Hair

Excuse me while I take a deep breath.  I really don't know how much time you have to review this section but you are in for a long ride. Gee, where do I start?  Do you really want me to go back to my first summer out of high school.  I didn't think so.  

I have made my hair every color you can possibly imagine.  Last fall, when I showed up at work with the worst case of trailer trash gold, my boss sent me straight to the hair dresser.  Even though I used unscheduled vacation time, she did let me leave under one condition:  NEVER TOUCH YOUR HAIR AGAIN.

She certainly put the fear of God in me.  Either that or it was my "rock bottom" because I have NOT had one thought of doing my hair myself since that day nine months ago.  I think I deserve a special chip or something.  But that does not mean that I haven't had my hair done by professionals.  I may be a little crazy, but I am not a hippie.  

But seriously,  I do have some wonderful advice for hair care:

• Find a hair stylist that you really like.  The objective is to make a connection.
• Lie, cheat, steal, stalk--do whatever you have to do to get that stylist's home phone number.   This fulfills the second objective which is to know the stylist's whereabouts should they "mysteriously" stop working at the salon.  (This happens all the time!)    
• Find a second favorite stylist.  A lot of people feel that it is rude to use more than one stylist.  I handle this by being very honest with everybody.  ("Who cut it last time?  Uh, I don't even remember her name.  It didn't mean anything, really.")  Seriously, I always tell the truth.  It is a business like any other.  My number one stylist understands that his hours and location are just not as convenient for me as I would like.   The other stylist doesn't really care.  I don't even think she remembers me half the time.  But they both do a great job.  This did backfire on me once.  I waited too late to make an appointment before an important event and they were both unavailable.  That was the last time that I thought that I could do my own foil highlights.  I still can't talk about it.  Oh, I mentioned my "rock bottom" didn't I? 
• Be subtle when you give your home phone number to the stylist.  It is unethical for them to take your information with them should they leave the salon you patronized.  However, it is not your fault that you dropped a contact lens in his or her duffle bag.  If all goes well, developing a friendship with your stylist can be wonderful. 
• Get your color done at a really expensive salon.  I did this at a salon located over 3,000 miles away so the colorist was kind enough to write down the formula for me.  I paid almost $200 for a color job (needed to eat and had to pass on the haircut) but it was well worth it.  I found out later that the salon had been used for "E! Fashion Emergency" a couple of times.  She did such an awesome job that I keep that formula under lock and key.  My stylists have used the formula quite a few times since then.  
• Rinse your hair with cold water before your leave the tub.  (Don't forget to rinse your back as I pointed out to you in Zit Love.)
• Comb your hair instead of brushing when wet.
• Washing your hair every day depletes it of your natural oils.  
• Want that dirty hair feeling but don't want to skip?  Try Kiehl's Creme with Silk Groom.  This stuff is awesome.  It is a wonderful way to moisturize your hair.  I have tried everything to calm down dry hair and this is da bomb!
• For a ton of stuff on hair and celebrity hairstyles, check out one of my favorite sites:  www.hairboutique.com.

If you live in the Philadelphia area, stop by a hip new hair salon called American Mortals.  My stylist is one of the partners and will be happy to take a look at your locks.  They also have free candy for customers.  Can't beat that.