Thursday, February 19, 2009

Big Hairy Deal

I have big hair. Really. And I didn't love the 80s that much. It is just that I have curly hair. Girls with curly hair tend to have big hair.



I've never been very good at *fixing* my hair. It probably didn't help that I was raised by a mother who doesn't know how to "do" hair. She is of the old school. You know, the ones who have a standing appointment every Friday to get the hair washed and styled. And then she doesn't wash it again until, well, the next Friday.



Vacations of my childhood were planned around her hair appointment. "We can leave after my appointment." Or, "We have to be back on Friday by 4."



I used to question her lack of hair washing. As for me, I have to wash my hair EVERY DAY! When I don't, the curls stand up on the crown of my head making me look like Alfalfa's love child. My mother can't relate. I once asked her if she got hot and sweaty. Like after exercising. She then proceeded to demonstrate the rigor of her finger exercises. Apparently, they don't make her break out in a sweat.



I was in high school before I learned to NOT brush my hair. This was also around the same time I learned to use gel. Nothing says "I look good" like crunchy hair. Since then, I've had basically the same hair with varying lengths and degrees of crunchiness.



This past weekend, I went to a new lady for a hair cut. After the cut, she dried and ironed my hair (it took a LONG time) until it was straight as a board. Amazing! I loved it! Immediately, I bought the straightening cream and a round brush never thinking about the time it would take to carry out this straightening act every morning.



Mr. Strong took one look when I walked in and said, "I hate it. How long will it be that way" which motivated me to say something like "forever."



On Sunday, I had high aspirations. One of my friends and her husband were coming to dinner. I was going to surprise her by opening the door with straight hair. The scene in my mind was great. She was going to rave about my hair and prove Mr. Strong wrong. My hair was going to look GREAT!



After over an hour of drying my hair (really, untangling the damn brush from the curls that kept popping up like a bad dream), I started in with the flat iron (and that thing is friggin hot) borrowed from the kids.



What a disappointment! In the end, I looked like Buster Brown.



There was no raving over the new do. So, I took her shopping for shoes in my closet and gave her a golden egg.



Any one need a round brush and straightening cream?

15 comments:

Candice said...

Embrace your curls. Be at one with your afro. Straight hair is overrated. Trust me.

Kulio said...

I would love to see your hair - AND to have you find a stylist who will help it find its potential! I have never figured out my own hair, but just recently called a salon and asked for their, "most popular, young stylist". It seemed bold and fairly rude, but I was SO tired of settling for the stylist who had no appointments. I set the appt, came in, told her I didn't want a soccer mom hairdo, and she showed me why people ask for her - she was GOOD. A good haircut and some instructions, that's all I ask. One of my best friends finally stopped wrangling with her curly hair and uses Bedhead's Curls Rock with a diffuser every other day...her hair is gorgeous. My mom is also of the "don't wash" school, and somehow it works for her :-) I loved this post -- hair and its adventures touches a universal nerve in all of us! This was sort of rambly...

Deb said...

ah, crunchy big hair... what's not to love? i don't know... maybe it's the grass is always greener thing, but i would love a headful of curls. i bet they're beautiful.

Deb said...

So...I had a huge mouthful of coffee as I was reading this and it sprayed all over my monitor as I laughed out loud! I can relate - except I have thinning, straight hair - quite attractive and I have a closet full of creams, gels, magic brushes...I think a wig might be in my future - a big, curly wig! Enjoy your curls!

Anonymous said...

I have very, very thick, very, very wavy hair. It takes 3 days and six arms to blow dry and straighten it with a flat iron. At my age, that's just too much work, so I now have a slightly graying, thick, wavy Chia Pet on my head.

I feel your pain.

Sarah's Blogtastic Adventures said...

See you always want what you dont have! I have stick straight hair and always wanted curly hair! : )

Anonymous said...

I have the same type of hair. You have got to get a CHI. It works like freakin magic!

cheatymoon said...

I like this post. Kulio is right - hair is a universal issue.
I've been wanting to change my hair for a long time, but then the thought of styling it (I have long straight hair) bums me out.
:-) I bet yours is awesome!

♥ Braja said...

What, no photos???

Mary@Holy Mackerel said...

My daughter and my best friend have this problem too...sucks to be you. :o)

Aracely said...

You need to take a page from my book and start inserting pictures, who cares if you have a high profile job, your blog livelihood depends on it ;-)

nikkicrumpet said...

It always amuses me how women with curly hair want it straight and women with straight hair want it curly. Coming from a blond with flat limp lifeless hair...a little curl sounds good. And your husbands reaction...too funny!

amy said...

see, beth? i've always wanted curly hair. sometimes i get ambitious, grab a curling iron, and curl it and curl it. except i can't reach the back. so i have a whole bunch of curls up front but a stick straight back. i bet i look like a poodle-ized version of 1970's farrah fawcett.

your mom only washed her hair once a week?? i feel like head oil's dripping onto my shoulders if i haven't washed mine within 48 hours. actually, 30 hours is pushing it.

that mr. strong! he's certainly pushing his luckm isn't he? i may have to send you some of my head oil to dump on him if he ever says that again.

i think buster brown is kind of cute.

Smart Mouth Broad said...

My hair is straight and stringy. I would love to have your curly hair but understand the work that goes into it and your desire for change. You should go every once in awhile and have it straightened professionally for a treat. He'll get over it. :-)

Anonymous said...

It's a trap. Don't go near the flat iron or big brush. What the stylist should tell you is "If you can master the blowout and the flat iron, it is going to fry your hair. Don't worry though, I will sell you some damage correcting shampoo and conditioner for $50 the next time you come in."
Besides, you have beautiful hair, and it matches your personality of being all over the place ;).