28 Days of LaShai

Early Thursday morning, I was struggling to get out of bed. I was determined to get to the hair salon for 10am, as I lied in bed battling my comfort. Finally I got up, threw on something warm (and cute obviously)  and hopped in an Uber to go to the hair salon. I arrived at approximately 10:24 and was relieved to make it before 10:30. I walked in feeling proud of myself, however my sense of pride immediately vanished.

All three stylists had someone in their chair.

Three heterosexual men.

I felt bothered. 

My immediate thought was “Why are they here”? 

“So they don’t do cornrows at the barbershop?”

Never in a million years would I think Satan would be able to get into heaven. Not to be dramatic but these were my feelings as I sat on the bench waiting for the next chair to be available annoyed that it being my birthday’s eve won me zero points at the beauty salon. I managed to focus on the positive in spite of the present inconveniences. 

It’s the day before my birthday and today is all about the glam. I’m about to have my hair did, my nails did, eyebrows did,  everything did!!!! 

I’m in the spirit. Because this weekend is all about me. This birthday feels different. It’s a rebirth. A new sense of self. I spent most of last year self reflecting and discovering some ugly truths, and character flaws. Now I’m seeking improvement. 

Back to the glam….

As I sat on the bench gazing at my reflection in the mirror, my OOTD  gave me a relaxed look. I wore my favorite ripped boyfriend jeans that allowed me enough room to wear my thick leggings, my black Ugg slippers gifted by my best friend, and my faux fur oversized coat from H&M. I was the 3 C’s  cozy, comfy, chic but most importantly prepared to spend a couple of hours in the chair. I sat frustrated looking at all three chairs filled with those guys getting cornrows. 

How did they get here for 10a.m?!

I was even more annoyed that I would have to reveal my hair around them. 

Was I feeling insecurity or was this a sense of privacy? 

I had so many thoughts, it must’ve passed the time because my chair was available and the stylist was signaling me to come.

I sat in the chair and we talked about how I wanted the style to look because I’m particular about details. Then the moment came and without a second thought I took my hat off and was ready to get beautified.

Why do we burden ourselves with negative thoughts? How can you fully live in your truth worrying about what other people think?

I sat in the chair thrilled to have someone do my hair for once. I pride myself on being able to do my own hair. I taught myself how to do box braids at 19 and have been doing them on my own since. For my birthday I wanted a specific hairstyle. I was inspired by my childhood idol Moesha, and her braided hair styles. I was getting wet n wavy box braids. I was told the hairstyle would only take 2-3 hours so I thought it would be best to do my hair first and do the rest of the grooming afterwards.

By the time it was the fourth hour I was starting to get antsy.  I noticed other girls who were seated after me being close to finishing. I was tempted to feel the top of my head to determine how much was left but I didn’t. 

By the fifth hour I finished a few chapters in a book I was reading, finished editing content and even took a nap. I was over it. Time went over 3 hours and I was starting to get anxious. It was after 5pm, I still needed to get my nails and eyebrows done.  

And I was now battling with the tears of frustration stinging my eyes. I didn’t understand how the girls who came in later in the day, with longer braids were both finished before my little shoulder length braids. I won the battle against the tears thank God. I didn’t need to attract  that sort of attention on my Birthday’s Eve. But seriously, what  if I didn’t have enough time to do my nails and eyebrows? How did I end up with the world’s slowest braider? Would I be forced to do it on my birthday? On my birthday,!? There’s no time!! Omg my thoughts were destroying me as I sat there in agony.

By 6pm I heard the words “3 braids left” .

God is that you!? I was relieved, like why didn’t you update me this whole time?? Wait, why didn’t I just ask? I took a look in the mirror and immediately hated it. I questioned my color choice, I went for a honey blond which is 27 and a light brown. I don't remember the color number. My second look into the mirror, I started to fall in love. I think my emotions had me misjudged.

I thanked her, paid her and gave her a tip.

Although I wasn’t pleased with how long it took I ingratiatingly commended her for completing the task in a mere 7 hours. As the hours passed I couldn’t help but notice her suffering as she would stretch her neck and massage her knee between braids. It felt nostalgic and reminded me of my mother who would spend Saturday and Sunday nights doing 6 heads of hair. By the last head she stretched and massaged her knee in the same manner.