It cascaded down, a whimsy contained in the wavy brown curls. But a heaviness crept in and it spent more time tied back, tucked under a hat, twisted into a bun, anything but loose. The day I approached the equivalent of a pioneer-era religious conservative’s hairstyle, it was a wake-up call. My neck was tired of carrying it and I was tired of drying it. Haircut time.
On a pleasant summer day, I traveled with a family friend to the salon. When I entered the salon, the hum of dryers and idle chatter filled my ears. My eyes adjusted to the light. My stylist greeted me with a bright smile and set to work, a quick scalp and neck massage before washing my hair. The scent of mint arose as she lathered and conditioned, the rush of warm water danced through my tresses. So relaxing.
We held one conversation after another as she cut away the length no longer wanted to create a new shape. Comb and hold and snip. Comb and hold and snip, snip. Brushed, dried and straightened. A spin around in the chair, a mirror help up, bravo. Just what I asked for–the heaviness gone, a fresh style remained.
My friend and I left the salon. I put on sunglasses, imagined the light reflecting off the trimmed locks as we strolled into the cloudless afternoon.
Did you lift a weight off your shoulders lately? Tell me about it.
Adventures in Low Vision 
There is just something about the way it feels when someone else washes my hair! I don’t feel it when I wash my own. It has been quite hot where I live and though I keep my hair short I am thinking about taking it down even more.
It does feel different. I used to be a massage therapist, I think it has to do with your touch receptors being overwhelmed when another person is massaging your scalp rather than your own fingers which your touch receptors can relate to easier.
I had to laugh at your description of having a pioneer-era religious conservative’s hair style! I’m probably headed there but my hair doesn’t do styles so every haircut feels more like a big mistake than a weight lifted off my shoulders. I’m glad you like your new hair!
Like Trisha, my thick wavy hair doesn’t do hairstyles but I live in hope. I have changed hairdressers and now actually enjoy the visit because of his willingness to admit to the futility of styling and blow drying. Susan, with my hair I would never be admitted to a pioneering conservative group! Do you sometimes wonder how much hair defines our lives? Loved this post.
Hair is a major factor in people’s lives for sure–think of the sheer number of shampoos, styling agents, conditioners, dyes, etc on the market plus the agony over bad haircuts, loosing hair, graying hair…it has a hold on us.
That’s the worst, when you try a new style and it’s awful for your hair. Keep calm and carry a hair tie.
Hey, I like that. Keep calm and carry a hair tie! I think I’ll write that on the bottom of my bathroom mirror. 🙂