Features writer Natalie Pool was recently given the opportunity to flaunt long hair for the first time in her life, thanks to extensions from Great Lengths®. www.greatlengths.co.za

To read find out more about the process and Natalie’s hair-raising story, look out for the On Trial section in our April issue, on sale March 16.

WEEK 3

As week three approaches I realise it’s time to visit Delia from Great Lengths to assess my new hair (yes, it requires its own follow up appointments now) so off I go to update her on my new life as blonde bombshell. I’m slightly embarrassed that it looks like I’ve just rolled out of bed (which is in fact the case) but instead of judging, Delia tactfully asks if I’m ready for a change. “Why the hell not,” I think.

A moisturising treatment and a few layers later, she whips out some pink and purple pieces and I decide that a rebellious streak is exactly what I need and a pop of pink is added to my locks. I will call it Avril.

In the meantime Makeover Central has become Gossip Central as two of the leads, Marlee van der Merwe and Carmen Pretorius of the local stage show High School Musical pull in to flaunt their Great Lengths that have been added for the show. Over steaming cups of the best coffee I’ve had in a while, Marlee and Carmen dish the backstage dirt as Delia takes a GHD to my locks for the pin straight treatment. This place could very well be my idea of heaven.

Later that week, the gals and I hit the Greenside strip for tequila shots and irresistible 80s classics. My follicles are looking especially full and bouncy, which as every woman knows, is the key to a confident night out (bad hair day and you may as well stay home with e.tv action movies) and I don’t even mind that Avril clashes with my red dress.

My bravado is taken down a notch when the tall cutie who keeps popping up everywhere I go decides to ruffle my locks and discovers the hard notches where the extensions are bonded onto my own hair. Luckily the tequila shot has given me the ability to laugh it off as he disappears into the crowd (a week later he invites me to the movies where he makes no attempt at any hair ruffling but at least he wasn’t put off).

Somewhere in between it all I remember to go to gym and a surge of joy runs through me when I notice my ponytail swinging from side to side as I take a leisurely jog on the treadmill. The moment actually increases my heart rate.