Video transcript
I've got quite a collection of derelict hair products. I've pretty much tried and tested the lot
from hot air brushes, and tongs, to crimping irons (which probably weren't my best choice) in
an attempt to tame my unruly mane.
My Nana never really had these problems when she was getting ready. Me and my sister
would go to her house on a Saturday when she would look after us while mam was at work.
I always loved watching her get ready. She would wind her hair round lots of spiky rollers
and pin them into place then pull out the leather travel case. She would pop the lid and plug
herself into this futuristic looking device, with its bendy hose and plastic cap. One turn of the
dial and it would kick into action and what a noise it made!
We watched her completely transfixed as the shower cap, with hose attached, inflated on
her head and she would sit for awhile whilst her hair dried and we played. With her hair dried
and set, curly and brown, she was ready for the day and whatever came her way. With jelly
and tip top for breakfast, we accompanied nana to her Tea Dances, wearing her silver
shoes, and long strings of colourful beads
I envied the effortlessness of her routine, it was so far removed from my daily battle to yank
and pull my hair straight and fashion it into some sort of style. So, a few years back I
decided to give up my complicated hair routine and I realised after all those years that I had
spent painstakingly drying my hair and attempting to flatten it that my pursuit of straight and
smooth hair had prevented me from seeing what had always been there! And as my hair
dried naturally, that I have inherited my Nana's curls! So no longer do I struggle with my hair
instead I've embraced the curls and wear it this way almost every day.
My mam still has nana's hairdryer and although the strap is broken on the case now and a
belt is fixed into its place. I’m sure it still works and impressively its outlived all of my
hairdryers which have had a tendency to spectacularly catch fire whilst in use.
I'm sure one day I will master the technique and set my hair just like Nana.
