Word Vomit: Hair Update {8}

*Get up to date on my hair challenge.*

It’s time for a hair update. I think it has been about 3 weeks since the last one. Good news! My hair is growing! The sides are officially longer than my ear lobes, but I will come back to that along with some pictures. For now, I want to talk about something that has been happening to me a lot lately–people have been making some careless, inconsiderate comments about my hair. Maybe I’m too sensitive, but I’ll let you be the judge.

Here are eight things that you should NEVER say to a woman growing her hair out:

1. Are you still growing your hair out? Because it doesn’t look like it.
My mother and sister, of all people, had this conversation with me. It was downright discouraging, especially when I CAN see the growth. I expected more from you ladies, I expected more…

2. I loved your short haircut so much.
Well that’s nice and all, but that’s not encouraging to me, at all. Would you tell an amputee that you loved it when s/he had two legs?!

3. You look like Lloyd Christmas.
I’m talking to you, Mr. Matt. You are supposed to tell me that I look like a princess…all the time, even when I have a mullet!

4. I see you’re trying something different with your hair again.
If you were trying to be cordial Grandma, ya’ failed.  Ya’ fired.

5. You’re never going to grow it out if you keep trimming it!
Again, mom, where’s the love? I thought we were on the same team.  And for the record, regular trims keep the hair healthy and more prone to growth.

6. You should just give up, you look better with short hair anyways.
OK, this may be true, but it’s for a good cause! Sick kids need wigs, and I want to give them one!

7. You look like an adolescent boy with that haircut.  
Don’t get too upset, this one was just implied. I sort of have the same hair as this kid I know…and he cuts his own hair…with a butter knife.  Also, I was once told that I am built like an adolescent boy, just sayin’.

8. Are you a boy or a girl?  
Yes, someone actually asked me this, granted she was only four years old and didn’t know that I was already fragile, but I don’t think that’s a good excuse! Psshh. Don’t worry, I gave her a talking to about how girls can have short, medium or long hair like her cute, little, blonde self.  No really, she was adorable.

I’ve recently discovered that, along with patience, a sense of humor, regular trims and prenatal vitamins, the perfect recipe for hair-growth includes accessorizing. I went to Claire’s and bought a bunch of girly headbands and clips, most of which I haven’t worn yet. They kind of give me a headache, so I use them in small doses. Hats have also become a life-saver on days when the hair just won’t cooperate, and as long as I wear bright lipstick and earrings, I don’t usually get mistaken for a “nice young man.”  (If I had a nickel for every time I heard that growing up…)

Finally, here are some photos of where my hair is at now.

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I’m glowing pink in this photo…I chalk it up to late-night bathroom photography on the iphone.

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And just so we’re clear that I am getting somewhere, I put together a collage of my progress (mom!).  In the beginning the hair around my ears and neck was basically shaved, and now look at it–all shaggy and wonderful!  It’s like I don’t even have ears anymore!  Victory!

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XO, Tobi

PS: I love you, mom.

Category : Advice, Blogging, Fashion, Hair Challenge, Life, Relationships, Self Esteem, self-love, Thoughts, Winter, Women
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