ladies--long hair question.

Back in the day when I had long hair, I found double "pig-tail" french braids to work best...kept more strays out of my way and it was easier to get some bangs out of the way (depending on how long yours are). Don't know if that'll work for you, but it lasted through soccer games after countless headers and summer-saults in the dirt! :-)

Thanks, Jasmine. I didn't even think about double braids, I haven't worn them since I was a kid. I may try that!

Is that you in your avatar? If so, I love your haircut-- it is really cute.

It sure is!!! It's quite longer now (ok, still barely hits the shoulders). I'm in dire need of a haircut...since February maybe? oops!!! :-)

My hair is waist-long as well, and very thick. The consideration is what will fit with my bike helmet. I do a simple braid in the back (like a rope), which I then tuck up under my swim cap. I can also then pull on my running hat, and pull the braid through the back.

The only problem I have is that when I'm running, the braid (rope) rubs on my back and gets all tangled and messy. Oh well.

Good luck on your race!!

I was also going to suggest two French braids, but then, once you get them to the nape of your neck, combine them into one. That single braid can more easily be shoved into a  swim cap or a baseball cap. I had super long hair, too, until a couple years ago. When I decided to become athletic, my hair was the first thing to go. I donated it to Locks of Love, too. That was fun!! I only miss my hair at times like this when I remember how much I liked it in two French braids parted down the middle! ;-)

Try cutting it all off. I did! My hair was Crystal Gail long, I mean LONG! I got sick of twisting it all up into a bun and piling it on top of my head sooooooooooooo I had it all cut off! It sure cuts down on the headaches while swimming! Now it's in this cute little do. Longish bangs. Pretty damn short (chin length). I usually wear a baseball cap when I run. I can throw it on right after the swim and yank it off for the bike.

If you don't want to go all Halle Berry'd out, french braids/cap sounds like a good idea.

Y'all are making me really glad I keep mine just past the shoulders these days, no matter how much it bums out my hubby....

For a while I had mine REALLY short, like and incha nd a hlaf all over...wash, mousse and go....I miss the ease! (it looked kinda punk/cute, too). Cindy

Sexism!! Here on BT of all places!! Before I had kids who could make daddy's head bob by pulling his ponytail I would put it in a ponytail with an elastic at each end and then down the back of my shirt for biking.

I'm now in the "regular mens at the barber shop" club. I'll never get used to needing a haircut more than once every 6 months.

Edited by marmadaddy 2004-08-09 11:47 PM

I vote for the french braid. It works well to seat you bike helmet on rather than a ponytail. I do it both ways - single braid or double. It just depends on how I feel that morning. It does get messy with the helmet but after the race I just brush it out and put it in a ponytail.

I'm sorry marmadaddy, I didn't mean to offend anyone or be sexist! I honestly don't know any men who sport long hair, so I didn't think of including men in my question! Thanks for your input

Thanks to everyone else who responded!! I am probably going to go with a french braid. I would love to get my hair cut to chin or shoulder length, but I am keeping it long for a while longer to make my husband happy. What is it with men liking long hair on women??LOL

I don't know what it is, but I know I love my long hair too. It's way easier to care for that short hair, in the long run. I only wash it every other day or so. I don't style it because it is its own style. In the morning, all I have to do is brush it, grab an elastic band, and go. No hair spray, no gel, no curling irons or blow dryer. And most wonderful of all, no "Geez, it's time for a hair cut again?!"

That said, I've seen some really cute short hair styles.

MarmaDaddy, when I first laid eyes on my husband he was hot and sweaty in the middle of a basket ball game with a long braid flying out behind him. Love at first site! ;-) Now he's a regular at the barbar shop, too. Those were the days. ;-)

FitMama, my husband was worried about my hair cut and now he prefers it short! A close friend of mine with beautiful long black hair all the way down her back, stopped by my office yesterday with a new shorn 'do. I was so shocked!!! A few days ago she looked exactly like Jane Seymour, Native American style. She looks great now, too!! She doesn't miss her long hair a bit. (I have to confess that I do, though.)

My wife tells a similar story about seeing me play in a band many years ago. At least now I know how to put my daughters' hair in a ponytail or french braid.
A woman friend once told me "I like the concept of ponytails on men. The reality doesn't do much for me".

LOL MarmaDaddy!! My dh does just as well with fixing our girls' hair as I do! It's a great skill to have as a papa.

I wear two low braids and Marmadaddy, my boyfriend sticks with the low ponytail. ;-)