Then, when she grew-up and had stylish, image-conscious teenage nieces, our ringlet-ted protagonist was persuaded that it was time to go straight. This led to an addiction to hair straighteners and a decline in the condition of the previously lustrous locks. Then - suddenly, last summer - she heard about an exotic remedial treatment, originating from Brazil. Fortuitously, an invitation popped through the ether - from UR Beautiful in Kingston-upon-Thames - and our happy heroine skipped into the salon for an un-winding experience.
Red-headed Jade started the treatment by washing the aforementioned locks, in a special shampoo - devoid of nasty sodium-suffused chemicals, before drying the hair seriously straight. Next, a thick paste of red and white clay, blended with coconut oil, was applied, coating every wanton strand. To ensure that it did its job, the keratin-powered paste was dried into the hair, on a top-heat setting. After twenty minutes or so, it was shampooed-off and the hair styled poker-straight. The 'heroine' was issued strict instructions to keep her newly sleek (but rather oily) hair dry for three days (no washing or extreme exertion, no tying it back or resting sunglasses on top of her head). As she learned, hair has a memory - so must be firmly guided into good behaviour.
The former curly-haired heroine felt a touch embarrassed at the state of her dead-straight and oily locks but was obedient and did as she was told until the instructed days had passed. With a great sigh of relief, she washed her oil-suffused locks. Wow, it dried - naturally - into a well-kempt super-sleek style and remained frizz-free, all of its own accord - even following all-too-generous London rain showers and high humidity.
Three months on, in London's delightfully cold November (brrr! - rarely far from the threat of rain) an element of frizz has begun to creep-back into our heroine's locks. Time to own-up and reveal (in case you hadn't guessed!) that the 'heroine' is me - so that I can sensibly sum-up the virtues of the treatment...
It's been great having to do very little styling and being able to cast-aside the straighteners - for the past few months, on all but a couple of occasions. Although it initially appears quite a pricey endeavour - starting at £130 for short hair - if you divide the cost, by the time it lasts, it makes sounder economical sense. Not only does it save styling time (and stress), but, for someone who visits a hair-stylist often, the savings could be considerable. It's particularly worthwhile for hair with a medium-to-thick texture that's hard-work, unruly, exasperatingly frizz-prone or time-consuming to style, but it could be a little too flattening on finer hair. When you're going on a sunshine holiday (ah!, if only...) and want to look effortlessly sleek, it could be just what you need for an effort-free vacation.
2 comments:
Arlene, it’s indeed all the wonders of the world, when succeeding at straightening curly curls! Mine isn’t too awfully curly, just nicely so, but I can relate to it especially when it rains! Good for you! You’ve found a means to an end. Also, scarves are very stylish. My heritage, with the family name of Holmes, stems from England, although I’ve not visited. But I imagine it rains a great deal in England, more than in Washington State, USA, where I lived for fourteen years. So I can understand why having your locks straightened, without frizz, is so nice. It sounds like communications and media certainly keeps you on the go. I once owned a business dealing in teaching the art of effective communication. It’s so important in life, especially one’s career. I now have a first novel, “Mommy’s Writings: Mommy, would you like a sandwich?” entering into the Marketplace early 2011. Its genre is given as Christian biography and it’s a true story. While it’s a story in forgiveness, it also provides the reader a different perspective on life. Chances are it will change ones out look on life. It’s a first book in a Mommy’s series, which prayerfully inspires the love of God and uplifts the human spirit. Perhaps, you’ll read the novel and it will be considered by you as a “possible” good read. I love the voice and music of Andrea Bocelli, but the Rolling Stones are also good. I liked your post, as it’s sincerely told for those of us who deal with the never ending persistence of curly hair.
Suzanne McMillen-Fallon, Published Author (early 2011)
www.strategicpublishinggroup.com/title/Mommy’sWritings.html (currently not active)
Hi Suzanne, nice to meet you and thanks for your comment! Ah, London rain - a little too incessant for my liking - puts a limit on the amount of outdoor exercise I feel inclined to do... I think curls can be great but I rather wish I had never been introduced to straighteners... (a precursor to damage for me!). Frizz is much more of a nuisance than tumbling wild curls although I had to limit my ramblings for fear they might turn into a full novel.
Your career sounds interesting and inspiring; I agree with you too on Bocelli - he's wonderful!
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