scissors haircut beauty comb

1st Grader’s Perspective: Mom’s Bad Haircut

December 29, 2011COMtnMom
scissors haircut beauty comb
Photo credit http://www.freedigitalphotos.net/

It’s not that I’m totally unselfish, or do not enjoy being pampered from time to time.   But I have never been one to spend great amounts of money on my hair at beauty salons.  There is a part of me that would love to have my hair dyed and highlighted professionally on a monthly basis.  However there is another, larger and stronger, part of me that is way too cheap to fork over the $100+ per month that this habit would demand.   Whether I have the money or not, I can’t get past all the things I would rather spend $100 on!

Between that and having longish, not-a-hairstyle hair … I typically scrape by with a combination of coloring my own hair and getting it trimmed about once every 6 months.  (I know.  Who do I think I am, right?  Bragging all up in here about my gorgeous doo…)

My signal to call and make that appointment is usually the morning I look in the mirror and realize, “Ok.  Your hair’s not pretty.  It’s just long.”  That means it could use a little shape up.  So I go and get a good 3 inches cut off, or so.  I like to get my money’s worth.

A while back, one of my more high-pressure, not so fun encounters with a new hair stylist started right out of the chute with what felt like an accusation: “So what is it, exactly, that you are trying to achieve with your hair?”

It’s not that I am an aimless person with no goals whatsoever in life.  It’s just that none of them revolve around my hair.  “Ummm… to not have it look like crap?” I replied, a questioning tone in my voice.  I was pretty I gave the wrong answer.

Recently we had some family pictures taken outdoors, on a hot muggy afternoon.  As if it’s not challenging enough trying to get family pictures taken – I have to add a glisten of sweat and wilted hair to the equation.  I  know, I know … I’m the MOM.  It’s completely irrelevant what I look like.  Silly me, for caring.

When we got the pictures back, it was the final straw for me.  I realized it was time.  My hair looked so unattractive, and had been bugging me enough on a regular basis, that I was pushed past the line.  I was ready to try shorter hair.

So the night before my haircut appointment, I comb through (no pun intended) my one hairstyle magazine that I own.  I did notice in passing that it was 7 years old, but since I’ve come to terms with the fact that I don’t really ever possess a hair STYLE … I figured it didn’t really make that much difference.

I select my picture, and head in to see, once again, a brand new-to-me hair stylist (there’s a pattern here … why am I such a glutton for punishment?).  The picture I brought in was of a famous newscaster – her softly curled, long layers resting gently a couple of inches below the height of her shoulders. I present my photo, excited at the thought of my hair looking *hopefully* somewhat similar.

Hairstylist [pretends to] examine photo.  Pulls my wet hair taught with her comb, and with one frighteningly bold snip…. she cuts a huge chunk of my hair off – a good 2 inches ABOVE my shoulder.

I tried to stay calm.  I sat there repeating over and over in my head, “it’s only hair … it will grow back … don’t be so shallow”.  I’m the type of person who will receive a horrifying haircut, not make a peep, tip the person, and then go cry in the car.  So I watch her continue to chop her way around my head, and I begin to wonder if I have said or done something unknowingly to make her hate me?

Eventually, mercifully, she finishes her crazed destruction with the scissors.  Styles it (what’s left of it).  Pulls her fingers through the back a few times and mutters to herself, “No.  This isn’t working for me.  It’s still too heavy back here.”  And she then starts in again, cutting even more of my hair off.

That was it.  I had to stick up for myself against this Beautician Bully.  “I’m sorry”, I interrupt, not sure what I’m apologizing for, “it’s already way shorter than I wanted it, and I’d like you to stop cutting now.”

This clearly made her mad.  She picks up the magazine picture I brought in, shoves it in my face and retorts crisply, “You can SEE that she has layers, in this picture”.

I have no response to this, because clearly what we are each seeing “in the picture”, is not the same thing.  You would think that the shoulders would prove a basic, common reference point?

So to wrap up my lengthy story, she left me with a blunt, chunk-of-hair shelf on the right side of my head – the victim of the abruptly ended Round Two of the clipping assault.  And right before I get out of the chair she informs me, “Well, at least it looks a lot more stylish than when you came in here.”  Ouch.

I do think part of the problem was that I was not emotionally ready for short hair.  But when I got home, saddened by my new appearance, my daughter immediately declared, “I love your hair!  Now you look like a GOOD mom!”

I guess that was my consolation prize. 🙂

*o*     *o*     *o*

Comments (9)

  • My Baby Sleep Guide

    December 31, 2011 at 3:37 am

    I'm stopping by from the hop and am a new rss follower. Would love it if you'd visit my

    blog rss
    http://www.mybabysleepguide.com/

    Thanks!
    Rachel

  • Tracy

    January 1, 2012 at 4:28 am

    Argh! I have had that happen before – so frustrating! I can't believe the stylist was so huffy about it though – she should have been apologizing all over and offering a free fix by another stylist.

    The consolation is that it probably looks fine to other people even though you may hate it yourself. Wishing you a speedy hair recovery!

  • Clairity

    January 2, 2012 at 8:29 am

    OMG we could be sisters. I have the same outlook about my hair – totally. I've been meaning to show my hairdresser a picture of what I ACTUALLY want because he can't seem to get it when I explain and my haircut always, always comes out looking all wrong. Now I'm wondering if a picture would actually help or make it worse LOL.

    Following you back on Twitter (and G+, of course). Love your blog, will be back 🙂 Happy New Year.

  • Colorado Mountain Mom

    January 2, 2012 at 1:56 pm

    Tracy … in hindsight, there were other clues! Like the stylist talking about how she wished she had gone to school for something else, and that she didn't like having to "deal with people" all day. Ha!

    You are very kind for your sympathy! 🙂 Thanks so much for visiting.

    Tami

  • Colorado Mountain Mom

    January 2, 2012 at 1:58 pm

    Clarity … You're too funny! That may be the nicest comment I've received on my blog thus far! 🙂 Makes me feel better to know I am not alone.

    Headed over to check out your blog now – I love your Avatar.

    Thanks for stopping by!
    Tami

  • albern williams

    March 9, 2012 at 12:31 pm

    This is a nice blog. your posts are really helpful. thanks for posting it.quality hairdressing Scissors

  • Colorado Mountain Mom » Ultimate Blog Party 2012 » Colorado Mountain Mom

    April 13, 2012 at 3:50 am

    […] Or just a funny story about the way my 1st grader’s mind works (like her take on my bad haircut). […]

  • Monica

    September 5, 2013 at 1:48 am

    I know that this post was written a long time ago… but wow!!! What a story! Glad your daughter made it all better in the end. =)

    1. COMtnMom

      September 9, 2013 at 8:03 pm

      Awww… thanks, Monica! My hair has actually grown back now, and all is well – ha! 🙂

Leave a comment

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

Prev Post

Disney Wordless Wednesday

December 28, 2011

Next Post

What's On Tap - Disney Films

December 31, 2011
%d bloggers like this: