Ode to Summer by Dennis O'Dell

2321-R Market Street

Camp Hill, Pennsylvania

(717) 991-6359

Dennis O'Dell, Twice First Place International Award Winner

Haircutting Color & Design - The Art and The Craft

An Ode to Summer 10 & 7 Deadly Things You Never Say to Your Hairdresser

As seen in the November 2006 Camp Hill Newsletter!

by Dennis O'Dell

Looking out the window on Market Street, the certainty of Fall's arrival and the end of summer is clear. It reminds of how quickly these warm and bright days seem to pass by, unless of course you're a kid. then time passes much slower, just twenty-four hours can seem an eternity. For the young summer is what seems to be an almost endless season. While watching my fifteen year old son play tennis the other day with a young Bo Derek look alike, I could not help but to remember how Bo Derek's Cornrows and Beads became the must do look for what seemed to be the endless summer of 1979. The Film "10" immediately sky-rocketed Dudley Moore and a stunning Bo Derek to stardom, it was the impetus that sent American women to their hairdressers to have their hair corn-rowed like hers. The story involved a middle-aged song composer/singer (Dudley Moore) who becomes obsessed with a beautiful young woman (Bo Derek), and follows her to Mexico on her honeymoon! Somehow, it doesn't seem all that long ago. I must admit on the right face the Bo look can still score a Perfect Ten. Though I would never recommend corn-rows as it stresses one's hair as much, if not more, then the film itself. I can remember women coming into the salon to be unbraided and taking hours to do so. One woman in particular who, when taking her braids down, said "Dennis, I told my girlfriend, I use you and you always make me happy. Well my girlfriend said, She's going to use you too as soon as she can find the time to squeeze you in." Was this a compliment? I'm still not certain yet the things clients have said to me over the years while doing their hair have been funny, perplexing and sometimes can bring down your energy grid faster then a midnight pay raise on Capital Hill. Which brings me to,

The Seven Deadly Things You Never Say To Your Hairdresser. I'm sure there are dozens more yet this is a good place to start. Drawing on my own experience and those of others I gleaned the following ones.

1) I had to work two jobs in college just to pay for my haircuts with you.

2) The two things that always scare me the most are clowns at the circus and hairdressers.

3) Last time, my hair was too long and it grew out way too quick. This time you need to take a lot more off.

4) I admire the fact that no matter how badly my hair turns out you just keep on going.

5) Don't cut my hair too short, yet I don't want it too long. The last time it came out too straight yet again not too curly please. Especially now that the color is too light so please don't make me too dark this time.

6) I love my haircut but I know it will look better when I blow it out.

7) My girlfriend's hairdresser colored her hair and it's terrible. So, I told her you could fix it and then give her the formula you used to give to her hairdresser.

Interesting Bits: According to a recent survey by Charles Worthington, bad hair days can equal bad days in general. Some 22 percent of women who had a bad hair day went on to have a fight with their husband or boyfriend. Another 18 percent refused to leave their house on a bad hair day. So, as always, forget plastic surgery, Versace, Victoria's Secret, terribly expensive Swiss watches and knuckle busing solitaires. Without the right haircut and color, what does it all matter?

Dennis O'Dell is holder of the coveted International Venus Medallion in Haircutting and is the only hairdresser ever to win its first place position twice. This, along with Dennis' other accomplishments in the beauty industry, has earned him a lifetime listing in the prestigious registry of Who's Who in coiffure. Author and Consultant "Dennis is a sought after professional with a long list of accomplishments" states Maggie Mulhern, Beauty Director of Modern Salon Magazine. He has also served as Director of the International Academy of Haircutting and his work has been showcased in major publications such as Seventeen, Glamour, Elle, Top Model, Modern Salon, Goldwell Publications and the Harrisburg Patriot News. Some of this clients include - Kirsten Page, Emmy nominated former news anchor CBS 21 News PA, Martha Byrne, Singer & Two-Time Emmy Winning Actress who plays Lilly Snyder on As The World Turns.

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To read other articles from the Running With Scissors Series, click below:

Hair Is Wardrobe / Moscow High Fashion Blondes in Black Leather - Where Did Babuska Go? /

Your Hairdresser's Hidden Past / A Man for Change & His Name / 2006 Spring Fashion Forecast

one hairdresser's point of view