Is It Time For A New Hairdresser?

What is it about the love/hate relationship we have with our hair?

We can’t live without it, pine about it when it thins, loses shape, color or body. And yet all of the issues we have with our hair are as a result of all of the crap we put in it, all the ironing, perming, coloring, bleaching, blow-drying. You name it. There seem to be more ‘ing’ things that we do to our hair than we do to our cars!

There is one thing that we hardly ever-ever do. Freaking change hairdressers! What is with that?

When I work with my clients, we talk about it all, the extra bumps and bulges, the wrinkly patterns in our skin, the crows’ feet that won’t stop crowing, the bunions that won’t stop barking, and the fat that won’t stop growing. Then we get to the hair and oh my god – yes, you are right – my hair sucks…but…I can’t possibly stop going to “June”, I have been with her for thirty years.

What and why?

Come on ladies – unless there is a marriage certificate between you, no one has to stay with the same hairdresser – for a lifetime!!! As bored as you are with the same old, same old, they too are most likely bored with you! It is a vicious cycle – they don’t want to change it up for fear you won’t embrace a change and then you might wander…over to the dark side (the shop across the street). At the same time they are looking at their schedule book and saying, “Oh Betty is coming in today – ho hum, same old, same old!” (Don’t fool yourself; they are saying this out loud.)

While you may love that he/she massages your scalp and tells you that you never looked so good, remember you are paying him to say these things so what he tells you or doesn’t tell you, may not be coming from a place of objectivity.

Take the bull by the horns and take control of your own destiny! Take a chance – this isn’t a trip to the moon, Alice! Your hair actually grows back and there are many colors in the Crayola box, so if you don’t like a color, you just pick a different one.

Here’s the big piece of advice – look for a new hairdresser!

According to the US Census, there are an estimated 350,000 salons in the US. Would that be enough choices for you?

Start here. Find a stylist that offers a free consultation, someone that will be delighted to see you and will look at you and your hair objectively. Someone who doesn’t know your history, your issues or the idiosyncrasies that you have about your hair. Let them form their opinion and then let them share what they think.

It helps if you zip it while sitting there even if you want to verbally vomit your 40 years of hairy stories with them. Think of this as starting with a clean slate. They are ‘stylists’ after all. They did go to school…they are creative spirits. They just might have creative ideas that you have never considered. It’s time to change it up a bit before you and “June” are sharing war stories about how you both ended up being one of the many blue haired ladies on the block!

And here’s another news flash – as you age your skin tone changes, so you need to adjust the border and the paint – the hair and the makeup! Otherwise the mismatch makes you look older than you are.

Check out how Jane Fonda has kept up her color, cut and style through the years. Now 76 and looking fabulous!

We’ve come a long way baby. There are night creams, day creams, eye creams, waxing creams, dying creams and on and on. The point here is you should be using ‘creams’ as early as your teens to keep your skin soft and supple.

Then there is the magic makeup. Similar to what I said above about changing it up; change up your makeup. Old mascara, mineral powders and eye shadow can actually grow bacteria. Oooh, that sounds delightful. Splurge and outsource your makeup. There is no shortage of companies and types of makeup. Take the time to check out some options. Start paying attention to beauty magazines, take a stroll through the makeup counters, and check out makeup artists from your local spas. Just give it a try – let someone else paint your palette so you can pick up ideas.

Who knows, the way you apply the spackle might be totally wrong. For example did you know that your eyes look smaller when you use the eyeliner under your eye? It is now recommended to use a liner as an edge on your upper eyelashes and only pop mascara on the bottom, thereby opening up your eyes! Let an expert have a go at your face, you are bound to be amazed what a different product, in a different color, applied in a different manner, can do for your mug!

Boston ladies – need a hairdresser or makeup artist referral? You know the drill – just ask me!

Book a complimentary Boost Your Image Breakthrough Session with me. We’ll chat about your hair, your makeup and anything else that needs updating!

Now is the time, remember you are worth it…

Comment below – we’d love to hear from you!

Doreen Dove empowers women to use style as a tool to take strategic control of their image. She is an image consultant, personal stylist and professional speaker.

Her extensive background in all aspects of retail has uniquely qualified her to work with women of all ages and professions, coaching them to personal style success.

www.DoreenDove.com

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