Hair

I've been thinking about hair since reading Margo, Darling's post this morning about her recent haircut.

The problem with my hair (other than its absolutely astounding level of dirtiness right now, which I'm enjoying in a perverse kind of way) is that I don't know what I want it to turn me into.

Sometimes I think I need a haircut that matches my job responsibilities, that makes it clear that I could be promoted and do other, bigger things. Then I think that I don't want to be that boring person and that if I can't get promoted without helmet head I don't want it.

Sometimes I think I need a haircut that's cute and short and flirty, but that usually requires Doing Something to make it that way, and I'm lucky if I've got mascara on most days because it doesn't occur to me to care.

Sometimes I think I need a haircut that makes it clear I'm a dyke, but is there such a thing on me? And do I want to be part of a community that doesn't take me as I am--kind of let go and heading quite happily towards middle age and not dependent on a look? Wasn't that a tenet of feminism once upon a time?

So besides being too uninspired to either make an appointment or show up at a salon, I don't know what to say when I land in the chair. I've occasionally said things like, "I want it very short, do something that will look good on me" and let it go at that (and had very good results, for the record). I would be happier if I had a stylist I trusted, and I would be happier if I had a haircut that I liked the feel of and I liked the look of. I think I look better with shorter hair, but I feel better with longer hair.

Hair is always political, and I'm not much for politics, unfortunately.

Comments

[Sfrajett]

I like the part about hair=promotion. What if we could guess at the perfect cut to break through the glass ceiling? What would it be? I'm going to spend some good daydream time thinking about that one.

[Pronoia]

Well, it has to be smooth, of course, because the ability to control one's hair is directly related to the ability to control the world. Short, probably, and neatly tucked under. Okay, now I'm scaring myself!

What would the hairstyle look like to get you a promotion based on what you *wish* employers valued?