The Feminine Body: Long Hair or Short? - crafthaus2024-03-29T07:40:31Zhttps://crafthaus.ning.com/forum/topics/the-feminine-body-long-hair-or?commentId=2104389%3AComment%3A111731&feed=yes&xn_auth=noHi Rickson. I have very short…tag:crafthaus.ning.com,2010-09-17:2104389:Comment:1402552010-09-17T17:24:02.427ZDawn Blairhttps://crafthaus.ning.com/profile/DawnBlair
Hi Rickson. I have very short hair. I am 6 feet tall with a curvy figure. I go back and forth between super short pixie haircut and a blunt cut bob. Truthfully, I feel much more feminine with the super short hair. I can show off lovely earrings and I have many pairs of cool progressive glasses. The short hair allows me the opportunity to wear super feminine clothes, and still keep the balance. Being tall, it is hard to pull off a super girly look without it looking inappropriately young. There…
Hi Rickson. I have very short hair. I am 6 feet tall with a curvy figure. I go back and forth between super short pixie haircut and a blunt cut bob. Truthfully, I feel much more feminine with the super short hair. I can show off lovely earrings and I have many pairs of cool progressive glasses. The short hair allows me the opportunity to wear super feminine clothes, and still keep the balance. Being tall, it is hard to pull off a super girly look without it looking inappropriately young. There has to be something in the look that is clean and polished, and my hair provides that.<br />
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As for long hair, I think it is a luxury. I think it is beautiful when the woman takes care of it, brushes it, gets regular trims, takes pride in its health and beauty. I think it is a travesty when women just let their hear grow and grow, and let it get stringy and split ends, or always wear it in a long braid or sloppy ponytail. I actually think this is way to the opposite side of feminine. I also think it is lazy. I think we should put the same kind of effort and attention into taking care of ourselves, in all respects, that we put into the the thought and craftsmanship in our artistic work. Even if a woman never leaves her house, just staying in the studio most of the time, I still feel she should take care of her hair and at least get trims...at least brush it and pull it back in a tidy way.<br />
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When I had long hair, I loved it. But I was unable to keep it healthy at a long length. My hair like to break off. I think beautiful long hair is like a crown of glory. And if a woman has nice healthy long hair, she should never cut it off.<br />
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As for the hair jewelry, I am willing to wear hair jewelry as long as the ends aren't exposed. I thought long and hard about this. I have no explanation as to why I feel this way. But the thought of the ends being loose and free kind of gives me the same gag reflex that pulling hair out of a sink drain does. I totally support the use of hair in design, and appreciate its use if it creates the realization of the artist's vision. I can like a piece on someone else, but I think the concept of clumps of hair takes me too close to the drain thing.<br />
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This is a very interesting topic to me. I have really enjoyed hearing everyone's personal story. Our hair is such a part of us, and an outward expression of ourselves. I am a little shocked at the views and opinions I have, and how strongly I have them. I really took some time to think about this before posting, so my thoughts are truly honest.<br />
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Cheers, Dawn Interesting questions, and pi…tag:crafthaus.ning.com,2010-05-06:2104389:Comment:1117312010-05-06T22:10:19.306ZTara J. Branniganhttps://crafthaus.ning.com/profile/kindofstrange
Interesting questions, and pieces!<br />
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For many years I had long brown hair that reached my mid-to-low back on a pretty frequent basis. I didn't view it as a security blanket. If anything it became too much of a burden. At that length, due to how much bloody hair my head produces, it was impossible to fully dry it or really do much beyond put it back in a ponytail. Cutting it off was remarkably freeing!<br />
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I alternate between extremely long and very short every couple of years. In it's current form…
Interesting questions, and pieces!<br />
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For many years I had long brown hair that reached my mid-to-low back on a pretty frequent basis. I didn't view it as a security blanket. If anything it became too much of a burden. At that length, due to how much bloody hair my head produces, it was impossible to fully dry it or really do much beyond put it back in a ponytail. Cutting it off was remarkably freeing!<br />
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I alternate between extremely long and very short every couple of years. In it's current form it's very short, messy and usually an obnoxious orange or bright yellow-orange. I've been acting more bold, firey and outspoken than ever before and the hair is likely an extension of that overall desire. I love the line on the neck that is visible when my hair is short. While that line still exists when I have longer hair, I always feel like it becomes more subdued. The flip side being that with longer hair, I'm able to do things like thread neat objects into it. I'm leaning back towards the longer hair again when this fall rolls around, more for a change of pace than anything else.<br />
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I'm not at all repulsed by my hair once it's been cut off. It's a really interesting bit of myself and if anything I'm a little sad to part with it rather than make use of it. I typically have it packaged up and sent along to Locks of Love though, so I know it'll be used one way or another. Haha a lego person. You shoul…tag:crafthaus.ning.com,2009-12-31:2104389:Comment:842342009-12-31T16:09:25.609ZRicksonhttps://crafthaus.ning.com/profile/Rickson
Haha a lego person. You should shave your head and paint on some hair! haha.<br />
I like feeling strange too. I've been thinking of getting one of those off kilter cuts, where half is shaved, or a bit above the ear and the rest swooshes over the face, so I can toss it out of my eyes whenever I want to look bold and alluring! haha, but then I think how it's actually pretty mundane since many have that cut and it would drive me nuts! haha. I wish I was still into colouring my hair for variety, but I…
Haha a lego person. You should shave your head and paint on some hair! haha.<br />
I like feeling strange too. I've been thinking of getting one of those off kilter cuts, where half is shaved, or a bit above the ear and the rest swooshes over the face, so I can toss it out of my eyes whenever I want to look bold and alluring! haha, but then I think how it's actually pretty mundane since many have that cut and it would drive me nuts! haha. I wish I was still into colouring my hair for variety, but I am just not.<br />
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I like that you have a locket of hair. I gave away my hair when I cut it, but using it recently has been really fun. And the hair from when my hair was long is so much softer then the hair I got from when it was shorter. So interesting, how soft it gets when it's been on your head for a long time. :)<br />
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it is like a costume, and I also like to be dramatic! So much fun to go from long to short and shock everyone! :) thanks for your thoughts. I really like your profile pic, I must look at your work upclose...but I think I have before and love it! :) This posting is in response t…tag:crafthaus.ning.com,2009-12-31:2104389:Comment:842332009-12-31T16:02:44.609ZRicksonhttps://crafthaus.ning.com/profile/Rickson
This posting is in response to Victoria Lanford's thoughts:<br />
I love your thoughts on people badgering you to donate hair! You may have seen others post here that women asked them to donate their hair as well, and it is so foreign to me! I'd never heard or thought of the prospect (at least of someone trying to convince someone else to donate their hair). I totally agree that it's similar to asking someone to donate organs. I am always amazed at the ease people tell or even order others to control…
This posting is in response to Victoria Lanford's thoughts:<br />
I love your thoughts on people badgering you to donate hair! You may have seen others post here that women asked them to donate their hair as well, and it is so foreign to me! I'd never heard or thought of the prospect (at least of someone trying to convince someone else to donate their hair). I totally agree that it's similar to asking someone to donate organs. I am always amazed at the ease people tell or even order others to control their appearance the way they see fit. Especially when it's almost always based on the social norm. I believe in giving people advice, but based on the wishes, concerns or personal attributes of the person I am conversing with, not my own idea of what is right for them.<br />
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I have often thought, speaking with pregnant women, about how their bodies must suddenly become public property and you must feel like you cease to exist as everyone talks about your belly and it's contents. Can you tell I have no children yet? Haha. I hate how women seem to disappear to others once they have children, everyone cooing and cahing over their babies, completely ignoring the mother. But maybe I am being too cynical, its probably not really like that from inside the experience (I am purely looking from outside).<br />
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So nice that you see your long hair as your own self acceptance. I felt that way when I cut mine short. I remember my prof asking, 'how does it feel' and I said 'like me'. And I didn’t' realize how true it was until I spoke it. I felt like I could see my face, and just be me , rather than my hair. So nice that we found the same feeling with opposite styles. :)<br />
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Thanks so much for your thoughts. Maybe long hair will come back in style and hair farmers will stop harassing you! :)<br />
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Rickson That's a relief. I really hop…tag:crafthaus.ning.com,2009-12-31:2104389:Comment:842322009-12-31T16:02:00.949ZRicksonhttps://crafthaus.ning.com/profile/Rickson
That's a relief. I really hope the 'poodle' cut disappears for 'elderly women' as it seems eerily similar to putting on a uniform. I was never privy to the idea that short hair makes women look younger, but once someone did mention they thought I was a boy with a 'baby face' and then I thought it might make me look younger. But those comments aren't really indicative of how I look because someone else thought my grandmother was my mother, so either she looks really young, or I look really old,…
That's a relief. I really hope the 'poodle' cut disappears for 'elderly women' as it seems eerily similar to putting on a uniform. I was never privy to the idea that short hair makes women look younger, but once someone did mention they thought I was a boy with a 'baby face' and then I thought it might make me look younger. But those comments aren't really indicative of how I look because someone else thought my grandmother was my mother, so either she looks really young, or I look really old, or people don't know what they are talking about! haha.<br />
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I also heard an interesting comment while I was in the UK that the idea that women should have long hair and men short was more of an American ideal then European. And after that I realized that far more women had short hair in Europe than in America (I live in Canada, but many of our social ways are close to identical.) But I think for young women, (25 and younger), short hair is very in, because since I've been back in Canada (Toronto) I've seen many versions of myself walking around with my hair cut! Sort of bohemian artist types and I realized yet again, I am a norm in my own 'group'. Sigh, no individuality for the modern woman who feels the current of her surroundings…along with everyone else. Haha. I cut my long hair, I love it…tag:crafthaus.ning.com,2009-11-22:2104389:Comment:790022009-11-22T14:53:32.178ZMelissa Vogley Woodshttps://crafthaus.ning.com/profile/MelissaVogleyWoods
I cut my long hair, I love it, I look like a lego person. but somehow I feel more serious? Strange?<br />
I have a locket from birth, age 10, age 21. Each time my hair was the longest it had ever been, and was cut very short. I guess I like to be dramatic.<br />
It is funny people identify so much with a hair style that when it is changed it is like waring a costume.
I cut my long hair, I love it, I look like a lego person. but somehow I feel more serious? Strange?<br />
I have a locket from birth, age 10, age 21. Each time my hair was the longest it had ever been, and was cut very short. I guess I like to be dramatic.<br />
It is funny people identify so much with a hair style that when it is changed it is like waring a costume. Haha, it is amazing how much…tag:crafthaus.ning.com,2009-11-03:2104389:Comment:761982009-11-03T00:25:43.623ZRicksonhttps://crafthaus.ning.com/profile/Rickson
Haha, it is amazing how much we do for others based on our appearance, and I think this goes for both genders (I used to think it was off balance). During my research I realized there are just as many restrictions and expectations put on men to control their bodies appearance, especially their body and facial hair, as there is on women to control their body and head hair.<br />
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I hadn't realized how much work and effort is put into facial hair, and felt jealous that men didn't have to shave their…
Haha, it is amazing how much we do for others based on our appearance, and I think this goes for both genders (I used to think it was off balance). During my research I realized there are just as many restrictions and expectations put on men to control their bodies appearance, especially their body and facial hair, as there is on women to control their body and head hair.<br />
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I hadn't realized how much work and effort is put into facial hair, and felt jealous that men didn't have to shave their legs, or underarms. But of course it's always a choice. I like your compromise. I hope my boyfriend likes my hair short becuase I LOVE it. But I do notice romantic movies with girls who have long flowing hair make both of us a bit weak at the knees. Haha. I really do love the look of long hair. But on me, I love short. :)<br />
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Thanks for your in put. I really appreciate it.<br />
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Rickson Thank you! Such wonderful per…tag:crafthaus.ning.com,2009-11-03:2104389:Comment:761922009-11-03T00:20:29.596ZRicksonhttps://crafthaus.ning.com/profile/Rickson
Thank you! Such wonderful perspectives and stories! Your last comment does help and intrigue me a great deal! I have already found that I enjoy and have interest in the use of words in different languages because each language communicates aspects of it's culture. It was part of my research to investigate why hair on the body is only 'allowed' in certain places...and is different for each gender, and according to my research every culture has different expectations of hair for each gender. SO…
Thank you! Such wonderful perspectives and stories! Your last comment does help and intrigue me a great deal! I have already found that I enjoy and have interest in the use of words in different languages because each language communicates aspects of it's culture. It was part of my research to investigate why hair on the body is only 'allowed' in certain places...and is different for each gender, and according to my research every culture has different expectations of hair for each gender. SO the fact that in Italian there are two different words for hair on the body and hair on the head makes perfect senses. I love it!<br />
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Similarly I found out that in Taiwan there is no word for 'he' or 'she' there is just 'they'. So people are not gendered automatically, you would have to say 'they are a girl/boy'. So intriguing. (And to my knowledge, I probably don't fully understand it. :)<br />
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Yes I can understand your parents not talking to you after such a drastic change! I died my hair all different colours once and then my friend cut it, and gave up half way so it was long at the front and short at the back (kind of like 'Posh Spice' but done poorly). haha, and my boyfriend's face was quite upsetting, and I am pretty sure my parents thought something was wrong with me. And I was a teenager so there probably was. Haha. But I just like the idea that people shouldn't be scared to play with their hair. It's one of the only parts on the body you can change knowing it will grow back.<br />
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Thanks for your input it is very helpful and interesting. :) Interesting topic! My hair is…tag:crafthaus.ning.com,2009-11-01:2104389:Comment:760052009-11-01T23:17:02.556ZVictoria Lansfordhttps://crafthaus.ning.com/profile/VictoriaLansford
Interesting topic! My hair is about 3 feet long and down past my backside. When I was a kid in the '60s and '70s I was very influenced by the style of women I knew with long hair and kept mind past my waist. In my late teens and early 20s I began getting obsessed with having it be curly, so I began perming it and eventually coloring it. My hair grows so fast that I needed the roots touched up about every 3 weeks, which was annoying, but the more the chemical damage, the shorter it got until it…
Interesting topic! My hair is about 3 feet long and down past my backside. When I was a kid in the '60s and '70s I was very influenced by the style of women I knew with long hair and kept mind past my waist. In my late teens and early 20s I began getting obsessed with having it be curly, so I began perming it and eventually coloring it. My hair grows so fast that I needed the roots touched up about every 3 weeks, which was annoying, but the more the chemical damage, the shorter it got until it was only a couple of inches past my shoulders.<br />
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One day I had an epiphany. I realized that my hair was straight and brown, and that I'd just accept it (and me) the way it was. Once I did that, it quickly grew past my waist, and I have since referred to it as the symbol of my self acceptance. LIke most women of my generation, I didn't hit 40 and buy into the myth that shorter hair automatically makes women look younger. I only have to spend a little time dealing with my bangs. The rest of it is just back there.<br />
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Strangely though, I get the sense that long hair isn't politically correct anymore. Many times complete strangers (always women) have come up and literally badger me to donate my hair. Usually they are either women, who've donated theirs or hair stylists, who want me to chop it off and then become their client. While donating hair is fine, it's a personal choice, and I'm always angered by the people, who harass me about it. I usually ask if they've signed on to be organ donors, and if they refuse to consider that might be more important, I'm tempted to ask if they still have both kidneys and cornea and if so why they haven't considered donating one.<br />
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Peoples' reactions and responses to my hair sometimes reminds me of when I was pregnant, as if my business and part of my body were in the public domain, up for grabs, so to speak, as people feel compelled to make comments and ask questions they might not if I very long hair were more common. Of course, I never mind the comments people make about my jewelry (unless they ask why it's so expensive!). That's my work not just who I am. Your hair chain is fabulous!!…tag:crafthaus.ning.com,2009-09-07:2104389:Comment:684342009-09-07T00:59:29.798ZFrancesca Vitalihttps://crafthaus.ning.com/profile/FrancescaVitali
Your hair chain is fabulous!!<br />
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Short would be the short answer to your question, while the long version follows:<br />
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What is your perception of long hair on women?<br />
I use to think that long hair give women somehow an old look, I've always enjoyed short and more modern look, but on the other hand I've always envied people who had the patience to grow their hair long and maintain them as so.<br />
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Do you prefer it?<br />
all in all no, I wish I could see my self with long hair for once...but it takes for ever…
Your hair chain is fabulous!!<br />
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Short would be the short answer to your question, while the long version follows:<br />
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What is your perception of long hair on women?<br />
I use to think that long hair give women somehow an old look, I've always enjoyed short and more modern look, but on the other hand I've always envied people who had the patience to grow their hair long and maintain them as so.<br />
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Do you prefer it?<br />
all in all no, I wish I could see my self with long hair for once...but it takes for ever to grow mine and I think I'd anyway look like a Madonna (not the singer). But definitively I love to play around with wigs!<br />
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As a woman do you feel your long hair is a security blanket, or do you feel you would lose your femininity if you cut it off?<br />
Now for almost a decade I have my hair cut in a classical bob cut, which is probably a security blancket. But before that (when I was younger) I use to have my hair very short and not once I felt less feminine...sure there was time when I needed more make up to point out I was a woman but I didn't mind that at all...there were also time when people would think I was a boy, but I didn't mind that too it was their problem and sometime it made me feel more secure to walk alone!<br />
Now for a strange mix of reason I'm stuck with my hair style, but my bob goes very often very short (especially if I'm in Italy close to my beloved hairdresser!).<br />
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Do you have any stories about cutting your own hair or having it cut?<br />
Oh yes many...one for all ,when I was 25 I cut them very very short (I wish I had a photo, but it got lost in my last moving!), and I dyed them blond (I've very dark hair and I went from black to suicide blond). You can't imagine the reaction I experienced! My parents wouldn't talk to me for the all time I got this style, and more than one person tried to take out what they thought it was a wig...Ah! it was very funny for me to see other people reaction!!!<br />
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Does the necklace give you a creepy feeling? f it does why do you think that is?<br />
No...no, not at all, probably I would prefer it to be with my hair but not because I mind some else hair on me (well maybe a bit), but mostly becasue it would be an extra way to show off part of myself (well if it wasn't clear already, my hair are one of the few things I really like of my self!!)<br />
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Ah and one last remark...which it may not have anything to do with this discussion, but I have always found very funny and somehow weird that in English the word hair is for both hair on the head so to speak and on the body, while in Italian we have two different words (capello the first and pelo the second), and I will never get use to this here!<br />
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I hope they can help you in your creative process and understanding, looking forward to seeing more of your art!!