Swept Up

I think I was destined for fancy hairdos. My mother, after all, is a Texan. And Texas, as many of you might know, is a place where hair is big. And not just "big" as in "important, but also "big" as in BIG. They don't do the "messy bun" in Texas. Or the "stringy straight." Or anything mousy. They DO hair. Even their tousled looks are painstakingly intentional.
Now, doing hair is not something I've always done. Because contrary to my mother, I was born and raised in Colorado, where ponytails are more commonplace than Starbucks. I have spent many, many years without either hairdryers or bobbypins, preferring to wash and go. All that fancy coif-ing was too much work for my taste.
But then I made an important discovery. As it turns out, pulling off an upsweep like this one is not really hard. Not hard at all. All it takes is some curl, a comb, some pins, and hairspray. A little teasing and a few twists and Voila!--hair that looks like it took effort.
The nice thing about wearing updo's like this is that you can wear practically anything and still look elegant. There's just something feminine about tendrils hanging softly around the nape of a neck, or sweeping past the ears. I don't care if you're wearing a gray cotton t-shirt and some jeans--you'll still look like a lady.
Now I will admit that certain hair-types are more favorable for upsweeps like this. Mine is long and fine, which makes drying and curling a cinch. But there is a whole universe of lovely styles that exist beyond the realm of the ponytail, and certainly there is one for every type of hair--including yours.

And though I won't be exploring all of them during this series, I will be practicing a few. So stick around to see more hair trials, coming soon!

Before I go...I am curious--what is your favorite hair era? The 80's crimp? The 70's feathered look? The fingercurls of the 40's? The high ponytail of the 50's? Share your thoughts with me here!

Happy Monday!

The Case of the Faulty Hair Dryer

The following scene is loosely based on true events from my morning....

It was a sunny Friday morning when she walked into my office.

“Detective,” she said, “I have a problem.”

I put down my pen and looked up. The woman in front of me looked normal, wearing a fashionable brown dress (of the likes I’ve never seen before) and suede boots. But something was off. I couldn’t put my finger on it until she started talking.

“It happened this morning,” she continued. “I was getting ready for the day like I always do. You know--brushing my teeth, applying my make up, getting dressed. But then when I went to dry my hair, something went wrong. I started the hair dryer and instead of firing up like it usually does, it made a low, strange noise, and then just shut down completely.”


“How long have you had the dryer?” I asked politely, finally understanding what was off about her appearance. It was her hair--sadly flat and dull, she resembled a wet cat. Not flattering. Not at all.

“Oh, for less than a year I think.”

“Well, these things happen, ma’am. Perhaps you’ve just worn it out. New hair dryers aren’t that expensive, you know.”

“Well, yes, I see your point. It’s just that this is the second time in a month that this has happened.”

“Really.”

“Uh huh. The first time was more dramatic. I was using a different hair dryer--one I use for travel--and suddenly it started making strange noises. Then I heard a Pop! and a shower of sparks burst out from the outlet, turning into flame. I could have been harmed.”

“I see. And how long had you had this dryer?”

“Oh, for longer I suppose, but I didn’t use it more than a handful of times a year.”

“Well, ma’am, I think what we have here is a case of planned obsolescence.”

“Planned what?”

“Obsolescence. It’s when manufacturers create products that are designed to break down within a short period of time.”

“But why would they do that?”

“Well, to make money, of course. And to save money. They can make a product with cheaper parts, keeping the item at a lower cost, and also design them to fall apart quickly so that you keep coming back to purchase another one.”


“So you’re saying that my hair dryers are basically designed to be disposable?”

“That’s what I’m saying.”

“That doesn’t seem right.”

“I don’t make the rules, ma’am. I just solve cases.”

“Well, thank you for your time, Detective. I guess I have to go buy a new hair dryer.”

"Good day, ma'am. And good luck with your hair."


Though this story is obviously dramatized, planned obsolescence is real indeed. And we'll talk more about it as our pursuit for originality continues.

And for the record...I am having a terrible hair day.

Have a good weekend!

Capitalists Lament! How I discovered that I Like my Hair as it is...

You know how you never paid attention to how many red Volvos were on the road until your best friend started driving one?  And now you see them everywhere?  Well, that's kind of how I feel now that I'm practicing more mindfulness in my spending.  Suddenly I'm paying more attention to my impulses, and I'm realizing how much they really do drive my spending.  

Take this past weekend, for instance.  I was up late trying to finish a knitting project, and watching infomercials (because there was nothing else on--not because I like watching them.  Okay, maybe I like watching them a little).  A commercial came on advertising a hair-care product that seemed intriguing to me.  In true informercial style, there were lots of testimonials and before and after pictures.  And there was the typical introductory price complete with extra bonus gifts if you ordered today.  

Because I'm paying more attention, I immediately recognized my impulse spending urge creeping in.  I mean, who doesn't want fabulously silky flowing locks?  So the next day I headed to my computer to hunt down the product.  But before I placed my order, I decided to practice my new mindfulness.  Here's how:

First, I decided to do some research (research = mindfulness), and so I searched for product reviews online.  What I learned was that some people Loved the product, and others Hated it.  I also learned that the "introductory 30-day sample" was really only 12 oz. and wouldn't last a full month.  Good to know!

Since the reviews dampened my impulse a bit, I had some time to consider what I already own (using what you have first = mindfulness), which, incidentally, is plenty of hair products, some I haven't even used yet.  Did I really need to buy more when I clearly had a lot already?

This led me to think about my hair.  Was I really unsatisfied with it? (asking "do I need it?" = mindfulness)  Well...actually I never think that much about my hair.  It is healthy and easy to style, and for the most part I like it.  In fact, until I watched that infomercial, I was perfectly content with my hair.  And content with the products I'm using on it.  Products that cost A Lot Less than the one advertised.

Hmmmm.  I suddenly recognized that in less than half an hour I went from clicking my way through the online checkout to deciding I don't need a new hair care product after all.  Capitalists lament!  

Anyway, the point is, multiply this little process by about 50 times per day, and that is what I'm currently dealing with in my mindlessness vs. mindfulness consumer battle.  I figure that the more I practice, the better I'll get at replacing impulse with real intention.  

Share your mindless vs. mindful story with me!  Email me at shillberry@comcast.net.