Hello everyone!

I found this forum after typing in a "grow out hair" search on the Internet. I am really inspired by the members here, so I decided to join.

Here's my story.
I have dark, coarse Turkish hair that I have been dying for more than a decade now.

I'm getting married next year and am determined to grow out my hair (my own natural color!) back to my waistline, where it was when I was a young girl. I just dyed my hair back to my natural dark brown so I will not be tempted to go over the roots.

I had "Bettie Page" bangs for many years and am trying my best to grow them out, as well. It's not easy - I have a high natural hairline so it takes me longer than most. It's currently swept back over my eyes, but it still looks funny, falls over my line of vision and just overall bugs me. But I'm determined. I have about six months to a year before the sweep will reach my chin.

Oh, and right now I look like a mushroom head! In December of last year, I was getting frustrated with my hair, and decided to get a layered cut, but nothing too drastic. I just wanted a small change, to add some volume to my shoulder-length hair. I even showed her a picture of a model that had what I was thinking of, but the communication still fell flat I guess. My intention was to leave the back of my hair long. Instead, she gave me a modified A-line. It's absolutely atrocious. I indeed have layers around my crown, but a short back (it's just now reaching below my neck), and 'dog ears' that touch my collarbones. Because my hair is shortened up top, the dog ears are thin and straggly. I hate it. I feel so frumpy. To add insult to injury, she cut my growing out bangs without my consent, leaving me with an even longer growing out process.

UGH! I just can't wait to have long, medieval-esque hair. I'm staying away from the salon's chair and just snipping split ends at home. I'm so scared of getting my hair cut by somebody else...it's like I can't trust anybody!

Anyway, I got a little more wordy there than intended....to wrap things up, pleasure to meet you all, and I will definitely be updating my progress on my journey to achieve healthy, long, natural hair.

Hi and welcome!
Sorry about your "nightmare" with that stylist!  I,too, can only relate to a horrible cut!!!  Only I had to be reminded of it for a few years because at the time my driver's license showed the really bad cut!!!!!
I look forward to reading your journal and getting to know you better.

A belated welcome, Astraea!  My long hair journey also came as a result of bad hair experiences.  Hang in there - you will eventually have your long beautiful hair.