Artistic License

Be creative, make mistakes, and if necessary, start over.

I am in the midst of a midlife hair crisis. My front hairline is thinning, allowing glimpses of my baby pink scalp to show through. I’m desperate enough to consider a gentleman’s comb-over, but that would look too weird.

Who would have guessed I would be talking about hair loss with my husband and asking him for any tips or advice he might like to offer. “You learn to live with it. Here, have a beer.” I’m joking, of course, but is Friday night poker far behind?

Thank goodness for my fashion magazines, as I drink them in like a chilled glass of Chardonnay on a warm summer’s eve, hoping to find my new coiffure. While under the influence of excessive page turning, I find an image of a woman I would love to look like. The fact that she is a famous designer with oodles of money to devote to her appearance has little influence on my decision making. With my hair appointment scheduled for next week, I’m excited and ready for this transformation!

 I arrive at the salon and quickly settle into my hairstylists’ chair, eagerly presenting her the photo. She, of course, encourages me to take the risk. It is only hair for heaven’s sake. As I watch my locks fall to the ground, I wonder if I’m doing the right thing . . . there’s no turning back now.

Still high on my aspirations to look completely different, I glance into the mirror. My hairdresser did a wonderful job! Even my girlfriend, who also happened to have an appointment, seemed to agree. For the remainder of the day, I was walking on clouds.

It’s not until the next morning when I realized what I had done. The “party’s” over, I have a serious case of bed head, and I’m now left with a new do for the next year and a half. I was going for the artsy fartsy look with high cut blunt bangs. Well, this morning, it looks more fartsy than artsy.

My husband comments that I would fit in quite nicely as a cast member of the popular iconic TV show, The Addams Family. We both have a good laugh. My hairdresser did a fine job; it’s just that I’m not one who enjoys fussing with their hair. It is very reassuring to have a husband who loves me no matter what I may look like. Especially when my body appears to be settling these days. I, lovingly, remind him that his body is going through a little remodeling too. Such is life. I’m glad I took a chance on a new look, even if it isn’t completely who I am.

I once belonged to a weekly Art Guild, where the members were encouraged to “Experiment, be creative, make mistakes, and, if necessary, start over.” No one, however, inspired me more than my delightfully talented art teacher who was so fond of saying, “The point is to have fun!”  And fun I most certainly had that day in the hair salon.