Hair Today, Gone Tomorrow
When I was pregnant I didn’t think my hair was that different. “I guess there’s more of it?” I’d say in the salon chair as it fanned out over my shoulders. (The incomparable Kadi Lee, who is never wrong and does not suffer fools, with a thick fistful of it in the mirror: “Uh, yeah.”) That was the day she let me try her new creation for the first time—the highbrow hippie hair mask!—and oh my god. Delicious-smelling silkifying splendor! Once washed and dried I had Pantene ad hair, all rippling shiny smooth strands, except unlike those ads it was all real and all genuinely mine and not a ton of extensions shellacked with floor wax or whatever they used on tv in the aughts.1 But look, I have that good pregnant hair thing going, I thought. We can’t totally attribute it to the mask. Now, 4 months postpartum, as the great shedding begins (did you know that was a part of this? Along with your body healing and your brain fogging and keeping a new human alive while a passenger on the hormone rollercoaster of human reproduction, all that new hair you grew just…falls out?) I can tell you we can attribute a lot of it to the mask. What remains I owe to the mask.2 The fact that people have not noticed the losses is due to the mask. I worship the mask. All hail the mask. Anyway. Get thee the mask if you too want to be happy and healthily shiny-locked. (No excuses. It works on literally all textures. I’ve seen proof.) You don’t have to be postpartum (though you can be). It gives you the hair of an intimidating mean girl on a CW teen soap3, what my Neverworns pal Liana Satenstein used to call “rich girl hair” back in the day at the Vogue offices.4
And more importantly, good hair is good for morale. We need this right now. The fact that you’re supporting a small independent brand founded and owned by two incredible black women? Hey, we need that too!
I am tiptoeing back into working, which, fun fact, much harder when you have to coordinate with a feeding and nap schedule, let alone the harrowing, horrifying state of the world. In the meantime, I’m making myself feel better with Sézane’s newest drop of exceptionally cute seasonally-appropriate (even here in California, where it was 80 degrees all last week—and if you are a person who lives in a hot place or who shops for resort, hello) knits. This nouvelle vague nod of a maritime collar? (Sold out in most sizes in navy but just as cute in cream.) This shapely knit top that looks way more expensive than it is? Ideal for a work-to-dinner situation with chic, swishy earrings. (Not into tassels? Go for these.) This PERFECT chunky cardigan, flatteringly cropped just so?! I believe that my thoughts on cardigans (necessary, wonderful, subtly sexy) are well known at this point, and if not, my god, just ask me, I can go long on knitwear any day of the week.
I took part in a piece coming out soon about postpartum style, and one thing I said that I really do believe is important is investing in a few things that make you feel good and happy to get dressed RIGHT THIS MINUTE, rather than at some future point when you’ve “bounced back” (treacherous, body-hating bullshit, that). The right knits (comforting! classic! cute!) do that for me.
Other things I have really loved lately: Striking on Friday, because the people have power, and staying offline and far away from ICE-supporting organizations felt really extremely great, actually. Turns out convenience isn’t everything!5 Magnetic Me onesies for baby (silky, stretchy, adorably patterned, and no dreaded zippers or snaps!). Good looking loungewear (now that the Chanel runway has made quarter-zips chic, anything is possible). These crazy cute and very useful baby washcloths and the cult favorite baby balm made by our amazing pediatrician, Dr Max (also a great IG follow for parents and those who just generally want a sane, calm voice to keep abreast of health news). Related: staying healthy during another historic flu season by whatever means necessary (exercise, sunshine, hydrating, social interactions, good nutrition—this collagen-enhanced protein is tops—and the odd potion. I sent Jason to Sundance with a bag full of these to build up his immunity and it was the first year in history I feel like he didn’t come back with a cold. Just saying!). Old John Irving novels (just chewily plotted and optimistic enough and clearly legible through the hormonal battery and brain fog). Indulging in light or otherwise purposefully stupid television (Traitors([!]; a real horror called Members Only on Netflix6 that seems to exist purely to encourage the resurgence of the guillotine; Heated Rivalry; The delightful Fall and Rise of Reggie Dinkins; some new ice skating schmaltz called Finding Her Edge, that kind of thing). Conversely, extremely Good movies. (Sentimental Value! One Battle After Another! The Secret Agent!) Friends who send baby handmedowns. Remembering favorite kids books (why are so many great ones out of print!?).7 Organic Oren meal delivery. Hampton Grocer Lacnola. Táche pistachio lattes. This at-home workout. Niteswim botanical bath salts, because you know what? I’ll take whatever few moments peace I can get. So should you.
More soon.
Love,
ATC
P.S. I have opened the HWG Chat, please use responsibly. (Just kidding, use it however you feel, if you want. I have no idea how it works yet but I would love to hear from you there. Or you can just keep writing me emails, I love those too. <3)
This revelation, about the chicanery on the sets for hair product ads, was as disappointing to me as the reveal that they used glue in cereal ads and hairspray to gloss up burgers, etc., and I’m GLAD they have to put disclaimers now. The deceit!
and the maybe magical supplements, and the tea…but that’s another story.
Complimentary.
Liana, if you’re reading this, I’m going to send you some.
Especially at such high cost. And I don’t mean monetarily.
Did you also watch this? I need to know I’m not the only one.
Please share your favorites, too! I am running out of enthusiasm for “Hello Baby Animal Friends,” which, lets be honest, does not have much of a plot to recommend it…
<3
This is brilliantly written esp the part about fighting postpartum hair loss with something that actually works instead of hoping for 'bouncing back.' Had a similar experince a year ago where I was basically collecting hair from everywhere, and honestly the mindset shift to investing in self-care right now vs some imaginary future was what kept me sane.