Over Christmas, my mum turned to me to discuss my appearance. Many of you who regularly spend time with your mothers will I’m sure have some version of an exchange where you are looked at with consternation and love and then gingerly emerges a musing pertaining to the way you look. My mother is Austrian, so in her case you can remove the gingerly bit and substitute it for brutal candour. “Your hair Madeleine, it is very long. You want this for your hair? It is everywhere, so much of it!”
Actually, absolutely yes, mum. After years sporting bobs of various lengths when the style was at its zenith and felt fresh and exciting, I like many decided to let things become a little dishevelled during lockdown and was surprised to find that I rather enjoyed looking a little less constructed. Hair accessories which I’d previously placed in my neat hair at careful angles could be thrown into the bird’s nest with abandon. My inner turmoil (lockdown! Brexit! Insanely high utilities bills!) seemed to be represented by my hairstyle, and I was keen on it.
