Today, October 31st, is Halloween. Samhain. Most hallowed of all spooky days. A day when those on the other side of the veil can cut through with shear will.
On this very day, many more-years-than-she’d-like-to admit-ago, Laura the Hair Diva rooted herself firmly in this world, and the War on Normalcy gained an invaluable champion. This rainbow-spirited, unicorn-loving, sparkle-laden, vivacious, purple-haired, menopausal, tattooed, kindhearted, belly-dancing, wig-coifing, mural-painting, animal loving (human tolerating), warrior woman works tirelessly to bring a little more color to the world – and looks good doing it!
In 1989, one of the best years in history, Laura officially added her talents to the very lucky hair industry. By way of appointment, I entrapped this talented human being in my company for hours on end. Whilst she expertly refreshed my hair to its current blue, yellow, green, pink combo (kindly removing the evidence from my ears with the surprisingly effective antidote), she regaled me, and by association us, with takes on women’s health issues, coffee (aka anti-murder juice), the fast fashion industry, as well as her misadventures with clowns, and her recommendations for local entrepreneurs.
How are you today?
I’m cranky, I’m cranky, I’m cranky, I’m cranky.
I don’t like being cranky, I like being happy because I like what I do and I like the people I work with and I like the people I work on!
This is all part of The Change as her mother would put it, or Menopause as Laura or Dr. Omolayo Famuyide of Winnipeg’s Layo Centre would put it. This dedicated women’s health clinic meets and hilights the need for focus on women’s reproductive health throughout their life cycle. In a world where research on heavy metal tampons is currently coming to light, it is important to have young and brilliant doctors like Famuyide advocating for women’s health.
Nobody warns you how bad it can actually be.
With issues affecting temperature, mood, and even blood pressure, The Change is not a single change but many. Laura urges women to educate themselves on the possible implications and urges us to snip away at social taboos avoiding the topic of women’s health.
Clearing the air is salon all of us.
Side Part: Can’t Sleep, Clowns Will Eat Me
During a sojourn to the Paranornal Circus (she is always going to cool events) Laura’s so-called friend created the lowlight of the evening by encouraging the Twisty-esque clown’s attentions. Fun happy clowns? Yes! But creepy clowns are creepy.
What do you like most about doing hair?
I love the transformational aspects of it. You can do a lot of transformation with a haircut, you can do so much more with color. So, yeah, it’s kind of become my jam, and I love it, and it’s fun, and yeah, if you’re not having fun, don’t do it. You’ve got to have some fun in your job.
There’s a satisfaction when something turns out the way you picture it in your head. This is hairly common at this point in Laura’s career. She’s worked with these colors for long enough she can knows what they’re going to do. Elumenating.
It’s a lot of fun, but it’s certainly not all fun. If you’re not having fun, don’t do it.
Side part: A Hairror Story (PSA)
Your hair is at its most fragile when it is wet. DO NOT tie your hair in a tight wet tail on a regular basis. Your hair dresser will know and will reprimand you for it.
What is the most inspiring liquid?
Surprisingly no one had ever asked her this before! So what liquid does inspire Laura the most?
Mercury.
Why? Because it’s shiny and mind-boggling and does it’s own thing just like her!
“I don’t like the retrograde kind. I like the Freddie kind. But not Freddie. He’s pretty inspiring, but he wasn’t a liquid, though still in the category of Mercury. Mercury – the stuff that is inside thermometers. ”
Side part: Anti-Murder Juice
According to Laura, a South African hair stylist on the Instagram often refers to coffee as anti-murder juice. This sacred bean juice is sometimes all that stands between productive members of society and the unhinged.
“The more you work with people, the more you realize it’s true”
What’s the worst hair you’ve ever had to do?
This gem of a professional did not bat an eye at this question (at least I guess since she was cutting my hair at the time) and gave the incredibly tactful answer of:
“I’ve been asked to do some things that I wasn’t crazy about. But at the end of the day, it’s not about me.”
She reassured me that while she will not refuse a particular request, she will do her best as the expert in the situation to advise her client appropriately. I can vouch for the number of times she warned me before we started coloring my hair that I better be married to color! Her stuff sticks!
Side part: Temuve over
Laura prefers to shop local and support small businesses whenever possible. That’s why she heads to Lilax Studio when she needs new clothes (or recreations of her old favorites). Fast fashion like Shein or cheap products offered by the likes of Zenni and Temu have questionable standards and feed the corporate machine. With these small businesses you support an individual, make a difference in their lives, and at the end of (most) days you have a product of incredible quality! Don’t cut corners!
What do you want to be when you grow up?
“I don’t want to grow up!”
the strong, independent Gen X woman declared immediately, as I predicted she would.
“Don’t grow up, it’s a trap. So no, not planning on doing that any time soon. I am cleverly disguised as a responsible adult and I’m totally okay with that.”
As someone who strongly believes in partaking in fun and mischief where it can be had, bright colors, general silliness, and unicorns, she strictly does not associate herself with the world of “grown ups” who presumably do not condone these things. Instead we compare notes on our “human disguises” we wear out into the world of normals. We’re not well disguised mind you, but we try to moderate our levels of weird to the edge of socially acceptable.
Despite refusing the label of adult, this successful woman owns her own piece of purple paradise here in the city and drives her iconic purple cube car around the city, fulfilling her responsibilities, supporting animal homing programs, and being a general delight. Laura is the kind of adult I want to be when I grow up.
As usual, Laura offered some pressing questions of her own:
What are your thoughts on pineapple on pizza?
Warren took a hard anti-ananas stance, but it isn’t strictly to do with the tile bearing bromeliad itself. Her hot take?:
“I don’t like hot fruit.”
She does not like it on a pizza, she does not like it in a salad, she does not like it even left out on the counter too long. That fruit should just chill out.
We discussed several cuisines. In the myraid hooped venn diagram that is ingredient combinations, her favorites are captured largely by Mexican food. And who can blame her!
Cumin and cilantro and ancho chipotles and just yum yum yum.
Personally, I think that the sweet, tart acidity of pineapple proves a beautiful contrast to salty meat and cheeses typically found on pizza. But I’ll eat just about anything. My recipes prove it – check them out!
If you could not use ketchup on your fries, what would you use?
We firmly agree that mayonnaise is a top contender. Delicious, fatty, creamy goodness.
But for Laura, it’s hot sauce. Not sriracha – she’s never tried it. No surprise – it’s too main stream! Frank’s hot sauce is where it’s at. She puts that shit on everything. “I’m fine with my jalapeno Tabasco. I have friends that make hot sauces. I go to a Mexican restaurant where they make their own hot sauces. I love it.”
“I go to this amazing restaurant on Henderson Highway called J .C.’s Tacos and More. Ooh, they’re so good! And they make their own hot sauces, and they have an avocado hot sauce that I would literally sell my mother for if they wanted her, but they don’t. “
Final Cut:
As my hairdresser, Laura and I have one of my longest term relationships. If you love vibrant colors, supporting your fellow humans, and candid conversations, check out Laura the Hair Diva at her current professional locale Pembina Hair Co. Chop chop!
It will brighten your day!
Love it all. Yeah, I love all those things.