Fashion + Beauty

Monday, December 7, 2009

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Do you prep before a beauty appointment?

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Why is it when it comes time for a trip to our dentist/nail salon/hair stylist/waxer we suddenly become embarrassed for neglecting ourselves? According to a recent New York Times article, spa employees  say clients constantly apologize during treatments for their corns, blisters, ingrown toenails, cracked heels, hairy toes and chipped polish. Upon reading this, I immediately remembered feeling embarrassed and apologizing on a recent trip to my bikini waxer--I had gone a little longer than usual and when sitting up on the doctor-style bench under bright lights I felt extra self-conscious. "Well that's why you're here," the polite waxing lady said with a smile. But I still shunned myself.

I somehow always manage to go out the night before a haircut and come home horrified at how dirty my hair looks or pick up a faint odor of second-hand smoke. Even though I know my stylist will shampoo before cutting, I'll wash my hair, blow it out and flat-iron to the best of my ability, just for the hopes of getting a "wow, you've been taking such nice care of your hair" comment from the hairdresser. Why do I seek their approval? I'm not quite sure, but I think the few times previous stylists have uttered something about split ends or dullness have instilled fear.

Likewise, what is the first thing I do after making a dentists appointment? Reach for the floss. Every time I go to the dentist they complain about tarter build up, so the last time I had to go in for my regular cleaning I started flossing twice a day for a week in advance. When the dentist complimented my healthy gums, I gave myself a proverbial pat on the back. Yes, I tricked him!

This silly behavior of mine goes so far as to take the time to remove my own chipping nail polish before getting a manicure. Polish removal is included in the manicure fee, but I can't have the technicians laughing at my shoddy tips! No way!

Do you ever prep before an appointment, or am I the only one worried about looking flawed in front of these people?
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From the Community…

Comments 1-10 of 37
  • Colleen P's Avatar
    Posted by Colleen P Fri Aug 7, 2009 4:20pm PDT

    Haha! You're so right! I always do stuff like that!

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  • VictoriaR's Avatar
    Posted by VictoriaR Fri Aug 7, 2009 4:25pm PDT

    this article has to be a joke. you care that much about what people think?

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  • Katrina's Avatar
    Posted by Katrina Fri Aug 7, 2009 5:19pm PDT

    I don't go to extremes like you, but I try to be polite, like washing/combing my hair before a cut, or just plainy taking a shower.

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  • snowbunny1222's Avatar
    Posted by snowbunny1222 Fri Aug 7, 2009 5:39pm PDT

    Hahahaa! I did the same thing before my dentist appointment, and received kudos on my good habits. :)

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  • GirlyGirl©'s Avatar
    Posted by GirlyGirl© Fri Aug 7, 2009 5:50pm PDT

    No, not really. I always shower, clean my nails, and wash my hair, brush my teeth. Nothing out of the ordinary.

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  • Kathy's Avatar
    Posted by Kathy Fri Aug 7, 2009 5:56pm PDT

    I just pull my hair up into a ponytail before heading to the hair salon. They wash it there. Then I wash it again in the shower when I get home, to get the loose hair cuttings out of my hair and off my neck. I can't see washing my hair 3 times in one day!

    Now for the dentist, I always use mouthwash before an appointment. I don't want anyone getting that close to my mouth if I have bad breath!

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  • Lucky's Avatar
    Posted by Lucky Fri Aug 7, 2009 6:39pm PDT

    I found that if I look really great when I go to the hair stylist I leave looking super great. Nail salon I only go every six weeks but, yeah, I work on my heels the night before a little more than usual. But I'm in sync with girlygirl.

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  • Phoenix's Avatar
    Posted by Phoenix Fri Aug 7, 2009 7:09pm PDT

    I definitely prep for some things (bad breath for the dentist, extra attention to the downstairs for the wax, etc...) but I seem to be the only one here who has to make a point to get a haircut unwashed. If I wash my hair too often, it dries out and frizzes. Even with the best Shampoo, Conditioner, Finishing Product, etc... The only thing that keeps my hair smooth and healthy-looking is its own natural oils. If I do have to shower before hand, they just cut it, not wash it. If I'm somewhere in my usual 18-24 hours between washings, and I get it washed and cut wet, it really makes my hair silky, soft and frizz-free.

    Manicures and pedicures, no prep. My hands are washed constantly, so cleanliness isn't an issue, and I don't care about old nail polish. That's what I'm paying them for. : )

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  • Heidi's Avatar
    Posted by Heidi Fri Aug 7, 2009 7:49pm PDT

    I am a stylist and people come in all the time after just having washed and/or styled their own hair. There's really no point, we're just going to wash it anyway. And people apologize profusely-- "sorry my hair is so dirty" and "sorry my hair is so tangly". Really, we don't care. As long as you've washed your hair sometime in the last week, it's fine.

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  • mememe's Avatar
    Posted by mememe Fri Aug 7, 2009 8:47pm PDT

    I can't imagine prepping before any kind of treatment. I'm not that insecure.

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Comments 1-10 of 37

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