For a while now I've been thinking of getting my hair trimmed up some, but a few uncertainties keep me from doing so. I haven't had my hair trimmed or cut in a long time- at least three or four years and it could easily be longer. I honestly can't remember the last time I had a trim.

http://poisonrose.homestead.com/files/av/hairends.jpg
(The un-trimmed ends in question ^)

I think I'm about due for one, as my ends are difficult to control and besides being very 'feathery' they also somewhat resemble a horse tail. I'm not sure if going so long without any trim helps or hurts my hair's growth in any way but if it getting a trim can help then I may need to do that.

Before I put myself in the hands of a scissor-happy stylist I would really appriciate any advice on this. Should I get a trim? How much would be a good amount to take off? How often is it best to get a trim while trying to grow your hair out?

Ah yes, THE QUESTION!  There are two philosophies on this - one is to leave the hair in its natural state, sometimes referred to fairy tail ends.  The other is to trim the ends to try to increase the thickness at the ends.

Both are fine in my opinion.  I'm going to trim my untrimmed ends this year.  My reasoning is this:  My ends are damaged and are causing tangles which cause more damage.  If I can get my ends healthier, I will then let the ends grow without trimming.

IMO, fairy tale ends, or uncut ends are qute lovely and yours are lovely.

If you feel the need for a trim, I would ask for 1/8" to 1/4" as stylists sometimes cut more than you ask for (I used to be one).

Do you have a friend or relative that would be willing to do this for you that you trust?

Also, if you do a yahoo search for Feyes self-trimming Method or Feyes' haircutting method
you should find a link to an article which tells you how to trim your own long hair, either straight across, U-shaped or v-shaped.  It has pictures, too.  I will try to find it for you, too.

ETA:
Here's the link: http://members.fortunecity.com/feye/trim/

HTH,
SF

Sadly, I don't have any relatives or friends here that I would be willing to trust with my hair.
Chances are that I would go to a local store, like Fantasic Sam's to get a trim, everything else is just such a long drive from the house.

Thank you for the link though, strawberryfine. I hadn't considered doing it myself, but with some instructions it may be something to consider now.

You can do it!  Just take off tiny little bits at a time.
Often chain-salons like FS and olthers hire students straight out of school; they are licensed but not experienced.  Be  very, very, careful.

(((HUGS)))
SF

Oh I will be, no need to worry there. People that go near my hair, I watch them like a hawk.

*hugs*

personally i am in favour of cut ends since it just feels and looks healthier on very long hair (and so much easier to detangle!). but i would cut it myself and in stages.

I'm planning to trim my own hair soon and am just trying to figure out what shape bottom line I want; blunt, straight across, curved u-shape, v-shape.

I have some layers on the ends now and that's not working; it's just too fine and leaning towards the thin side of medium.

Well, it is now or lose my nerve!

SF

if you have layers then normally it is already somewhat U or even V shaped. i cut straight across until they will be gone and then it depends on how thick the ends are ... i never liked a lot a straight blunt cut cuze the hair looks either like a bell (at shorter lengths) or like a lifeless drape if the volume stays the same everywhere. i think i would cut it in a u shape.  

I don't trust anyone else to trim my hair ::) I trim it myself about once a year. I make it blunt, straight across but somehow by the time it needs trimming again it has grown into a V.  :-/

I used to get my hair trimmed several inches at a time. After a month or two it always returned to the "fairy tail end" state as a result of dryness and breakage.

I know a lot of people are into "natural" ends, and I can see if someone grew out from a shaved head they might have that, or even if they had reached terminal length.

Not for me.

If it were me, I would trim 1/2" a month for a while. At that rate, you would have plenty of time to make a decision about what your final end shape should be.

I'd love to see a u shape on your hair, Strawberryfine :D IMO the human body is more suited to the curve of the U or the V rather than straight across, but that's just my say.

Anais