The Hairdresser Blues

When my husband and I sat down and made a list of the pros and cons of accepting this job transfer, one of the "cons" was I had to leave my hairdresser behind (needing to find a new dog groomer also made the list.) We laughed about it at the time thinking it was one of those "this really isn't a big deal" items that just made the "con" side a little longer. You know ... ha ha ha ... gotta find a new hairdresser.

Well, ha ha ha, I had no intention of giving up my hairdresser.

For years, I colored my hair myself (gotta love L'Oreal) and just made trips to SuperCuts when I was in need of a trim. But after one too many tearful "she screwed up my bangs" and "she cut it too short" outbursts my husband begged me to find a "real hairdresser". I sort of remember mentioning that "real hairdressers" aren't cheap. He reminded me how much I spend having Rascal and Daisy groomed and said I was worth it too. So I decided he was right. And besides, when your husband tells you you're worth it, you don't argue.

I talked to just about everyone I could think of to find out where to go and who to ask for. After a few mis-steps, I found Jen. My sweet Jen.

She does whatever I ask -- and it works. I leave the salon looking good. I can actually go shopping after a visit with Jen because she not only cuts my hair, she styles it too. And I don't end up feeling like I need to go home and re-do it before I can go anywhere because it doesn't look like me. She makes "me" look better than "me." I love my sweet Jen.

She even takes my "I'm having a hair crisis" texts and fits me in on her day off just because she's that kind of hairdresser. Yes, really.

So when I say I had no intention of giving up my hairdresser, I wasn't kidding. I had every intention of driving back and forth to Rochester every 4 - 6 weeks to visit the family and to get my hair done. I even planned on bringing the dogs with me and dropping them off with Jessie (our groomer) while I was with Jen.

Well, it's worked so far. But then we went to Rochester last weekend and I realized that there was no way I could turn around and drive back there again this weekend just to get my hair done. I mean really -- that's 12 hours of driving, $80 in gas each way, $30 in tolls, and $$$ for food -- just to get my hair done. Even I had to admit defeat.

The problem is I don't have a clue where to go around here to get my hair done. I haven't met anyone yet that I feel like I can ask for a recommendation (except a woman I stopped at JCPenney's and asked -- she had great hair! And what did she tell me? She colors it herself and just goes to SuperCuts. No, I'm not kidding.)

Where does that leave me? I probably won't make it to Rochester for another 2 -3 weeks. My roots are going to be in desperate need of a touch-up by then. I can live without a trim since I've decided to let my hair grow out a bit in order to go with a different style. Should I just take the plunge and buy a box of L'Oreal for the time being and be a DIY-er until I hear about someone Jen-worthy to do my hair? Do I make a mad dash to Rochester some time next week and avoid the inevitable?

What's a girl to do?

BTW, for what it's worth, my wonderful husband has even agreed to let me show him how to touch up my roots and is willing to do it for me if it will make this whole thing easier for me (and if I promise to let my hair grow out and style it like Courtney Thorne Smith or Julie Bowen ... ) Is he some kind of wonderful or what?

Update: 6/30/10 -- finally decided that I had to take charge and just DO IT! So off I went to the store for a box of L'Oreal ... and this morning I took the plunge and dyed it myself. Just like the old days. And it turned out really nice! I went with a slightly different shade than I have in the past so I'm waiting for hubby to get home and see what he thinks :) (I personally think he'll just be happy the drama is over.)