At the Salon

I've been needing a haircut for an eternity (eternity = several months). I haven't liked my cut since the last time - the cutter butchered my bangs and made my layers too chunky - but I've put off getting it cut again. As much as I haven't liked it, I was worried that my hair would look worse after getting it cut.

Last week I finally decided I had to do something with my hair. The bottom layer was going completely out of control; it would turn up when I wanted it to curl under and would be flat as a pancake when I wanted it to curl up. Sigh. I called my usual beauty salon, Salon Divo, to schedule an appointment. Imagine my surprise when instead of hearing, "Salon Divo, how can I help you?", I heard "Mane Attraction this is Mary Lou"! I mumbled my apology about dialing the wrong number, but Mary Lou politely interrupted, "Oh, were you calling Salon Divo?" I replied in the affirmative, and she explained that Salon Divo had gone out of business. I put off getting a haircut and this is what happens?!?! I sighed and asked if they had an opening for a haircut for that evening, as close to 5pm as possible. She said no, so I decided to try a few other salons. No one had an appointment open. Double sigh.

Yesterday, I got up my nerve again. Actually, I was desperate. If I didn't get a haircut a.s.a.p, I would end up either a) shaving off my hair myself or b) checking myself into the neighborhood loony bin. I decided to try the salon located downstairs from my office. Just as last week, they had no openings. Mini-sigh. After a little thought, I decided to try Mane Attraction. You see, I don't know anyone who works there, no one who has had a haircut from there, and a girl who had her nails done there (years ago) who didn't enjoy her experience. That's why I hesitated.

When I called, Pete answered the phone. It seemed a little odd that a man answered (no men cut hair at Salon Divo) but I just plunged ahead with my request for an appointment around 5pm. Pete looked at "the books" and replied that there was an opening at 5pm. Yipee! He took my name and phone number and asked if I knew where the salon was located. I said yes, then Pete said, "Okay, I'll be cutting your hair at 5 - see ya then."

Yes, I admit that my initial thought was "WHAT!" Yes, I did have preconceived notions about who could cut my hair. Would a man know how to cut and style my hair?! Would he be able to understand my hair struggles and know how to help me?! I almost cancelled the appointment. I thought of the TLC show What Not To Wear. Nick is a guy, I reminded myself, and he always does a fabulous job with the guests' cuts/styles. I reminded myself of all the famous men who cut hair for the stars. Okay, I'll do it, I said, with a prayer in my heart.

Good decision. Pete was great. Absolutely marvelous. Pete is in his 40's and has been doing hair for 17 years. He sat me down in his chair and, while combing my hair with his fingers, asked what I wanted. I told him. He listened. He understood - at least, he seemed to, I hoped. Next came my favorite part of getting a haircut - the shampoo. It's 10 times better with a man. You'll have to call me if you want details.

Pete and I had agreed to cut off almost 3". I'll admit I was worried that my hair would be too short. I was wrong; Pete was right. I would have never guessed I had that much hair to lose and still have the length I wanted - it was that troublesome bottom layer! Now it's gone! Yipee!

Second favorite part: blow drying. I love this part because I love having my hair brushed. When I dry my own hair, my arms start to hurt.

Third favorite part (just seconds behind blow drying): compliments. Almost without fail, whenever a new person cuts my hair they remark at some point that I have thicker hair than they guessed. Pete was no exception. While drying my hair, he said I must have strong forearms. I asked what he meant, and he said I'd have to have strong arms to blow dry that much hair every day. Then he just went on and on and on about how luxurious my hair is, how thick and healthy it is, how much of it there is, etc. It was great. He said that if it weren't for the visible line, he wouldn't have guessed my hair was dyed because it is in such remarkable condition. Sigh. I love getting compliments! I just demurely said thanks every time, beaming inside and out.

In the end, my hair turned out exactly like I wanted. Pete, you convinced me. You are now my go-to guy for hair. Thank you.