If long hair is so supposedly so out of style...
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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=973
Printed Date: October 28 2025 at 9:30am
Topic: If long hair is so supposedly so out of style...
Posted By: Jenna
Subject: If long hair is so supposedly so out of style...
Date Posted: May 13 2004 at 1:07am
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...according to many fashion magazines and makeover shows, then why do so many attractive celebrities have long hair extensions? Women like Britney Spears, Angelina Jolie, Jennifer Aniston, Shakira, and Christina Aguilera often get very long hair extensions, and no one would consider them unkempt and unfashionable. I think some people could benefit from a cut if their hair is ratty and unflattering, but often on makeover shows they automatically decide to cut the hair short without reason. I watched a Style Court show a few weeks ago where this beautiful Peurto Rican woman had BSL length hair that really suited her, and they cut it off into this librarian-looking bob. |
Replies:
Posted By: Erinlynn
Date Posted: May 13 2004 at 5:41am
| Its so true. In movies and videos and art thye are always giving people extrentions but then for shows they chop it. It doesnt make sence. |
Posted By: Bob S
Date Posted: May 13 2004 at 1:06pm
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It's interesting to me that celebrities get short haircuts and fans imitate. Then, when the icon attaches extensions, those who followed are left with their short cuts b/c extensions are expensive, temporary and difficult. Celine Dion got extensions recently, no doubt b/c male fans want to see a *sexy* Celine! And long does it for her. Most intrigueing to me is singer Jaci Velasquez, who released a Spanish language CD at least a half year after she cut her enviable tresses into a mundane jagged chin chop. "Miraculously", she appears on the cover and sleeves with long hair! My guess is that she hears from forlorn fans every day about her shorn locks, so she knows what sells! Bob 
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Posted By: JerkyFlea
Date Posted: May 13 2004 at 1:10pm
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It's funny, because I don't think folks think long hair is out of style. Don't judge by the makeover shows. They have to do something fairly dramatic to make it interesting and that is usually the shoulder-length choppy/flippy shag/bob 'do in some form or another. Heck, most of these shows would take Cindy Crawford, Angie Everhart, or Jessica Simpson and do that. I think a lot of times, that perception (that long hair is out), is predicated on unique confluences of events. In other words, the right person gets the right cut at the right time and it explodes: Jennifer Aniston with "The Rachel", Rene Russo in "The Thomas Crown Affair", Meg Ryan and her innumberable versions of the choppy shag. Despite all of that, you still regularly see the Selma Hayeks, Portia Di Rossis, Jenna Elfmans, and Debra Messings of the world keeping their hair long or growing it long after wearing it short. Anyway, I think for most folks, really long hair isn't out, just unusual. Like buzzcuts are unusual. You just don't see it everyday. Unfortunately, one is easier to change quickly than the other, so it seems to be more acceptable to say "You should cut your hair" than "You should take hair growth vitamins".  JF ------------- 3 pm is simultaneously too late and too early to start anything. |
Posted By: arch94
Date Posted: May 13 2004 at 2:42pm
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It sure would be nice if they did come out with a makeover show that featured the likes of Cindy Crawford, Angie Everhart, and Jessica Simpson...they could even put it on cable ppv...i'd tune in! My two cents. ------------- We all know what opinions are like...and I've got both! |
Posted By: DaveDecker
Date Posted: May 13 2004 at 8:43pm
Fashion mags (from time to time) and makeover shows (every episode) encourage whacking of long hair. Convincing people to part with their long hair feeds the hair industry, which recycles the hair as extensions to be installed onto celeb heads.
These shows are not about beauty. They're about the drama of change... presented under the guise of "beauty." ------------- |
Jenna wrote:Posted By: Hal
Date Posted: May 14 2004 at 9:30am
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I don't think there is any vast right (hair) wing conspiracy going on here nor do I think there is an underground movement to gently force, coerce or tick long haired women to shed there locks. As discussed on this board regularly, long hair is a huge commitment that most women choose not to make. Add in the people that can not have long hair, throw in the ones who don't want long hair, the ones long hair looks bad on or there hair looks bad long. Total them all up and there are not that many woman left with really long hair... or if I'm wrong, it could be the makeover shows shearing them at a horrifying pace. Why makeover shows cut most long hair.. RATINGS! I sure there marketing shows people would rather see a big change rather than a little one... thus the term...MAKEOVERS rather than "Change in wardrobe and a trim" As always... beauty is in the eye of the beholder...the masses seem to like what they're currently doing.. or they wouldn't be doing it! ------------- |
Posted By: JerkyFlea
Date Posted: May 14 2004 at 11:52am
I definitely agree their fundamental point is a significant and dramatic change. However, that isn't always mutually exclusive with "beauty". And I'm talking physical here to avoid a deep philosophical discussion on inner beauty. JF |
Posted By: Kintaro
Date Posted: May 16 2004 at 10:22am
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Inner beauty isn't something you can pump into a person like air in a tire. Inner beauty is charisma. Either you have it or you don't, but it takes more than a physical change to achieve this unless the physical change is an actual handicap , i.e. weighing in excess of 150 kilos, or being a victim of something that burned 85 % of your skin to the 3rd degree. The fashion industry just wants you to believe you were burnt. ------------- I hate all of the following and lots more : Fundamentalists, racists, sexists, fascists, ageists (people saying seniors = senile , kids = stupid , 18 = immature or a combo of them), and bigots for causes yet to receive their own designation. |
Posted By: enfys
Date Posted: May 17 2004 at 11:31am
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It depends where you look. The makeovers in the Boots magazine/newsletter often just trim long hair, and major changes come from an interesting colour of lipstick or eyeshadow. They support hair that is in good condition and how the individual wants it.  'Bout time someone did!------------- http://www.myspace.com/waltzin_with_the_open_sea - http://www.myspace.com/waltzin_with_the_open_sea Ah-ha, a place I can soon add hair pics...once I do some |
Posted By: Ally
Date Posted: May 18 2004 at 12:13pm
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The beauty industry is not about long hair or short hair; it's about making you want to change whatever it is you have now, and spend money to do it. That's why in a single issue you can find an article about the new short cuts AND a fashion layout with a Rapunzel look-alike. I think the judgment of these people needs to be questioned in the first place. Have you ever seen some of these "fashion and beauty editors"? Do you generally like the results of makeover shows? I've seen so many where I much preferred the person "before." I would love to see a bad long hair to good long hair transformation, where they cut off just a few damaged inches, shaped the hair around the subject's face, and showed her how to style it. Every woman who gets made over ends up with the same choppy, layered haircut that needs to be styled skillfully to look good. (Hello! This person is on the show because she doesn't put effort into her appearance. She's not going to use a blow dryer and styling wax daily!) "Style Court" is the worst for this. That said, there are magazines like "Woman's World," which I stand in the longest checkout line to read for free, that show stylish long haircuts. And I think "stylish" is the key here. Most people are simply not flattered by superlong, one-length hair. It drags their face down, makes them look dumpy, and creates an overall impression of someone who doesn't try. If you have the features to pull this look off, more power to you. But some people aren't honest with themselves, I feel. Angelina Jolie and Jessica Simpson not only have wonderful thick hair that lends itself to great lengths, but they also have it cut very artfully for movement and volume. AND they have their own team of stylists making sure it's never flat or damaged-looking. Beautiful, well-styled long hair will never go out of style. But too often you see people with damaged or neglected hair that they stubbornly wear long anyway, and the overall impression is pathetic. It's like wearing hot pants when you're badly out of shape, calling attention to a feature that doesn't deserve it. These are the cases that make other people snicker up their sleeve or want to "help" that person make a better decision. ------------- |
Posted By: Unregistered Guest
Date Posted: July 19 2004 at 11:59am
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this angers me too. recently, i saw a makeover show where this woman came in with GORGEOUS hair. not only did it trail the floor, it was dark, straight, and had perfect thickness and volume. it was beautiful. they cut it off above her ears and layered it into this horrible spikey style and dyed it blond. she looked almost like a MAN. this really upsets me. this woman had advoiusly spent HER LIFE growing this wonderful cape of hair, and they cut it off for fashion. is fashion losing your best asset? if so, i'm gonna stay a fashion outtie. |
Posted By: Lavenderfleur
Date Posted: July 19 2004 at 7:41pm
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I have always wondered why they had to chop off hair just to do a makeover. Granted, some of these women look just as lovely with short hair, but I don't see what is so wrong with having long hair either. I think it would be more interesting to see the makeover people use their "talents" to restyle long hair and show people how to work with what they have. I have had long hair (waist length) and short hair (chin length) and I must say I feel more attractive with long hair. The shorter hair is cute and all, but I don't feel....sexy. ------------- |
Posted By: NightSlasher
Date Posted: July 20 2004 at 3:12am
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all those magazines and stuff are bs,long hair is definitly not outta style.Im a guy and i think girls can look great with long or short hair,it really isnt something to worry about cuz it doesnt matter people just make it sound like it does. ------------- My birthday is on September 9th!dang thats like practically in a year. :( |
Posted By: Snuggles
Date Posted: July 20 2004 at 1:56pm
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I don't think long hair is at all out of style. However, long hair isn't for everyone...In some cases, it looks bad on certain people. In some cases, people just don't want to make the commitment. I see a lot of women around here who wear their hair so long and stringy that it either looks very bad, or makes them look much older. Also, I think that (for me and many I know, at least) everyone needs to establish a line between long and too long. It's when we cross that line into too long that it becomes frustrating, and then we look for something new and interesting and chop it all off- I've done it before. And now I'm taking extra precautions to realize when it's too long, when it's become too much to take care of, or when it's become boring. An important part of keeping long hair, is keeping something interesting about it. It can be the way you wear it, it's color, or it's cut...But keeping it interesting, for me, means keeping it- period. :) ------------- **Starving Actor** --Will Work For Peanuts! |
Posted By: nygal
Date Posted: July 29 2004 at 10:55am
I agree about the long or too long aspect. That's why I'm only going for the middle of my back. I know my hair, and that's the length where it would look nice. Anything longer than that would probably look too weighed down, and then I'd have to get long layers which I really don't want to get. But, there are some people (women and men) who are blessed with the fact that they can grow their hair longer than that, and others, unfortunately, can't. That's why I think that the choice should ultimately be that of the person who's wearing the hair, not what society says is the "style" of the moment. Kathy  ------------- I bought some batteries, but they weren't included. .....Steven Wright |
Posted By: Bob S
Date Posted: July 29 2004 at 12:32pm
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I do not agree that there is a "too long" point, Kathy and Snuggles. On *some* women there is, because their hair becomes too broken after a certain point. However, I've never seen a woman with thick hair, who looked beautiful with hair at her shoulders look less magnificent at *any* longer length. So far as I know, Karen Shelton herself has hair at least waist length, and I can't imagine that she'd look better in any shorter style. I'm not complaining about shorter hair, but I think wods like "overpowering" or "dated" to describe extreme length are BS at worst, or personal preference at best. From this guys eyes, "too long" is dragging the floor! (lol) Of course, I respect that some may not wish to care for x-tra inches, but aesthetically, no way does any woman with Rapunzel tresses need to chop! Just my 2 cents, Bob 
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Posted By: Snuggles
Date Posted: July 29 2004 at 8:57pm
Well, I don't believe that there is a line where hair gets too long. However, there is a point where all of us are happy with our length, and for many, there is also a point where we are unhappy with it. It's different for everyone. While some might not mind having hair that trails behind them, and love it that way, there are also women and men who might not like their hair after a certain growth point. For example, I really don't like my hair any longer than about mid-back. I let it grow out past waist length once, got frustrated with it, and chopped it all off. I know now not to let it grow to that point again. ------------- **Starving Actor** --Will Work For Peanuts! |
Posted By: Viktoria
Date Posted: July 30 2004 at 7:55am
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I think you have a good point here, Snuggles. Itīs not about what it looks like to others, itīs about keeping that balance between making your long-hair-dreams come true, struggling with it in the shower x times a week and being able to do something that (at least you) feel is a fabulous hairdo, for work and play. I had my heart set on letting it grow as long as it would get, but I already see that classical length is going to be the best for me. Iīll be there in about two years, I reckon. I just canīt be bothered being *aware* of my hair all the time. I guess that is why I favor the bun! ------------- The more you complain, the longer God lets you live. |
Posted By: Bob S
Date Posted: August 07 2004 at 11:08am
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As I said, I think that what one considers "too long" is simply preference. There is no right or wrong here, except within the judgment of each individual. And my opinion is that I've never seen "too long". Too straggly, sometimes, but I'm always very pleased to see extra length naturally added to already magnificent tresses. Bob
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Posted By: eKatherine
Date Posted: August 07 2004 at 2:05pm
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I think the reason why celebs get extensions is a bit simpler than this: [ul][li]First of all, they recognize that beautiful long hair is generally considered sexy. [li]They don't have the patience to take care of their own hair to grow it out properly. [li]They don't want the public to see them going through an awkward stage that comes from really growing out your hair. [li]They're into instant gratification. [li]They can afford it. [/ul] I think one reason why makeover shows chop off hair so cavalierly, and participants allow it even if it isn't what they really want, is that they're trying to emulate the stars, if only for a few minutes. After their 15 minutes in the spotlight, they're stuck with a hairstyle that looks crappy because they can't afford a personal stylist, an outfit they can only wear one place, and makeup they can't put on without help. ------------- 
Just looking for a few good hair slaves - is that too much to ask? |
Posted By: DaveDecker
Date Posted: August 22 2004 at 5:12pm
Exactly, eKatherine! ------------- |
Posted By: SSassy
Date Posted: August 31 2004 at 10:21am
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I sometimes wonder if the debate is truly about long or short hair, vs. the style of the hair, regardless of the lenght? I do agree that a lot of the makeover shops automatically cut everyone's hair, which isn't always needed or even best. But I also think that people tend do get into a style "rut". If you don't want a change, you probably don't want to go on a makeover show.. Case in point, I love going to get my makeup done occassionally at department stores to give me a new "look" (when I realize all of my lipsticks are the same color) So even though I want the pros to put what colors THEY think will look best on me, vs. me picking the same old over and over again..usually when it's done, I'm not happy because it doesn't look like "me" I also think that while makeover shows often cut off people's hair just for a change, there are a lot of people who wear long hair just for the sake of having long hair..not considering whether or not that truly is the best look for them. When I went from 20" hair to 16" hair, I was nervous. That was 4" of hair...8 months of growth. What shocked me was that not many people noticed..the style was exactly the same, just 4 inches less of it. Which honestly, really improved the movement of my hair. I just needed to get past the initial feeling that I was going to get some award for having "really" long hair, vs. just nice looking hair. ------------- |
Posted By: AnaisSatin
Date Posted: August 31 2004 at 5:16pm
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Hal said something similar, please do refer to Hal's post for his awesome comments : ) A huge percentage of the modern population doesn't know how to properly care for long hair.. or doesn't want to, or prefers short hair, or likes the "perks" that come with short hair..(I don't want to get into the political-correctness of the rest)... There are so many perks for having short hair e.g. the color treatments, the chemical processing which I must say does give people amazing but yes temporary results even though I wouldn't touch chemical processing with a ten-foot pole, the heat tools (without blowdryers many busybodies wouldn't get anywhere and look professional. I don't blame them at all), and definitely the myth that long hair is time-consuming. and the patience issue.. after all, even longhairs agree that hair grows too slow for human wants. ...And for another percentage, it's their boredom "development & gestation" period. Even a BDGP of 3-6 months (spring and summer, hint hint) can get someone to cut their hair much shorter just on a whim. (like a cigarette craving, does it pass??) Depends on how much change a person psychologically requires, and how often one gets the need to try something new on themselves. Just my theory. and yes, people tell me I'm weird. Like Viktoria, I love having long hair because I can't be bothered with being "aware" of it all the time either. My goal is classic length too. Love that comment of yours, V. Peace, Love, Empathy. Anais |