“I want it really short. Chop it all off!” Mom would say to the lady who worked at the beauty parlor when she went in for her haircut.
Mom had nice wavy hair, but she had no patience for styling it or fussing with it, especially when the weather got hot.
Although I have had my hair longer at times, I am finding that as I get older, I’m returning to the same pixie haircut. This classic cut seems to fit my small frame and face and it’s great for hot summer weather. And one of the best parts of the pixie is that it is super easy to maintain. Just wash, comb it in place, and go. I don’t dye my hair so I don’t have to stress about touch-ups or expose myself to toxic chemicals in order to look good.
Another wonderful thing about a low-maintenance haircut is that I don’t have to use a hair dryer or a lot of styling products to look neat and pulled together. I use olive oil or coconut oil to condition my hair and it works just as well — or better — than any conditioners I have purchased. The oils are natural, so I don’t have to worry about washing chemicals down the drain. And I have those oils in my kitchen anyway, so there are no extra tubes or plastic bottles to dispose of!
I think that the beauty routine that I learned from Mom makes a lot of sense today. A simple, classic style saves lots of time, which is a lifesaver on a busy morning! It also saves money and is kinder to the environment than an elaborate routine that involves styling with an electronic dryer and a lot of hair products and dyes. Those extra products have to be manufactured, shipped, and then the packages will eventually have to be disposed of. Not to mention all of the product that could be washed down the drain when I wash my hair!
So, it’s a simple pixie for me: convenient, cheap, and easy on the planet. I think that it’s a win-win.
 |
About the AuthorJoanna Lacey lives in New York and has collected thousands of ideas from the frugal habits of her mother and grandmother. You can find her on Facebook at Joanna the Green Maven. |