Life

Marie Louise McConville: Lockdown has made me realise just how important my hairdresser is in my life

Lockdown has made me realise how much I miss the most important person in my life - my hairdresser
Lockdown has made me realise how much I miss the most important person in my life - my hairdresser

It's just as well we are being asked to hide away, sorry, I mean shield, because no-one deserves to see this.

At the beginning of this lockdown in March, it hadn't even occurred to me that this would happen.

Stupidly, I was more concerned about staying safe, keeping those I love safe and trying to mentally prepare myself for the road ahead, however long.

However, as the weeks have gone by, I've realised there is one person who I just can not live without - Nadine, my hairdresser.

Nadine has been doing my hair for over a decade now and it's only now I realise how much I depend on her and need her.

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At the moment, I look just awful.

My hair is washed out, full of split ends, heavy, bulky, different lengths and quite frankly, it is all over the place.

It really is the stuff of nightmares.

And don't even get me started on my roots.

They will soon be meeting my ears for the first time, a meet-and-greet that I never in my wildest dreams thought would ever happen.

And as for my eyebrows.

They are like two bulky, really hairy caterpillar twins, who were separated at birth, who have just been reunited and become one, forming a really ugly monobrow and there is not enough tweezing in the world to fix it.

I need a professional - I need my Nadine.

I'm at the point now where I should probably carry a bell with me when I go for my walk or to the shop to warn people to stay away and shield themselves from the heinous sight.

The only thing comforting me is that I am clearly not the only one.

All around the world, celebs have had to take matters into their owns hands because they are separated from their glam-squad.

Loose Women panellist Janet Street-Porter attempted to cut her own fringe as did US singer Miley Cyrus, both with less than great results while Tallulah Willis roped her famous dad Bruce into giving her a buzz-cut while in quarantine.

I'm really keeping my fingers crossed it doesn't come to that for me but you never know.

There really is only one thing for it now, Boris must open the hairdressers and soon.

There are women the length and breadth of this country who need their stylists and soon, or life is about getting a whole lot more difficult for everyone.

Come on Boris, we're all getting unruly hair, let us get a cut or life will get even more scary.

Mr Johnson, you have been warned.

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I was delighted to learn this week that broadcaster David Attenborough has been signed up become the nation's new virtual geography teacher as part of the BBC's Bitesize Daily programme.

The naturalist will be teaching kids all about the oceans as well as exploring how we map the world and also helping kids understand why animals look the way they do.

Professor Brian Cox has also signed up to teach kids science topics such as force, the solar system and gravity.

Further details about Bitesize Daily, which is 14 weeks of curriculum based learning, is available on the BBC.

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Week seven of lockdown is calling people and by now, it's fair to say we've done our best to adapt to the new normal.

Despite the soap schedule being up the left and the daily evening walks becoming a bit boring, we are keeping our heads up.

Our kids have proven to be little heroes taking the new way of life in their stride and although they will throw the odd tantrum when the months-of-the-year song becomes all too much, we salute their efforts during this lock-down.

I think we should reward them then with a trip to a theme park - well, virtually at least,

If you have ever been to Tayto Park in Ashbourne, Co Meath, you will know it is a fun-packed park with loads on offer and just because it's closed at the minute, doesn't mean we can't still enjoy it.

The theme park is running a very active Facebook page giving viewers the chance to see its many fun attractions including its famous Cú Chulainn rollercoaster - you can even take a virtual ride.

From videos of its animal residents to competitions to enter and activity sheets to download, kids will have a ball checking out everything Tayto Park has to offer.

There's even a video of its fantastic World of Raptors show.

Go on, get viewing and plan your trip for when this lockdown is all over.