and I have some questions! In the past couple of years I have grown my hair from about 3/4 inch all over (punk rock!) to about two inches above my bra strap. I want it very long and pretty before I get married. What steps should I start now to keep it looking shiny and smooth?

I have thickish/wavy hair and so many people don't know how to deal with it, so they end up thinning it out, so now the length seems too thin to me now compared with the top, should I deal with it or cut off some of the length to regain all over thickness?

Also, how much can I expect it to grow in 12 monthes?

Hi, rebeccarb, welcome to longlocks!

You can check out the Ultimate Guide to Growing Long Hair (see site features on the left).

I also have thick wavy hair and you're right, most hair dressers have no clue about our hair type.  My hair is close to the same length as yours, I have a few layers put in to help with the poofyness and bulk.  For years my hair was "thinned out" with a razor, I don't have any more difficulty with it now than I did then.

I really like Ouidad's products, they're made for curly/wavy hair.  Our hair tends to be dry and her products help give the hair internal weight so it is not so frizzy or fly-away.  You can find her stuff at www.ouidad.com.

Typically hair grows about 1/2" per month, so some where around 6" ish of growth per year.

Good Luck!!!

I had my hair thinned out once, because a girl kept pressuring me to do it, and the salon lady was just "appalled" at how I could deal with it being this thick in the first place. It ended up making my hair look ratty and really thin at the ends, so I grew it out. It really depends on if you think that you can deal with it now, or if it does like my hair did and looks bad, so you may want to trim it till the thinned part grows out.