Sunday, October 7, 2012

Curl Up and Dye

When I was small, all the old ladies had short hair, usually "done" once a week at a "beauty parlour". There was a small variety of styles, some teased and boufed up, some small curls close to the head, some blue rinsed, or lilac. Some dyed it back to the color they had, or wished they had, in youth. They were mocked. It was all styled to within an inch of death and sprayed with hair lacquer to a helmet that would hold its shape until next week.

Three years ago I had a fit and cut my long hair off. Of course the hairdresser styled it perfectly in a way I couldn't recreate and about two weeks passed before I began waiting for it to grow out. It has. It's close to the length I've kept it for most of my life. Recently, though, I've heard the old bitties around here carp about "old women with long hair". Like it's an abomination, or a moral failure. There's an older woman here with pink streaks in her short hair but I haven't heard them grouse about her. Even Special K makes cracks that I should cut my hair, curl it and dye it dark brown. Which would result in my looking like Ernest Borgnine in drag. I won't do a Curl Up and Dye.

First of all, I'm not that old. Especially considering the dames doing the carping are at least 20 years older than me. Secondly, I like my hair. I have thick, healthy, wild hippie hair. It keeps my neck and shoulders warm in the Winter and I can do all sorts of braidy things in the Summer. And mostly, because I like long hair. Not just on me but on everyone. Well, maybe not on some people, like Obama. But long hair looks good on most people. If it's kept clean it's beautiful. And it's less maintenance than having to style it all the damn time. Short hair is unforgiving and I'm just not prepared to face so many bad hair days.

This hair is gonna grow til it doesn't anymore. I've never let it grow past my waist so we'll see. They say as you age your hair won't grow past a certain length but I can't see how that's possible. Maybe by the time I croak I'll have hair to my ankles. That'll piss em off but good. :)

20 comments:

Anonymous said...

You tell em. In the meantime, I'll keep mine short. Much easier to deal with.

Starting Over, Accepting Changes - Maybe said...

Why should you care what others think? We will never please everybody, and besides, your hair and how your wear it is none of their business.

You should be proud of you thick locks. Mine started thinning a few years ago and it is disheartening. I never expected that to happen, but then again, old age is a surprise to me.

Geo. said...

I suffer from ulotrichy so, depending on what side flattens as I sleep, I have roadkill-head all day. It has kept me from greatness.

sdt (a.k.a. stevil) said...

I'm glad you are keeping your hair. I like it and think it looks great on you. I loved long hair back in the day, on both men and women. I don't know if I'd grow mine long again, though.

Elephant's Child said...

One of my sisters in law tells me - far too often, that I am too old to have long hair. Long hair? It is an inch or two past my shoulders. And a mixture of grey and the dark brown I had in my younger days. If I choose dye it will be a deep and vibrant blue. My only requirement for haircuts is that my hair remains wash and wear. No product (shudder) and no blow drying required.

Allyson said...

sweetjesus!! ernest borgnine in drag! so wrong in all the right ways.

Austan said...

Lawless- whatever floats your boat, I say. Happy Thanksgiving!

Austan said...

Arleen- we'll see how it gets as I get older but right now, yes, they should mind their own unwashed selves. My hair, my house, my cat, my business.

Austan said...

Geo.- Roadkill-head! Classic! lol! I always wanted bushy hair, or at least hair that'd take a curl. Ah well, we get what we get.

Austan said...

Stevil- Thanks Bunky. Once you're outta that hellhole you should grow your hair. It's not so hard for me to keep up with now because my hair dries out if I wash it more than 2 or 3 times a week. Try it, you might like it.

Austan said...

EC- That's the spirit! Who do these mavens of hairstyles think they are? I have the wash n go hair too, and will til I die. Who makes these rules anyway? How dare they?!

Austan said...

Ally- Kinda makes an impression, doesn't it? :D

Susan Flett Swiderski said...

You go, girl! Your hair, your choice. My hair is long, too, and I like it that way. My grandmother had very long hair, which she wore in a long braid wrapped on top of her head. I figure when I (ahem) "get old", I may do the same.

Austan said...

Susan! Same here! I don't know if I'll do the same wrap around the head my Gran did, but something similar. Meanwhile I'm playing with braidy styles like this
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4Hz56vHAdVs
and hoping my hair grows as long as hers.

Twisted Scottish Bastard said...

I have barely any left, so all I feel is a great envy.

CarrieBoo said...

I never understood this whole hair thing and getting older. My grandma and great aunt have had short and curly hair since their 50's. They have had the same hair cut all that time, and you have to keep paying to get it cut that means. I figure if you have thin hair you might need to have it short and curled, but like you say, if it's nice hair, then why not have it long!

My hair is finally growing back. I like when I can tie it back. Long hair is easier to me. No cutting or styling and no sticking up in a morning. I plan on keeping it this time! Piss'em off good and proper! :D

klahanie said...

Hey Laura,
You grow that hair, if possible, down to your ankles. As for me, growing hair is something that doesn't seem to be happening any more. Still, I'm an old hippy at heart!
You take care.
Peace, Gary
x

Austan said...

TSB- well that sucks. sorry. I'll grow it for you, then. And when they tut-tut, I'll tell em, "I'm doing it for the Twisted Scottish Bastard!" and walk away.

Austan said...

Boo- exactly! If it's not gross and it looks good, go for it. Short hair is so much work! And it's always the same. Nope, not for me.

Austan said...

Gary- there are so many reasons for hair not to grow. Looks like I'll be growing it for you, too. So when they give me the bitchface I'll say, "I'm growing it for Gary and the Twisted Scottish Bastard." And maybe I'll stick out my tongue and go, "Nleh."
:D
Laura
x