hairy situation
kelly | 9 October 2007 - 7:08pm
Last month I got a new haircut. I'd had the same cut for nearly three years, and while it was still the cute haircut with highlights, I was kinda tired of it. I told my stylist that I wanted something a little different, and she had me flip through photos to find what I liked. I settled on about seven different (but similar) photos, and told her to give me some combination of them.
Whatever it was she did, I LOVED it. I wasn't sure at first, while I was still at the salon, because she always poofs and fluffs my hair too much when she styles it, so that my hair looks exactly like Jon Bon Jovi's. But the next day when I'd washed it and styled it myself, I realized that I LOVED this haircut.
Last week I went back to get a trim before a trip we were taking to Chicago. I sat down in her chair and exclaimed, "I LOVED the haircut you gave me! LOVED it! So just do whatever you did before."
And she gave me a blank look.
"Please tell me you remember the haircut," I said, smiling, but with panic rising in my chest.
"Oh my god, I totally don't!" she laughed. "Normally I would lie and say I do, but I know you well enough to be honest. I have NO CLUE what we did last time."
Well fuck.
In her defense, she's pregnant and claims she's suffering from preggo brain. So, I tried to jog her memory a little. "Um, okay, so I came in and said I wanted something a little different. And then we looked at a bunch of photos? And I don't know exactly what you did, but I think you put in some more layers or something?"
Still the blank look.
"And cut it all a little shorter?"
The blank look shifted to one of confusion.
At this point I thought I might cry, because I'd had in my possession the most awesome haircut ever and it seemed I would never again attain it. So I searched my brain for more clues.
"Ooh! I remember that you used that razor thingy! On the layers! All over my head!"
Her eyes brightened at this, a gleam of recognition. She pulled out a razor. "This one?"
"No. I'm pretty sure it was silver."
"Okay, it must have been this one, then."
"Yes! That one! You used that, all over my head! For the layers! Which you made shorter than before!"
"Okay, I'm starting to remember now. Yeah, I think I've got it."
She totally didn't remember. But I let her cut my hair anyway. Because I trust her that much.
When she finished, she asked, "Does this look right?" She had frizzed it and floofed it such that I wasn't sure if it was right or not, but I did resemble Jon Bon Jovi so I figured that was a good sign.
It was. Turns out the cut she gave me was just like the last one, only even better. Who knew that was possible?! I have been getting compliments left and right on this cut! I even had a stranger stop me at the freaking Lincoln Park Zoo to tell me she loved my hair.
But this whole thing has been a reminder that I am going to be DEVASTATED if my stylist ever leaves. I mean, if she can't even remember what she did, how will I ever find someone else who can replicate it? I'm not concerned about her maternity leave, because she's promised to schedule me for a cut right before her due date and first thing when she gets back. She gives me special treatment because I'm her favorite client. (Her nickname for me is "Bubbles" because apparently I'm bubbly. No, really.) Or maybe I'm her favorite because I tip well. That's probably mostly it.
But she's also mentioned that she's considering going to school for nursing. Which....gah! I have not been encouraging her to do this, which I know is wrong and selfish of me. But I NEED her. Yes, nursing is noble. Yes, nurses help people. But so do stylists! I'm just saying. And is there anything more noble than creating really great hair? I don't think so.
all comments photoblog
Kelly, I feel for you. I wouldn't want my stylist to go to nursing school either. Waste of talent.
Do we get to see this new do? Now I'm curious! oh . . . and congrats on the new look! I'm sure it's awesome!
i get all squeaky whenever my hair guy starts talking too enthusiastically about california. he makes my short hair look cute instead of middle-aged and he's so easy on the eyes, that my hair appointments are win-win.
So ... let's see. You have the technology, and it's not like we haven't seen pics of you before, and dammit, we all want to see, so show us. Geez.
okay, i'm sorta with elbow, errr, i mean, nilbo on this one. camera = pix of your jon bon jovi 'do for your own stylist and/or her (poor, unfortunate) replacement! just take a few pix, keep them, and show them to her and/or the (poor, unfortunate) lady/man/ladyman that takes her place! and there you have it: someone who can see, firsthand, what you like on your own head. (and p.s....i've met you. you are so much bubbly and adorable and tall and model-like! how could you NOT be her favorite client?! fo'schizzle.)
p.p.s. OMG! i did a search on "kalki no cavities" and you totally came up FIRST in the results! inyo'FACE,rob! ;-)
Jen - Yes, exactly! Total waste of talent!
kristen, I have forbidden mine from ever moving, EVER. Unless, as I've said before, I move, and then I've agreed to pay her relocation fees.
Nah, Nils. I'm shy.
Rz, before I was even sure the second haircut was right, I told her to IMPRINT THIS ONE ON HER BRAIN. And she said, "I wish I had a digital camera. Then I could just take a picture." Which? Is brilliant. I should totally buy her one. (Or just take a photo myself, as you suggest. That seems cheaper.) Also, thank you for the very sweet things you said about me. And that is freaking AWESOME that I am the winning search result for the cavity thing! Go me! And suck it, Rob!
Maybe if you buy her a digital camera she won't go to nursing school.
I've been left behind by my favorite stylist more than once, which I'm a little embarrassed to admit is the main reason I've had long hair for so long. I'm too afraid to try new stylists!
My current favorite stylist lives in Richmond, which is totally inconvenient these days because I only go there maybe once every 3 months. The last haircut she gave me was aesome. But now I'm getting all panicky because it's getting to the point where I either need to commit to growing my hair out longer or get it cut again, but I can't get to Richmond anytime soon. Do I take the picture of my haircut to a stylist here and hope they don't butcher it? Do I just live with weird in-between hair until next month? Do I take a day off work just to drive to Richmond and get my haircut? What do I do!?!
I had a stylist and then she turned sour (on my hair, that is, she still was a nice person) so I started going to her best friend, and she is SO much better...but it made it very awkward for awhile but I've fully made the transition over. I love the way she does my hair. The other girl, not so much.
I'd love to see a pic! Don't you want more accolades? of course you do! Who doesn't love people telling them how cute they are?
So, you know that my mom now goes to your stylist, right? Well, the other day, her old stylist (we'll call her Mary), happened to see Dad and asked if Mom needed a haircut as it has been a long time. Mary is the stylist for a bunch of wives in my Dad's group of friends. Um, panic time! My Dad says, "Oh, I don't know what she's doing with her hair now, you'll have to ask her!" When Mom told me this, I started to sweat a little, because, this sorta sucks--it's like breaking up with someone. However, my brilliant mother says, "Mary doesn't really do any coloring, so this is my excuse for going to 'new stylist'." Crisis averted. It's silly what gets our hearts racing sometimes... :)
Okay, so I'm with Nilbo. Hello? photooooooo?
Photos! Photos! We want PHOTOS!
If you are going to take pictures and post them here can you post one of your recent cavity/filling.
Ooh, a guilt trip purchase? That's not a bad plan, Ern.
geeky, a good stylist is totally worth driving several hours for. But also, that is a total pain in the ass. Quite a conundrum. You could perhaps go to Richmond, get your hair cut, then go directly to a new stylist here in Redneck Valley and say, "Hey, look at this closely - and grope it or whatever you need to do - because I want you to replicate it in 6 weeks." Of course, there's no guarantee they'll remember....
Ugh, switching is hard. But fabulous hair is totally worth it. Good for you, jana!
It is totally like breaking up with someone, doreen. One of my cousins (T) used to go to my stylist but stopped because she raised her prices. My stylist was totally cool about it, though, and would ask me how T was doing and stuff. Which sorta felt like they were old lovers and I was a mutual friend or something....hee.
Oh, I don't know, Danielle. It is better in person. :)
OKAY FINE, people. LadyBug was the last straw. I will post a freaking photo, okay? GOSH. So much for being modest.
Ha, William! That's funny. But you know I would never post evidence of my imperfection!
PLEASE give us local girls the name of your hairdresser and a way to contact her, or him. PLEASE!!
Gladly, Anon! I don't want to post her name online, though, so drop me an email and I'll send you the info... kalkik at verizon dot net
Have any miracle suggestions for even FINDING the perfect stylist? I just want someone to figure out my style, hair type, and lazy-factor so that I can walk out with the most maintenance-free hot haircut ever...but somehow I end up looking like a tired mom every day. (hhmm...maybe I'm on to something here)
Hi Amber! I don't have much advice for finding one. I just lucked out, I guess. Well, my stylist was recommended by a friend, so I guess my only advice would be to find someone whose hair you like and ask them for the name of their stylist.
It totally sucks when you find someone who does your hair exactly like you want then they just leave. My mom is a beautician, currently disabled, but still able to do friends and family from time to time. However, she never does my hair the same way twice, everyone else she gets it right...me not so much! So, I went to a place recommended to me, found a lady who did a great job, went back for a touch up several months later, she is gone. I did let someone else do it, only to be very disappointed. :(
Oh momo, I feel you. They should not be allowed to leave! Ever!