# Guys with long hair **URL:** \ **Category:** In My Humble Opinion\ **Created:** [March 1, 2005, 5:07pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/guys-with-long-hair/292449 "2005-03-01T17:07:32Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![Greathouse](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/greathouse/32/2992_2.png) [@Greathouse](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Greathouse)\ **Post date:** [March 1, 2005, 5:07pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/guys-with-long-hair/292449/1 "2005-03-01T17:07:32Z")
I am 30 years old. I had long hair when I was younger (late teens/very early twentys). It has been long enough since I have had a hair cut (7 months) that I am now trying to decide whether I should cut it or let it grow. I normally wear it very short, almost buzz cut but with the top a little longer for more of a fade. I then used to gel it. So, do women still like men with long hair or is the short buzz/fade cut the way to go? ---
**Author:** ![Lord\_Ashtar](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/l/7ea924/32.png) [@Lord\_Ashtar](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Lord_Ashtar)\ **Post date:** [March 1, 2005, 5:24pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/guys-with-long-hair/292449/2 "2005-03-01T17:24:08Z")
Guy with long hair checking in. In my seaching of true love on [Match.com](http://Match.com), I find that most women put “long hair” down as a turn off. But the women I’ve met who like long hair _ **really** _ like it. ---
**Author:** ![missbunny](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/76d3ee/32.png) [@missbunny](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/missbunny)\ **Post date:** [March 1, 2005, 5:33pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/guys-with-long-hair/292449/3 "2005-03-01T17:33:40Z")
I personally don’t usually like long hair on men. It often looks unkempt and stringy and hippie-ish, which is not a look I’m a fan of. (It can look that way on a lot of women too - get a trim for god’s sake!) But you should do your hair the way YOU like it. Not because some woman you haven’t even met yet and might never meet might like it or dislike it. It’s not like it’s going to hurt someone else or offend someone else if you keep it long. (As opposed to someone who says, “Well why should I ever take a shower? I like myself smelly and I’ll just wait for a woman who likes smelly men.”) (Yeah, but everyone else has to smell your stink molecules while you’re waiting.) Hair length doesn’t have the same effect. ---
**Author:** ![TellMeI\_mNotCrazy](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/tellmei_mnotcrazy/32/3419_2.png) [@TellMeI\_mNotCrazy](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/TellMeI_mNotCrazy)\ **Post date:** [March 1, 2005, 5:33pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/guys-with-long-hair/292449/4 "2005-03-01T17:33:57Z")
I’m a big fan of the long hair, if it’s neat, and taken care of. I get the impression that I may be a dying breed, though. ---
**Author:** ![Lord\_Ashtar](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/l/7ea924/32.png) [@Lord\_Ashtar](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Lord_Ashtar)\ **Post date:** [March 1, 2005, 5:43pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/guys-with-long-hair/292449/5 "2005-03-01T17:43:47Z")
> [@missbunny](#): > > I personally don’t usually like long hair on men. It often looks unkempt and stringy and hippie-ish, which is not a look I’m a fan of. Well then, how’s [mine](http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v245/LordAshtar/PANA0136.jpg)? I try to keep it neat and healthy, getting a trim every few months and not using too much stuff on it (hairspray, gel, etc). ---
**Author:** ![LindyHopper](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/l/ebca7d/32.png) [@LindyHopper](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/LindyHopper)\ **Post date:** [March 1, 2005, 5:49pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/guys-with-long-hair/292449/6 "2005-03-01T17:49:48Z")
Another long-haired guy checking in. I don’t know what women prefer in general in terms of hair length on men (though I have my suspicions :dubious: ), but my GF loves mine. So they’re still out there. However, you should just wear it like you like it. ---
**Author:** ![Caprese](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/a9a28c/32.png) [@Caprese](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Caprese)\ **Post date:** [March 1, 2005, 5:52pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/guys-with-long-hair/292449/7 "2005-03-01T17:52:39Z")
50 year old woman checking in here. I adore long hair on guys, and that includes guys from my generation. Yeah, it helps if it is clean and tidy. Most (but not all!) of the women I know, my age as well as younger, do not have a set image in their minds about how a guy’s hair should or should not be. I do see long hair out there, on guys of all ages, from dreads to ponytails to the brushing the shoulders look. To me, it’s kind of nice to _fully enjoy_ having hair while you still have it. It doesn’t always last forever, ya know. 😉 My boys (15 and 21) wouldn’t dream of having long hair, but have guy friends who do. I agree with **missbunny.** Do what feels right to _you_. You could try a longer look and see how it feels; you can always return to short hair. ---
**Author:** ![missbunny](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/76d3ee/32.png) [@missbunny](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/missbunny)\ **Post date:** [March 1, 2005, 6:03pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/guys-with-long-hair/292449/8 "2005-03-01T18:03:22Z")
> [@Lord Ashtar](#): > > Well then, how’s [mine](http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v245/LordAshtar/PANA0136.jpg)? I try to keep it neat and healthy, getting a trim every few months and not using too much stuff on it (hairspray, gel, etc). I knew that was going to happen! I don’t want to look at the picture because I don’t want to have to say that I think it’s unattractive, if that’s what I would think. I don’t like making negative comments on people’s personal appearances, not even people who I don’t know. I just think it’s mean. But it doesn’t matter at all what I like anyway! I’m just some random person who you’ll never meet. If you like your hair, that is all that counts. ---
**Author:** ![JavaMaven1](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/j/cab0a1/32.png) [@JavaMaven1](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/JavaMaven1)\ **Post date:** [March 1, 2005, 6:36pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/guys-with-long-hair/292449/9 "2005-03-01T18:36:05Z")
I’m kind of particular about long hair on men. My husband has shoulder-length hair, and I think it looks really good on him (think along the lines of Naveen Andrews of _Lost_). Which brings me to one of my favorite looks: dark skinned/dark haired men of Latin or Indian descent with longish hair. One long haired look that’s an absolute don’t: don’t grow your hair out if your hair is thin or your forehead is up to the crown of your head. It just doesn’t look good. I’d much rather see a guy who shaves/buzzcuts his hair than tries to fight genetics by growing out the rest of it. But, in the end, what really matters is what you’re comfortable wearing. ---
**Author:** ![Queen\_Tonya](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/q/4491bb/32.png) [@Queen\_Tonya](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Queen_Tonya)\ **Post date:** [March 1, 2005, 6:37pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/guys-with-long-hair/292449/10 "2005-03-01T18:37:12Z")
I’ll go out on a limb here and be a bit more brutal. Long hair on guys can be great, as long as you’re kinda butch. Otherwise it often strikes me as feminine and while that’s just one chick’s opinion and doesn’t matter in the slightest, I’m thinking you wouldn’t be asking unless you wanted opinions. There’s a pretty narrow hair care area to aim for, too. Guys who spend lots of time, money and effort on their hair? Not so appealing. Guys who think long hair equals maintenence-free and refuse to trim those split ends and use some appropriate product? Again, not so appealing, that seems lazy and rarely looks good. I think yours looks pretty good **Lord Ashtar**. Looks fairly curly so the length probably helps pull it out into waves for more manageability, don’t be afraid of hair stuff. There’s lots of product out there, especially for curly/wavy hair that helps keep it healthy and not frizzy. I actually think yours will look even better grown out a few more inches. ---
**Author:** ![phall0106](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/phall0106/32/5934_2.png) [@phall0106](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/phall0106)\ **Post date:** [March 1, 2005, 6:53pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/guys-with-long-hair/292449/11 "2005-03-01T18:53:41Z")
There’s long hair, and then there’s _long hair_. Long hair on a guy that has been well taken care of, is healthy, doesn’t have split ends, isn’t full of styling products and hasn’t been blown dry to the point of hay is nice. All one length is nice. Curls, as long as they aren’t frizz, are okay even. A mullet is not nice. A mullet is icky and tacky and makes me want to retch. Hair with split ends that travel up the entire length of the hair shaft are not nice. Hair that is coated with styling products (or almost as bad–has never seen styling products ever even though they may be badly needed) is not nice. Hair that has been blown dry to the point where it’s so dried it cracks is not nice. If you’re balding on top, and you think that you can grow you hair long to compensate, then forget it. Cut your hair. Captain Picard got away with looking so handsome even though he was (mostly) bald because what hair he did have was cut well. If you’re three years old, and male, and you have darling ringlets, then let your hair grow. If you’re 20 and you’re in college and you are planning a career that doesn’t require you to dress in suits every day, and your hair is a beautiful chestnut color, or golden blonde or raven black, and looks like a gorgeous pelt, then let it grow. If you’re a 45 year old male, trying to reclaim his youth by not cutting your hair for a year (or two or three), then visit a stylist and get your hair _styled_ (not shaved!) ---
**Author:** ![taxi78cab](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/e47c2d/32.png) [@taxi78cab](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/taxi78cab)\ **Post date:** [March 1, 2005, 7:06pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/guys-with-long-hair/292449/12 "2005-03-01T19:06:54Z")
I like long hair on guys. (F, age 26 just for the record). As others have said, it has to be neat and clean. If it looks good, I find the urge to run my fingers through said guy’s hair almost irresistable. As **Lord Ashtar** said, those of us who like long hair REALLY like long hair. ---
**Author:** ![LH75](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/lh75/32/4438_2.png) [@LH75](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/LH75)\ **Post date:** [March 1, 2005, 7:39pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/guys-with-long-hair/292449/13 "2005-03-01T19:39:03Z")
mrs. longhair75 has not complained 😉 i always wear it tied back, and it is rapidly thinning. someday soon i may be cueball75 ---
**Author:** ![missbunny](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/76d3ee/32.png) [@missbunny](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/missbunny)\ **Post date:** [March 1, 2005, 8:02pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/guys-with-long-hair/292449/14 "2005-03-01T20:02:29Z")
> [@](#): > > Which brings me to one of my favorite looks: dark skinned/dark haired men of Latin or Indian descent with longish hair. Mmmmm, Naveen Andrews. That scene in The English Patient when he was washing his hair . . . be still my heart . . . ---
**Author:** ![SusanStoHelit](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/7ab992/32.png) [@SusanStoHelit](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/SusanStoHelit)\ **Post date:** [March 1, 2005, 8:26pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/guys-with-long-hair/292449/15 "2005-03-01T20:26:06Z")
I’m going to stereotype here: Long hair on… Asian men: good (especially if it is feathered or layered for volume). Latin men: mmmm good Arab men: good Black men (afro or dreads): good White men: no. sorry. Anything below the ears is just too renaissance festival for me. Of course, there are exceptions, and good hair care is a must (that most guys with long hair ignore). **Lord Ashtar** , you have the kind of hair looks good long, but you need some sort of product to calm it down a bit. Buy a smoothing shampoo (Aquage makes a great product) and a silicon- or silk-based smoothing serum. ---
**Author:** ![Otto](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/o/bbe5ce/32.png) [@Otto](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Otto)\ **Post date:** [March 1, 2005, 8:27pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/guys-with-long-hair/292449/16 "2005-03-01T20:27:17Z")
> [@missbunny](#): > > I don’t want to look at the picture because I don’t want to have to say that I think it’s unattractive, if that’s what I would think. I looked at it and I think it’s unattractive. Not that you’re grotesque or anything but I think you’d look better with your hair up off your collar and styled. But then as far as I can tell you’re not trying to attract me so do what you want. I used to have hair down to my waist when I was in college. I thought it looked great; turns out it looked hideous. I wish I had some pictures so I could show you just how hideous it was, alas somehow none were ever taken. I just don’t think a lot of the guys I see with long hair (shoulder length or longer, to quote a certain song) have the right shaped face for it. They also don’t do anything with it so it just lays there lank on top of their heads, flattened under its own weight. Living in one of the last holdouts of American hippie culture, way too often the long hair is paired with the rest of the hippie esthetic and that’s just awful any way you slice it. ---
**Author:** ![Dung\_Beetle](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/dung_beetle/32/7945_2.png) [@Dung\_Beetle](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Dung_Beetle)\ **Post date:** [March 1, 2005, 8:33pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/guys-with-long-hair/292449/17 "2005-03-01T20:33:12Z")
> [@Queen Tonya](#): > > There’s a pretty narrow hair care area to aim for, too. Guys who spend lots of time, money and effort on their hair? Not so appealing. Guys who think long hair equals maintenence-free and refuse to trim those split ends and use some appropriate product? Again, not so appealing, that seems lazy and rarely looks good. Bingo. Avoid these extremes and you’re golden. As a general rule, I’d also say shoulder-length is long enough, and you have to have plenty on top. My SO has a beautiful, thick, curly mane. 🙂 ---
**Author:** ![missbunny](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/76d3ee/32.png) [@missbunny](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/missbunny)\ **Post date:** [March 1, 2005, 8:46pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/guys-with-long-hair/292449/18 "2005-03-01T20:46:08Z")
> [@SusanStoHelit](#): > > I’m going to stereotype here: > > Long hair on… > > Asian men: good (especially if it is feathered or layered for volume). > Latin men: mmmm good > Arab men: good > Black men (afro or dreads): good > White men: no. sorry. Anything below the ears is just too renaissance festival for me. You are exactly right. I never realized it but it’s really only on Caucasian men that I _usually_ don’t like long hair. I think it can look really hot on all the groups you mentioned. Also on Native Americans - long smooth straight shiny locks. Yum. ---
**Author:** ![the\_Lady](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/bb73d2/32.png) [@the\_Lady](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/the_Lady)\ **Post date:** [March 1, 2005, 8:57pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/guys-with-long-hair/292449/19 "2005-03-01T20:57:42Z")
> [@Queen Tonya](#): > > Long hair on guys can be great, as long as you’re kinda butch. Otherwise it often strikes me as feminine and while that’s just one chick’s opinion and doesn’t matter in the slightest, I’m thinking you wouldn’t be asking unless you wanted opinions. That’s a good point. The husband had long hair when we met (it was halfway down his back when we were married) and he was often taken for a woman. Every time we went out for dinner, for example. ---
**Author:** ![Lord\_Ashtar](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/l/7ea924/32.png) [@Lord\_Ashtar](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Lord_Ashtar)\ **Post date:** [March 1, 2005, 9:08pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/guys-with-long-hair/292449/20 "2005-03-01T21:08:12Z")
> [@SusanStoHelit](#): > > **Lord Ashtar** , you have the kind of hair looks good long, but you need some sort of product to calm it down a bit. Buy a smoothing shampoo (Aquage makes a great product) and a silicon- or silk-based smoothing serum. Thanks for the suggestion. I’m going shopping in a few days, and I’ll be sure to look for that shampoo. > [@Otto](#): > > I looked at it and I think it’s unattractive. Not that you’re grotesque or anything but I think you’d look better with your hair up off your collar and styled. I usually keep it pulled back into a pony tail, since I agree with you. However, the girl taking that picture made me let it down because “it wooks so pwetty” or something. [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/guys-with-long-hair/292449.md?page=2)