Monday, November 14, 2022

Hair Anxiety

DEBORAH CROMBIE: After all the stress on the national front last week, let's talk about something just a little less anxiety-inducing–our hair, and who we trust with it.

Back from almost a month in London, I'd made an appointment several days in advance with my usual stylist for a haircut. Then the next day the salon called me back to say that they would be permanently closed as of that Friday! What a panic! I played out all the scenarios. Would my stylist move somewhere else? And if not, how–and where–would I find someone new? 

I'd been through this fairly recently, post-pandemic. Pre-pandemic, I'd been going to the same stylist every six weeks or so for more than ten years. Then, lockdown. After about eight months, I cut my own hair (after a fashion,) and learned to cut Rick's (much more successfully.) I grew my hair longer (collarbone length!) than it had been since I was in my twenties, and let my color grow out, too, so when it finally felt safe to try a salon, I needed a brand new start. 

Fortunately, it only took me one not-too-damaging failure to find someone I really liked, but I wasn't eager to go through the process again. It is a scary prospect, putting something that's so important to our self-perception in (quite literally) a complete stranger's hands.

My story has a happy ending--although the salon chain (UK based, natch!) closed three Dallas area locations, my stylist is moving to a spot only a little less convenient for me. Crisis averted! Here's my post-pandemic do, taken in London by my photographer friend Steve Ullathorne. (First proper photoshoot since 2016, and so much fun!)



Reds, do you have a trusted hair person? And did you make big changes during or after the pandemic? 

HALLIE EPHRON: I go to a terrific stylist, Steve who owns FLIP HAIR SALON (Waving at you, Steve!) ten minutes from my house. He’ll cut it short, long, or in between, whatever I want. And he has great travel recommendations. Fully vaxed of course. And somehow they survived the pandemic.

Changing hair stylists is right up there with having to change doctors. Or dentists. Or editors (aaaggggggh!) And as you get older, it’s more and more likely to happen. The brothers who own my local gas station (shout out to EGAN’S SUNOCO) where I go for everything from gas to tires to tuneups, just retired and I am in mourning.

LUCY BURDETTE: I have one stylist in Connecticut and another in Key West. I am clinging to both with all I have! I hate to even think about the trauma wrought on us by the pandemic and hair. I grew out my brown hair to many shades of gray, which luckily John loves, thugh I am still getting used to it. I also learned to cut John’s hair, though he’s happily returned to the professionals. (Apparently they don’t gasp when they’ve cut something crooked or gone too crazy with those clippers.)

I think the trick is to find younger people to do everything, so they will hopefully outlast us!  (Here's Roberta with Christine Falcone and Ang Pompano!)



HANK PHILLIPPI RYAN: I have been going to the same hair person, the GENIUS Charlie, for…almost 30 years. In the beginning of the pandemic, his salon closed,  and I know I was doomed. My hair got SO long  and SO brown, but eventually I was surprisingly unfreakedout about it. I thought–whatever.

 And then, at some point it was ridiculous. Happily,  by that time, masks were de rigueur, and the amazing Charlie–wait for it–now comes to our house. He cuts Jonathan, too. When this all started we did it in the back yard. And on the front porch. Now, both masked, we cut outside and dry inside. IT IS WONDERFUL. If he ever retires, I‘m just going to give up. (My colorist, too, is a genius. Her salon is set up like a living room, one person at a time, so eventually I went there, door left wide open, and Marie wearing a mask and a plastic hood mask.  I mean–ROOTS!

RHYS BOWEN:  My hair has been cut by the same lovely Thai lady for many years now. She always gets it right. We came back from England, called for a hair appointment and she has gone back to Thailand for a while! Disaster. 

Also I haven’t found a stylist I like in Arizona after many attempts ( the last of which was the worst. Too short and uneven). And I found her on a search for best short hair stylist too!

During Covid I also cut my hair and John’s ( not too successfully) but I’m not about to try that now so I’ll have to brave a strange salon which I hate!  

JENN McKINLAY: Ben the hair wizard and his wife Barb have been cutting my hair since I married Hub. Ben has been cutting Hub’s hair since he was a teenager. Even the Hooligans go to Ben and Barb. Can’t imagine going to anyone else. I even wrote them into WAIT FOR IT because it’s set in Phoenix and they’ve been cutting hair here for 40 years. One of their clients read the book and reconnected with them after moving back to the Valley :) 

JULIA SPENCER-FLEMING: I had a wonderful stylist literally three minutes away from my place who did a great job with my hair. But during the pandemic, she and her bf moved away, which, I gather was great for them - he got a much better job - but not so great for me. The last time I got my hair cut professionally was back in 2021 after the first round of vaccination, and then she was gone. 

No, I still haven’t found a replacement, because, as Hallie says, it’s a difficult and traumatic as finding a new PCP. Which I also had to do, because in 2021 mine became a “concierge doctor” fifty minutes away. My most recent haircut?  At the hands of Youngest, who learned to cut her bf’s hair and bravely agreed to take a turn with mine. 


DEBS
: I'm not sure who wins the "longest stylist relationship" award, Hank or Jenn!! Readers, do you have a tried-and-true person, or have you had to brave finding a new stylist or barber?

P.S. One of the many interesting things I noticed in London was the proliferation of barber shops. They are proper barber shops, too, with shaving and beard care along with haircuts. Hot towels, too! I'd love to know if this is a thing now in the US, too.


83 comments:

  1. Hhhmmm . . . Nothing against salons and stylists, but I just trim my hair myself . . . .

    ReplyDelete
  2. Debs, I love your hair, cut and now color, so much. I'm glad you didn't have to find a new stylist. And, thinking about all the Reds and their hair styles, every one of you has a great look. I think it's interesting to see how many of us have let the gray have its way. The pandemic certainly had a lot to do with that. I was frantic when I could go to a hair stylist again, as I had to find a new one. I haven't changed stylists much over the years. I had one for a lot of years, then changed because she became too busy and was on the phone half the time she was working on me (I need full attention to make me look anywhere near decent). So, I went to another young woman and stayed with her for probably fifteen years, until she started an exercise business and left me. Yes, I felt abandoned. Hahaha! The girl in the same shop who replaced her was fine, not the best, but we were beginning to gel. Then she quit to work for a bank. Then the pandemic arrived and the hair was not touched for two years. So, I've found this woman I've been going to for about a year and a half. I think she's going to work out. And, Lucy I think you're right about finding young ones for hair and medical and everything else. Oh, and the gray has taken some getting used to, but I finally like it now. Did others have to take time to adjust the the gray, or did you immediately like it?

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Kathy, I'm really gray underneath, so if I pull my hair back it looks completely different. But I've been surprised by how much I actually like it. So glad you've found a stylist you like!

      Delete
  3. I've been going to the same barber for 22 years. And I continued going during Covid just as if nothing had changed.

    Yes, I buzz my own hair with clippers. Just one length. It's fairly easy and fast, I just think it takes longer than it truly does. I do it every 4-6 weeks. Did it again Saturday. It had been about two months, and it was driving me crazy.

    ReplyDelete
  4. My mom is 100 and still lives in her own house. Because she doesn't drive anymore, her hairdresser actually drives over to pick her up and take her to the salon. It's only 10 minutes each way, but very sweet of him!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. 100 and still lives on her own! That is terrific. You should tell us your mom's secrets!

      Delete
  5. Welcome back Joan. Good to see you. My hair salon closed after the pandemic. Since I keep it short, one of the stylists showed me how to cut my hair with clippers and I've been doing it since. It's not perfect, but it does the job.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. That style looks great on you, Dru. I just saw a photo of you and Kristopher at CrimeBake!

      Delete
  6. I love all your hair, and am applauding the Reds who have decided to join us in the Silver League!

    I've been cutting Hugh's hair since I met him, so I already own excellent hair cutting scissors. During the pre-vaccination phase of the pandemic, I would trim the front of mine, hand him the scissors, and tell him to make the back match. I used to go to the lovely Ashley (my son's age, so no danger of losing her), but after we moved to Amesbury it was a much longer drive. When she called after lockdown lifted and said she was open - but wasn't limiting clients to one at a time or using partitions or face shields - I politely declined. Now I am back to the deft scissors at Supercuts.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Oh, and I'm so excited that Debs will be the Guest of Honor at Crime Bake next year!

      Delete
    2. Now it Crime Bake is definitely going on my 2023 calendar!

      Delete
    3. Yay, I am very excited about Crime Bake!!! My first!!!

      Delete
    4. With Debs as Guest of Honor, I may have to attend my first Crime Bake!

      Delete
    5. That would be a blast, Kathy! Fingers crossed you do!!

      Delete
  7. As a guy who is very slowly losing his hair, by default my most trusted barber is simply Mother Nature. When the head of hair does get too long for me, I head to the local barber that still does walk-ins and get it cut in the regular short style that I always get. I don't really change it so I don't have any real adventure-filled stories to tell.

    ReplyDelete
  8. I switched hairdressers to Sandro about 12 years ago and he still cuts my hair. He is a really good stylist and colorist, too. During the pandemic, I stopped coloring and slowly am watching the gray come in. Lots more changed during Covid than my haircolor, so I am going to consider myself lucky, count my blessings and keep on trucking.

    Beautiful photo Debs! You just glow!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Thank you both! I was having a great time that day, and I also had my makeup done at the MAC counter at Peter Jones department store in Sloane Square, so credit goes to lovely Asha as well as Steve. That photo is Eaton Square, by the way!

      Delete
  9. Before they moved further north, my son-in-law and grandson went to a proper barber in Birmingham, MI. I went with my daughter once when Zak needed a haircut, and it took me way, way back to a different time. They might still go there, even though they now live 200 miles away. While we were there one customer was getting an old-fashioned hot towel shave with a cutthroat razor. Fascinating.

    My hairdresser and I are actual friends, with a girls' night out group of other women I've known almost as long, more than 30 years. I've been thinking lately about what I'll do when she finally retires, which is coming fast. Alicja is a few years younger than I am, but all those years on her feet are taking their toll, I know.

    Long hair is SO much easier to cut yourself, and I used to keep my own hair trimmed, and also cut all three daughters' hair for years. During the pandemic Steve begged me to cut his, and it took me awhile to finally take that plunge. I did an okay job, but I'm glad he's back to stopping in at the barber down the road again. And I no longer look at what they do quite as critically as I used to!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. I meant to add that it is traumatic to lose a good stylist, and try to find another as good.

      And, I can't believe no one else has mentioned ME, MY HAIR & I, the anthology that Hallie contributed to! I gave a copy to Alicja one year for her birthday, and she loved it.

      Delete
    2. The first time I cut Rick's hair, I was so nervous that I dropped the good scissors point down on our bathroom tile floor! At least I didn't slice off his ear with the clippers...

      Delete
  10. I've been through a few stylists: David, who cut my hair for at least 15 years and then moved to Palm Springs with his husband (the nerve!) and then KC (my sister's stylist) who was in my neighborhood and was great! She left to do something different. Now I love Lucie (my sister and I do back to back appointments) who's a little farther away. We talk about everything. Of course the salon was closed in 2020 for about 4 months (it seemed like forever!). My hair grew a lot during that time, and it wasn't a pretty sight. I did not cut it myself, I just started pinning the bangs out of my eyes. For our 65th (earlier this year), my twin and I decided to go much shorter and found a lovely style by perusing short hair on line. It just didn't work. Now our hair is short, but not SO short and I like it. I think M wants to go longer, so we may end up with divergent hair at some point. That's ok--often we've had styles of different lengths over the years.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. I love that you and your sister go together. Two friends and I always went together to the pre-pandemic stylist and I do really miss that. Alas, the stylist is now working from home in a much less convenient place and also, as far as I know, is still not vaccinated...

      Delete
    2. Oh dear! I don't think I would go if they were not vacc'd. My poor Lucie has had Covid twice, plus complications the second time, despite getting all her vaccines. It is fun to go together with my sis or meet up at the salon. I love your picture. Your style reminds me of the haircut I got in Leeds by a guy named Rhys. The salon was offering 1/2 price cuts for new customers. Why not? I loved the cut, but he kept telling me I would look 10 years younger if I colored my hair. Uh no.

      Delete
  11. Love your photo, Debs! It has only been in the last several years that I have had my hair cut with any regularity. Going to the salon was something I dreaded and put it off as long as i could. I'm not sure why I felt so intimidated but I did. I would rather have gone to the dentist. (Different story - my almost life-long dentist retired and I was less than pleased with the new one. Now I'm waiting to try another one my friend raves about. But I had to wait 8 months for an appointment.)

    But I have finally found a stylist that does exactly what I want. No one else ever believed me when I said I wanted it as short as could be. Missy called my bluff and did a tremendous job. The interesting thing is that she turned out to be the same stylist my son uses and they are good friends. I think we more or less have the same hairstyle.

    Great question and answers here.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. So glad you've found someone you like, Judi!

      Delete
    2. Judi, “as short as could be” reminded me of Gary’s favorite saying, my hair guy for almost 20 years. I Walked into my appointment and said “do something, I’m really tired of this.” Not missing a beat, Gary turned to his assistant: “I need the straight razor here right now!” LOL the razor never touched my hair, but Gary made it shorter and happier than it was. Elisabeth

      Delete
    3. Did you have a moment of panic? Sometimes I would even say I'd like to try the bald look but no one has ever taken me up on it. But it's hair and hair will grow back.

      Delete
  12. Reds and commenters--you'd never know those who cut their own hair versus those whose hair is done by a stylist. You all look great! I had a wonderful stylist--someone who knows how to cut hair to suit the person she's working on. But, sigh, she veered off into weird world during the lockdown--really weird Satan/fake Covid/Maga territory--no masks, no limiting number of clients in her small shop, so I changed stylists. New one doesn't seem to hear me when I repeatedly tell her that my hair (straight as a stick all my life) doesn't normally flip out on the ends like Sandra Dee in Gidget. No tools, sprays or prayers can make it behave. So I'm on the hunt again. Big sigh.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Intentionally deaf stylists are the worst! Good luck finding one who will actually listen to you, Flora.

      Delete
    2. Thanks, Karen! I've been known to ask perfect strangers who cuts their hair.

      Delete
    3. Oh, stylists who don't listen to you are the worst! I hope you find someone you like, and asking strangers (assuming you like their hair!) for recommendations is not a bad idea!

      Delete
    4. Deborah, I notice when someone has a great haircut that suits them. You can tell when it's the cut (and not just styling). And I would always compliment them on their great cut before I asked if they're willing to share the name of their hairdresser.

      Delete
    5. Flora, a woman after my own heart. The cut is the thing! Elisabeth

      Delete
  13. During the pandemic, my haircutter was able to take me before the salon opened. I finally convinced my husband to make an appointment and now he's a convert because, "Shelly understands my hair."

    ReplyDelete
  14. Normally, I get my hair cut every five weeks, with a stylist I've been seeing for almost 20 years. During the early days of Covid, I quite enjoyed the release from that schedule and came to like my to-me longer hair. But I was also happy to get back to my routine -- fully masked, still to this day, at my stylist's 1-seat salon.

    I love your new pic, Debs, your current style -- and the natural colour.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Thanks, Amanda. I am really liking my hair a bit longer, but during the pandemic I discovered that once it hits my shoulders, it drives me crazy!

      Delete
  15. Debs, I love your new photo. Your hair is beautiful. I just moved to a new city and the most traumatic situation for me was finding a new hairdresser. I had Covid hag hair and it needed cutting and coloring. Unfortunately the new stylist decided I needed red hair and I agreed (it's just hair, right?). AACKK. It was horrible. But it's been corrected so I'm happy. The most important places to find when you move are the library, a good coffee shop, and a new hairdresser (oh, and new doctor of course).

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Thank you, Lorraine! And I absolutely agree about the essentials. I'd add a dentist to that list, too.

      Delete
  16. Oh, I love this. Let me put in a vote for Betty Pooler the owner operator of Image Makers - ladies, if you are ever in need of a haircut in Fort Kent, ME - I'll share her number. Betty was one of the reasons I couldn't wait to get back to Maine. She's magic. During COVID hubs cut my hair. He's cut his own since I've known him, but it was a leap of faith to let him do mine. Turned out well enough that I posted before/after pix on FB. Didn't turn out well enough to stop going to Betty after life returned to semi-normal.

    Ladies, you all look wonderful, so you are doing something right!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Thank you, Kait! I love that your hairdresser was one of the reasons you moved back. That is some recommendation!!

      Delete
  17. When my many many years stylist moved too far away for me to make a regular trek, I told myself, there must be other hairdressers in Toronto. After two disasters, I bought two pair of haircutting scissors and settled down to doing it myself, with pretty good results. Still, I was happy to find Zita and leave it to her. But again, when Covid hit, I was armed and ready to be self cut again for nearly two years. And happy to return to Zita.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. It is nice to know you can be self-sufficient, isn't it? We now have clippers and haircutting scissors and know that we can manage if necessary. I sure hope we don't have to, however.

      Delete
  18. Grace, I'm convinced you can do anything! But I agree that longer hair is much easier to cut. No one here will likely remember (unless you have the hardcover of my very first novel, A SHARE IN DEATH) but I used to have really short hair. I went to the same hairdresser as my mom and that was how he insisted on cutting it. I hated it. When we moved, I never went back to him.

    ReplyDelete
  19. Yikes! Sometimes stylists will tactfully suggest a style isn’t flattering, or will require more work that you want to do, but to insist on cutting it one way only?!?
    Lisa in Long Beach

    ReplyDelete
  20. When the pandemic hit, we both went for months without a cut. Finally, when we were both getting too long and shaggy (I think my hair got longer than it did in the 60s and 70s) we started cutting at home. Kathy actually does a better job than the pros. We call our little in-home salon Chez Ter-ry (French accent required!) and our motto is, "We ain't good, but we sure is cheap." (bad grammar intended!)

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Oops, just realized I posted that from Safari, so it went anonymously.

      Delete
  21. My move last year meant a new hair cutter. Here is my method for finding a new one (am only on No. 3 since 1970s, 20 yrs each with the first two): look for a good hair CUT among your friends or neighbors. Their hair looks good on first day to the day of their next appointment. Their hair need not be styled or colored the way you want yours too look. That good quality cut not the styling is the key. Elisabeth

    ReplyDelete
  22. Debs, I recall when I visited London in 2006. The B&B hostess was telling me how much it cost for her to get an haircut! I thought it was very expensive. I thought about going for a hair appointment while I was in London, Too expensive. And when I was at Oxford, I went to ? Mahoney's ? Hair salon? and I could afford the wash and set. They curled my hair into long ringlets. I had very long hair at that time. I think it was less expensive in Oxford than London?

    I have been fortunate with my wonderful stylist. She does a great cut and knows how to work around the scars on my head (from head surgeries due to meningitis at 18 months). She is expanding her hair braiding business now so I have to schedule an appointment in advance. I met her when she worked at a salon near my house then she moved and I moved with her. Growing up, I always had a hard time finding a stylist to give me a good haircut!

    Speaking of Doctors, I had this AWFUL ob-gyn whose ideas are outdated (she told me to get a hystercomy!!!). I am blessed that my Primary Doctor listened to me when I asked for a reference to another Ob-Gyn. I knew that I HAD to change ob-gyn doctor right away. The new ob-gyn was wonderful! She thought out of the box. Sonogram found nothing! She decided to use a special camera to explore inside and they found PRE-CANCEROUS fibroids. And they were removed! If I had stayed with that awful person, I doubt I would still be here.

    And the awful ob-gyn is still there. I honestly think this person needs to go BACK to medical school for more training.

    My current ob-gyn is wonderful, though I have a feeling that she may leave to open her own practice and if she leaves, I am going with her!

    Diana

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. That's awful, Diana! So glad you found another doctor.

      Delete
  23. Like Debs, I stopped getting my hair cut at the start of the pandemic. I had one haircut post vaccine, then my knees gave out and I can no longer attempt the stairs to that stylist's place. So now I'm sporting what I not-so-lovingly call the Swamp Witch look: long, straggly, and increasingly grey. Some day soon I'm going to have to break down and pick somebody to give it at least a trim. Maybe that place just up the street?

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. That's where Rick went for years, Gigi, until his stylist retired. I'll bet you can find someone there.

      Delete
  24. Hi Debs, Susan Shea here. My middle-aged Vietnamese haircutter and I laugh. I’ve been going to him so long -maybe 35 years - that he knows exactly where that bit of hair is going to defy orders and tackles ot without my saying a word. Thuong mumbles about retirement these days, which I refuse to think about. My hair turned a rather lovely shade of white right after open heart surgery although there must be easier ways to achieve that look!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Susan, your hair is not white, it's PLATINUM! And gorgeous!!

      Delete
  25. Lost both dentist and hair stylist this summer. I had been going to both for many years. I don't know what happened to the dentist, I went to him several times during the summer then a couple
    of months later he was gone with no explanation.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Finding a new dentist is the scariest! I have, bizarrely, been going to the same practice since I was a child. Three different dentists, however, as the practice has been sold on!

      Delete
    2. Wonderful, best ever long-time dentist is retiring. Even longer time allergist, who gets me through leaf season and pollen season, retired. I think my very, very long time endocrinologist, who got me through 2 serious thyroid issues and a bone issue, and spotted a completely out out-of-speciality, VERY serious other issue, seems to be retiring, too.Sad. Too many drs.older than I am.

      Delete
  26. Like most of you, I’ve had the same stylist for eons. He had to close for a few weeks at the start of the lockdown. Then he reopened under to very strict NYS rules, too many to mention.
    But I was able to get cuts and color as usual. Now I wish I’d let my hair grow since I was home and not going out in public anyway!

    Debs, you look fabulous! But then you always do. So sorry I missed you when I was in Texas last month. It’s been too long. 😘

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Me, too, Ann! And thank you!! I was just looking at the photo of us at Rick's Chophouse that's on my webpage. It's been much too long!

      Delete
    2. I need to go look at your webpage!

      Delete
    3. Pic is in the very-much-needs-updating photo gallery

      Delete
  27. Kaj has been cutting our hairs forever. "Our" would be Mom, my sister, her kids and me. He inherited mom, Kath and me when Richard was unable to work anymore, sometime in the eighties. There was one day when Kaj cut the five different heads on the same day. This was not intentional, just happened. Mom's extremely thin hair, my not as thin to my sister's thick, nephew's thick, wiry to my niece's head of extremely thick hair all in the same day. Kaj and I ride the Loma Preita quake together. We were at the the edge of the quake, hardly any damage compared to areas nearer to the epicenter. He attended our mom's memorial service and always makes room for my sister when she comes to town. Kaj is starting to slow down, not working as many days a week, it will be a horrible day when he actually retires completely.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. It's so nice when your stylist becomes your friend, too.

      Delete
  28. I've had a few good stylists. Although after the pandemic I've gone only on an occasional trimming streak.

    ReplyDelete
  29. When I find someone I like I stick with them! I went to Jill at Bombshell in Houston for years until I moved. After waiting for the nerve to move on I finally started looking for a salon. I happened on a unisex barber shop walking distance from the house. It really is an old fashioned barber shop and mostly older men are clients. The hair cutters are all women and as they explained on the phone they don't wash hair, color, or anything except cut and trim. Which is all I need. I quite coloring my hair years ago to see what happens with red hair left to its own devices. Anyway I brought a picture of a style and Cindy did a beautiful job, all for $13 plus tip. Love, love, love it!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. You won't get a haircut anywhere in Dallas for $13!

      Delete
  30. My guy has been my guy since 1996. Last haircut, he got a disturbing phone call from a service person saying his check to them had bounced. He was very troubled by this (also note he is about 82, and not planning to retire). He completely forgot to trim around my right ear, or to layer the right side! I didn’t notice until I got home. My problem is he is a friend; we chat about theatre productions we have seen or been involved with, and then I see him at shows. He might notice I have a new person! I haven’t decided what to do; it will be a few more weeks before I need someone, so I have time to decide.

    ReplyDelete
  31. Oh, I hear you! Adult life has been a long-term search for the perfect hair dresser for my very curly, weather sensitive hair. Even in my early career days, when I had NO money,I'd save for a good haircut. As a friend said, it's the only thing you wear every day. Of course there are several smooth year with someone who gets it, and is convenaint or reasonably priced or overpriced but genius. And then they retire or the salon closes or...No, not the most important thing in life, of course not. But one of those things that make life just a bit smother, right? Love the person I have now - we discuss our grandkids and Ukraine (where she is from) - and I come out looking neat and groomed. A big hug and a generous tip.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. It's so nice to feel comfortable, isn't it? I began with the generous tips, and have now reached the big hugs stage with my new lady.

      Delete
  32. LOL - Lucy - find someone younger so they outlast us. Brilliant!

    ReplyDelete
  33. I had a wonderful hairdresser in the big city when I met my to-be husband. Moving to the small town where he lived, I faced the problem of what to do about my hair. I carefully studied the heads of every woman I met, hoping to see a really great cut. But by the time needed a haircut, I still hadn't. So for the two years I lived in that place, I made the two-hour drive back to visit my Dallas guy.

    ReplyDelete
  34. He was Austrian and had a definite authoritarian bent. His wife was the head of my daughter's Montessori school!

    ReplyDelete
  35. So much fun to read all these! And fascinating the range of how much we care. It’s so much a part of our first impression of someone, isn’t it? And now, to be truly fashionable, you have to have hair so carefully perfect that it looks like you didn’t style it at all. Hmmmm.

    ReplyDelete
  36. I've had to change stylists a couple of times and yes, traumatic. But the woman I go to now is wonderful and she's about my age (and has a daughter The Girl's age) so hopefully she'll be around for a while. She cuts The Girl's hair too, and The Girl doesn't trust anyone else.

    The Hubby cuts his own hair. I used to do it (badly, in my opinion), but I can't stand or move around for that long any more.

    My big pandemic change was going gray. I figured I'd "check it out" in November of 2019. I got one haircut at the beginning of 2020 and by the time I saw a stylist again, I was full "white-wall tire" as Julia once said. At that point, I felt committed. LOL It's not full gray, but there is a health helping of silver and in the right light, it *looks* completely silver. The Girl likes it.

    ReplyDelete
  37. I used the pandemic salon shut down as an opportunity to grow my hair out. I had already embraced the gray, which I like to think of as hair tinsel or wisdom highlights. Post-pandemic I have returned to a bit shorter style and paid my long-time hairdresser for multiple haircuts the first few times back to help make up for lost income.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. I do get anxious if so think about Amy retiring from the hair biz and have been facing that with doctor and dentist. If I have to begin with new may as well move somewhere warm.

      Delete
  38. All look great in the photos! I just drove on snowy roads to have my ultra fine hair cut by my usual person. She tells me what's best and I let her go with it. The hardest part is the scheduling!

    ReplyDelete