LOVE YOUR HAIR

It’s almost a lesbian rite of passage to undergo some kind of therapy. If you see a workshop advertised that promises to put you in touch with your feminine mysteries, you can be certain that a) it’s run by lesbians or b) at least one dyke will show up to it. Whether it’s stitching puppets in the shape of vulvas or sitting naked in a circle on the grass with like-minded sisters while your menstrual blood flows back into the earth, singing ‘I am a tower of strength within and without’, we’re suckers for practices that guarantee to release our inner goddess.

Not that any of this is a bad thing, necessarily. After all in a society where we’re told we’re too fat, too thin, not pretty enough, don’t deserve equal pay and opportunities, it’s easy to internalise those negative messages. Spouting positive affirmations to yourself can be very rewarding. Having a bunch of sheilas embrace you while saying nice things to you may make you feel good too, although personally I find group hugs from well-meaning, earnest and often big-bosomed women who know bugger all about me a tad disingenuous (and just a little scary). I will admit to being a bit partial to the occasional singalong to such ditties as ‘I Am Woman’, ‘We All Come from the Goddess’ and ‘Proud Mary’ but draw the line at ‘Kum Bay Ya’.

Of course it’s not just the Sapphic among us who enjoy a spot of self-healing. Take singer Toni Childs, for example. Best known for hits such as ‘Don’t Walk Away’ and ‘I’ve Got to Go Now’, Childs became ill with Graves Disease and all but lost the success she’d worked hard to achieve. Now she’s back with a new album of uplifting songs and her own feminine mysteries product range that encourages us to be kind to ourselves when soaping our bodies and locks.

Take the ‘I Love My Hair’ shampoo and conditioner sets. “I invite you to consciously anoint your hair with love and in your mind’s eye envision your hair soft, shiny and full of body,” the bottle states. “Thank your hair faithfully and I believe you will find the results truly amazing.” If only it were that easy. There’s a longstanding hostility between me and my hair, due to it wilfully forcing itself into a frizzy fringe during my early teens and making my life miserable. Some things are hard to forgive, but I suppose I can give it a try.

Toni’s ‘I Love My Body’ range comprises a body wash and lotion and the directions for use are thus: “As you apply, thank every part of your body for giving you a vehicle to experience life!” Ok ... did that. My vagina said I was welcome. Now it wants a puppet made in its likeness. Jeez, once you open that door to self-improvement, there’s no going back.

- Katrina Fox

Email This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it

Comments (0)

Subscribe to this comment's feed

Title
Comment	smaller | bigger
Name
Email
Website
Write the displayed characters
Subscribe via email (Registered users only) I have read and agree to the Terms of Usage.
	Add Comment