From Pressing Combs to Flat Irons

December 27, 1985 on a Friday night my natural bald fade made it's first appearance into this world. Fast forward to the late eighties, early nineties where Trudy bangs, braids, asymmetrical cuts, box fades and let's not forget jherri curls dominated the hair scene. I recall wearing plats pulled tight with rubber bands and 'ball balls' while watching my cousin in the mirror as he doused his hair with activator singing "Jucy curl. Drip, drip."; spraying on the off beat. "I want my hair like that." I pleaded with my mama as we lounged in the living room one day, older sister brushing my head. The room stopped. "Like what? That?" (Mama points to a model with a curl) Laughter fogged the room as I hung my head and my nappy mess was yet again bound in plats, ball balls and barrettes. They had the hair I wanted so I figured if I got a curl I would have 'good hair' like my mama and sister. After much pleading, mama broke down and pressed my messy tress...never again. Twenty years later and my head just stop throbbing.  Ssssss, pop! Hold still! Sound familiar? I can smell the cocoa butter and grease now. Leap to the millenium, just enrolled in beauty school and by this time my hair has been fried, dyed and laid to the side; enter flat iron. We met one sweet day and never parted since. That first initial glide across an inch wide section of regrowth had me sold when I fooled myself into believing I had a relaxer. If a hint about roller sets or sitting under the dryer is mentioned to my clients today, they respond with the same resistance as a bratty adolescent; no not whining, shrinking in the chair with their arms flailing about but close. 'Flat iron' they exclaim abruptly. You could say heat styling mocks the cunning abilities of Mystique, (sexy blue lady from X-men), with its power to transform an untamed coif into flowing waves, springy spirals or just plain straight. From heated metal on the stove top to ceramic plates lacquered in animal print, the need for heat to ease troubled edges and smooth a tangled mane still runs strong.