I Can’t Do a Thing with My Hair - Aging Inhibits Ability to Style Hair

Mom has been living with me for nearly five years. She has changed hair stylists more than five times. She has not liked how any of these stylists has done her hair. They cut it the same way and will not listen to how she wants it done.

Every morning, we discuss the fact that she cannot do a thing with her hair. There is not a single thing right about her hair. It is not cut correctly, it has too many layers, it does not have enough layers so she cannot style it properly.

To compensate for the incompetence of the stylists’ cutting abilities, Mom decides to act and do the same thing she did back in the good old days. She spends one hour setting her hair in rollers (the pink ones used in the 1960’s that I think are the same set that she used when I was growing up), one hour letting them set while she eats breakfast and peruses her mail, and another hour unrolling and teasing (yes teasing) her hair. After completing this ritual, she emerges looking the exact same as she did three hours before. I suggested that she go for a weekly wash and blow out or perhaps get a new style (I even provided her some pictures of older women with attractive haircuts and styles), for it may give her more hair pleasure, but she has always ignored and refused those suggestions.

When we moved, I took the opportunity to visit with several salons and stylists in the area for a wash and blow dry to “interview” them and see if they were someone I would like to cut and style my hair. One of the topics on my list was whether they were willing to cut my mother’s hair.  I found someone that I liked and she was willing to cut mom’s hair too. I thought this would be a great opportunity for mom to reset and have someone look at her hair with fresh eyes. The day arrived and we went to the salon. Mom allowed the stylist to do her thing. Her hair looked great. The next day, I asked, “Mom, how is your hair holding up.” She replied, “I can’t do a think with it.” Some things never change.

I admire the fact that Mom still desires to look good (even though she rarely leaves the house). I hope that I continue to put effort into looking my best at every age. Perhaps one day, Mom will take a chance and make a change that will enhance her hair and make it easy for her to style.

Questions for you:

Anyone have any hair style stories?

Share a picture of a nice hair style worn by someone you care for.