The Flumoxing Problems of Hairstyles
This is definitely not a gender issue. Be honest here; both men and women spend countless hours either worrying about how their hair looks or trying to adapt to trends. I sometimes think that if I counted up the hours I have spent over the years thinking about my hair and what to do with it, I would have been able to write War And Peace, VOLUME II. I am a disgrace. Until recently I thought it was confined to a female issue, but Metrosexual males have entered the realm and that has given me a modicum of comfort. Women and men think about HAIR! We think about the style, the products, the color, and how our significant others (or prospective significants) will view us based on our hair. It’s totally shallow, I know, but I confess right here, right now, that I am guilty as charged.
Last Fall my husband and I visited New England and the quaint artsy town of Rockport. I enjoyed the beauty of the ocean view, the charming restaurants, and the art galleries. But the most lasting impression made on the shallow part of my self was that there were many Boomer women working in boutiques who had long, flowing, beautiful hair. They were dressed in New England Chic, with trendy outfits and the most creative-looking jewelry. And they had long hair! Many were my age and older. I was struck by this because in my Mom’s generation, once a woman turned 40, she was expected to ‘age gracefully.’ That meant a frumpy look and short hair. Not these days, especially after our visit to Rockport.
I am a natural brunette. Over the years, my hair has also been blonde and red. Now some of that had to do with being an Investigator. It so confused people whom I investigated and interviewed more than once, that after I had given my business card to one woman she said, “You know I was investigated by a woman from your agency last year but she was blonde and mean, not nice like you. But she had the same last name, I think.” I just smiled, shook her hand and walked away, my brunette hair in tact and the woman busted. I kept my hair brunette for the last five years.
Recently, I was getting bored with the same look and approached my husband with the idea that I wanted to change my hair color. “What color? Not blonde!,” he asked and stated. “Okay, then how about an auburn?,” I asked. “What color is auburn?” So I showed him some photos and he said to go for it. And so I did. I like the change and it was not too extreme, so Rich likes it too. Once you have colored your hair, though, the problems don’t end.
Today I went out and bought products—for my new hair. You can’t just change the color; you have to baby your hair so it doesn’t fall out. You need special shampoo, conditioner, smoothing lotions and heat protectors from the new first class straightening iron my stylist recommended. Yes, really, I needed all of those! I spent more on that than we did for our new ShizTsu dog. But hey, I am helping the economy and I have a new style. Now about my personality….
—cher
Photo created by a company for whom I investigated. It reads: “Cherlock Holmes is on the Case”
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Dear Cher,
Well, I guess it’s a case of ‘elementary, my dear Watson’.
Anyway, I combed through this hair-raising posting and felt a tad jealous. This might surprise you; you have noted me in stunning bright red hair, recently. Sadly, that was a wig.
I’d love to ‘baby’ my hair. Yet, a baby, most likely has more hair than I have remaining. You’ve heard of a ‘bad hair day’? Well, me thinks mine is turning into a ‘bad hair life’
Seriously, Cher, I wish you much pleasure with your new hair. Before, I go, I can tell you that I am definitely no ‘Metrosexual’ I mean, really, I have no bizarre fantasies about public transport. lol
All the very best to you. Kind regards, Gary.
Dear Gary,
My thought is that men look great with or without hair. See? I always knew it was a man’s world!
Well, even if you are not Metrosexual, you make me laugh and that’s a wonderful thing. Oh and I did see that bright red “hair.
Oh I love your true confessions, Cher! I’m 4 months into growing out my years long hiding new white hairs with a blond overcoat. I’m naturally blond, but that gets so mousy with age. But I worried that I had really over processed my hair so decided to just stop and see what would happen. It’s not too bad…but I think my vanity will soon get the better of me…my now healthy hair needs to be re-blonded!!
I love that portrait of you!! I use the house brand hair colouring from Boots chemist here. I went higher and higher in price until in frustration once, I just bought the cheapest one and realised I love it. £4!!!
WillOaks Studio,
When we were in Rockport, I actually thought of you when I looked at those women. I envisioned you in one of the jewelery boutiques, looking absolutely chic, lovely and quite rich from your beautiful and creative works. Now that your hair is healthy, I say, Go for it!
Emm,
That portrait was created by someone in the agency who just came to me at work one day and asked to take my picture. When I questioned why, she just said, “You’ll see!” She then photo-shopped it with Sherlock Holmes and they presented it to me, giving me the moniker Cherlock. It stuck and even our kids refer to us as The Cherlocks.
I’m glad you found a good product at such a great price. Isn’t it amazing what we put ourselves through? I love being a woman! We can create all kinds of looks and in the end, we have great fun.
I never understood why a woman was supposed to cut her hair when she reached a “certain age.” My mom is in her 60′s and wears her hair long, but I remember that she was one of the few who did once she was somewhere in her late thirties. I never thought twice about when I turned 40, so I hope that means that times really have changed.
In some ways it seems silly to spend so much on our hair, but it’s probably the only part of our appearance that I can think of that isn’t negatively affected by gravity. So really it’s a bargain trying to keep our hair in shape compared to keeping everything else in shape.
By the way, I can imagine you being blond, but never “blond and mean.”
Tina T,
You are a thoroughly contemporary woman who always has sound advice. I was never really “mean.” So much of investigating is theater in order to get to the truth. Sometimes when an investigator is getting close to the bone, the subject perceives that person is being mean because they don’t like the results. Still, people’s superficial impressions of us are often based on our appearance, including hair color. Anyway, it was fun but this is a new look and feels right to me. Don’t you just love being a woman?
Oh! I did not realise that the photo came before the nickname! So interesting how these things begin. I’ve subscribed to your comments RSS now so hopefully I will see when you reply to me!
Dear Emm,
Yes, the moniker was given to me and my family got such a kick out of it that it stuck!
Thanks so much for subscribing. It makes communication between bloggers so accessible, doesn’t it? Take care, my friend.