how am I looking? (not completely sly... yet)

[BigRon]

I've been getting more looks at my hair, a few comments and people noticing that it's thinning.  Definitely time to go sly soon.  But my question is do I look awful?  I thought I looked ok, but maybe I'm dillusional.  I don't want to walk around with thinning hair if it looks sickly or anything, I just thought it's noticably thinning but not that bad if I keep it short.

Just uploaded avatar pic... thoughts?  would you walk around like that? or should I be embaressed and go sly right now before another person sees me like this...

as you can see my hair line is intact, but the front is thinning very noticably all over...

[D.A.L.U.I.]

The front shot would seem to indicate that you can do a buzz for the time being, but one check you need to do is a shot from the rear.  Often you see guys holding on to thinning hair, but from the back it's obvious they they're moving on to a pretty well defined horseshoe.  If that's the case, and you don't want that look, the blade is the answer because buzz generally doesn't hide that at all. 
The other thing is there seems to be a bit of anxiety about shaving, like once done there's no going back.  If that is what you're thinking it's not reality.  You could shave it, experience life in the Sly lane for a month and then either continue on, or grow the buzz look back out.  You're loss is symmetrical so it's an option, and it wouldn't take long to regrow should that be your choice.
The critical thing to remember is that a big part of Sly is putting "hair care" not only the maintenance of a dying mop behind you, but also the concern mpb can needlessly load you down with.  You really want to be free of that baggage. 

[BigRon]

The front shot would seem to indicate that you can do a buzz for the time being, but one check you need to do is a shot from the rear.  Often you see guys holding on to thinning hair, but from the back it's obvious they they're moving on to a pretty well defined horseshoe.  If that's the case, and you don't want that look, the blade is the answer because buzz generally doesn't hide that at all.  
The other thing is there seems to be a bit of anxiety about shaving, like once done there's no going back.  If that is what you're thinking it's not reality.  You could shave it, experience life in the Sly lane for a month and then either continue on, or grow the buzz look back out.  You're loss is symmetrical so it's an option, and it wouldn't take long to regrow should that be your choice.
The critical thing to remember is that a big part of Sly is putting "hair care" not only the maintenance of a dying mop behind you, but also the concern mpb can needlessly load you down with.  You really want to be free of that baggage.  

Thanks.  I do have a noticable bald spot in the back.  Some hair grows but it's thinner, so you can see the scalp more.  I try to shave the area right below it down to a #1 to minimize the appearance.  I've been basically giving myeslf a fade cut, otherwise I'd look awful.  I think by the end of August it'l be time to shave it all off... people can definitely see a bald spot from behind.

I'm hesitant to do a blade shave only because of the upkeep.  I want to travel a lot this upcoming year, and I'd be sad if baldness held me back.  I don't want to have to shave every single day, especially when traveling.  I'll figure something out though.  Maybe I'll find a really great electric and shave 2x a day or something.  Seems easier than carrying a blade and gel

[Nate]

Hey mate what number is that shave out of interest

Alot of guys say if you want to try and lessen the horse shoe with shaved its number 2 on top and 1 on the sides

Think your head shape looks pretty good also so nothing to worry about

I cannot talk I am still on the fence but the key it sounds like is whatever look you go for aslong as you rock it that is the key. A guy with thick sides and back and no hair on top if they have the confidence then nothing will hold them back in life. That is something I am trying to acquire and it appears that going sly sounds like one way to really make a statement

[D.A.L.U.I.]

 I think by the end of August it'l be time to shave it all off... people can definitely see a bald spot from behind.

I'm hesitant to do a blade shave only because of the upkeep.  I want to travel a lot this upcoming year, and I'd be sad if baldness held me back.  I don't want to have to shave every single day, especially when traveling.  I'll figure something out though.  Maybe I'll find a really great electric and shave 2x a day or something.  Seems easier than carrying a blade and gel

Depending on your travel, I'd say unless you're going on safari or something else exotic, shaving is the least of the problems of being sly, although it was one of my big concerns as I approached or worked toward doing "the deed" myself.  Turned out for me at least that not only is shaving not a problem from the perspective of time or effort, it's actually something I look forward to.  After showering--and you'll have to bathe unless you're traveling solo and not worried about others around you--so the shave is just a part of that, like brushing your teeth.  It's just not the big deal you probably think it is.  After the first week or so, your skills will pick up and it will be just another part, and pleasant part of starting the day. 

[xnewyawka]

I'm hesitant to do a blade shave only because of the upkeep.  I want to travel a lot this upcoming year, and I'd be sad if baldness held me back.  I don't want to have to shave every single day, especially when traveling.  I'll figure something out though.  Maybe I'll find a really great electric and shave 2x a day or something.  Seems easier than carrying a blade and gel

Ron, if anything, travelling smooth and sly should be a breeze. How easy would it be to just shave it all off every morning, or even every other day? How would baldness hold you back?
These days there are many travel size options available for all products. All you need is a small can of gel and a razor, very simple.

Good luck with it, and let us know how it goes. 

[BigRon]

Hey mate what number is that shave out of interest

Alot of guys say if you want to try and lessen the horse shoe with shaved its number 2 on top and 1 on the sides

Think your head shape looks pretty good also so nothing to worry about

I cannot talk I am still on the fence but the key it sounds like is whatever look you go for aslong as you rock it that is the key. A guy with thick sides and back and no hair on top if they have the confidence then nothing will hold them back in life. That is something I am trying to acquire and it appears that going sly sounds like one way to really make a statement

Yeah it's a 2 on top and a 1 on the side.  Back when I was in school  Ihad a great barber who did a 2 on top fade.. it looked flawless, I couldn't believe it.  Now I do it myself cause no good barbers are in my area, and the ones here are expensive too, don't want to pay 20 dollars every week to keep it up.

It doesn't look half as good when I do it myself, but it still works. 

[Nate]

I think it looks fine

I understand your insecurities in the fact that I am constantly questioning how bad my hair looks and what others are thinking. One thing for us both to get over. In all fairness since you get a 2 on top it will take a couple weeks or a few weeks to get back that stubble if you dont like the complete clean shave

[Stu]

I think it looks fine, too.  If you're balding noticeably in the back, you have it buzzed short enough that it looks perfectly acceptable.  I call that cut the 'I am balding and don't give a s#&t what you think' style.  If I had as much hair as you, I would probably have that style, at least in the cooler months.  What looks bad is guys who are noticeably balding and let their hair get longer thinking that they are somehow compensating or covering up their balding.  Those are the guys I truly feel sorry for because they look foolish.  No worries, dude.  I think you should still try shaving clean at some point; your head looks to be a great shape to carry off true slydom.

[pdxtodd]

It looks great.   You're so close to being sly why not take the next step and feel the freedom and the ease of maintenance?   Worst case you wait a week and you're right back where you are now.   Perfect head shape - you'd look great sly.

[mangosink12572]

Take it down to the wood - - -It grows back if you do not like it  - - -We all did it and never went back

[BigRon]

It looks great.   You're so close to being sly why not take the next step and feel the freedom and the ease of maintenance?   Worst case you wait a week and you're right back where you are now.   Perfect head shape - you'd look great sly.

heh sadly it's not that close to being sly.  Just appears to be cause it's so thin up front. 

But your advice is well taken, I think within this week I'm cutting it all the way down.  I'm no good w/ a blade, I'm going to order ConAir Clean Head for now, looks like a good shaver for a good price

[D.A.L.U.I.]

I think within this week I'm cutting it all the way down.  I'm no good w/ a blade, I'm going to order ConAir Clean Head for now, looks like a good shaver for a good price

Good decision, and if, after 30 days, you don't like it what's left will grow out.  Concerning blades, the cartridge razors, Fusion, Mach III, etc., are pretty forgiving, so provided you prepare properly, i.e. buzz as low as possible, nice hot shower & shampoo, and taking your time, you probably don't have anything to fear.  I wouldn't put a disposable on my dome because they just don't have the stability and blade quality you need.  Split w/ $8-10, get some Headslick, and take your time.  The skill set for shaving develops quickly, two to three weeks, and it gives the absolute best baby butt smooth scalp you can get. 

[JBGood]

If you start, it will develop into a mundane routine, like brushing teeth, at least from my experience, 11 years. I can shave mine in under 5 minutes.
I just use hot water, barbasol aloe, and any of the name brand 3 or more blade shavers, schick or gillette, and a hand mirror for the back, although I can shave the back blind. Do the deed all right handed. I go no longer than 2 days without a shave, if I am at home. But If I am out and about it's every day.

Some onthefencers sound like they're going to get their tooth pulled or something when thinking about shaving it off. Those of us who are Sly are
here to support you in your decision none the less. But, we surely encourage you to try it since hair grows back. Peace.

[BigRon]

I think within this week I'm cutting it all the way down.  I'm no good w/ a blade, I'm going to order ConAir Clean Head for now, looks like a good shaver for a good price

Good decision, and if, after 30 days, you don't like it what's left will grow out.  Concerning blades, the cartridge razors, Fusion, Mach III, etc., are pretty forgiving, so provided you prepare properly, i.e. buzz as low as possible, nice hot shower & shampoo, and taking your time, you probably don't have anything to fear.  I wouldn't put a disposable on my dome because they just don't have the stability and blade quality you need.  Split w/ $8-10, get some Headslick, and take your time.  The skill set for shaving develops quickly, two to three weeks, and it gives the absolute best baby butt smooth scalp you can get. 

Just ordered ConAir CleanHead electric head shaver... if that doesn't satisfy me I'll do what you said and grab a Mach III probably. 

Can anyone give me advice on products to put on my head after I shave? like to keep it looking nice and shiny throughout the day.  I know to treat it like my face, I will wash it and put on sunscreen and oil-free moisturizer, but do I need anything like wax? what do you sly guys put on your ?head to keep it lookin slick and shiny?