Yesterday I went with my daughter Alicia and her family to get a haircut. My granddaughters are four and six years old and sometimes I go with them to make sure the girls stay out of trouble while their mom gets a haircut.
Also, the cosmetology school we attend, International Academy of Hair Design, is one of my PR clients.
I like to visit the school and talk to students, instructors, and customers to see what exciting new things are happening. Additionally, the school is located at Fiesta Mall in Mesa, AZ. Just below the school is an inner courtyard. This is a favorite place for girls to play, especially in the summer when it’s too hot for outdoor fun.
My oldest granddaughter, Rosannah, has long hair. She grows up quickly, but every once in a while she experiences the typical childhood hair disaster: her chewing gum on her golden locks or a misguided attempt at playing unlicensed hairstylist. Fortunately, she likes to go to the award-winning beauty school and often asks me about the staff and students there. She recently modeled for school when the KPNX producer asked for a segment on “Princess Hair Creation.” Now Rosannah feels like she is “one of the girls.”
Rosannah is kind and observant. She is generous with her compliments and is the first to notice when she gets a new manicure or pedicure. Due to her love of beauty adornments, I have become a bit more adventurous in my taste. Instead of going the traditional route (pink polish or French tips), I have IAHD cosmetology students add sparkly pizzazz to my nails. My only question is why did I wait so long? Life is too short to deny me some shine.
Unfortunately, Briannah, my youngest granddaughter, is more skeptical about the whole beauty process. Her hair grows slower than her sister’s. She didn’t even need a haircut until this year. When it became necessary to cut her hair (and not just a short bang cut), she wasn’t too excited about the prospect. She suggests skipping the ordeal and spending more time in the children’s play area. On one occasion she vehemently refused to cooperate. Rather than take any chances, the instructor suggested that we not force the issue.
However, this time our trip to school manifested different results. Briannah was not only willing to comb and cut her hair, but she was also okay with shampooing her hair. Mother and daughters lined up at bowls of shampoo for hair cleansing and a scalp massage.
This made me wonder, “Why do women and girls enjoy going to the hairdresser?” Of course there is the obvious, to look better. This is not a small thing. When we look better, we feel better. When we feel better, we smile more and interact more socially with people we meet. Create a happy and harmonious cycle.
But it goes deeper. A good barber (or cosmetology student) listens. He really listens. They pay attention to his vision of how he wants to look and do their best to make his dream of beauty come true. My 4 year old grandson is a good example.
Briannah is a talkative girl. Her hairstylist, her cosmetology student, Rosalinda, asked her head of preschool about her life. I didn’t hear the entire conversation, but as I watched from across the room, I could see my youngest granddaughter engaged in conversation. I’m sure she told Rosalinda about her Christmas presents, her pets, and even her preschool. As Briannah spoke, I could see Rosalinda smile and listen intently. I’m sure the cosmetology student complimented my favorite four-year-old daughter on her hair and beauty.
Briannah may only be four years old, but she was experiencing something many of us long for: to be truly heard. The preschooler went in for a new style, but she came out with more. A true test was in the final product. In addition to the haircut, Briannah had requested a braid. The girl’s hair isn’t long enough for a traditional braid, so Rosalinda created a halo-like braid around the back of Briannah’s head. This wasn’t Alicia’s vision for her daughter (although she didn’t object to the idea), it was Briannah’s idea. Rosalinda listened and, like Captain Jean Luc Picard from Star Trek The Next Generation, she proved that she could “make it so” and she did. Needless to say, Briannah was absolutely delighted with the results.
When everyone was combed and groomed (including Dad Greg), the family went to a rock and mineral show at nearby Mesa Community College. I could see that both of my grandchildren were satisfied with their new “look” and felt more confident. As they approached one of the rock stalls, they chatted with one of the vendors. I’m sure the cute little girls were an enjoyable sight compared to old men like me who usually attend these events. Before we left, the vendor gave each girl a free bag full of stones and explained what each one was.
“I go to preschool and these will be great for show and tell,” exclaimed Briannah. Her enthusiasm earned her and her sister a couple more stones. Later, Briannah would tell me that these rocks would be part of her “her collection.” Although I can’t prove it, I think Briannah’s trip to the International Hair Design Academy at Fiesta Mall boosted her self-esteem. Rosalinda treated her with respect and kindness (as did Digna, who attended to Rosannah’s needs) and the cosmetology students who were assigned to Alicia and Greg. Together, all of the prospective cosmetologists created a warm and caring environment, and my daughter’s family was pleased with the experience.
However, a visit to a cosmetology school may not be for everyone. One drawback (although it can also be perceived as an advantage depending on your perspective) is that cosmetology students take their time. Speed will come with experience, but as they learn their craft they are motivated by quality, not quantity. That said, they don’t operate in a vacuum. All students act under the supervision of a licensed instructor to ensure quality and safety.
One thing I learned from my experience was about mutual goals. Customers come for a service. Whether it’s a cut, hair extension, relaxer, perm, color, or nail service, everyone has a mental image of what they want to look like. The cosmetology student also has a goal and a vision. He or she wants to complete their education and launch into a fulfilling career helping people look and feel great. When you combine these two purposes, you have a bonding experience where everyone’s beauty-related wishes can come true. How amazing is that?
So what is the conclusion of this story? It’s not about our hair, it’s about our ears. If we can focus on talking less and learn to listen with an open mind and heart, there is no limit to the beauty we can create in our lives.
