Tuesday 16 November 2010

That time of year again

I need a hair cut. Last time I got my hair cut was in August. Only because I was going to a christening and I thought I should look half decent. (Looking back at the photos I look more like a chubby splodge, but never mind). Now, I died my hair a while back and it could really benefit from a cut. The bottom is a funny colour, not funny as in bright pink, but just lighter than the rest near the top, and it looks odd. Not everyone notices, but I do, so it bothers me. Only it doesn’t bother me to the point where I actually, physically, drag myself to a salon.

Let’s get this out of the way. I positively hate having my hair cut. Everything about it makes me cringe and feel uncomfortable. From the moment you arrive and someone helps you put that funny black gown on. Awkward. From the moment the person washing your hair asks you when was the last time you washed it. Eurgh, does it look that bad?! From the moment you put your head down and remember that it is officially the worse position ever. Is the water warm/ cold enough? Forget that, how about having my head in a really painful position which even the most nimble fingers and pleasant head massage will not let me forget??!!! Then you sit down and go through what it is that you want. I don’t know what I want, isn’t it obvious? Would I really have the most boring hair cut in history if I knew what I wanted? Every time I hope someone will look at my face, and suggest something that would suit me and my hair type. Why do you even bother asking me whether I want my hair straightened, have you not seen how thin it is, how little hair I actually have??

But I’m jumping ahead of myself here. Back to the hair cut. This used to be dreadful in the pre-contact lenses days. Glasses on to have a look in the mirror, glasses off for the cut. Being left in a world of complete fuzz, not knowing where to focus (my eyesight is very very bad). And when I was a kid, apparently I used to have this tendency to very slightly dip my head to one side, which would cause my mum endless aggro, having to send me back to the hairdressers a couple of times to straighten me out. But now I’m all grown up and you’ll be pleased to hear I’ve learned how to keep my head straight. And contact lenses have been a life saver in more ways than one (swimming pool anyone?!). Anyway, so here we go, it won’t be a surprise to anyone (well it might, but you don’t have to say) I’m not exactly a fashionable person as such, I don’t really care about fashion and I like to wear what I like, clothes that I feel comfortable in etc etc. Which means that I stand out like a sore thumb in a salon. All those overly made up women and men, with the most intricate of hair cuts, more make up than I wear over the course of a whole year, funny clothes. Oh goodness how I feel out of place.

Everything about the place makes me feel rubbish. I feel uncomfortable, both physically (from the hair wash) and mentally. The light makes me look a really odd colour and doesn’t add to me feeling cute or remotely attractive. My facial features do no bear well from having thin wet hair plastered to the sides. Gross. And the typical chit-chat makes me die a little inside. I was once asked what I was planning for the weekend. I said I was going to a book festival in Oxford. She was off with some girlfriends to Ibiza. End of conversation.

So do you feel my pain? I need to go back but still haven’t found a salon where I feel comfortable enough to be me. Oh goodness, what I wouldn’t give to be a bloke sometimes. A number 2 would do me just fine.

12 comments:

mooncalf said...

Agree (1000000). I hate the hairdresser. And then they charge you £40 for the 'fun'.

We've got a new place that just opened that is like a barbers but women can go too. No appointments, just a spray wet-down, only £12.50. It isn't fancy but it works.

Diane said...

I could have written this post - word for word - myself. I had my hair cut last week (before that it had been the end of July). She asked me what I was having done - how the hell do I know!!?? So I said I had wondered about growing my layers ou? - So she gave me a very short, chic french bob - she obviously hears "cut it as short as the shortest layer". Which looks very nice, and is all well and good - but it needs "doing" on a morning, and I am the lowest of maintainance! - Also my hair "flicks up" on one part of my head and refuses to "bob" under. I looke like I have escaped from a mental asylum. xxxxxx

Unknown said...

I used to actually go to the barbers and have my hair cut - it was brilliant. The shorter, the better.
Since I moved to Brum I've found a lovely little 'old lady' salon just around the corner. It's a very relaxed atmosphere, there are no teenagers off to Ibiza, they coo over Violet and keep her entertained whilst I have my hair done, and I'm always the youngest there, so feel extra trendy. You need to find yourself an Old Lady-style Salon too Petite Filoux. Or, perhaps some of your friends of work colleagues could recommend somewhere.

I wish you the best of luck.
Jill x

Lina said...

Totally feel your pain. I hate it with a passion. I go twice a year and have found a hairdresser who "gets" it. I told her it is not a pleasant pampering experience for me, it's more like a going to the dentist experience. I feel very uncomfortable having to stare at myself for that long in a mirror. We have agreed that she shouldn't bother with trivial conversations about the weather, holidays etc. In fact I just take a book or magazine and speak briefly about what I want done (cut and colour) at the beginning and then it's quiet until a thank you at the end. As far as I'm concerened the quicker the better! Glad I'm not the only one!

Ana said...

Wow, I'm so glad I'm not the only one who hates the hairdresers. It's the chit chat I hate the most - I try to bury my nose in a book or magazine to avoid it. I think Lina's approach is the way to go.

Flitterbee said...

Yes. Yes. Yes.

I hate hairdressers, almost to the point of phobia. I feel terribly out of place and I hate making small talk with girls who are in all likelihood actually younger than me, but treat me like I'm still in school.

The last time I got my haircut was for graduation, in July, again, because I thought I should look half-decent. I'm all split-endified now, but I can't face another appointment.

I disagree on being a bloke, though. I mean, they *have* to get their hair cut regularly, at least I can leave mine a while...

Petit Filoux said...

Good point Flitterbee!! I guess that's why my hair is just so long....!

Anonymous said...

petit filoux i hate having my hair cut, i always feel very uncomfortable as i am still at the glasses stage and they have to come off for the cut and then go back on again when the hair has been cut and looks foul ... however, i have recently discovered a fab hairdresser in hammersmith in the broadway centre (where the bus depot is) - her name is sacha and her number is 02085639207 (the salon is hml) she is fab. no relation and no link to her, i live in france so have no link to the salon either. however, i do make a point of seeing her when i london - no one else touches my hair now!

Jennifer said...

I completely agree. My hair is complicated, some curly, some wavy, and some board straight. It's a nightmare to cut and I always, always have bad experiences. Hairdressers always think they know my hair better than I do which leads to disaster. I really need a good trim too but after the last hairdresser I am just seriously procrastinating. Good luck finding a good one, I really hope you are able to.

Rachel said...

I do feel your pain! I actually quite enjoy the experience of having my hair cut BUT haven't actually been to the hairdressers for well over a year. I cut and dye my hair myself as my hair is so awkward I just don't see the point in spending £40 on it every couple of months (plus can't afford to either - why are girls hairdressers so much more expensive than boys?!) My hair is also very thin, but wavy so frizzes up at the merest whiff of moisture in the air so doesn't hold a "style" for any length of time, so I have just stuck to my default setting of shoulder length and a bit shaggy (read: messy!) It's been so long I know that I really ought to go and have it tidied up properly, but as you say, it's so hard to find "the right" hairdresser - I hope you do!

Taz said...

Oh god yes I feel your pain. I actually get my hair on average once a year and then it's under sufferance.
And I HAVE shaved my head before now ;)

Ali said...

Oh, I feel the same way. Like Taz, I've also taken the lot off, but it wasn't a great solution - now I just have it longer so I don't need to go so often and I don't colour it, so there's one less headache.
Also, a bloke cuts my hair and we talk economics. Beats chit-chat!