It’s all about the hair

I often joke that he’s the second longest relationship I’ve ever had with a man. The first being my father. No, I’m not talking about my husband, son or brother, yet he ranks up there as one of the most important male figures in my clearly dull life. I’m talking about my hairstylist.

We make so many connections with people outside of friends, co-workers, and family. Especially us gals. Gym pals, doctor, dentist, chiropractor, hair, nails, massage, and more. Sometimes we interact with this group more than our closest friends. To be honest, I see the cashiers at the grocery store more than most people I know. But one of the most special in my troupe, is the guy that cuts my hair.

I see Dino, my stylist, religiously every four and a half weeks. At four weeks and 1 day, my fifty shades of grey come out of hiding to the point of distraction. Maybe it’s just me, but my car’s rear view mirror creates a distorted carnival effect. A giant, screaming, stream of white hair that mocks me as I drive. I swear it can’t be as bad as that reflection, but at the one month mark, I can’t wait to get to the salon.

Think about it. Each time we sit in the chair of our chosen stylist, we surrender one of our most visible features to their care. Not only do we trust that they won’t fall into an Edward Scissorhands moment, but we truly expect to leave looking better than when we arrived. That’s a lot of pressure for one chair, a pair of scissors, and less than sixty minutes on the clock.

For nearly two decades, my guy has had to listen to “Make it shorter, but not too short”, “I like it longer, but trim it”, “Maybe it needs layers, but I hate layers.” He’s essentially lived with my ongoing theme of “I want something different, but I don’t like change.” He’s responded with patience, kindness, understanding, and has never let me down.

I know Dino isn’t alone. At this age, most of my friends have been loyal to the same person for decades. They’ve formed a friendship, a partnership in beauty. An alliance in the battle to look good, to be the best version of ourselves. While some gals will try something different every time—new colour, new cut—most of us have settled on a ‘look’. We’re just trying to hold on to that look for as long as nature will allow.

Stylists are not just artists. Good ones are gifted with the ability to listen, support, and make us smile.  Just thinking about Dino and the gang at Oggi Salon brings a smile to my face. Like many creative personalities, he’s nuts. Seriously. Spending time with him is like a Saturday night with good friends, lots of wine, and the DJ playing. Only in this scenario, it’s daytime, no liquor has been poured, and I’m wearing a plastic cape.

Dino has seen me through two weddings, two pregnancies, two births, and both sickness and health. There’s no question, this client/owner relationship is more like a marriage than a business transaction. Considering he likely has hundreds more just like me, that’s pretty impressive.

My dad had the same barber for more than 30 years. When he retired my dad was at a loss for what to do next – making me feel pretty smart for choosing someone younger than me. He knows he’s stuck with me ‘til the end – literally.  He has his instructions.

Feel free to share a story about your stylist! I saw mine yesterday – the best day of the month. Ah – fresh roots!