist and tailbone. And 2 1/2' of hair has been trimmed in that time! Good luck,Jenn! Bob
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Posted By: smilinjenn71
Date Posted: August 26 2008 at 8:00pm
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PAPER & BOB, Thank you for your support and encouragement. I'll keep looking at long hairstyles online and keep some pics around too. Currently I've just been looking at "in between" hairstyles. That way I can hopefully go from one stage to another as it grows and not just whack it all off!
I wore a headband to work today and thought I was going to DIE! It was squishing the sides of my head and even tonight I'm having phantom headband feelings in my hair. Haven't worn it in hours and it still feels like it's there...haha. I *did* pick up some cute clips for my bangs when they get so long and unruly.
I'll check back in later... thanks again!
Jenn
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Posted By: cherd
Date Posted: August 28 2008 at 11:37am
OMG - I want a hair growth support buddy! After spending 4 years to grow my hair our from a short length to just at my bra-line, I chopped it all off 2 days ago.  I HATE it. I don't know what I was thinking - the remark about not being swayed by friends who miss your short hair is totally true. I had a few girlfriends swear they loved "short hair Catherine" and encourage me to chop it all off. Then, when I DID and said I hated it and was going to try to grow it out, one of those friends says she's always been envious of me and how fast/well my hair grows. So - I want to team up and encourage each other to stick to it. Solidarity! We will have long hair!On another note, I've been seriously considering extensions. I'm scared that they'll do more damage than good in the long run - quick fixes are too good to be true, right? So, anyhow, here we are - my hair is barely chinlength in the front and even shorter in the back (he made it like 4 inches shorter than I asked!). So far - I like pig tails OK (they're tiny!) and I think I'm a month from an acceptable pony tail (I can barely get it in one now but I think it looks dumb). I also have this plan for pinning it agains my head - as though I have so much hair I'm putting it in a bun with lots of bobby pins etc. And a few loose strands in the front (the inverse - with long hair those would be my shortest hairs. now they are my longest!). I've heard that 1/2 inch per month is the MAX but I'm determined to beat that!   |
Posted By: smilinjenn71
Date Posted: August 29 2008 at 11:09am
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CHERD, I sent you a private message.
Guess you and I will have "growing pains" together...hehe.
I was going to add pics of my hair in July and now but I don't see how you do that. (???)
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Posted By: smilinjenn71
Date Posted: August 29 2008 at 2:08pm
This is my hair in July '08.
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Posted By: smilinjenn71
Date Posted: August 29 2008 at 2:09pm
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Posted By: smilinjenn71
Date Posted: August 29 2008 at 2:11pm
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This is Aug '08 - you can see how the back was longer to spike out and the top longer too - beginning to bend over some in the front. It's been 7 weeks since my last cut but I don't think I will need a trim for another month, possibly more. Time will tell I suppose.
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Posted By: fatmoogas
Date Posted: August 31 2008 at 2:55am
| Actually, you look great with short hair Jenn, but no doubt you want a change after 12 years. |
Posted By: paper
Date Posted: August 31 2008 at 6:15am
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yes, I agree you look cute in short hair. I'm sure you will enjoy having long hair for a change. Good luck! ------------- |
Posted By: smilinjenn71
Date Posted: August 31 2008 at 9:04am
| Thank you both! People keep complimenting my hair right now... makes me wonder if I should grow it out or not! However, I am ready for a change! |
Posted By: fatmoogas
Date Posted: September 01 2008 at 5:11am
| Jenn, you might consider keeping a hair journal here. If you check them out you will see that there are some very good ones and the people involved seem to take new strength from keeping a regular record of their hair growth achievement. I think Longhairdreams has a really good one. |
Posted By: paper
Date Posted: September 02 2008 at 7:48am
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I agree with fatmoogas, keeping a journal or blog is a great idea. Also, taking progress pics helps too. Even if you feel your hair isn't growing you can really see the difference. I look forward to taking my progress pics the first of every month. I'd like to wait 3 months so I can see a bigger difference. But, I don't think I can wait that long lol. ------------- |
Posted By: smilinjenn71
Date Posted: September 11 2008 at 4:06pm
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Thanks! I'm not sure I'm up for blogging these days. I'm sure I talk enough about my hair and its issues to family and coworkers as it is...LOL!!! However, I might read what some others have blogged/journaled. This pic is Sept. 6th, 2008. I'm scheduled to get a trim on Oct. 3rd. I need to even up some areas that have been razored in the past. I'm not used to seeing my hair looking less 'hip' than it used to. 
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Posted By: Addy
Date Posted: September 14 2008 at 3:36pm
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It's growing!
You look so cute too!
I remember the growing out stage.
 Not fun at all but by this time next year, you will be amazed at how much it's grown! Me personally, I'd let it go a little longer before a trim and when you do get it trimmed, make darn sure they know you are growing out so you don't get scalped!
 Good Growing Wishes for You! Please let us know what you do!!
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Posted By: smilinjenn71
Date Posted: September 15 2008 at 4:12pm
Thank you for your encouragement ADDY.. and for the compliments. Yea, I'll definitely be sure to convey that I only want a trim... not to go crazy!!! My intentions are to have the length in the back shortened over the next few months to avoid that whole 'mullet' look....EEKS! That way I can grow into a bob and then work on length once I get everything kinda evened out. I have A LOT of layers, so it will take a long time to grow them out. I don't forsee myself not having layers of some sort though... just not my style.
I've been reading some of the blogs here by PAPER, LONGHAIRDREAMS and a few others. Very interesting and informative. Thanks for the tip FATMOOGAS!!
Happy Hair Growing to you all!
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Posted By: smilinjenn71
Date Posted: October 10 2008 at 2:50pm
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OK, so it's Pic time again. It's Oct. 10th and I had my first trim on Oct. 3rd. He just dusted the ends to even up where it's been razored in the past. It's still not completely even of course because we are trying to preserve length. I'm also researching Henna and just ordered samples to try on some hair I saved from my cut. The amount is sooooo small that I'm not sure I'll get a very good result but I'm going to try! |
Posted By: smilinjenn71
Date Posted: October 10 2008 at 4:20pm
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OK, sooooo.... ummmmm..... I *am* starting a journal about my journey.
Guess I was just in denial about this not being a blog.
Come see me in the Hair Journal section as the months progress.
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Posted By: 30isthenewblack
Date Posted: October 11 2008 at 6:21pm
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I can't believe how much it's grown. It looks great I personally like keeping a journal, taking progress pics and measuring my hair each month. With every goal, it's good to track your progress. I also take hair vitamins (Qsillica and Figaro Hair Food which is sold in Australia) as well which I think has also helped. ------------- www.30isthenewblack.com |
Posted By: paper
Date Posted: October 12 2008 at 9:02am
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Thats great Jenn. I'll look forward to watching your progress! ------------- |
Posted By: smilinjenn71
Date Posted: October 12 2008 at 10:06am
Thank you http://talk.hairboutique.com/member_profile.asp?PF=58640&FID=39 - 30isthenewblack ! I just measured again as well. I think I started at 2 1/4 inches in July and am measuring at 3 1/2 now. I actually had 1/4 inch growth in last week alone!! It will be interesting to see how much growth happens by the end of this month.
Hope to see ya there PAPER.
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Posted By: Mike46019
Date Posted: October 15 2008 at 12:46am
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Looks good so far smilinjenn71. I hope you reach your goal. ------------- Few men are killed by the bayonet;many are scared by it.Bayonets should be fixed when the fire fight starts.General George Patton Jr.,War As I Knew It,1947. |
Posted By: Bob S
Date Posted: October 18 2008 at 2:47pm
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I'm impressed, Jenn. Long hair is going to look terrific on you. You are obviously excited, and with your cute face and quality hair, you oughta be! Bob
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Posted By: smilinjenn71
Date Posted: October 19 2008 at 2:58pm
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Thank you so much MIKE and BOB!! I'm excited but impatient.... shocking, I know! |
Posted By: EloiseNicol
Date Posted: November 06 2008 at 4:37pm
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Good luck
I'm sure you will look superb
Can't wait to see your hair in a cute ponytail or little clippies lol
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Posted By: suicides_eve
Date Posted: January 03 2009 at 6:53pm
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just bumping this up and adding a slight hijack 30isthenewblack i didn't know you active over here.. small world
------------- http://www.youtube.com/user/SuicidesEve - YouTube Guru Makeup & Hair tutorial and How To's http://www.facebook.com/pages/Suicides-EVE/162213213843641 - MY FACEBOOK |
Posted By: 30isthenewblack
Date Posted: January 05 2009 at 3:24am
Haha! I have just posted a new topic before I saw this. I lurked on this board for ages and from this board, I found the LHC. This board is my first true love ------------- www.30isthenewblack.com |
suicides_eve wrote:Posted By: suicides_eve
Date Posted: January 11 2009 at 9:15am
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me too! this is were i started and i always com back.
------------- http://www.youtube.com/user/SuicidesEve - YouTube Guru Makeup & Hair tutorial and How To's http://www.facebook.com/pages/Suicides-EVE/162213213843641 - MY FACEBOOK |
Posted By: smilinjenn71
Date Posted: April 14 2009 at 6:46pm
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Hey... Me too!!!
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