Hair Today, Gone Tomorrow

It’s amazing what a haircut can do. I have never been one to be high maintenance – at least in the world of hair. I usually go two times each year, splurging on a $50+ cut and some product to last me until my next trim. It’s bad because I usually wait so long in between cuts that I want to chop my hair myself. I have had dreams of taking out a butcher knife and just whacking away at my hair. However, the day of the cut up through about a week after, I feel great! I even spend an extra 10 minutes drying my hair just right with my round brush, testing out my new product and enjoying the split-endless hair atop my head.

Yesterday – a record 7+ months after my last haircut, I went to beauty school The Carsten Institute (offices in both Tempe and NYC) in support of their Earth Day celebration. Cuts were only $15 (which I later found out was their normal price!) and they use Aveda products which I absolutely love.

Though I was pleased with the cut, I was quite overwhelmed by the experience! The event was from 9a-12p and first come, first serve so Jay and I went to the early 7am mass at church and followed it up with a delicious breakfast on the patio at AJs. We then drove over to the salon and arrived around 8:30. I signed in with a lady downstairs and then went upstairs to pay for the cut. There was a funky-dressed Asian DJ pumping tunes throughout the wall-to-wall windowed salon. Students in matching Earth Day t-shirts were running around getting ready. Around 9am, they started calling names. When my name was called, I was taken to get a shampoo by one girl who was graduating next month. As soon as that was finished, I was rushed over to a licensed stylist who cut my hair. I think this was the weirdest part. The music was so loud I barely could hear her ask what I wanted. Additionally, that’s about all she said to me the whole time besides “put your head down” or “look left”. I tried making conversation (its not only in my nature, but also part of most “normal” salon experiences, right?!), but she wouldn’t have it. I remained silent as she finished up her masterpiece. Her “assistant” had been standing next to her observing and after she was through, she took me to a third station (third person) to dry and style my hair.

Regardless of my frenzied experience, I am pleased to have a couple inches off my hair and love that freshly cut feel. And…for a mere $15 + tip, I just might get my hair trimmed more often so I can enjoy this feeling!