We could all use a bit of humor right now, so let’s discuss those unfortunate hair days. Here’s my story.
One of my closest friends is getting married in New York — elegant black tie! — and I thought I’d pamper myself with a blowout. I’m crashing at my aunt’s place, and there’s a Drybar just a block away. I see the low ratings on Google, yet make an appointment anyway. “Don’t stress, it’s like McDonald’s!” I assure my friends. “You choose from a menu, and the result is pretty much the same.”
I’m quite the master of self-deception.
So what if the restroom is grimy and the staff appears thoroughly miserable? From the stained menu, I select the “Cosmo-Tai” — a messy, wavy style that makes you resemble an extra in a teen soap (spot on) — and take off my specs.
The Cosmo-Tai model images from Drybar
The stylist gives my hair a wash, and the water is freezing. “They’re cutting back on energy costs! What a smart idea!” I convince myself. She scorches my hair at the roots with the dryer, assaulting my scalp with the heat of the underworld. “Comfy!” I think.
The curling iron is brought out, and I loosen up and close my eyes. Then I sense my stylist sighing with every curl. Deeply reflective sighs. Sighs filled with sorrow, fatigue, dissatisfaction. I realize that styling my hair isn’t going to brighten her day, and honestly, it shouldn’t. A co-worker strolls by and asks, “When’s your shift end?” then they engage in a brief exchange about wanting to escape the day.
This feeling is all too familiar.
“You have incredibly fine hair,” she laments. “I made it extra curly so it lasts for the wedding.” She spins my chair around for a glimpse. Glasses back on.
In the mirror, an exhibit worthy of a gallery. Asymmetrical curls, tightly wound so that if you tug on them, they bounce back with a cartoonish boing! Others looking cramped, as though they got caught in a door. Frizz bursting from a precarious part suggesting I might have stuck my fingers in an electrical outlet for relief. I ask, somewhat timidly, “Maybe we could tease it out… a little?”
I tip 20% and dash out of there, snapping a quick selfie in the elevator on my way to my aunt’s apartment. “So, that’s what a blowout looks like?” she asks, eyes still glued to her iPad game of Rummikub. “Are you… about to cry?” my partner questions, concerned.
No! I actually feel a rush of joy. A hairstyle so terrible it’s hysterical. I wet my hands at the sink trying to tame the wild beast. Boing! The curls bounce back. I contemplate taking a shower and then reconsider, not feeling that invested. When it’s time to head out for the wedding, I gather my hair into a ponytail, a few curls protruding like tangled wires, and venture uptown.
<pIconic bad haircuts from Seinfeld, The Mindy Project, Fleabag, and PEN15.
I shared my tale, now it’s your turn to share yours.
Alex Beggs is a writer and copywriter residing with her partner in Michigan. Her work has been featured in Bon Appetit, Elle Decor, and The New York Times. She has also contributed to Cup of Jo about meatloaf and cold cake.
P.S. Three CoJ readers will receive hair makeovers, and Jannelle will finally get the haircut of her dreams.
**Share Your Most Challenging Hair Day Experience: A Exploration of Hair Struggles and How to Triumph Over Them**
We’ve all experienced it—standing before the mirror, hairbrush in hand, in disbelief at the tangled, frizzy, or limp disaster that is our hair. Bad hair days are a shared experience, and for many, they can feel like an overwhelming hurdle. Whether caused by the weather, a poor haircut, or just stubborn strands, a difficult hair day can impact your mood and self-esteem. However, like any challenge, there’s always a way to rise above it. In this piece, we’ll delve into some of the most frequent hair day challenges, share personal anecdotes, and provide tips for transforming a bad hair day into a good one.
### Understanding the Elements of a Bad Hair Day
Before we jump into personal tales, let’s analyze what typically triggers a bad hair day. Gaining insight into the root cause can assist you in preventing or managing it more effectively in the future. Here are some frequent offenders:
1. **Humidity**: Humidity is infamous for creating frizz, especially for individuals with curly or wavy hair. When the moisture in the air mingles with your hair, it can cause the strands to swell and become unmanageable.
2. **Product Buildup**: Overusing styling products or neglecting to wash your hair often can lead to a buildup of product. This can weigh your hair down, giving it a greasy, flat, or lifeless appearance.
3. **Heat Damage**: The heavy use of heat styling tools like straighteners, curling irons, or blow dryers can harm your hair, causing split ends, dryness, and breakage.
4. **Bad Haircuts**: Occasionally, a haircut just doesn’t come out as you hoped. Whether it’s too short, uneven, or simply not your aesthetic, a bad haircut can make every day feel like a bad hair day.
5. **Sleep**: Awakening with bedhead is a prevalent problem. Tossing and turning through the night can result in tangles, flatness, or even stubborn cowlicks that are hard to manage in the morning.
### Personal Experiences: The Most Difficult Hair Day Stories
To make this topic more relatable, let’s hear from people who have endured their own hair day catastrophes and how they managed to navigate them.
#### 1. **The Humidity Nightmare**
*“I went to a friend’s outdoor wedding in the heat of summer. I spent hours curling my hair into perfect beach waves, but the second I stepped outside, the humidity slammed into me. Just moments later, my curls morphed into a frizzy, shapeless mess. I tried to salvage it with hairspray, but it only exacerbated the issue. Ultimately, I pulled it all into a messy bun, but I felt self-conscious the entire day.”*
**Solution**: Humidity can be hair’s greatest challenge, particularly for those with curly or wavy locks. To battle frizz, use an anti-humidity hair serum or spray before styling. Additionally, choosing a hairstyle that complements the weather, such as a sleek ponytail or braid, can save you from exasperation.
#### 2. **The Product Overkill**
*“I had a significant presentation at work and wanted my hair to look particularly refined. I used a volumizing mousse, a heat protectant spray, and a shine serum. By the end of my styling, my hair looked oily and heavy. I had no time to wash it, resulting in me going to work feeling like my hair was glued to my scalp.”*
**Solution**: Less is often more regarding hair products. Limit yourself to one or two essential products that target your specific hair concerns. If you happen to overapply, dry shampoo can be a lifesaver, as it absorbs extra oils and adds volume.
#### 3. **The Heat Damage Fiasco**
*“I used to straighten my hair every single day. One day, I noticed that my ends were completely fried, and my hair had lost its shine. It became brittle and started breaking off in chunks. I realized I had used excessive heat without appropriate protection, and it took months of deep conditioning to restore my hair’s health.”*
**Solution**: Heat damage is a common plight for frequent heat tool users. Always apply a heat protectant spray before using heat, and try to restrict your usage to a couple of times a week. Integrating regular deep conditioning treatments can help rehydrate and repair damage.
#### 4. **The Bad Haircut Blues**
*“I just wanted a trim, but the stylist cut off way more than I intended. My hair ended up much shorter than I was comfortable with, leaving me clueless on how to style it…”
