Styles that Stick: Lovely long locks

Posted Aug 13th 2007 at 5:58PM by Jonathon Morgan (Subscribe to Jonathon Morgan's posts)

Filed under: Hair Care, Fashion, Hair, Designers & Brands

We've come a long way from the boring days of yore, when women had universally long hair, and men kept their coiffures short and neat -- no exceptions. However, even though it's occasionally trendy for women to go short and spiky -- or even bald -- nothing says elegance like a long, shiny locks.

The reasons behind our long-hair lust may go beyond the resurgence of vintage chic or our infatuation with Herbal Essence advertisements. Some anthropologists think that it's based on an innate human desire to select healthy sexual partners -- meaning that, because long hair is an indicator of good health, we find it attractive.

Maybe this is why men are so quick to adopt the fashion whenever it becomes popular -- from the hippies of the 1960s, to grunge fans of the 90s, to today's 90s-inspired hipster types, whose shaggy styles will only get longer as they become more infatuated with Kurt Cobain and Eddie Vedder.

That said -- it's possible that the woman pictured above is taking the idea just a little too far. Her hair measures 2 meters and 42 centimeters (almost 8 feet), and she hasn't had it cut in over 15 years. If you think you're up for the challenge, keep in mind that it's a serious investment -- to grow your hair down to your waist will take about 7 years.

On the other hand, there's always extensions.

Source

Tags: 90s, coiffure, grunge, kurt cobain, KurtCobain, long hair, LongHair, styles that stick, StylesThatStick

Reader Comments (Page 1 of 8)

MICHELE 8-14-2007 @ 9:48AM

Long hair looks cheesy and trailer trashy on most women. It just hangs and has no style. GROSS!

Su27 8-14-2007 @ 10:10AM

That is as wierd as this:
http://www.fakebuddy.com/

Rachel 8-14-2007 @ 9:56AM

i dissagree michele, for those women who have thin flat hair and dont wash it often, sure it does look flat and trashy. but for those of us long haired fems/lads (my hair is down bellow my waist) who take care of their hair, it looks rather nice. keeping hair trimed though is what is so important. these long haired people who dont even cut the split ends off dont realize that it makes their hair look whispy and thin. my mother has long hair that is thin but she keeps it trimed nice and neet and it looks great!

Becky 8-14-2007 @ 9:58AM

I love long hair! My hair is long, blonde, thick, and naturally wavy. I'll never cut it. It can be a pain to brush though, but in the end it's well worth it. When my time comes, it's being donated to Locks of Love.

Dawn 8-14-2007 @ 9:58AM

I quess you must have short blah hair and can't grow it so you have to have a negative comment! Long hair is beautiful and it requires a lot of work and dedication. I think you are just jealous! Men love long locks!!

Sara 8-14-2007 @ 9:57AM

Looks like SOMEBODY up in the number 1. spot has short hair and just found out men weren't attracted to it.

Lisa 8-14-2007 @ 10:03AM

I agree with Michele. I have long hair, but only to put up! Long stringy hair just makes a girl look greasy! There are acceptions to some who are blessed with strong thick long pretty hair, but not all us ladies can pull that off!!

Patricia 8-14-2007 @ 10:10AM

I agree with #2, #3 and #5 comment.. long hair does take a lot of work and dedication to keep it healthy, clean and well groomed... that is the key word- well groomed..

It is an attraction for men, I can testify to that, but I have mine waist length for my personal enjoyment. I have the time needed to take care of it.

Rocki 8-14-2007 @ 10:09AM

My hair has been long for years! I constantly get compliments from men & women on it, because it's shiny and healthy and very straight. I have donated my hair to locks of love on a couple of occasions. But I don't ever cut it above my shoulders. Too bad comment # 1 has issues

Lisa,NYC 8-14-2007 @ 10:15AM

Well, No.1, you obviously described to the entire Internet that you have disgusting hair & are envious of women (& maybe some hot men) who have gorgeous thick, long, healthy, sexy tresses - like mine! Too bad. Perhaps you should start taking care of your own looks, this way you wouldn't need to waste time being petty & jealous of other people who look fabulous!!! - Like me!!!
Peace out.

Frosty 8-14-2007 @ 10:15AM

The woman's hair is too long and healthy and nice would not be my description of it.
My husband also likes long hair. While mine has been down my back I would never let it grow all the way to my waistband (I'm 5'7") That does not look good on anyone!!! (Over the age of 6)

My hair is past my shoulders and it is naturally straight. It has thin (done with foil)golden highlights and is always shiny. People say my hair is thick but I think it's medium-thick.
I also do not ever let it get split ends, and my girl gives great cuts- they grow out very nicely.

me:30's, med brown hair with natural chestnut highlights and hairdresser-made golden highlights, fair clear skin and blue-green eyes.

Beth 8-14-2007 @ 10:17AM

I've been on all ends of the spectrum. I ADORED my long spiral curly locks. Never crazy long, but halfway down my back. It was my favorite accessory. Long hair can go in a million styles, and if it's healthy, and well styled, then, look out world.
Everything changed when in my late 20's I got cancer, and I lost all my hair. I have to say, besides the whole life changing experience, I rocked being bald, and I loved having short, funky, spiky hair when it was growing in. It's still sexy- it's just edgy. If every chic out there had long hair we'd totally live in a boring world. Super skinny girls look great with pixie styles, and we all know those girls with hair thats so long, you just want to take a scissor and chop off 3 inches of dead nastiness from their ends!
My hair is past my shoulders now, and it can't get long enough, fast enough, but having lived both sides, I think short hair can be super hot too!

wanda 8-14-2007 @ 12:00PM

long hair is beautiful,not to say it is your glory,and it says in the word of god not to cut lyour hair and for men to have short hair

Vickie 8-14-2007 @ 10:22AM

I had my hair cut in a pixie years ago and cried for 3 days. It finally grew out and I have the ends trimmed every 2 yrs.. I wouldn't give it up for the world. So many compliments; have had blonde hair for 52 years now. I'll take it to my grave. In the Bible, it's a woman's glory.

becky 8-14-2007 @ 12:25PM

what the hell.. how about.. who cares what men like, and if you like it, and you are happy with it (your hair) thats all that matters. and if you are with someone that ABSOLUTELY does not like your hair, long or short, then sucks for them huh?
i think long or short is fine!! whatever fits that persons personality, and what makes them the most comfortable..

Virginia Salvatore 8-14-2007 @ 10:29AM

It depends on how old you are. I have never seen long grey hair look attractive on any woman past 60.

betty 8-14-2007 @ 10:44AM

I had hair down to my rear end until I was a senior in college. I then had a two in. baby cut and have had short hair ever since. It was my short hair that attracted my husband to me. He love short hair. he thinks long hair is awful.

Angie 8-14-2007 @ 10:34AM

I've had both long and short hair and I have to say that I've gotten compliments from men and women on how nice it looks either way. Let's grow up "girls" and stop being so nasty when someone makes a comment. Don't knock something until you have actually tried having long or short hair. It's not for everyone so for those that have short hair...wear it like no one else can and a guy WILL LOVE IT....

Joseph 8-14-2007 @ 10:34AM

I LOVE LADIES WITH NICE LONG GORGOUS HAIR, CUZ THEY ARE VERY VERY VERY SEXY LOOKING... IF I WAS A LADY, THEN I WOULD LET MY HAIR GROW VERY LONG AND I WILL DIG GUYS WITH LONG HAIR, TOO....

ANY LADIES WITH NICE LONG GORGOUS HAIR, EMAIL ME AT COOLDUDE4900@AOL.COM (I'M ALWAYS ON!!!)... I WOULD LIKE TO HOOK UP WITH YOU!!!

Remee 8-14-2007 @ 10:38AM

I have had short hair and but for the majority of my life my hair has never been above mid back on me. I can understand some people think long hair and think of those people on cops that look like they have never seen a hairbrush let alone shampoo. This fact unfortunately has given long hair a bad name. My husband loves my long hair, he says that it's one thing that really attracts him. Most of the guys I have dated enjoyed my long hair as well. Never under-estimate the power of will. If you want beautiful long hair, then work for it. It isnt' just about occasional maintance. It's about daily care. You have to figure out what your hair likes and doesn't like. Just like a child. There is a slew of information on the internet about hair care and how to bring even bad untamable hair to life. I know. My hair was a mess even though it was long when i was teenager. I didn't understand what I had then. Now I do and I take good care of my hair and give it the nutrients it needs to look sleek and shiny. Please don't be dismayed if your hair doesn't change overnight. Like the above comment. It takes dedication and work to have beautiful hair. but it si well worth it in the long run.