A bad hair day? Don’t despair – just get yourself to your trusted hair stylist. She will give you numerous choices of solutions. I promise!
Hair, whether it drives you crazy or you love it, you have to deal with it every day. Often more than once a day. Is it too curly – well just have it straightened. Too straight – have it curled. It’s simple really. Too long – get it cut. Too grey – get it dyed any colour you want. Makes me think of the old ad, “Only your hairdresser knows for sure.”
An old expression that I have heard many times states the difference between a bad haircut and a good haircut is two weeks. So, don’t worry. This older woman feels hair colours and styles have become ridiculous! Yes, ridiculous! I’m entitled to my opinion.
Wherever I go these days with my beautiful cane, my eyes are assaulted by clown-like hair colours! Really! I spoke with a young lady recently whose hair was green. With my old preconceived mind, I assumed (hoped) it must be sprayed on – but no, she told me, with a smile, it was dyed green. Dyed green!
You must have observed, as I have, grey-haired ladies with a splash of blue or bright pink – and yes, even purple. I had never asked anyone (due to my old-fashioned ingrained reluctance to pry) whether it was sprayed on, until recently when a lady I knew well told me, “Oh no, it was dyed.” Really? Yes, was her answer. OK – it’s a free country. Do what you want.
Do blondes have more fun? I don’t know. Maybe I’ll turn blonde to find out. I love Dolly Parton’s reply to a dumb blonde joke. “I’m not offended by all the dumb blonde jokes because I know I’m not dumb and I also know I’m not a blonde.” So there!
Tackling the styles of haircuts for both men and women has to be my next discussion. This old woman does not understand why anyone decides to have one side of the hair shaved – yes, shaved — and leave some of the rest long, or long and dyed blond, or whatever. I saw many young professionals — lawyers, architects, planners, college and university teachers — this weekend at a university alumnae function and, yep, they sported such extreme hairstyles, too.
Even my granddaughter had her beautiful red hair styled that way two years ago. That’s when I first became aware of such hairstyles. She has let it grow out and now her ginger tresses are in a more conventional style.
That’s the good thing about hair, it grows back and gives you options again of how you want to wear it.
I have to mention men who are unnecessarily bald. Why? Those bare pates are shined every morning I’m sure. They glisten in the sun. Much less trouble after a shower – just shine it and you’re ready for the day.
Hair is a topic on which I could go much, much longer but, well, I need to wash my hair.
Erna de Burger-Fex is a writer and retired teacher.
