Travails of a New Hair Cut

I was feeling adventurous one day when I was on vacation in Chennai and decided to chop off my carefully cultivated mane of many years! For people who came in late, It had been the object of much devotion - mainly in the part of my mom who had spent years taking a lot pride and care in my long tresses.

When it comes to hair styles, the laziness that is my wont actually takes front seat and drives! Usually, after seconds of contemplation, I used to carefully scrub and wear my hair in virtually the same style and setting for years on end!

It is not that I had not made several attempts to break the routine in the past, but most of them have been cruelly nipped in the bud, or should I say roots! Somehow, most men in our family seem to take extra privileges when it came to my hair - be it my husband, dad or even brothers and so at various points in time, when I have as much as said "Ahem, do you think I should cut.." someone would immediately pounce on the statement like they had seen it make its way up my throat and then come down defiantly with "Don't even think about it!"

This time was different! For one, I didnt formulate or postulate my ideas to any one! I did start discussions contemplating straightening my hair, but ofcourse, most people who are convinced that they know better than me in the world of fashion and how to wear my hair, decided for me that my straight hair did'nt need straightening with an iron!

Armed with the results of the useless debate and discussion, one fine morning, I quietly sneaked off to the near-by salon and decided to let the hairdresser there have the final say on the matters that were overhead! The girl in charge, quietly rubbed her hands in glee, and I could almost see a glint in her eye that seemed to say "Guinea Pig" - Gotcha! The Salon, although situated in a posh hotel, seemed some how devoid of human population except for the workers in the salon and the fact that they outnumbered me 3:1 was little consolation!

I said, "bring me your book of styles" as though, it was something that I had done every day and knew what I was talking about! Obviously not! Instead, the "lady with the scissors" gave me a curt explanation and then decided to take matters in her own hand! Snip, Snap my tresses went and I was soon confronted by the fact that some of my hair would never be the same length as the rest. She then dangled one in the front, which for some reason, she called "fringe" and told me that it was very important that I say how long that one was supposed to be! Frankly, the answer was "No Idea". But, since I was pretending to be someone who cut hair at every whim and fancy, I rocked my head from side to side, with a "knowing" expression and then gasped that it was fine! So much for that!

Finally, moments later, my hair was all cut and shampood (conditioner, I learnt was another 100 bucks and it took me a minute to decide whether or not to have that!). When it was partly dry, there was an elaborate ritual of wrapping bits of my now short hair on a roller brush and drying it! Thoughts were rushing in my blow drying head about how on earth I was going to be able to roll my hair and blow dry it, considering there were two people doing it at the salon and I was already two persons short (given my total inexperience with coiffures or styles)! After playing around for a while, the two finally seemed satisfied and pronounced my hair done.

With a step in my stride and less weight in my hand bag and head, I left the Salon! When I met my mom later, she let out a stifled scream and then promptly disowned me! Years of care and money spent on coconut oil must have blinded her eye to my "suave", "svelte" new look with so many layers (atleast for that day)! Anyhow, the day after, she seemed to accept it, for after all they say, "hair today, gone tomorrow"!

Back in Bahrain, now it takes me a good ten minutes to achieve the casual, hardly brushed style! I wonder when I am gonna learn to keep the short hair stylish, but actually, all said and done, I am Loving IT!