splurging on brushes...

One of the items I lost when my carry on bag was left behind was my hairbrush--a Mason Pearson brush I had bought at Nordstrom several years ago.  I really liked that brush, and it was expensive--Mason Pearson makes perhaps the most expensive hairbrushes on the market.  But they're supposed to last a lifetime if you take care of them properly.  Losing a brush doesn't constitute proper care.  So I set about replacing the brush (and the yoga books--but not camera or headphones--at least not yet).  Turns out Nordstrom no longer sells Mason Pearson brushes, and I couldn't find any other brick and mortar store that did.  So I started researching brushes, and found that Mason Pearson still gets high marks, overall.  I also learned that, at least according to one web site, a combination of boar and nylon bristles is best. (I would have gone full boar if I hadn't checked).  Then I had to decide which size--the Popular or the Junior.  I had no idea what size my old brush was, so after some deliberation I went with the larger "Popular".  Still not sure--I probably could have gotten away with the "junior".  But while I was at it, I decided to buy two of their combs--detangling and rake combs.  Not sure why I did this--guess I was swayed by the "hand made" designation and some of the reviews.

My hair is (still) thick, I'm trying to grow it longer, and it tangles easily.  So I decided I wanted products that hopefully won't pull out a lot of hair.  So many women my age opt for shorter styles--I've decided to go long--makes me feel younger.  And who knows how long I'll have thick hair--might as well have a last fling.  I'm trying to see how long I can go without seeing my hair stylist--I started going once every 4 weeks, when my bangs would start to get too long, but she was cutting everything short.  One time she wasn't there when I went (a scheduling mix-up), so someone else cut my hair and suggested that I go for a longer look.  Maybe that's what gave me the idea.  I trim my own bangs to keep from going to the salon, but at some point I'll need to go to trim and layer the top a bit.  The last time I went was in mid-December, to have highlights done.  I could tell my hairdresser wanted to cut my hair, but I wouldn't let her--I only let her trim my bangs.  She did a good job--she does the whole front, not just the bangs on my face.  I could tell she wanted to do more--kept asking if she could trim this or that.  I let her do a little, but  that was it.  I'm hoping to hold out about another month--I can tell my hair would benefit from the bang trim she does, as well as some light trimming.  It just seems that once hairdressers get going, they can't stop.  I want to make sure my hair is long enough to withstand a trim and still be long.

I look at it this way--what I spent on Mason Pearson brush and combs (about $200), I can save by getting my hair cut less frequently.