QUESTION FOR PEOPLE WHO HAVE LONG HAIR (pls help me)

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So my main goal is growing my hair aka trying to grow it longer

I kinda want to try a wolf cut or whatever that is or just growing out in general.

So my question is

1. Do you grow your hair out by showing the barber/hair salon a pic reference so it grow out the way that you want or just get a random haircut/layer and let it grow it out?

2. How long should I let it grow out?

3. In the growing out phase or awkward phase whatever that is ,when it's getting a bit too long / messy /flat (any kind of that) that even using product to style it feels useless , should you get like layer or maintenance cut/trim that keep your hair length all the same around? Or just grow it out even more to go past that state

4. When it's at the length that you want , how should I tell the barber /hair salon to cut like the haircut/hairstyle that I want without messing up? ( Cause even when I show the pic , they always cut it or trim it short)

5.When you have finally achieved the exact form of your ideal long haircut/hairstyle but it's a bit long and flat ,how do you ask your barber/hair salon to cut /trim it so the form stay the same? ( maintenance cut)

5. With long hair , how should you style it ? / what product do you often used?