Contrary to popular belief, not all queers have short hair. Last time we tackled short curls, but it’s time to show some love for long curly tresses. We’ve had plenty of questions about how to style long curls, especially from folks who still want an androgynous look. If you have long curly hair, you’ve got some stories. We feel ya. 

Here are some androgynous updos we love:

Pomps: YES! You with long and/or curly hair CAN HAVE A POMP! Not just a short hairdid. And here is the Qwear post on how to have a fabulous curly queer pomp!
(from curlynikki.com)

The pomp’s badass country cousin the Rockabilly is also a style that can be adapted for long hair!

(from creativefan.com)

(from creativefan.com)

Here are some other fabulous styles you can rock!
(from onenigerianboy.com)

(from lanayell.blogspot.com)

(from weheartit.com)

Long flowing tresses can be dapper too! Check A.D. out at Ex-Southern Belle.

(from exsouthernbelle.tumblr.com)

Favorite Curly-Hair Products

For many of us curly-hair queers, finding the right product for our curls is ESSENTIAL and yet SO DIFFICULT. Whyyyyy??!!

We’re gonna help take some of the work out of it for you! The polls are in, and some of our lovely comrades have voted for some of their favorite curly-hair products. The products most widely beloved were the ones that come from companies that specifically cater to curly hair, such as Deva Curl and Miss Jessie’s. Other popular suggestions were natural products such as coconut oil and jojoba oil. The most common recommendation, though? Not using shampoo! So use this great excuse to save water, folks — shampoo is terrible for most curly hair and you just don’t need it!

To better understand our suggestions below, we suggest that you learn more about what type of curls you have from a Hairguide (like this one from Naturally Curly).

Have a favorite, magical product that’s not listed here? Tell us about it! We especially love to hear about more products, especially on the cheaper end!

• There was a lot of love for the Deva Curl 3-step system, suggested by and for people with all types of curls! 
• Miss Jessie’s Curly Meringue was suggested by a 2c, but Miss Jessie’s products cover all ends of the curl spectrum, and seem to cater especially well to type 4 hair. (Bonus: If you don’t mind putting in credit card info, you can have two entirely free samples mailed to you!)
• We had many votes for the strong hold of Garnier Fructis products. Fructis Style Pure Clean Finishing Paste and Curl Construct Mousse were especially loved by our type 3s.
• For some great frizz control, a 3B opts for Frizz-Ease Secret Weapon Flawless Finishing Crème.
• We had a couple thumbs ups for Tigi products, specifically Catwalk Curlesque Curls Rock Amplifier for Type 2 hair. 
• One 3B suggested a conditioner and styling product duo: Kinky Curly Knot Today conditioner and Curling Custard. 
• Jojoba oil was suggested as a great care product for all types that are dry, damaged, or prone to tangling.
• Two friends with quite different curls- 2B-C and 4C suggested using coconut oil before shampooing as a great way to take good care of their curls. Seems that many folks agree!
• The same 4C also recommended Curls Unleashed for shampooing and Carol’s Daughter Hair Milk products for styling.
• Aveda’s Be Curly and Bumble and Bumble’s Curl Conscious were both touted as whole collections to check out.
• Murray’s Original Pomade all the way for pomps, spikes, fros, rows, and (yes) even facial hair! There’s a reason it’s a classic. 
• We also had one awesome person suggest lube. Sounds pretty good to us.

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Anonymous asked: Qwear, I'm a 23 year old gay carpenter in the south, but dont look the part. I've got mid-back length STRAIGHT blonde hair and am desperate for a change. Any ideas on a good cut for straight hair that still plays up my femininity?

http://i-dream-of-dapper.tumblr.com/tagged/WIWT

Emmych asked: So I’m having a little trouble figuring out how to wear my hair — it’s super long and curly, but no matter what I do to it, it looks way too “straight”! What are some cute, femme looks for long hair that still look trendy and queer that could also start to drift towards the boyish and androgynous side?

I decided to consult with my friend JoJo, who has struggled over what to do with her curly femme hair since age 7. She says: Yay for long curly hair! I have long wavy hair and have encountered this very problem. My favorite solution: the faux hawk pompadour. It’s relatively easy to do, and you’ll look like a queer rock star.

Comb the sides up and back, then clip or bobby pin the whole pile of hair into a messy bun. (Use product on the sides if necessary. I know — curly hair doesn’t like combs, but you need to get the sides flat. Don’t rubber band the bun; you want to be able to rework it one piece at a time.)

Once you have the basic structure, you can either loosen some of the front into a “bump” look, or you can go even edgier and let the curls fall forward like a nouveau 1950s greaser. Use bobby pins or tiny clips to secure everything once it’s in place, and voila. Queer long hair, femmeish, androgynous, and trendy.

(source: arsdystopia.blogspot.com)

(source: thevagabondstudio.com)

(source: thefabweb.com)

(source: hairscapades.com)

And of course, no faux hawk pompadour photo collection would be complete without La Roux. Hers is a shorter version, but you get the idea:

(source: popdirt.com)

Thanks JoJo!

Related Posts: The Queer Pomp in 3 Steps With I Dream of Dapper, Queer With Long Hair

Annoymous asked: I need a hairstyle that I can wear to my nan’s birthday dinner. It’s going to be quite fancy, so I need it to look nice, but I’m sick of only being able to do girly hairstyles. I have long hair, and I want to keep it that way, but I can’t find anything to do with it other than plaits, that don’t suit me at all, or buns, that don’t stay in my hair (it’s thick and wavy). I can’t find anything that isn’t too girly. Any ideas?

Our guest long hair guru, Bing of I Dream of Dapper, says:

Let me introduce “the queer pomp.” It’s simple, looks like it took hours, and is a classy sight.

Bing modeling one of her many pompadours. (source: i-dream-of-dapper.tumblr.com)

1. Imagine having a wide mohawk and isolate all the hair that it would consist of.

2. Pull that hair back as if you’re going to put it into a small pony tail but twist it a few times (depending on how your hair parts, this could be either clockwise or counterclockwise. If done correctly you’ll notice a slight cresting wave effect and not just an awkward poof).

3. Push forward for height and pin it like crazy. Thick hair is hard to tame so don’t be shy with the bobby pins. The secret to getting buns to stay (I prefer messy buns) is to pull your hair into a secure pony tail first and use plenty of hair ties when styling your bun. If your pomp starts to deflate, simply grab your pomp and pull forward. Properly pinned pomps will perk right up!

View More queer pomps at i-dream-of-dapper.tumblr.com and fuckyeahqueerpomps.tumblr.com

Harmony Boucher, English model (source: stopstealingmylook.com)

(source: but-im-a-tomboy.tumblr.com)

Erin Majestic Legay of glitterpolitic.tumblr.com (source: fuckyeahqueerpomps.tumblr.com)

Janelle Monae (source: stylebistro.com)

Nguyễn Thị Trà My, Vietnamese model (source: femmboy.tumblr.com)

Kellis Rogers (source: fuckyeahqueerpomps.tumblr.com)

(source: ramsesfromtherock.tumblr.com)

Thanks Bing!

Related posts: Queer With Long Hair, Mandy Working the Crowd at Drag Ball

emmych asked: So I’m having a little trouble figuring out how to wear my hair — it’s super long and curly, but no matter what I do to it, it looks way too “straight”! What are some cute, femme looks for long hair that still look trendy and queer that could also start to drift towards the boyish and androgynous side?

A.D. says: 

Anonymous asked: Long hair and androgynous/men's clothing- can it be done? I have just-below-shoulder length wavy brown hair that I don't like to fiddle with much, so it's either down in its natural state or up in a pony tail with a thick headband holding back my bangs. I sort of want a hair cut, but I don't want to look super butch, but I want to wear guys clothes... So, does longer hair work well with "men's" clothing? Or, what shortish cuts still look femme (besides the Tinkerbell pixie cut)?

Cut it cut it cut it! You know you want to! There are plenty of ways to wear guy’s clothes with short hair and not look super butch. I think a lot of what says “butch” is about the attitude. I wear guy’s clothes and I have short hair, and I do not identify as butch in the least. I don’t think people read me that way either, and I think if they did it would be because they weren’t seeing all the nuances of gender.

Yes, longer hair works well with men’s clothing. I mean, look at A.D. However you feel most like yourself works the best!!

Check out this post about what makes short haircuts femmy vs. boyish.

And there are lots of men’s clothes that aren’t totally masculine. You can avoid shirts that broaden your shoulders, or wear pants that aren’t baggy. 

Basically just trust your instincts and do you. Don’t worry. Be queer.