Andrew Kay: Curl up and dye

Growing up with curls was something of a bore. When everyone else sported fringes, I could not. Mum used to wash my hair and then comb a fringe in when it was wet, keeping it in place with a strip of sticky tape until it was dry. Under the stress of the tape the curls would form a neat row, all facing the same way. It looked hilarious, and only lasted a few minutes before each curl would take on a life of its own.

As a teenager I struggled to keep the curls down but to little effect and finally I gave up and let it do what it had always wanted to do. At school this gave rise to a rumour that I had had a perm and in turn to a new nick-name ‘Kevin Keegan’ (never was a name less appropriate) followed by ‘Crystal Tips’.

“This morning one of my colleagues looked at me and declared that I looked like Sigmund Freud – but with curls”

After that I grew it long, ringlets like Marc Bolan no less, and finally I cut it short myself, like topiary. Over the following years it did what it liked and then for a while it did what my hairdresser friend Ian Habben told it to, which was pretty wild. I loved that.

Now it’s falling out and I had resorted to having it clippered short, dull, predictable cropped hair – well it’s not for me. I’m not one for blending in am I?

This morning one of my colleagues here at atelier L’Atest looked at me and declared that I looked like Sigmund Freud – but with curls. I wasn’t sure how to take it at first but soon realised that this was no bad thing and in part I have someone to thank for this.

I actually really enjoy going to a good hairdresser and having someone take their time taming my tonsure. So when I bumped into Andrew Duffy I was delighted that he expressed an interest in doing something a little more interesting with my locks.

Andrew has now opened a new salon called BaDu in Nile Street so I went along and put my head in his hands, quite literally. And hats off to him – did you see what I did there? – he has tackled it full on.

Three appointments later and I now have a head of hair that once again has some style. He has persuaded me that the curls are worth encouraging, provided me with a means to keep them in check, and in doing so put a big smile on my face.

My hair is thinner than it was, and there is a distinct bald patch at the back, which the short amongst you will not notice. But what is left is now a good shape, under control and rather stylish – if you don’t mind me saying so. I am embracing my inner curly-top and loving it. And it’s all down to Andrew and his business partner Ella Bashford who have taken on my tonsorial challenge. I love going there, it’s small and rather calming and they have the most delightful Tibetan terrier called Deefer who makes me smile – he has problem hair too so I have this image of them clipping and blow-drying him before he makes his appearance at the salon. I just turn up looking my usual dishevelled, Freud-like self and let them do the rest.
BaDu Hair, 3 Nile Street, Brighton BN1 1HW
01273 329371 www.baduhair.co.uk

A quiet aside
It was recently brought to my attention that some readers had been worried about my wellbeing and the changes in my life. There have indeed been changes. I have moved on and I have built a new life for myself once again. Things are fine, I am happy and settled and for this I have to thank those kind people around me, at home and at work, all of whom have given me so much support.

My friends and my family and you my readers are a great comfort and I apologise for keeping things to myself, but I felt it was necessary for my wellbeing – and my wellbeing alone. I think you will find I am fully on form, despite the legs, curly hair and fading sight. Thank you all from the bottom of my heart.

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