Pixie, Bob, Wedge or Shag

I look so thrilled!  Of all the many
cuts my Aunt Mary gave me, this
shag was really not my favorite!

 

 



Today is HAIRSTYLE APPRECIATION DAY!!!!!!!  

Since my Aunt Mary was a very successful hairstylist in Hollywood during the 1950's - 1970's, I was privy to the most trendy and popular hairstyles.  This should have made me very happy, and most girls would have been thrilled to have such a perk.  Sadly, I was not happy about my Aunt giving me a new "do" every time she came to visit us in Kansas.  Sometimes the hot new styles in California are not so hot in Kansas.  I was teased about my hair - a lot.

I felt like my Aunt's guinea pig - her prototype.  If she could make a style look good on me, then she would go back to her shop and declare that she knows how to make the stars in Hollywood look good as well.  I was the one she "practiced" on.


It sounds like I was a spoiled rotten child, and I guess I was.  I did not appreciate the styles my Aunt gave me.  I went along with this scheme because, for one thing, I was a child.  I didn't have the right to declare that "this is my hair and I'll do what I want with it!"  I will admit, however, I said it quite often in my own mind!   

My Aunt styled my hair from the time I was an infant.  The day before I went to Kindergarten in 1966, she gave me a Pixie cut.  Then in the late 1960's she fixed it in a bob.  I actually liked it best because my hair had never been long before.  A bob is not long hair - but it was long to me!  

I've heard people say that the 1970's was a bad fashion decade.  Well, that was the least of my worries.  A new hairstyle was emerging and I just knew my Aunt would be visiting, and I knew what that meant.  Sure enough, Aunt Mary came for a visit in 1974.  I was holding my breath, hoping she would not want to change my Bob into...  a SHAG!  The inevitable happened.  We were sitting at the dinner table.  That's always where she would ask me if she could try a new "do" on me.  

With excitement in her voice, she exclaimed, There is a new hot hairstyle and I wonder if you'd mind if..."

Did I want to?  No - but did I want to hurt her feelings?  No way!

So, why am I not smiling in my 8th grade photo?  Hmm...  perhaps it's because I'm not diggin' on my haircut.  It was my secret.  I did survive the shag and my hair eventually grew out.  But for the record, I did not even almost like it.  

Then when Aunt Mary flew back to Kansas from California in 1976, my then grown-out shag was turned into a wedge cut, made famous by the Olympic figure skater, Dorothy Hamill.

By the time I graduated high school, I was once again sporting my favorite style.  I chose the bob.  That is the longest my hair ever grew! 

There was a girl in my high school named Simone.  She was so pretty and had beautiful long blonde hair.  I was so envious because I always wanted to have long hair. 

My Aunt enjoyed a great deal of success styling hair.  She did what she loved to do, which is the real key to success in any business.  She's dead now, along with the rest of my family.  I have some great memories of her and the times we spent at my mama's house. 

The taller the hair, the closer to heaven.  - Chonda Pierce



I'm so glad I was not rebellious in those years.  I'm glad I was obedient and did as I was told.  So, Simone had long hair and I didn't - so what?  Does that matter now?  No. 

Today I appreciate what I did not appreciate back then - having family around who loved me and took very good care of me.  I cherish those trendy hairstyles I got to sport.  Yes, even the shag!

What does a good hair day have to do with wellness?  Most women would look at you and say, "Are you kidding?  Everything!"  A good hair day can make the difference between low self-esteem and soaring above the clouds. 

One thing is for certain, whether you have a feather cut, pixie, bob, wedge or shag, the basic health of your hair is what matters most!

To keep your hair healthy, it is important to follow some simple rules.  My Aunt Mary taught me that what you eat and what you do to protect your hair impact it more than the type of products you apply to it. 

• Omega 3's are an essential part of maintaining healthy, shiny hair!  Salmon is one of my favorite sources.  I also take Flax Oil capsules every day.  Other sources are avocadoes, walnuts and pumpkin seeds.
• Limit the amount of time you spend in the hot Summer Sun.  I know we are sun worshippers, but if you have to be out for an extended amount of time, at least wear a hat.  
• Drink water!  Your skin and hair need to be well hydrated.
• If your hair is color-treated, beware of the chlorine.  One Summer I had color-treated my hair and after swimming, it turned green!  Be careful!
• I refuse to fry my hair.  I do not put chemicals on it except to color treat (and I leave that to my hairstylist).  I will not use a flatiron or blow dryer!  Those are two tools that can fry your hair and wreck your hair's integrity permanently.
• Be careful when choosing your method of root touch-up.  Some are better than others. 
• Trim the damaged ends of your hair about 1" every 3 months.
• Don't over-brush your hair.  It creates more damage.
• Don't color your hair too much.  Avoid bleach completely.
• Take your multi-vitamin every day.
• Eat more protein.  Legumes, beans.  Protein shakes.
• Give your hair a break!  Don't wash it every day.  Try washing every other day.
• Use a sodium-free / sulfate-free shampoo.    

Nobody messes with these
tresses except ME these days!
Today I have happy hair!!!

Now that my hair is finally "my own", I've had a desire to let it grow longer.  The ability to wear my hair up is a new adventure for me.  When my hair was shorter, it did not take as long to style, but I just allow more time when getting ready to go out.  

Even though I wore some trendy tresses in the past, I'm enjoying my longer locks now.

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