Holiday time was over and I was due for a little color spruce up and shape up. It took about 4-6 months to get my hair color situation to the point where it’s strictly maintenance now. Inauguration was coming up and I was reacquainting with an old friend later that eve (and her mom) that I hadn’t seen since middle school. With my nerves on high from both, I knew it was time to let Dairdre set my head straight so I could be supa dupa fly. 
When I walked in to the salon, they had a whole new look going in the front of the salon. It’s nice, but a little crowded (they later mentioned that they were going to get a smaller reception desk to fit the new layout better). I’m a creature of habit, so a little bit of me wanted the desk where it was so I would stop my toes from walking towards the wrong spot, but I know I’ll get used to it.
True to Aveda salon style, Dairdre and I sat down and talked about what I wanted to do this time around. It’s funny, because normally it’s obvious what should be done but my hair color was looking good for the most part. Dairdre suggested working the darker tones this visit, softening some areas that had a bit too much of chunky highlights and doing the lighter tones on the next visit. She was sporting some cute Shirley Temple curls in her hair that she had done from a wet set where the hair was twisted then put on rollers. I tried that a few times back in college, when I had a perm and wanted my hair to have tight coily curls, and the finished product is nice. Not far from doing a straw set like I had done back in that salon in the Dallas suburbs over a year ago.
Dairdre was excited about trying them on me, but I declined this round knowing that it would take more time than I had before my big reunion with my childhood friend (gotta love how Facebook manages to connect you to every person you ever knew in school…in this case I was really happy). I was also not up for a style like that anyway, although I might do it for an event down the road.
So therapy was in session (you know how it is talking to your hairstylist, it’s a tight bond). She and I got to talking about this and that. She mentioned how she was doing all the planning for the February Gallery Hop at the salon. It sounded nice! She was going to have live music, spoken word, artwork all to commemorate Black History Month. I was impressed! I know the Short North to be artsy and more progressive then the rest of the planet Ohio, but not in a multi-ethnic sort of way. I was proud of her for leading the charge on it at the salon and how well it was received. That speaks volumes to me.
The owner of G & Co. stopped in for a chat and Dairdre introduced me knowing that I’m a journalist. He is an African American which was pleasantly surprising. We exchanged business cards and I hoped he would let me do an interview sometime for one of my blogs. I don’t know if I held his attention, but it would good info to know nonetheless.
BEFORE PICTURES
AFTER PICTURES
In the end, I got the color done (partial color with just one dark tone close to my natural hair color), deep conditioning treatment, and a trim. I opted again for the mini facial which is my favorite free service they offer. One of the things we talked about in the beginning was my hair feeling more dry in the winter weather and she suggested one of their deep conditioning products to apply once a week called Aveda Dry Remedy- Moisturizing Treatement Mask. It retails for about $26, but it’s something you don’t need to apply very often.
Deep conditioning is something I haven’t been doing in a long time, but I could see how it would be helpful in dry cold winter weather.
Dairdre’s deep conditioning left my hair so soft! I feel like I never get that effect when I’m at home, even when I do the plastic cap thing and sit under a dryer. The down side to it being so soft and conditioned was that I felt my curl pattern was a bit more relaxed than normal which for me leaves my hair looking more like a looser curly frizz. I like tighter more defined curls, but it was ok knowing that naps would certainly be back over time.
The mini facial was a bit rushed this round because time was tight and we had forgotten about it when rinsing out my conditioner. Regardless, it still was heavenly!
As for the cut, I was back in the mode (contrary to my last post) where I wanted my hair length back. I had waited longer than before on this appointment letting it grow out until I could begin to pull the front back in a mini ponytail. I like to be able to do that when I play soccer and realized that I would probably want my hair at least that long or very short (haven’t totally gone that route yet, but I know I will again eventually). I explained that I just wanted to trim it and shape up some parts. I’m also trying to get that stacked look looking more drastic, but it will take time for my front to grow which grows the slowest. In the end, she cut a little more than I wanted but it wasn’t so drastic that I couldn’t get back to where I wanted in a month or so. I just realized that we were at that phase, the ongoing hair maintenance, so I need to be more clear about the finer details when I go for future appointments.
In the end, Dairdre threw me a curve ball which still makes me laugh inside as I type this. She asked me to apply the product (leave in conditioner and hair pomade) and style the way I would do it at home. She said she observed that I like my hair flatter than she styles and said that she knew I would go home and change it anyway. Would I? I don’t know. I don’t think I ever left a salon and didn’t futz with my hair in some way, even if I liked what I had done. She also wanted to see the proportions of product I used for reference.
I was at a loss. The attention was focused on me, and it felt awkward, but I appreciated Dairdre challenging me to do this. It shows that she’s trying to know her client (me) and keep that in her back pocket for future reference.
With my hair so soft from the conditioner, I didn’t put much more in so that proportion was probably off. I explained that I don’t use the Confixor anymore, except on occasions when I want a real defined curl closer to what I would have after stepping out of the shower. It’s a combination of never liking the fragrance and the drying effect it has on my hair.
So, I’m staring at the myself in the mirror, feeling awkward but understanding as I apply product and start playing with my hair. So far, I always leave with my hair damp because I just let it air dry normally anyway. She offered to use a diffuser, but I declined . It’s not necessary to me.
SUMMARY
Color = Great
Style = Ok (I actually liked how my hair was going into the appointment and should have been more clear that I truly wanted a trim aimed at shaping me up. I do like that she evened about the hair at he bottom along my neckline to make it straight. I never pay attention, but it does give it a finished look)
Mini Facial= Good (only issue was that we rushed it.)
It’s a process with your stylist, and what I like is that I know Dairdre will take my thoughts to heart and we’ll continue to work to achieve the signature “Affrodite” cut.
Next appointment, working on the highlights.
Total cost was about $150 + deep conditioner.
I’m one of those lucky ones whose acne has followed them into adulthood. It’s not bad, but it’s something that I can’t neglect or I do notice a difference in the clarity and amount of acne I get.
During my last appointment with Dairdre, a young man came in to inquire about a hair appointment. I noticed that he caught Dairdre’s attention and she began signing back and forth with this young man. It never occurred to me before how difficult it could be to make an appointment to get your hair done if you have a special need such as being hearing impaired. I’m already impressed with Dairdre, but she gave me a whole new level of respect for her professionalism and skills set.
