Years ago I went to Mallorca and figured- it’s been since I left corporate America (about 1.5 yrs) since I had a trim…I’ll get one! Well the stylist used a flat iron after the trim and left it at ‘5,000-degrees-Fahrenheit-heat-for-Mediterranean-hair’ temperature. All was fine, until I washed it the next day and parts of my blonde hair crinkled up like an afro.
Burned. Off. Traumatized.
I thought I had learned my lesson, until I came to Miami last year. I thought, maybe a little balayage of color would be fun- brighten things up a bit. I found a celebrity hair colorist to Elle Macpherson- like… Yeahhhh! Called and she had literally had a cancellation that morning.
It was an experience, to say the least, which ended with 2 people TRYING brush the knots out of my newly dried, bleached, and fried hair for 45 MINS. Needless to say, when I went to wash it, the same things happened- burnt to a crispy crinkle.
The old me would have said, meh, let’s cut a bob and go with it. But I found that I’m attached. So I started thinking about, what is the human relationship or connection with hair?
Like when you break up with someone, or ‘just want a fresh start’…. Why do we cut our hair?
After all, we are the only mammals who’s head of hair grows longer than the rest of our body hair… that’s weird/interesting…
Growing up I saw 2 sides to hair cuts: there were the times when you cut your hair or dyed it after a breakup; then there was Poncho, our family’s helper around the house - who would only have his mother cut his hair when he went home to see her.
So I’ve discovered a few philosophies about hair, how to care for it, and when to cut it that you might find interesting:
Native American Indians
Although their specific beliefs about hair vary from tribe to tribe, a few common themes are that hair is an extension of your nervous system, and by having long hair you have access to subtle extrasensory perception. You’ve heard before that hair is like an antennae, and it can give you a sort of ‘spidey sense’.
They refer to their bun, as a: tsiiyéél. And knot it in the most beautiful ways- I wish I knew how to do this!!!
Alos, the Navajo tribe, near my hometown of Phoenix, believe that keeping your hair close to your head kept your thoughts close to your brain, and it holds your spirit and your knowledge. Check out this video that John Freida did! LOVING the Well for Culture initiative- LOVING Chelsey Luger! LOVING that this is a way to share all of their traditions, beliefs, and age-old medicines.
Sunrays made his hair string to tie his hair at the nape of his neck in a ponytail fashion bringing his thoughts together to focus.
Later, when he emerged into the White World, he used the hair tie and tied his hair in a bun, tsiiyéél, realizing a need to gather his thoughts, plans, and to be more focused to resolve the issues of the white world.” - for more check this link out!
5 hair remedies from the Native American culture:
- Aloe Vera - moisturizer and protection
- Saw Palmetto - so much, hair strengthener, dandruff and balding relief
- Stinging Nettle - prevents baldness, and provides K, B, and C vitamins, amino acids, and iron
- Braids help to protect the hair and prevent you from touching and messing with it.
- Rosemary- increases blood circulation to the scalp, and can reduce early graying.
Devout Kundalini/yogi practitioners
Believe something similar, it is like antennae and provides a balance between absorbing the suns energy and balancing your electromagnetic field around your body. However the specific purpose is to raise the Kundalini life force/creative energy.
So, there IS a reason for the top knot Man Bun AKA the Rishi knot
So basically my Hairy Vibe findings are:
- Rishi knot in the day to increase energy
- Braid your hair at night to tap into the lunar energy and ‘reset’ your electromagnetic vibes
- Split ends? Apply sweet almond oil to those lil guys.