I booked myself in for a haircut recently and despite having my little lady nearly six years ago, I was taken back to a time where my hairdresser changed my life. Actually, she has done it many times.
I moved to Dublin sixteen years ago. You meet a lot of people when you move to a new city. Most will pass you by, but if you are lucky enough, you will find a person, a hairdresser so good, you will follow them where ever they go. My hairdresser, Jade, is that very person and I met her 16 years ago. You could say it is one of the most significant relationships I’ve had and for good reason.
Jade without a doubt is an expert in her field. I have never left an hair appointment with her feeling unhappy or in tears (we have all been there). Just like fashion, hair to me is a super power. I would go so far as to say that when you have a good haircut, it changes your life. Not for reasons of vanity but for that feeling of loving how you look. Jade has a unique gift as a hairdresser, of giving herself in a way that’s not too much, but enough for you to know she is listening. Many times I have presented her with an image and said ‘would this work on my hair?” and from the very beginning, Jade would give it to me straight; ‘You will have to style this everyday’ (which she knows I hate) or ‘Your hair doesn’t suit that cut’. After 16 years of seeing each other close to every 8 weeks, we have shared some moments. Work, health, relationships, marriage and babies. Jade, knowing how important my hair was to me, took such great care of me during my pregnancy, but it was her kindness post-pregnancy that I will forever be grateful. I always felt the hair salon was a bit of a sacred place for adults. I had never seen a baby or child there so it never occurred to me to bring my babies with me. With that in mind, planning my first haircut post-pregnancy felt like an ordeal. I was breastfeeding on demand, leaking non-stop and torn between wanting to get a haircut and not wanting to be away from my little girl. Knowing all of this, Jade encouraged me to bring my little lady in, booking extra time in case we needed a break, anything to make me feel comfortable and amazing.
I still view the hair salon as a sacred place because I value that time on my own and I assume others do too. But things don’t always go to plan. On the odd occasion my little lady has had to come with me to the busy salon, both mama and child were made to feel like we were the only ones there. I remember one time in particular, my little lady was maybe one and half years old. I had booked an appointment with Jade and had made all the arrangements to have that time to myself. It did not go to plan. For my wellbeing, I kept this appointment. So the staff carried the buggy to the second floor, parked her near me and worked around us so I could feel well. There was another occasion where it was time for my little lady’s first hair cut and of course it was going to be Jade to have this honour. However while Jade prepared to work her magic with scissors in hand, my little lady changed her mind. To this day, she asks if Jade wants to see her and the answer is always, of course she does.
Why am I writing about all of this now? Because I just got my haircut (and I feel amazing), and after every haircut, I am reminded of these acts of kindness and how significant they are to my wellbeing. But also because a friend of mine has recently given birth to a divine little baby and I got to thinking about what she may need until I get to see them, Food delivered to her door, or a voucher for her own hairdresser?. She may not want or need it now, but maybe, in a few months time, when the newborn fog has lifted slightly, she may need a boost, an injection of feeling amazing, because let’s be honest, having a new born is hard work! A hair voucher for a new mama may just be the thing, along with doing anything and everything possible to help her get to the appointment, when she is ready.
Jade is currently Style Director at Robert Chambers Salon, Dublin. This post is not sponsored in anyway, just me sharing my thoughts and experience.
Jo @ Mother Dragon
