Return to Franck Provost at Les Galeries Lafayette

  Amy and me 
  Originally uploaded by dynamist.

I hadn't had a haircut (or colour) since July, so thought it was about time to sort myself out. Yesterday, I went back to Franck Provost at Les Galeries Lafayette in Paris, one of the gigantic department store's two salons, to get my hair did.

Stupidly, I had no idea what I wanted, except that I wanted it to be shorter; having grown out to jaw-length, I was finding my hair took an annoyingly long time to dry and style. God knows how I coped with having shoulder blade-length hair until a few months ago. Maybe it's getting older and more relaxed (my fiancé is busting a gut laughing at THAT suggestion, knowing me as well as he does), but I was pretty happy to let the stylist take the reins and do whatever he wanted.

As for the colour, I wanted something dark and chocolate-y. Nathalie, the colourist, helped me pick a good colour that had some added dimension to it, so I could avoid the monotone helmet look. She yanked the hell out of my hair and scalp when she was putting the colour on, but was otherwise good.

Gregory, the stylist, spoke perfect English, which gave me a break from trying to remember the French words for 'dark' and 'heavy' and 'flat'. I abhor flatness in my hair, and it's my biggest bugbear. "Well, you have long layers," Gregory said, holding up Exhibit A. "Of course it's going to be flat." So, short layers it was.

I did think my hair looked flat about an hour after leaving the salon, but my version of flat may not match most people's. I have a massive head, and if my hair doesn't have volume, I look like a super-pinhead. Anyway, post-haircut, I hung out with a good friend of mine and Hill's, Advice Goddess Amy Alkon, who took the picture above (and owns its copyright). We sat outside a café in St Germain and watched the world - and its fashion choices - go by.

Verdict: I like the look (especially since I've washed and styled it myself today, using lots of volumising products and drying it upside down). I like how quick and easy it is. But having hair in my face is driving me up the wall. I'm tucking it behind my ears as much as possible, but the little wisps that don't quite make it are quite irritating to me. Suggestions to combat this - or to help me start loving/not noticing it - would be welcome.

Comments

[Liz]

A wee bit of hairspray on the fingers when you brush the wispy bits back helps a lot. I've given up on hairdressers (can't find one I trust enough to pay!) and started doing my own hair again, something I haven't done in years.

You look great in that photo, btw, very happy.

[greeneyes]

Any chances you'll post another picture where we can see the full cut? It looks cute! Love to see how it looks when you do it yourself.

[Jackie Danicki]

Yeah, I will do during daylight hours ASAP.

[michel]

I'm wondering if you're wearing foundation because your skin looks gorgeous. Is your skin really this naturally even?

[Jackie Danicki]

Oh, gosh. I am wearing Tarte Smooth Operator in Veil, on top of Laura Mercier Foundation Primer, with some Laura Mercier Secret Camouflage around my nose, under my eyes, and under the corners of my mouth (where I can be shadowy). I used Pout Flush Blush in Flushed Pink on my cheeks. Yves Saint Laurent Rouge Personnel in 'Sensual Fig' (no 17) makes a big difference, I am sure.

[michel]

It looks so completely natural! You must have good texture to begin with. I just saw QVC pushing the Smashbox foundation primer and it was intriguing. I've never tried one, maybe I should. I'm curious what your thoughts are on mineral powders as foundation.

[Jeanne]

You look lovely!