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Pain is Beauty

The media bombards us relentlessly with photos of celebrities looking impossibly flawless; flowing long glossy locks accompanied by a face that is the image of perfection. I have in mind especially Cheryl Cole, Angelina Jolie, Scarlett Johansson, Penelope Cruz, Demi Moore; need I go on. Now I am a firm believer in ‘if she can have it, so can I,’ and thus tip-toeing on my large stepping stones towards looking glamorous, I invested in hair extensions (sighs).

However predictably common this choice is, instant length is an option too easy to refuse, especially as my hair appears to actually get shorter only when I’m attempting to grow it. There are a variety of methods to attach fake hair to your own such as weave, glue and bonds as well as different types of hair like Synthetic, Asian or European. Never go for Synthetic hair, it will look like you have plastic stuck to your head (that’s because you do) and will never resemble those star’s perfect dos. I recommend 100% European human hair, making sure it is a perfect match to your original colour. So, with my pre-packed hair in hand, I head off to the Afro-Caribbean salon to get my hair weaved in. I opted for the weave due to one of my friend’s experiences with glue; it ripped her own hair out and after a while became sticky and unmanageable. Therefore, the weave (in which your own hair is plaited across your crown in various rows and the weft of hair is then sewn along the plait) seems more hair friendly as no adhesive is applied.

Having been informed it would not hurt, I feel greatly disheartened at now constantly scratching my head where the hair has been attached. My god, it is so fucking annoying. At first, my whole head felt ridiculously tight and I couldn’t lie on my back to sleep as I was so uncomfortable at feeling the six rows of plaits digging into my head. Now, it is just a continual light irritation. Not to mention the extra hour I have to spend to style it, and the extra dosh I spent to have the hair cut and blended into my own so that I did not look like a weird hashed version of cousin IT. With all this in mind then, I am left wondering if they are really worth it. I have been informed by various unreliable sources (such as the hairdresser who cut my hair, the best friend who convinced me to get them done and the ex boyfriend) that I look so much better with longer hair, but yet I am strangely conscious that I no longer look individual, and instead blend in with all the other girls who length-cheated like me. But then, it seems that as the majority of women also wish to look fabulous, it follows everyone begins to look the same.

So, the main thought niggling at the back of my tightly plaited and sore head, is whether the pain is worth the beauty. Admittedly, it’s a tough call. When I catch a glimpse of my reflection in a shop window as I run to catch my train, I am more than happy with what I see. Thus I am going to go with yes, they are worth it, but that is probably because I have actually bothered today to straighten and style my hair. I’m sure tomorrow morning when I’m running late for work and have extra long bed hair to contend with, I will change my mind.

Nicola Louise Watson

20/12/08