Salon Ramblings

This started with the sheer frustration on growing my hair, feeling defeated as a hairdresser I couldn’t cope with my mop any longer, the idea evolved…shave it off & start again!

Day 1 Week 1;

The morning after the ‘Shave’, I looked in the mirror with a gasp, the reality of what I have done was staring back at me! Gary & I planned to go into town, getting ready came with a new challenging routine…the feeling of warm water directly on my scalp was the strangest odd sensation then automatically reaching for the shampoo. More make-up was needed to feel feminine, however with no hairline-where does the foundation & blusher stop! Overdone now, I look like a clown, let’s start again with more care…

Walking around town was more arduous than I ever imagined, with a bald head I felt I’d lost my identity…my confidence! Looking for eye contact of people approaching me, some either looking away or doing the sympathy head tilt with following sideways glances. Holding on to Gary’s hand I caught a glimpse of my reflection in a shop window, I was walking with my head & shoulders down with no confidence, this was crazy as now I looked like someone with an illness!
Early to bed after an emotionally draining day with my beanie on, it’s so cold even the pillow is cold!

My third year at Crisis, a colleague from the salon wanted to join me & share the humbling experience I have talked about over the years. The closest location was Lewisham which was great as I was there two years ago, I knew the layout & was looking forward to seeing some of the volunteers again.

On arrival we were met by Richard, “Good morning Michelle, you are in charge again”. He remembered me, not sure if that was a good or bad thing, maybe because dad & I were a little bossy over the salon organisation years prior. Either way, Richard knew I know the drill on Health & Safety of clients and ourselves, we skipped the briefing as clients were lining up for our services, this year the salon was in the main building with better facilities. With no dad by my side, the atmosphere was slightly different however very interesting to watch a confident & competent 22-year-old cope with this very different salon! Watching Lee awkwardly engage in a different type of conversation compared to the usual salon chit chat & the expressions on his face when looking at the matted pongy hair he was about to attempt!

After enjoying our first experience last year at Crisis, Dad & I returned, this time we went to Lewisham. Packing the car with all the equipment we needed including a few extra bits like a box of chocolates.

On arrival, like last year everyone as really friendly, this was also a training college but without a salon to use, we worked in an outbuilding which included a sports hall. This room had free-standing mirrors & movable chairs so dad & I set about making our space as comfortable as possible. The toilets had small hand basins, this is where we will be doing the shampooing. Dad & I smiled nervously at each other as neither of us thought this was going to be easy! We worked so well together last year & we will adapt to our new environment!