Tuesday, September 2, 2014

it's a very hairy situation

I got a haircut last week. Normally I wouldn't mention it except, naturally, it didn't go according to plan. 

It all goes back to the fact that my normal hairdresser moved. It really was rude of the Army to relocate the husband of the only hairdresser I've ever loved. This tragic move meant Mary cut my hair. She did a great job washing my hair with caviar shampoo but things started to get a little stressful when she brought out the scissors. Every time I've prepared for a haircut over the last twelve years I've debated doing something drastic. In the end I always fall back on my trim the ends/lots of layers/out the door I go approach. I originally told Mary I only wanted a trim but I started second guessing myself after noticing how good her short hair looked. Error number one. My hair would never look as good as hers.

I mentioned that to her which, I NOW KNOW, was my second error. She said she could trim a little more then see how we liked it. After all, it's only hair. Hair grows back. I should have known better than to go down that slippery slope. Then she said that since this was no longer a "trim", I had enough hair I could donate. I said that was fine, as long as my length stayed around the middle of my back (at this point it was near my waist). Three minutes later she held a ponytail of my hair that was no longer attached to my head in front of my face and snip, snip, snip my hair was AT MY SHOULDERS. I now present a question to you, good people of the internet. HOW COULD THERE HAVE BEEN ANY CONFUSION AS TO WHERE THE MIDDLE OF MY BACK WAS? 

I almost cried. 

Mary kept cutting away, telling me how good it looked and how she was so glad I decided to try it. Have I mentioned how emotional I was? I didn't want to tell her I wasn't a fan because what could she have done about it? Pick my hair up off the floor and glue it back on? Make a wig for me out of the hair I just donated to cancer patients? I barely made it to the car before sending Christopher this desperate message:
The first time I put my hair in a ponytail all I could think was I haven't had a ponytail that short since I was 5. To sum it up in three words- I FEEL BALD. I don't know how to work with the small amount of hair I have. Mary said my curls would be better than ever but I have yet to see that promised land. Not to mention that it looks like I got a Mom Cut and I absolutely didn't want that. People keep telling me it looks good (or that I need to relax because it's just hair but I was VERY ATTACHED to my hair) but I don't know. That's why I'm currently in search of a hair loss support group. 
Please know that it makes me feel incredibly awkward to post this picture of myself. I'm so bad at talking selfies (or as they were called back in the day, self portraits) that it took me 8 tries to get this. Also. I may be smiling on the outside but I was crying on the inside.

13 comments:

stephanie said...

I know a hair crisis because I've been in the throes of many and I know in the midst all you can hear/see if your own pain and misery but girl trust me you look GOOD!!! Seriously!! I L-O-V-E it!!! Sassy and adorable, very you!!!

Jen said...

I know how frustrating it can be to get a haircut you aren't happy with. I think yours looks great though!

Chantel said...

When my hair dresser did it to me, I cried for days on end. But now, I love it. My hair is extremely thick so the weight coming off was unreal.
I personally like the style on you. It makes you look like a mom.

♥ ♥ Just a Girl in Love w/ a Soldier ♥ ♥ said...

I recently cut 10 inches off my hair and brought it up to my shoulders. I loved it at first but I'm def. missing my long long hair, so I know how you feel. I do however think that your hair looks great!!! And as much as we don't want to hear it sometimes but its true, it will grow back!!!!! Chin up Momma!!!!

Brook M said...

OMG. I would be so upset if I was you, too! Just below your shoulders is not the middle of your back. I always get nervous going to a new hair dresser because of things like this. I would be freaking out if I were you too because of the huge difference, but at least you look good! It will take some time to get used to it but trust us, you do pull that style off!

<a href="http://sunflowerspluslove.blogspot.com/>Sunflowers & Love</a>

Erin said...

I think it looks great! But I know your pain so go ahead and mourn sister!

Meg Taylor said...

I know it's a lot different, but you seriously look amazing!! And that self portrait is great :)

Cheri said...

I know this will sound crazy from a lady who has always had short hair, or actually from someone you've never spoken to but .... I love it! Its very cute! I hope you grow to love it to!

Also that little daughter of yours is precious!

Miss to Mrs said...

I have a couple of things to say about this post. I'm going to make a list. Prepare yourself for a lot of words. (or blah, blah, blah.....whatever)

1. Shut your face, your hair looks AMAZING! But, I completely know the feeling of "Oh my God, where is my hair?!" I have long hair and if I can't wear a ponytail I might as well just be naked in a group of strangers. Or people I know. Does it really matter if you know the people if you're just standing there naked? Ok, not the real point here. Long hair = security

2. Can we take a class together on how to take selfies? How has this skill not transferred over to me? I can't make it work no matter how I hold the phone or pose. I feel like a failure.

3. That is not a mom cut and it looks amazing. AMAZING! Trust me, I'm old and wise and I know these things. AMAZING.

4. You and I must have gone to the same styling school. I can't style my hair to save my soul. See #1. No ponytail = great disaster in my world. And yet every few years I go and get a pixie cut because that seems like a great idea at the time. IT'S NEVER A GOOD IDEA. I don't know when I will learn that lesson.

5. Your hair looks AMAZING! I love it and I'm jealous.

Allison said...

As a fellow curly girl you know I would never just say this- your hair looks awesome. The length looks so flattering for your face shape! And I love seeing it straight. But I do want to see it curly to be able to fairly judge...

Jenny @ Creatively Blooming said...

I wound up with a haircut I hated right before we PCS'd. Thankfully it wasn't right before family pictures or something like that. I think yours looks great on you!

Lisa said...

Hi Sarah! Just found your blog by way of a comment you left on The Big Mama blog. SO glad I clicked through. While this post is one of crying and gnashing of teeth, I love the way you shared it. Great storytelling at its finest.

As to your hair woes ...girlfriend ...you look AMAZING! But...I know what it is like to not have the hair you want. It can turn our world upside down unlike anything else can. Trust me, I know this first hand and I know it VERY well. (Hair loss due to health issues.) No amount of compliments can change our perspective when looking in the mirror. We have to believe it ourselves.

Hopefully your new look is growing on you. (crazy silly pun! haha!) 'Cause you really do look Fab-U-lous!

Tara G. said...

Been there. I've had the experience in a foreign language. It looks good on you!!!