Thursday, October 30, 2008

What's a Girl to do with her Hair?

I need advice. My hair is at that "in-between" stage, supposedly between old style and something new. Trouble is, I don't know what I want. I can't stand it in my face. It's wavy (curly in the humidity), soft, and fine. When shorter, it has more body. It's got just a few strands of grey. Paul doesn't want me to color it because he says I'll be forever coloring it if I start. That's the story I hear from other friends, too. It's pretty forgiving of a bad cut (it grows fast and the curls hide woopsies). I really like my hairdresser and have developed a relationship with her to the point I'm also ready to invite her to the next round of Alpha meetings, and I don't want to risk offending her by going to a different stylist. She is artistic (photography mainly) but conservative with changes, at least in my experience. And best of all, the cut still costs only $18 at this place. (I don't pay to have it blow dried unless it's a bitter cold day or I'm switching styles altogether, which has been a long, long time.)

I want to find a style that's a bit different, without going drastically shorter or having to keep growing this mop. I'm of the opinion that most women over 40 should not wear long hair; there are exceptions, but I'm not going to be one of them.


So, what to do? I have a three-fold dilemma. First, I'm reluctant to go back to my stylist because she hasn't ventured beyond my own suggestions even when I've said, "You're the expert. Try something new." Second, I don't want to risk offending her by going to someone else who might be experimental. Third, I fear of the result of letting a pro I don't know do something terrible in the name of creativity.

The last time I did that was when Sarah was three weeks old. Ben was 13 months old. My world measured the square footage of two cribs and stunk like a dairy farm. I was postpartumly depressed and had been postpartumly housebound with ugly hair. I told this guy, "I trust you." Well, he made me feel wonderful with words like "lift" and "volume" and "pizzazz." Then he started cutting. And cutting. And cutting. He nipped out all the curl, parted my hair on the side, and razor tapered it at the neck. Paul was speechless. He wouldn't touch my butch head for five weeks. (I counted.) I spiraled into a really deep depression. I'm sure it was all hormonal, but I'll never forget the feeling of never wanting to trust someone again with my hair. I've just told them what to do. And now I'm really, really bored with it.

What should I do? It's not just about hair.

Oh! Did I mention school pictures are tomorrow, teachers included?

6 comments:

Rachel Anne said...

pictures?? I think we need pictures of your current 'do and maybe your possible 'do's.

btw, by FAR AND AWAY the biggest hit (search) on my blog is by people looking for pictures of posh spice haircut...I blogged about it with a photo back in Dec. 2007. I'm ready to pull the post off my site, but then I'll never have any new visitors :(

Anonymous said...

How much are you willing to fuss with it? Are you savvy with a big round brush or jumbo velcro rollers? or are you a wash and go gal?

Anonymous said...

I can fuss with a brush. My natural wave responds well to training. Don't need the rollers.

Anonymous said...

Okay...so this might be a little more in your face than you like, but I love this because you can round brush the front smooth and scrunch the back. http://gimps.de/pictures/albums/userpics/10001/cute-short-haircuts.jpg

as always, consider your source :) .

Anonymous said...

Thx for the link. I looked at it, Yeh, no, too much action in front of the face. I would always be pushing it away, which would drive me nuts. I hate it when I'm talking to people whose hair always falling forward. I'm thinking, "you oughtta try Daylight Savings Time for your hair. You know...fall BACK?"

Anonymous said...

I'm right there with you. I decided a few months ago to let my short hair grow - not long mind you, just kind of medium long.

Every time my appointment draws near, I fight the temptation to go back to my old style. But with the holidays quickly approaching, I think I'll have to go back to just a longer version of my previous cut for my own sanity.

Be sure to post a pic when you make a decision.