Y’all know that I am no stranger to the hair drama.
And for the last couple of weeks, I have been secretly mired in a hair crisis.
It’s not that I had a home hair color debacle or anything like that, but I’ve been overcome by my hair’s utter lack of purpose. I’ve been seized by hair doubt. Because at the end of the day, girls, our hair needs to have some clear objectives. We need to know what we want it to achieve.
As I’ve said before, we need hair goals.
And I thought, after I got my last hair drama resolved, that I wanted to let my hair grow out. I’ve had kind of a funky, piece-y hairstyle for the last three or four years, and I thought maybe I should try to go long again – mainly because I was ready for a change.
So I let it grow out for a couple of months, had no idea what to do with it, and went to my regular haircut guy in search of hair purpose. He trimmed it with a razor to give it some texture (Hey. I bet you’re so bored by all of this that your eyes are starting to roll back in your head. But I can’t stop talking about it. Because I could talk about my hair all day long and never get tired of talking about it and still want to talk about it again tomorrow. And it isn’t annoying in real life OR ANYTHING).
About two weeks later I went back to him and said, “Okay, I still don’t know what to do with it because it is so limp and lifeless – so could you razor it really good again?”
And he did.
But my hair continued to sit on my head with all the enthusiasm of a teetotaler at a bartender’s convention. Even when my mood was festive, my hair wouldn’t show up for the party. It was a proverbial bump on a log, staring lifelessly at all who crossed its dull and purposeless path.
But I was determined. I held on to the notion of having long hair again. I kept thinking that if it would just grow another inch, I’d be home free and all would be lustrous and glossy again.
So it grew another inch. And, um, no such luck on the lustrous / glossy thing.
And I knew it was bad when, about a month ago, my mama looked at me and said, “I really, REALLY wish you’d let Liza cut your hair.”
Liza is Mama’s Hometown Hair Wizard. She also cuts and colors my cousin Paige’s hair, and she always does a beautiful job. But I’ve always balked at the notion of traveling to get my hair done because, hello? I live in a city with a large array of salons from which to choose, and I am terribly, fiercely devoted to the person who has done my hair for the last seven years.
The more I thought about it, though, the more I considered that I might need to shake up my usual routine. I decided that it might be fun to see what a new stylist wanted to do with the ‘do, and so, after four weeks of careful deliberations, I told Mama that yes, I wanted to let Liza work her magic.
And no kidding: I could actually see the relief in Mama’s eyes. Because there was no doubt that she thought my hair, in its current state, had officially crossed over from “growing-out-phase” to “just-plain-tacky.”
Mama offered to schedule the appointment for me since she has a history with Liza The Hair Wizard. However, because Liza is so wizard-like, she is booked solid for the next sweet forever. And because I was in one of those hair places where I wanted to HAVE IT CUT RIGHT NOW, PLEASE, I was terribly disappointed. I even whined just a little bit to a couple of my friends, who I’m sure were TERRIBLY concerned by my horrific hair plight but pretended to care nonetheless. And that is but one reason why I love them.
After an appropriate time of mourning my Hair Wizard Could-Have-Beens, I called my regular salon and made an appointment. And I was fine with that. They always do a good job, and while I might not get the Big Change I was looking for, I’d no doubt get my funky ‘do back again. I rested in the peace of knowing that the Lord has plans to prosper my hair and not to harm it, to give my hair a hope and a future, and while that might not be an exact quotation of Jeremiah 29:11, it did offer me a certain degree of comfort in those dark, I-guess-I-won’t-be-off-to-see-The-Wizard-after-all hours.
But then.
Mama called yesterday afternoon and said The Wizard had a cancellation. For this morning at 9. With enough time to do cut and highlights.
Now come on, everybody. Go ahead and pump it up for Jesus right where you’re sitting because the Lord is faithful and worthy to be praised. He heard my cries, and He’s going to heal my hair. Somebody PREACH IT ONE TIME.
OH I kid because I’m desperate for hair with purpose.
Anyway, after all the appointment details were squared away, I packed some bags, loaded Alex into the car, and the two of us hit the road. In search of better hair days and blonder highlights.
Just like the pioneers. Of yore.
And it looks like I’ll be off to see The Wizard after all.
WE WANT PICS!!!! I too am in the “growing out phase” and I’m just about tired of it. My hair is thin and once it gets too long without some sort of “style” combined with this nasty weather we have here, it just gets tacky!!! However, I just don’t know what to do with it!
Good Luck to you! May the wizard work some magic!!!
Does Liza realize the pressure? I mean, she is the all-knowing, all-seeing Wiz .. but .. seriously.
BooDawg needs something Boolicious.
YO!
May the Lord abundantly bless you. And your hair.
Yea, verily, fair sister, let there be rejoicing and much praising! Boom shock-a-lock-a and all that. ;o)
Hope you get the ‘do of your dreams. :-)
Love and hugs,
Diane
Woo-Hoo!! I don’t know if I’m excited that you got your hair done by the Hair Wizard or if it’s because I’m sitting here laughing my head off, once again, reading your hilarious post!! Listen, girlfriend, you have no idea what it’s like to have hair woes! My hubby cut my hair for 10 years – YES – 10 years and 2 weeks ago, I went to the swankiest salon in town and had a whole new “do”!! Foil coloring and everything, girlfriend!! I don’t want to brag or anything, but I look pretty good. LOL! Hope you had a wonderful experience and that, you too, look pretty good!
BooMama, you have such a way with words, you crack me up!
you had me “amen-ing” you too.
We have to see the pics of the purpose driven hair after it is all done!!! Don’t deny us now, you hear?
…my favorite line was “..in search of better hair days and blonder highlights. Just like the pioneers of yore.”
snort…!!
Okay…here’s the deal. You may not ever post pics. of yourself for security reasons – but there is just NO WAY we are not going to be able to see this cut. You just HAVE to post a pic. I mean…we took the time to read about the saga…we wanna reap the fruit. I am a pastor’s wife. I’m safe. I won’t stalk you…but I wanna see the hair. P-L-E-A-S-E!
Now I don’t want to make a rash judgment call here. However. I wonder if you’ve been reading too much Rick Warren.
BooMama, I just don’t even know where to begin. Your post has left me speechless; mainly because you can’t talk and laugh at the same time!!! So funny! I’m so emailing this one to my sister. She has most certainly felt your pain. She and her hair have battled it out for years. I’ve spent more of my adult life discussing her hair than I have slept or eaten. She has called me in tears before because of what some poor unsuspecting soul has done to her mane of beauty. She can relate to your every word. And yes, we are all going to want to see the “Magic of the Wizard”! For me personally, I go to Super Cuts and get my hair cut and highlighted. And guess what, I get a lot of compliments, so I’ve found a formula that’s works and I’m sticking to it! But, I can say that my summer highlights have started to make me feel a little less like summer and a little more like a Britney-Spears-type-bad-hair-day, I’ll be looking to remedy that soon. Good Luck today, we’ll all be praying for you!
Blessings,
Georgia Mom
Cracking up at the Jeremiah 29:11 usage. I DO believe God is concerned about the small things, even your hair! I mean if He counts them for crying out loud, I am sure that He wants it to have purpose!!!
I am in the exact same boat. If I don’t get in and get this stuff styled with some attitude soon, I don’t know what I’m going to do. Throw it in another ponytail I suppose…(sigh)
I think youre brave as all get out. It would terrify me to just up and run to someone new, although I realize this hairdresser has apparently been with your family just a bit longer than forever. Hope it turns out half as good as youre praying, apparently literally, it will. xoox
I’m with you. I’ve been in the growing-out phase for months, and three weeks ago? I COULDN’T TAKE IT ANYMORE. Back to short. And I LOVE it.
I am one who travels 2 1/2 hours to get my hair done – so it is always a plan ahead trip. My stylist has been doing my hair for almost 10 years now and I TOTALLY trust her. She’s one I can walk in and tell her to do whatever she feels like and I always love it. I’ve never been unhappy. (Minor addition – she is near the grandparents and I can have them babysit the 3 kiddos for free while I am there in all my pampering…)
It’s been all about the hair lately! I think we’re all going through it together! I just posted my before & after pics last night!!
Steph
Mommas with bad growing out hair, unite!
I’ve had a short (thing Jamie Lee Curtis short) for years and I haven’t had a haircut since the end of March. My hair has now grown out enough to need little clips to hold back bangs or a headband. Have I mentioned I’m too old for litle clips and hairbands? I steal them from my girls’ hair accessories.
I long for a haircut, but I’m so scared they will chop off all the gorwth and I’ll be back to all the little flippes that drive me nuts where my glasses hit my ear.
I wish I had a Liza. I can’t wait to see pics!
I love this post. What woman can’t relate to needing to be delivered from the pits of hair hell. Hold something over your face and post a pic please. You can’t build up all this drama and leave us all hangin.
BTW- as adventures in babywearing said there must be something going around. I posted about hair today too.
OH NO!!! Razor cuts are good for straight, fine, and limp hair … but for hair with a bit of body, a razor cut will do the opposite and make it flat and lifelike… trust me … I KNOW …
And praise Jesus for his hand reaching down and creating an open apointment like that! It’s like the parting of the Red Sea … only blonder. And hairy-er.
Oo there’s nothing like a hair adventure! I just got my own cut and am still in that ‘getting used to it’ phase. I remember once I got my hair cut and wasn’t really paying much attention to the ‘styling’ portion of the event and when I next checked the mirror I was one pair of white boots away from being a Marvelette – I mean, I had the bouffant, the flip, somehow maybe even some fake eylashes and an A-Line dress. I went home, called my sister to cry about it, and stuck my head in the sink for an instant ‘do-over!
When you emailed me yesterday to let me know that the Lord had intervened in your hair crisis, I immediately picked up my tambourine and started singing songs of praise.
OH! yes we want pics!!! this is the stuff girlfriends are made for!
ps: I Should Be Folding Laundry has tagged me for a meme…. and since i LOVE your blog, i’m tagging you – and looking forward to your list.
:)
hope the lizard wizard does you right, in Jesus name!
There better be pics. NO post necessary, we’re all able to judge without the confusion of words, just a photo. My hair is feeling a bit jealous and unworthy right now. The WIZARD indeed. Jealous!!
Boy can I relate to this! My hair has no purpose either. In all my life, until now, my hair has been short (like chin length and shorter). I finally had the patience to grow it long and it’s past my shoulders now – know what? I hate it! It’s lifeless and ends up in a clip, ponytail or barrettes all the time because I don’t know what to do with it! Ugh!
Boomama, I think this is my favorite post of yours E-V-E-R. I have a stitch in my side. From praising the good Lord above with you, of course. Or, um, laughter. I can’t wait to hear about how your trip to the Wizard goes.
okay, now you MUST post pictures when you return, because we’re all, you know, built up with such excitement that I’m not sure I’ll be able to sleep tonight in anticipation of your new “do”!!!
Oh yes! Definitely need pics for this one! I am personally in hair denial at this point and refuse to go in front of a mirror.
My new stylist has done a great job, and I love him, but the hair is in mutiny today — so mirror-free I must be . . . at least until tomorrow when I’ll probably love it once again.
Blessings on your trip to see the Wizard. Come back with tales and ruby red slippers to show off to the rest of us who will then be in hair envy!
You are the best story teller ever, Boo!
I’m anxiously sitting at my computer waiting for the pictures that I know are coming…
sweet mercy, I actually heard T.D.Jakes in this sermon, I mean post, all we need now is for Beth moore to come pray over this LOL.
Hope the wizard comes through for you Boo.
I can always count on BooMama for a laugh that brings the kids in from the other room to check and make sure I’m not choking on my breakfast muffin! Excuse me while I go refill my coffee and hit the oxygen tank one time.
~TaunaLen
Now – if for some reason there is a curtain in the corner of the salon, and you can see a man’s feet under it, please make sure somebody’s dog goes over and pulls it back so you can see what’s back there. I’m just sayin’.
Well, I’m just SO RELIEVED that your expectations are, like, REASONABLE and stuff. That’s our BooMama: reaching for new hair heights with both trendily-shod feet planted firmly on the ground.
BooMama, you crack me up!
I’d really love to see a picture of what The Wizard comes up with for you. My hair is also in need of some serious attention and ideas would be welcome!
Hilarious, yes.
Girlfriend, this might be my favorite post to date!! You have so eloquently labeled MY current naturally curly fro, I mean hair, status! My hair, also, has no goals, no meaning, no purpose. And to make it worse, I have no hairdresser that I am devoted to at the moment :(. The last one I loved took a hair sabbatical (sp?). How dare she?! Right after I committed to her with letting her cut my hair for Locks of Love?! So, I am glad you made the road trip to see the Wizard. Now, how can we see a picture of this glorious answer to prayer??
P.S. I LOVE the Mandisa cd!! Thank you! Thank you!
My hair always looks exactly the same no matter what different “style” my stylist comes up with for me. It’ll look different for the five minutes after I’ve left the salon and then eventually calm down into its usual shoulder-length brown football helmet normal state. I’m at a loss.
Thank you for making my day with your NBV (New BooMama Version) of Jeremiah 29:11. Your hair’s gonna be smokin’! Well, hopefully not literally.
Well, I hope after all that we are at least going to get to see some pictures of this marvelous transformation.
Immediately when you get home!
Praying for your hair. Folicles and all.
After seeing you last weekend, I lit a candle for your hair. :)
xo
Pics, pics, pics, pics!
You can use a program and blur your face a bit, but we gotta see the hair! If you blog it, you show it!
Now that’s my kind of treasure hunt! Glad that God came and blessed you, Girl…hope that it is the exact representation of the fun that you mentioned! Prosperous, hopeful hair!
Love in Him,
Holly
I so completely understand the hair debacle! I went on for way too long on my blog about this very thing just a couple of weeks ago. The difference was that I had grown my hair out over a year’s time and decided that I hated it. I went to my hairdresser and threatened that I was about to go back to the 1/2 inch spikes that I had had prior. She had no choice, really.
And then you’ll post pictures, right??? Cause if this gal is really the Wizard, we MUST see her work!
After all of that you sure as heck better post a picture of the fabulous new do. It took over a year for mine to grow out enough to look cute again. A YEAR.
I just went through a hair experience of my own. I just moved to Orlando, FL from Dallas, TX and in Dallas I went to this high falootin joint where the stylists had their own PRIVATE ROOMS and offered you a glass of wine and all that la tee da kind of stuff. Anyways, I’ve been long overdue for some color and a cut and hadn’t found a stylist in Orlando yet, so my friend took me to her stylist…IN A FREAKIN GARAGE ya’ll! This Puerto Rican girl cuts hair in her garage, and shampoos you in the kitchen sink. (I’m assuming she works from home and takes cash b/c perhaps she’s here illegally or not filing taxas???) Anyways, FOUR hours later, it was just NOT good. My hair is in shambles. I have an appointment tomorrow with someone at a REAL salon who can hopefully fix this mess I’ve gotten myself into. And what would possess me to go to a garage to get my hair done…Not sure. But it was $45 for color and cut versus the $180 I usually pay. But you get what you pay for girls!!! I hope your hair experience is better than mine Boomama!
http://texasaggieinfl.blogspot.com
How exciting….. SO. How did it turn out???
You go girl on the commitment to your hair. I can appreciate a girl who will actually pack bags and a child and drive to another town to get her hair cut. Yes ma’am, I can.
You just absolutely must post photos. This can be done in such a way that you remain safe and anonymous. Please.
AMEN SISTA! Now let’s take up the offering, will the ushers please come forward.
LOL…like a teetotaler at a bartenders convention…I’m still laughting!
You have to post photos! Get one of those masks on a stick, hold it over you face, for security purposes, and we’ll still be able to see the new do that the Wizard has worked.
Oh, my I think we need a pic of the Wizard,too. YOu know there was one in Baton Rouge, too, and I’ve never found another wizard like her…..If you post pics, you better warn your Wizard that she may increase her clients, and warn your mamma that others may be calling her in search of favors……cause there’s nothing like a true Wizard.
Loved this post, girl!
And oh, by the way, we MUST have purposeful hair pics….we just must!
First of all, I had to look up the word teetotaler. Thank you for teaching me a new word today. (even though the definition of teetotaler is someone who practices teetotalism, which I had to look up, as well.)
Secondly, I hope the wizard makes all of your hair dreams come true. And if they do, I may just schedule an appointment (and a flight out of Chicago) to see the wizard myself.
I can’t wait to see a picture. There will be a picture, right?
How exciting to get an appointment after having reconciled yourself to not seeing the wizard! May your hair have more purpose than you could have ever dreamed!
I hear you, woman. My hair is in a funk of it’s own, and my regular hair person won’t call me back. I think it’s been almost 3 months since I’ve gotten it cut and/or highlighted, and it doesn’t know what it wants to be except flat.
I wish you happy hair, and I agree with the others that you’ll just have to post a picture.
There had better be some pictures posted ASAP
everyone seems to think flatirons are the answer;; have you tried one…anything hair related with the word “flat” in it does not usually appeal to me but a flatiron does help my cowlick and frizzies.
GOOD LUCK!
I know you’re all about the privacy, but I’ve got to see pictures of the miracle that took place on your head.
Incidentally, I read the post you alluded to about your past hair issues and laughed until I cried. I flip back and forth between doing it myself and having it done; it takes God-given talent to get red right, and most colorists DO NOT have that talent. So, for me, it’s a 2-part process: first I put on the appropriate shade of red, then I hightlight. MYSELF. The thing is, I get compliments and compliments from everyone, even total strangers, when I do it myself. I’ve been at it for 10 years, so I guess I’ve gotten pretty okay at it. I started doing it myself when my hubby started falling out with seizures and then going unconscious once he saw the bill–I have always had LONG hair, and LOTS of hair. So, once or twice a year I’ll get it professionally done, just to watch him foam at the mouth and knock himself unconscious, you know, for entertainment if there’s nothing good on the tv, but otherwise, I do it myself.
Pictures of the miracle, woman, pictures!
Oh, can’t wait to hear the results! I am do for a new do too! I am pregnant and have had to wait for awhile and now that my hair is drab and always in a clip…it needs a little wizard help too!
It looks to me like God’s hands are all over this one so I’m sure Miss Liza will be working with some anointed scissors :)
Can’t wait to hear how the hair turns out!
Got my Mandisa CD in the mail today! Thanks! Hope your hair turned out the way you like! Meg
Boo-Yah!
Have fun!!! :D
Okay – you inspired me to call a new stylist I have been wanting to try. I shall use the very words “funky style.”
Please give us an update ASAP – we are dying to know how this turned out.
Dear Boo,
Have to tell you I have been the major drama mama when it comes to my hair. My hairdresser told me I couldn’t bring him black and white photos anymore and tell him that is the color blonde I want highlighted. Well whatever he is the professional. Praying you get a great and cute cut.
Angel Mama ():)
Oh, Lordeth, please delivereth us from all of our haireth mistakeths and lead us not into temptationeth of the box o’ lies that promises our hair to have hair purposeth. Please bless my pocket booketh so that I won’t have hair envy-eth and I hope this explaineth why I can’t read King James-eth. Amen.
I am laughing out loud with tears rolling down my cheeks!! That is too funny. I love the Jeremiah quote- that is classic. Can’t wait to hear out it goes.
I had a teary moment. That was a good one. :)
UM….where are you?! Where are our pictures? You and Steph from Adventures in Babywearing, what are you two trying to do to us making us wait!!! :) I hope you just LOVE LOVE LOVE IT!
Funny…there must be some sort of coif discontent going around!
I had a huge ‘fro chop this week too on the spur of the moment. My naturally curly, naturally blonde big Texas hair was longer than it’s ever been–past my bra hook down my back–and I had it cut to just past my shoulders. A definite shock to the system, but it’s tres easy to maintain, and hopefully this pregnancy will give me uber-long hair again, too!
********
When you do nothing, you feel overwhelmed and powerless. But when you get involved, you feel the sense of hope and accomplishment that comes from knowing you are working to make things better.–Pauline R. Kezer
********
Clearly, that woman has never had to live with Rosanna Rosanna Danna hair as I have. It’s been a cruel journey together, my hair and I. And when your mom spent 20 years as a cosmetology instructor and another 10 as a salon owner, well,…my therapy consists of a mirror in one hand and a copy of the serenity prayer in the other.
Blessings,
~Toni~
I’ve been with the same hairdresser for 14 years and I travel 70 miles (one-way) to see her. Luckily, with long hair it isn’t but every few months. It’s certainly worth it! Here in our city the same cut/perm is a lot more $$ plus I can not bring myself to try someone new.
Oh,yes…please post pics! We wanna see!
Rhoda from B’ham
Oh. My. Word.
I MUST remember to put on the Depends before I read your blog.
No, Really.
Whew!
OK…I think I’m alright now.
Snort! Gasp! Guffaw!…minor chuckle whilst gulping.
Oh-KAY!
Embarassing moment: I dressed up to attend a friend’s very exciting and thoroughly well planned and beautifully appointed surprise 50th birthday party. I made a lovely cake for the occasion. I wore a stunning outfit. I spent a WHOLE 7 MINUTES on my make-up. Yes, all of me was razzle-dazzle, except for my hair.
I thought I had skillfully clippied it up in rouguish clippy sort of, um, configuration.
I thought wrong.
Our church’s grand matriarch kept staring at me, scrutinizing, weighing, measuring. Finally she walked up to me, her face a study in pity and said, “Growing our hair out, are we?”