Cons of having long hair, ah… I could write a book on that right now! Spending the biggest part of my life so far sporting a shoulder length cut at most, I’ve always secretly envied girls with long manes. And being closely related to one didn’t do much to soothe my pain either. Seeing my sister’s pin straight, super long hair pretty much on daily basis got me thinking there is no long hair con serious enough to compete with all that wow, so I’ve decided to stop ruining my hair and grow it for a change. It was a fun experience, still is actually, although I’ve learned that there are plenty of cons of having long hair girls don’t talk much about. That’s why I’ve decided to share all the bad sides I’ve noticed so far before I get totally used to them and you definitely should continue reading to find out what to expect if you decide to grow your hair long, too.
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1. It’s Super Annoying
No joke! Unless you’re Serena van der Woodsen, a socialite who always has somewhere to go, someone to see, a party to attend or any other reason to be primped 24/7, you will discover that long hair can be quite uninteresting and even annoying. I wash it, let it dry, tie it up and don’t really get to enjoy the wow until I go out. It’s actually the most depressing of all cons of having long hair, because you go through all the trouble and don’t even get to enjoy it more than anyone else. Like a favorite pair of shoes – super cute, hard to part with until the next night out but not something you’d wear around the house. Now imagine dusting, scrubbing the toilet or even worse, making vegetable patties with all that length unleashed, following your every movement, getting in your eyes and stuff. So not cool!
2. It Loses a Lot of Volume
The longer your hair is, the thinner and flatter it looks! Seriously, satisfying root volume and long mane don’t really belong in the same sentence. You can fix this by getting some layers cut, in which case you’re sacrificing the volume at bottom to gain more volume on top. Just like that – choose! You get clip in extensions too, although that’s not the most budget-friendly option. Alternatively, you can develop a serious addiction to root-boosting products, spend a great deal of time styling then some more trying to get all that gunk off your head. Picnic!
Frequently asked questions
Well, long hair can be really high maintenance. It takes forever to wash, dry, and style. Plus, it gets tangled so easily, and don't even get me started on the knots!
It might seem like you're losing more hair because it’s just more noticeable. But no, you don’t lose more hair just because it's long - it's pretty much the same amount as you would with short hair.
Absolutely! Short hair is way easier to manage. It dries faster, requires less product, and is usually quicker to style. No more hours spent with a blow dryer!
Sadly, not really. It's a big myth. Cutting your hair can make it look healthier by getting rid of split ends, but it doesn't affect the rate at which it grows.
Not necessarily. It really depends on personal preference and lifestyle. Some people love the versatility of long hair, while others adore the fuss-free convenience of short hair. It's all about what works best for you.
3. It’s Time Consuming
My short cut had been a wash and go kind of thing, medium cuts were a bit harder to manage but still quite user-friendly while long hair… well, I’ll just say this – I’m often tempted to blow dry it straight or do my favorite flicked out look, then I think about the time and effort and just decide to let it dry naturally. Air drying is not as quick as it used to be either, which means I need to wash my hair at least four hours before I leave the house.
Long tresses bring with them a whole ritual of maintenance. Conditioning has become my new best friend, yet it feels like a never-ending battle with tangles and split ends. Not to mention the arm workout I get from holding up the dryer on those days I choose not to go natural. And don't even get me started on styling. Whether it's braiding, curling, or putting it up in a sophisticated updo, it feels like I'm planning a military operation with all the equipment and time I need to set aside.
4. It Makes You Spend More
A tube of commercial dye holds enough of the product to cover the entire head only if your hair is of medium length. Anything longer than that and you’d better start seeing double because you’ll have to get at least two boxes to get the coverage you need. Shampoos, conditioners, all of those hair-care products that don’t necessarily come cheap are gone before you know it, not to mention a higher rate stylists charge when dealing with long hair. Those are some serious long hair cons right there and I urge you to consider them before you go through all that trouble only to realize the maintenance of your new length costs way more than you’ve predicted.
Long hair is a beautiful look, but it can come with its own set of cons. One of the biggest cons of having long hair is the cost. A tube of commercial dye is enough to cover medium length hair, but anything longer than that and you’ll need to buy two boxes. In addition, long hair requires more shampoo, conditioner, and other hair products, which can be expensive. You may also need to visit a hair stylist more often, and they often charge higher rates for working with long hair.
Another con of having long hair is the time it takes to maintain it. Long hair needs to be washed, conditioned, and styled more often than shorter hair. This can take up a lot of time, especially if you need to use a blow dryer or curling iron. It can also be difficult to style long hair, as it takes more time to get the desired look. Additionally, long hair can be more prone to tangles and knots, which can be a hassle to untangle.
5. It’s Impossible to Live with in Summer
Want to hear about another con of having long hair? Well, letting the length loose in summer is like walking around with a blanket thrown over your shoulders. You have to pull it up or braid it and then it doesn’t really look that long, special or anyhow different than all those easier to maintain medium length cuts. Furthermore, I’d even go so far to say that, unless styled really nicely, long hair in summer can’t even hope to compete with a stylish short cut. I usually wear mine loose only in the evening and even that’s a maybe and depends on whether we’ll be going downtown or opt for a breezier and significantly fresher beach front outing.
Soaring temperatures often spell annoyance and discomfort for those with cascading locks. Imagine the sweat under those thick tresses - it practically traps heat, turning your neck into a sweat lodge. And while some argue that a messy bun is the summer go-to, let's face it, it can lack flair, especially when you're yearning for that effortless chic look. Short cuts, on the other hand, provide both relief and style - a breezy nape, free from the clutches of hair, feels like a superpower when you're navigating through a humid day.
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6. It’s Heavy
The longer hair is, the heavier it gets, which doesn’t only affect base volume but curl patterns and hair's ability to hold a style. Long straight hair will keep a curl much shorter than straight hair of medium length, while long curly hair (especially if we’re talking about soft loose curls) needs to be layered to look good and prevent the curls from unwinding.
7. It Gets in the Way
My experience so far: Having long hair is like having a tail – if you sit, lean back or lay down without making adjustments for your hairy addition, more than one “Ow” will escape your mouth. My husband keeps forgetting this all the time, causing me to go “Ow” every time he throws an arm around my shoulder, forgetting that the arm in question needs to go under the hair, not over it. There’s also the sleeping part… you fall asleep with your hair neatly arranged on the pillow and wake up realizing it’s trying to choke you. When you shed, you shed and then some; when it’s hot, it’s hot and then some; when it's windy, you look like a homeless woman… But that’s just another normal day in a long-haired woman’s life.
Ha, bet you didn’t believe there were so many long hair cons to cry about – did you? Long hair does look pretty cool and leaves a lot of room for experimenting but is hardly all flowers and butterflies. Remember that the next time you feel like envying someone for a long mane. But what do you say, ladies? Is there a con of having long hair I’ve forgotten to mention?
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