“The colour of your hair can determine your fate in the end” said the actress Helen Hayes. Perhaps a little overstated, the statement underscores there is no denying our self isolation has prompted many of us to tackle self administered aesthetic “procedures” in order to manage our looks. The beauty challenges for me are myriad and daunting. From dealing with outgrown gel nails, to attempting to handle serious pedicure issues to covering grey root growth, to tackling hair trimming – the reality of the stay at home order as it influences our appearance is taxing.
At first, I welcomed the freedom from outsourcing some of my personal grooming. Like many of us, I embraced wearing no makeup, letting my hair grow “au naturel“ and allowing my bangs to obscure my vision. All that would have worked well had I been able to avoid confronting the dreaded mirror in my bath area. The image I saw was not the vision I embraced. Intervention was essential. Given the age in which we find ourselves, digital reliance seemed the answer.
The plan was to get instruction from the experts. My capable nail professional, who happens to own a business producing and distributing nail products and training nail techs, created a YouTube video outlining a safe and effective way to deal with growing out gel manicures. Armed with a nail file and her explicit instructions, I have managed to slowly get my nails back to their typically short state.
As it turns out, the internet is “awash” with support for outlining how to “self colour” hair. Several of my friends talked about their experience with dying their own locks. Sending me pictures of their finished product, the women who have/had blonde hair described the outcomes as comparable to hay-like and greenish hues. Dark haired women reported “hot roots” – roots that are much warmer than the base colour. Still, better than the alternative.
My husband has the the genetic luck to have thick, curly, silver hair. Frustrated by the length and “puffiness” of his coif and abiding by the stay at home directive which disallows salon visits, he was brave enough to ask me to play stylist. Connecting on FaceTime with my long time friend and hairdresser and armed with online bought scissors and borrowed thinning shears, we set up to tackle the task. Taking direction from my online instructor was wonderful. Her patient, step by step instructions helped give me confidence as I snipped away. Although far from salon perfect, the result was satisfactory and my spouse of forty years and I are still married!!!
This serious and scary pandemic has many downsides – fear of the unknown, disruption of comfortable routines and isolation to name a few. These are Hair Raising Times. But from them comes some very tangible positives : We are learning that self reliance combined with strategic collaboration and courage to try new things is the current reality. These newfound skills will help us in the normal that lies ahead.
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