Haircut Therapy

Woke up feeling excited, because today I had an appointment for a haircut. It's been some time since my last haircut, which was the first hairdresser I tried in the UK. She was ok; I had no complaints; in fact, I would say she was very skilful.

But today would be different, because I intended to have my hair cut short.

During the pregnancy, my hair had become glossy, thick and strong. You can tell by examining the stray 1 or 2 that falls. Yup, where it used to fall easily (Daddy Low used to say I shed...), it rarely did so during the pregnancy. But once the baby is out, I just keep dropping hair. Whether I am shampooing, towelling dry or simply just running my hands through my head, many strands come out at any one time.

Haircuts overseas are expensive, so I tend to try to keep my hair long. Or as long as I can tahan the length. Daddy Low's strategy has been to have me cut his hair. He had bought a hair shaver and sat me down to watch a Youtube video on how to cut guys' hair 2 years ago. However, with the pregnancy, it had become difficult for me to cut his hair. And amazingly enough, now he cuts his own with the help of a mirror. I had tried persuading him to try cutting mine, but he has resolutely refused. He said he was not going near women's haircuts, especially since I am often so particular about my haircuts. 

So, I've come to breaking point, that is, the point when I cannot tahan the hair anymore. I hate it looking flat and limp, but more than anything, I hate seeing my hair everywhere on the floor and on a few occasions even trapped in Baby's skin creases when I bathe him. That is definitely a big No-no for any mum! 

At the salon, I had only a few clear guidelines - it is to be short, no-fuss, easily manageable, and hopefully, I can still look a bit edgy and not boring... (haha, no wonder, Daddy Low doesn't want to cut my hair for me...) Erica, the stylist, said "No problem" and before setting to work, asked me if I would like any drinks.  Usually, I would ask for lemon tea or orange juice, but when she offered me tea, I thought, "Why not?" So very novel to have a hot tea at a hairdressing appointment and it is morning after all. I had rushed down without breakfast, and as I sipped my English morning tea with milk and sugar, I made a mental note to do this on my own - it is really so pleasant to have tea in the morning :)

Before the haircut, Erica's assistant gave me a wash. I was happy to lay back and let someone else pamper me a bit. This is the part of the haircut session that I love best.  I love my hairdresser's back home, especially because the shampoo girls and guys there always give me such an invigorating, strong head massage during the wash. It is almost like going to the spa and I can just close my eyes and rest and enjoy the massage. Today's head massage was just too weak for me and so not as satisfying. Still, I am glad that I can catch a little bit of pampering.


As Erica snipped away, I felt like I was standing at the cusp of a new beginning. I don't know about you, but a visit to the hairdresser's is always therapeutic for me. The best way for me to explain this is how it is like a "Before" and "After" experience for people who go on slimming treatments. In my mind, I have the image of a tired me entering the salon with a sad, limp mop of hair and coming out through the door with a spring in my step, a smile on my face and definitely a beautiful haircut bobbing in the air, just feeling like an absolutely brand new Me! :)


At the end of the session, Erica looked at my hair on the floor and went, "Well, that's all your hair there. A lot of hair!" And we both looked at my new haircut and agreed that the new hairstyle looked smashing and my hair seemed to take on an extra glossy shine after the cut. 

I am mightily pleased, I have to say. I had come in with low expectations, 'cos in a new country, you never know if they can really manage Asian hair, so all I had asked for in my mind was a decent haircut and just ease of managing - I just simply have little time to dry my hair now that I have Julien. 


A good start to the day and to the year, I think. As I walked out the door, I did indeed feel like a new person, strutting down the street... A sassy mum, I like to think :)  And when you feel this good, you feel you can do anything, overcome any challenges, including any rubbish Julien may throw my way! (Oh, yes, he has his rubbishy moments)  Thank goodness for easy remedies, easy therapies like a visit to the hairdresser's! Now, if only I can find a good pedicurist and slot in some time for that... :)