I like my hair long, but never really admitted it to anyone. I've had several friends who preferred me with long hair and others prefer me with short hair. Now my girlfriend kind of likes when my hair is long but at times it quite gets in the way. I'm an electrician and I'm in and out of a lot of nasty environments and long hair can be a problem. I've mentioned needing to get my hair cut, but deep down I don't want to, and have loosely mentioned my girlfriend likes my hair long.
What are some hairstyles that work on men for longer hair. My hair is currently too short to pony tail and if I cut it, I will feel like I'll end up with a mullet. As of now work has no knowledge of my intention to transition at some point.
See avatar for current hair.
I typically don't do anything to it other than briefly comb it. I don't want to get into an elaborate styling procedure to make it look presentable. Worst case scenario, I chop it short again. :(
Can you stuff it into a hat?
Lots of gel slicked back like Jax in SOA. I had a grown out DA like this while pre transition in 1989/90
You're at the same stage as me, I believe it's described as the dreaded awkward stage ...
That is, not long enough to put in a pony tail or have enough weight to keep itself in place and instead, gets blown around everywhere everytime you move your head?
Advice? Patience - everyone with long hair has to grow past this point - I'm at about 6 months of growth and expect to be in the awkward stage for the next 6 months but afterwards, it'll be done (and I'll never cut it short again!)
Hi, AlexisLee
Provided that you don't cut your own hair I'd suggest telling your hair stylist that you want to grow it and to trim accordingly. Monthly adjustments (or whatever intervals you go) will keep it tidy as it grows.
For what it's worth, on average one year of unchecked growth amounts to the difference between a buzz cut and shoulder length—so judging from the length you already have the awkward stage shouldn't be that terribly long.
Lots of gel and hairspray to slick it back is how I roll now. I am about as long as you are in your avatar, so I can't tie it back low enough to be masculine about it, it won't stay behind my ears, and is generally annoying. Looks great after some hot curlers though ;D
Hi Hon
Slick it back until its long enough to put in a pony tail. I hated that stage where it always looks messy and its un manageable. Hang in there it will grow out. I have had long hair all my life and it has helped with the dysphoria and my transition overall.
And Don't cut it...lol you will be happier for it in the long run if you like long hair.
Huggs Niki
Quote from: Colleen_definitely on March 21, 2017, 07:55:15 AM
Looks great after some hot curlers though
This brings up another possibility. Our son has intensely curly hair. It sticks out from his head only an inch, but when he pulls out an individual hair, it's 5 or 6 inches. Can you get a very tight perm?
Patience! You will not regret waiting through the awkward in-between phase.
As for work, bobby pins and/or hair clips (very cheap at drugstore) can help to keep the pieces on the side away from your face. You can also pull what fits into a pony tail back and then clip the sides in place to keep them out of your face.
Corn rows?
I'm in the same boat. Unless you want the back considerably longer than the front/sides isn't it advised to trim the back (slightly) until the sides catch-up?
I didn't, I grew mine out all at once and got a trim annually.
Have not had mine cut in 14 months. lol
I use hair spray and it's long enough to pony tail when I'm at work,or going someplace where I have to look respectable. I haven't cut mine in 3 yrs.and if I do it's going to be feathered back.
I just tuck my shoulder length hair behind my ears at work and don't worry about what anyone thinks. Before I started growing it there it was pretty much a standard military haircut so it's quite a change.
The only time I do the ponytail is when I am running.
While it was growing I just brushed it the best I could and used hairspray.
Conform and be dull. —James Frank Dobie, The Voice of the Coyote
Wow! Lots of replies. Thanks everyone.
My hair was waaay longer than this when I first started working for the company (almost halfway down my shoulder blades). I got it cut short (about 1/2 long) and this length is almost 10-11 months of growth.
With luck I'm hoping to start seeing a therapist in the next few months and maybe (hopefully) low dose hrt so I can start a stealth transition so I'll just keep growing it out and at some point get it trimmed but keep it long.
I'll give the bobby pins a shot and see how it goes. I'm reluctant to use hair spray because the less flammable stuff I wear the better and I would probably require a ton of it.
I've never considered curls, but I'll experiment sometime over a weekend when I have a full weekend and see what develops. :)
Thanks again for all the replies, I've got some stuff to experiment with.
Quote from: AlexisLee on March 21, 2017, 07:23:59 PM
My hair was waaay longer than this when I first started working for the company (almost halfway down my shoulder blades). I got it cut short (about 1/2 long) and this length is almost 10-11 months of growth.
My same story. When I joined my current company I had long hair, then I cut it (I remember, it was a July 7th and Mika was on the radio) and am now regrowing it. I'm in the same rebel stage and use hair spray to tame it. I'm afraid using bobby pins would raise some alarms at work since I'm not out there :)
Quote from: RandyL on March 21, 2017, 08:40:45 AM
This brings up another possibility. Our son has intensely curly hair. It sticks out from his head only an inch, but when he pulls out an individual hair, it's 5 or 6 inches. Can you get a very tight perm?
Oh no, it is not something for boy mode at all. I don't know if they even make something that can curl as tight as that to be honest.
Quote from: Fresas con Nata on March 22, 2017, 02:42:25 AM
I'm afraid using bobby pins would raise some alarms at work since I'm not out there :)
For me I can't wear them either but mostly because they're likely to get sucked into a really expensive high powered magnet.
Ah yes... Good thing you mentioned the high powered magnet. I may not be able to get away with metal clips or anything because I also do occasional work around MRI machines and their support equipment. But I usually know ahead of time so I could accommodate. Till then I'll just have to deal with the awkward length.
Quote from: Deborah on March 21, 2017, 05:01:29 PM
I just tuck my shoulder length hair behind my ears at work and don't worry about what anyone thinks. Before I started growing it there it was pretty much a standard military haircut so it's quite a change.
The only time I do the ponytail is when I am running.
While it was growing I just brushed it the best I could and used hairspray.
Conform and be dull. —James Frank Dobie, The Voice of the Coyote
Lol. I was the same. I went from a 'high and tight' 7 years ago to the middle of my back this year. Up until about a month ago, I hadn't had anything more than trimming the split ends. Last cut I took of about 6" for the summer.
I understand the quandary of the OP and working in a trade. I'm a home builder and it DOES get in the way. I have learned to keep ponytail bands in my SUV for when I get out to check on my houses. Pine sap from the lumber is the WORST thing to get in your hair!
Rae
Quote from: Raelynn on March 25, 2017, 07:47:21 PMPine sap from the lumber is the WORST thing to get in your hair!
Oh god yes... Something else that's terrible is mastic. I had that get in my hair when I was still new in the trade and luckily I got it out before it dried. If I didn't, I would have went from more hair than I have now to a skinhead.
Ouch. Never thought about mastic! Yeah that would be bad! The only advice that I can give you is: Be patient. It sucks, I know, and you're going to go thru the shaggy, ugly hair, but DON'T cut it! Like everyone is saying, slick it back and just deal with it. It's actually lucky being in a trade. Lots of my subs have 1-2 workers with long hair in ponytails or braids! I was a deputy for many years and I HATED getting a high and tight. It killed my soul. LOL.
sent via fax machine
Quote from: RandyL on March 21, 2017, 08:40:45 AM
This brings up another possibility. Our son has intensely curly hair. It sticks out from his head only an inch, but when he pulls out an individual hair, it's 5 or 6 inches. Can you get a very tight perm?
Haha. That is totally me. Curly hair is the worst to grow out. I'm at about 20 months of growth and I'm still in that awkward stage for anytime I sleep. Looks like I'm Kramer from Seinfeld when I get up. Even styled it's about two inches above my neck when dry. And about three inches below when straightened.
I suggest curls tic for the curly locks- which can definitely keep things cleaner while growing out. I'm the only one in my family with curly hair (recessive gene). My mom and sister have wavyish hair, but have good luck with the curls rock.
I don't know if I'd suggest a perm. The less damage to the hair the less you have to trim to prevent split ends. On that note wash hair 1-2x/week if smell is tolerable and always always use conditioner every time your in the shower.
Oh hell, curls. Forgot about those. I have ALWAYS had straight hair growing up with the exception of a little 'duck tail' when it got mullet length! Now, I get accused of curling my hair. If I don't dry it, I get the long wavy curls that I would have killed for when I was younger! The longer I'm on hormones, the more curly it seems to get.
Oh... The Cosmo Kramer look? Gets worse!
sent via fax machine
Quote from: Raelynn on March 26, 2017, 12:52:55 AM
Oh hell, curls. Forgot about those. I have ALWAYS had straight hair growing up with the exception of a little 'duck tail' when it got mullet length! Now, I get accused of curling my hair. If I don't dry it, I get the long wavy curls that I would have killed for when I was younger! The longer I'm on hormones, the more curly it seems to get.
Oh... The Cosmo Kramer look? Gets worse!
sent via fax machine
I think you're the first person I've met or talked with that also had their hair go curly with hormones. Mine was wavy at best before my first puberty, though it started to get curly when my T was suppressed due to meds from age 13-mid 20s (mental health meds rather than AAs) the girl who does my hair, and happens to be my electrolysis tech has accused me of getting a perm. I totally get the hair getting more curly.
I am just waiting for the day, or rather night where my hair is long enough and heavy enough to stay below my pillow and neck rather than splayed across it.
I definitely wonder what the mechanism is behind Estrogen, and low T on curly hair.
Thanks for sharing! I'm not crazy in thinking hormones are to blame (or thank) for my kinky hair.
I simply used a bandana tied as a headband to keep it off my face until some could be tied into a ponytail, it took all of a year to get to where the ponytail alone would keep it under reasonable control. I still use the bandana to cover when I have to load glass into our 900F annealers because otherwise the little hair I have left in front (damned MP baldness) gets shortened by singeing.
I love simply having a ponytail and that's where it is 95% of the time during the day. I'm also glad to have reached the point where I can work a French braid -- im going in to work with that today and I like how it will add some wave when I take the braid out.
Next stop: mid-back length, that's going to take about a year from now.
I have wanted long hair all my life, at the moment it sits just over and slightly below my shoulders. I use clips to clip each side up and when its really hot I put it in a loose ponytail. I have had one cut in 18months just to even it up and will get my next cut in another 12 months or so....
Quote from: Brooke on March 26, 2017, 01:36:49 AM
I think you're the first person I've met or talked with that also had their hair go curly with hormones.
...
I'm not crazy in thinking hormones are to blame (or thank) for my kinky hair.
When my wife was pregnant, her normally curly hair got much curlier. It stayed that way for years, and then with menopause has gotten straighter again.
I've been thinking about asking some of these same questions. My hair has this frizzy curl at the ends especially when just washed. The sides are just longer than my ears. The only time it lays down is after I sleep on it but only if I'm careful rolling over to smooth it before going back to sleep. Otherwise I wake up with some curling outward 4" to the side. Lol I've been wondering if I should get the back trimmed. Now I'm thinking I should just let it ride.
Quote from: josie76 on March 28, 2017, 06:24:28 AM
I've been thinking about asking some of these same questions. My hair has this frizzy curl at the ends especially when just washed. The sides are just longer than my ears. The only time it lays down is after I sleep on it but only if I'm careful rolling over to smooth it before going back to sleep. Otherwise I wake up with some curling outward 4" to the side. Lol I've been wondering if I should get the back trimmed. Now I'm thinking I should just let it ride.
Try washing it every second day instead of every day...I actually let mine go three days then wash it. It is so much better and easier to look after
Liz
A good leave in conditioner helps with that also.
Conform and be dull. —James Frank Dobie, The Voice of the Coyote
Several women I know sleep with a rayon scarf over their hair. It keeps the hair from being moved around by your 120 count pillow covers. Also a hair straightener can help in fixing things. When you wash your hair make sure your hair ends are well treated. I use Moroccan Argan oil. making sure the ends are saturated. Makes my hair soft and shiney and has led me to believe my natural grey hair looks better than if I color it.
You should probably be wearing a baseball cap or something to protect your head on your job anyway. That will keep the hair out of the way until you can ponytail it. It doesn't take that long. Then you can do all sorts of things with it. Forget "man-buns", though. I only wear woman buns. ;)
Late reply...
Thanks for all the responses. I already try to wash my hair every other day, but sometimes I have to wash it daily because i get insulation, dirt or some other lovely stuff in my hair I'd rather not sleep with.
Haven't cut it so its still going.
Be careful wearing a ponytail. You can do irreversible damage to your hairline if you pull it back too tight. It's called traction alopecia
I have kept my long hair during the past 15 years with some variations in the hair length.
My conclusions to keep healthy hair I have learned so far are:
1. Avoid hair dryer as possible. Instead, use a plain electric fan.
2. Avoid dying as possible. I sometimes dye my hair, but once in one or two years.
3. Avoid hair straightener or other chemicals as possible.
4. Use natural shampoo products, and rinse your hair with running cold water at least for 3 min.
I sometimes let my hair permed at a professional hair salon, probably once or twice per year. I do not grudge money in choosing a nice hair salon (usually US$200-300), because the permed hair style lasts longer.
Also, as I am getting aged (>50), I am taking Finasterid to prevent or minimize hair loss.
In any case, letting your hair intact as possible is the best practice to have nice and healthy hair in the long term.
barbie~~
Quote from: DawnOday on March 28, 2017, 02:15:25 PM
Several women I know sleep with a rayon scarf over their hair. It keeps the hair from being moved around by your 120 count pillow covers. I use Moroccan Argan oil. making sure the ends are saturated. Makes my hair soft and shiney and has led me to believe my natural grey hair looks better than if I color it.
My Hotel in Tokyo had satin pillow cases which cut down on the 'hair fairy'. Upon my return, I hand-made satin pillow cases cause i could not find them even online (in the 90s).
Pray tell, Dawn, more about argan oil... I'll applaud you again...
Btw Dawn, the Chinese think molasses will turn gray hair back to its original color.
As to the longer hair, my current boss has made two 'you're the statistical outlier' comments; while others have said I look like a rock star wanna-be, or even Fabian. How we stress others makes wonder sometimes.
Quote from: Amy Chislett on July 02, 2017, 11:24:15 AM
My Hotel in Tokyo had satin pillow cases which cut down on the 'hair fairy'. Upon my return, I hand-made satin pillow cases cause i could not find them even online (in the 90s).
Pray tell, Dawn, more about argan oil... I'll applaud you again...
Argon oil adds shine and can be used on the face as well. My grey hair goes from dull to fabulous. The argon tree grows predominately in Morocco and believe it or not goats climb the trees and the undigested seeds in their poo are processed. Due to the demand they are starting to use more modern techniques. There was a piece on Argon oil this morning on Sunday Morning. The other conditioner I use has karotin which strengthens the hair. One more regimen I am considering is collagen added to my supplements. Helps with wrinkles, strengthen hair and nails.
What about a high knot? If you don't like the knot, wear a hat. And do shat other posters have said. Get a stylist to work with you and trim monthly until it's past this stage.
Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk
Quote from: Perle on July 02, 2017, 11:31:12 PM
What about a high knot? If you don't like the knot, wear a hat. And do shat other posters have said. Get a stylist to work with you and trim monthly until it's past this stage.
Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk
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Do you think having longer hair makes one prone to hair loss?
Get the T out of the system and you will not loose hair simply because it is long. No way
I am glad i am not the only one in that awkward phase of hair. It is not short enough to style as a male much, but not long enough to do anything else. So yes I am using gel to help me do something. I am growing it out. In my job there are plenty with long hair as guys so I can blend in for now. This is a whole other discussion, lol.
I have been growing my hair out for over a year now and it has grown long enough to almost touch my shoulders. My wife thinks I should get it trimmed for split ends. It actually kind of scares me at the prospect of losing length. I would love to get a cut in a more feminine style. Not out yet, so I still need to mostly conceal it. Growing my hair out has helped me Alot though. Any suggestions?
Quote from: Amy Chislett on July 11, 2017, 11:31:07 AM
Do you think having longer hair makes one prone to hair loss?
No, simply having long hair does not cause hair loss. Some of the abusive things people sometimes do to their long hair can, though. Pulling very tight ponytails, using tight hair clips and putting some types of chemical treatments on you scalp can certainly contribute to hair loss. When you have long hair, the less you do to it, generally, the healthier it will be.
Quote from: jules968 on July 12, 2017, 11:09:04 PM
I have been growing my hair out for over a year now and it has grown long enough to almost touch my shoulders. My wife thinks I should get it trimmed for split ends. It actually kind of scares me at the prospect of losing length. I would love to get a cut in a more feminine style. Not out yet, so I still need to mostly conceal it. Growing my hair out has helped me Alot though. Any suggestions?
Yes. Stop trying to have two different things at once. If you are person who feels feminine and long hair is a part of that you are doing nothing but damage to yourself and your relationships with those around you if you hide it. Instead of "coming out", gradually show the world who you feel you are. It will be awkward at first, but in the long run it's less disturbing to people than abruptly announcing to them that you're a different gender.
How should a professional woman style her hair? There is no single accurate answer for this question. Beyond individual preferences, the appropriate hairstyle depends on many factors, most importantly, the nature of her job. The job description of her chosen profession has a great influence on the way a woman should style her hair. But other factors also come into play, such as her other social roles and her personal goals. Sometimes, these factors have conflicting demands on her. For example, a woman might be an event planner who may need a glamorous long hairstyle, but she is also a new mom whose baby likes to grab her hair. Choosing the right hairstyle is achieving a compromise for all conflicting factors and still having a confident-boosting outward appearance. The following tips will be useful in helping you choose the appropriate professional hairstyle.
1: Redefine your job description
2: Don't forget the basics
3: Strive for an ageless style
If you are in your twenties, you can still copy a lot of the trendier hairstyles, even those that are considered extremes. But you must still consider the nature of your job. For example, if you are in the insurance business, you want your hairstyle to encourage your clients to have confidence in your professional abilities. That is, you don't want your clients to think that you are too young for your job.
Hi soloism,
Welcome to the site. Thanks for jumping right in and sharing your thoughts/experience. Very good thoughts to go through when trying new hair styles. Especially confidence boosting.
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Quote from: Deborah on March 21, 2017, 05:01:29 PM
I just tuck my shoulder length hair behind my ears at work and don't worry about what anyone thinks. Before I started growing it there it was pretty much a standard military haircut so it's quite a change.
The only time I do the ponytail is when I am running.
While it was growing I just brushed it the best I could and used hairspray.
Conform and be dull. —James Frank Dobie, The Voice of the Coyote
It does look good longer Deborah.
I like long hair. I prefer large curls and loose hair
I think longer styles can look very nice. So can middle lengths and shorter lengths. My hair is short, and it can look feminine, or not so much so if I want it not to. I am unsure how long it will work in guy mode though, especially so with other changes going on. I am mtf, but I have not yet tried to be full-time.
I have mine about four inches above my shoulders (or down to a bit below my ears or about my lips) and I think that is about the right length for me, perhaps an inch longer will be perfect. My hair is not that long surrounding the front and some of both sides of my face though. I can tuck some behind my ears now. I will gradually have my hair gracefully fall all around, with more to tuck or possibly adorn with pretty in-the-hair combs or bows, or to gather with a barrette.
It is fun going to get a feminine cut and style. The first one was almost like a rite of passage, it was so correct-gender affirming. Female hair styling and adornment is for sure one of the pleasures of being a woman. :)
Chrissy
mine is shoulder length easy to manage doesn't grow any longer just grows thick