A BOMBSHELL BLOWOUT

Don’t fight with your hairdryer, just call in the professionals

I have a confession to make: I’m terrible at styling my own hair and I hate it. It takes me forever and I would rather do almost anything else, but I force myself to blow-dry it carefully. Then, frustratingly, I’m never quite satisfied with the results. What am I doing wrong? — Naomi, Toronto

Now, you don’t mention this, but are you sublime and a Navy Seal?

If so, I suggest buzzing your hair off in a dramatic scene à la Demi Moore’s nowiconic movie moment. (Her cheekbones being set free from underneath that unnecessary hair is the only redeeming part of G.I. Jane, should you not have seen the film in the 20 years since its theatrical release.) You’re not? Shoot. That would have been an easy fix.

I am not a navy SEAL either, but I can delegate like the gruffest platoon captain because there is one thing we can all learn from military hierarchy: Everyone should be a task-oriented and finely trained specialist.

So, my next question is: Are you a hairdresser? Didn’t think so. Then, why are you carefully styling your own hair?

Early on in my magazine career, I worked with a brilliant editor. She was razor-sharp and as decisive as a sharp shooter. She told me once that she would stop reading my copy if it contained another typo. I loved her. Yet, she constantly apologized for not being adept at styling her own hair, as she apologetically ducked out to get a blow-dry before big events. I never understood her guilt. Would you expect your hairstylist to be able to edit a magazine? Or a Navy Seal to do your hair and correct your punctuation?

Toronto celeb stylist Luis Pacheco, who founded Medulla & Co. salon, is certainly a specialist. So, taking my own advice, I called him to get his take. “When I started out at (society hair dresser) Robert Gage’s salon in Yorkville in the ’90s, we used to call the women who came in for a blow-dry every second day ‘the rich and shampooless,’” he says. “But, in this day and age, we have whole businesses that are geared toward the blow-dry. They are accessible!”

Practically speaking, getting a weekly blowout on a soldier’s salary can be tough. But you hate doing your own hair and I would guess that there are many other expenditures in your budget that you don’t feel as passionately about. Bring your lunch, corporal.

Drop that cab, and gimme 10 blocks of walking instead. “We have an entire team dedicated to the blow-dry at our salon,” Pacheco adds. “They’re more affordable than lead stylists and, for that client who has a standing appointment, you can purchase a package.”

Make your regular appointment on a strategic day of the week to reflect your realistic priorities.

Do you need to impress most at your Monday morning meeting? Book in for 7a.m. (That’s Oh Seven Hundred!) Some salons offer very early morning appointments for regular customers — don’t be afraid to ask. Are you living for the weekend? Then Saturday morning is your time to get sudsed.

To keep your blow-dry going strong without compromising the health of your hair, don’t rely on dry shampoo, cautions Pacheco: “We should keep the scalp clean and breathing.” Instead, avoid touching your hair too much (which makes it greasy), use a silk pillow case and wear your hair in a high ponytail at night.

Your next mission: Use that regular block of time with your stylist to learn about your hair and fine tune an easy at-home regimen for any in-between washes. “There is a whole movement of people who don’t want their hair to look so ‘done.’ They are embracing their natural hair texture and hair type, but the key to making that achievable is becoming more knowledgeable about what product you use and how you use it,” Pacheco says.

“Speak to your stylist! Ask them questions! The right stylist can teach you how to craft a regimen that makes the most of your natural texture for easy at-home washes.”

Got it, corporal? Hurrah. Send your pressing beauty and style questions to Kathryn at ask@thekit.ca.