From Winter 2008
Hair is our most important accessory. When it doesn’t look good, it can ruin an outfit—and your day, frankly. Which is why hairstylists are more than just the men and women who cut our hair. These are often the people who have the most influence on our overall style.
So, of course, we all become very attached to our stylists. I’m no different. The man who kept my hair short and sassy for 16 years—half my life—was an Italian guy named Valentino. He was barely older than I when we first met, and in all that time, I never strayed. Why would I? People have always stopped me to ask, “Who cuts your hair?” I was only too thrilled to tell them. But the trouble started when Valentino left me for Rome. He opened two salons over there, and while he’s also the co-owner of a salon in North Dallas, he’s just not here enough. I waited for him to come back, determined to keep our relationship alive. I even got my hair cut in Italy when I was there on vacation. A couple of months ago, I decided I had to end it. The long-distance relationship was killing me.
I did what all women do when we need a new stylist: I sent an e-mail to all of my fashionable friends at the D Magazine family of publications. Not surprisingly, they flooded my inbox with glowing recommendations. Baffled by the options, I had originally planned to try out several new stylists until I found one I couldn’t live without. After all, this is someone who would probably be in my life longer than any boyfriend. But how to choose? Well, I went with my gut. I called up Avalon Salon in Snider Plaza and booked an appointment with Jason Hull. Not only is he the artistic director for Avalon, but he also went to high school with me. His best friend was my best friend’s boyfriend for a while. I mean, if I couldn’t trust Jason, whom could I trust? (Full disclosure: he’s also married to D Beauty assistant editor Kristin Hull, who, by the way, always looks smashing.)
As with any new relationship, the first date was tricky. Most women are very attached to their hair, so Jason had to tread lightly to see how much I was willing to lose. He explained to me how he planned to trim out some of the bulk and bring the attention back to my eyes, where it belonged. I trusted him. He went for it.
The first cut was pretty darn good. But it wasn’t quite short enough for me. A little reluctantly, I called Jason for another appointment. I didn’t want him to think I didn’t like his cut, but my hair grows like a weed, so I needed the cut to last. He admitted he was being a bit conservative because we were just getting to know each other. He knew it was still too long, too. So, in round two, we both got the cut we wanted.
I just got my third haircut from Jason, who has moved to the new Avalon Salon in Victory Park. I didn’t need to try anyone else. I found the guy for me.
Here’s the moral of this story. It’s pretty awful to break up with your hairstylist—and, Valentino, if you’re reading this, please forgive me—but you can move on. And, if the first cut isn’t as good as you had hoped it would be, you should go back and try again. An excellent stylist, one worth keeping, will work to get it right.
