When I was younger, I treasured the time I spent with my mother. Every morning, I assisted her with her hair before heading off to my hockey game. As Tony Orlando and Dawn played softly on the radio, my father would call for me to hurry up. My mother was always impeccably presented, with her perfectly styled hair and her distinctive red lipstick.
We would sit in her bedroom, surrounded by elegant wallpaper and her extensive perfume collection. She would entrust me to transform her hair into a stunning masterpiece. Little did I know, the adventures I had with her product were only the beginning of my affinity for styling hair.
As I carefully styled her hair, I would contemplate the trials and experiments I wanted to undertake. Little did I know, the product I was so carefully applying to her hair had a fascinating history. Years later, I discovered that hairspray, originating from an aerosol spray developed by the U.S. Department of Agriculture, was initially used to protect soldiers during World War II. What had once served a practical purpose had transformed into a staple of the beauty industry.
Despite my full dedication to perfecting her hair, I was never as enthusiastic about my Saturday morning hockey games. However, my father was a cheerleader from the sidelines, and my mother was always there, looking effortlessly elegant with her hair held in place by my handy work.
Eventually, my hockey career ended abruptly due to a knee injury, sparing me from having to endure it any longer. Nevertheless, my parents still held high expectations for my hairdressing skills. Looking back, I realized that my love for hair and makeup was ingrained in me all along.
Years later, my 86-year-old father visited me in South Beach, Florida. There, he made a teasing remark about my proficiency with hairspray. It was then that I hinted to my father about my struggles with gender identity as a child. He simply smiled and acknowledged that he had noticed my ‘special’ qualities all along.
Reflecting on my childhood memories, I now understand the significance of those moments spent in my mother’s hair salon. Those precious times unknowingly foreshadowed my talent and passion for styling hair. And to this day, I am still captivated by the art of hairdressing.