oeike Straessle (26) of Auckland was offered nearly $700 for her extra-long hair but only a marriage crisis made her seriously consider the chop
“‘Sorry, we’re booked,’ said the third hairdresser in a row, slamming her appointment book closed.
“I’d been searching all over Auckland to find a stylist for my wedding day. The places I visited seemed happy to take me, until I undid my bun and revealed my very long hair. When I finally found a hairdresser to take on the challenge, it took four intense hours to go from boring to bridal but it was well worth it.
“When I married my partner Mike Straessle I felt like a beautiful princess and it was a day I’ll never forget. It was never a conscious decision to grow my hair really long. I cut it once when I was 12 and instantly regretted my decision.
“over the years, my hair has fascinated people and I’ve even received an offer of $700 from a stranger to buy my hair. one day I’ll chop it off, but at the moment my hair helps define who I am.
“However, it’s not easy having it so long. At night I plait it, because there’s been a few times when it’s become stuck under my husband’s sleeping body. I also tie it up when I swim, otherwise it goes everywhere. But I’m lucky my hair is quite fine and not that heavy in a bun.
“I work for a government agency and usually have it in a bun because if it’s plaited, my workmates sneak up behind me with scissors and ask what I’d do if they cut it off. oen think it’s a great joke to ask if I can put my hair into Princess Leia buns and wear a gold bikini. I think you can guess what my reply is!
“I leave my hair to dry naturally, which takes ages. I had highlights once but it went wrong because the hairdressing student used a cap and crochet hook. It seemed okay until she tried to get the cap off and there was so much hair tangled up in it, it took an hour to get it free.
“At times I do fancy funky short hair and it can be boring having such long hair because there’s not a lot you can do with it. But at the moment I like my hair, so it’s staying no matter how troublesome it is or how much cash I’m offered to get the chop.”
Mother and daughter Rapunzels Karina Walker (41) and her daughter Elettra Scia Scia (8) love having lashings of locks, but not when it’s windy.
“As the wind whipped down the street, I could hear someone coughing behind me at the pedestrian crossing. ‘Wonder what his problem is?’ I thought, then tried to cross the road, but was suddenly jerked backwards. When I looked around, I could see a complete stranger choking on a mouthful of my hair and laughing.
“‘oh no, sorry!’ I said, grabbing at my wind-blown hair and trying not to blush. This might seem weird, but when your hair is as long as mine and my daughter Elettra’s, it’s not unusual to snag passersby. I constantly catch my hair in doors and windows, and it even hangs out the car window without me noticing.
“oy mum and my two sisters also had really long hair when I was growing up. Eventually, they chopped their hair but I kept mine because I did ballet and tap dancing. When I had my daughters Saasha (19) and Elettra (8), they also decided not to cut their hair.
“During the cold weather, long hair is great for keeping my back warm. But it’s tough to keep it in good condition.
“I vividly remember sitting in a hair-dresser’s chair for seven hours getting my hair permed. The stylist was really daunted when she saw my hair but soldiered on like a real trooper. I had to smother a giggle while I watched her stand a metre away, diligently rolling my hair up. It looked great and the perm could be seen in my hair for four years, so I got my money’s worth.
“I wash it once a week and it takes six hours to dry. I plait it and tuck it under a pillow every night to avoid tangling. Now that a few grey hairs are creeping in, I’ve started getting it dyed but the bill can be as much as $270.
“Saasha eventually got hers cut off because she suffered from thumping headaches from carrying it around. I brush and plait Elettra’s every morning. Her friends and teachers are always amazed when she wears her hair out at a disco, because it’s right down her back.
“If Elettra wanted to cut her hair, I would let her but I have no desire to cut mine because once it gets the chop, I may struggle to grow it long again.
“It doesn’t matter to me if short hair is the fashion. People know me as someone with long hair and it’s a good conversation starter. Every so often, strangers will give my hair a tug to check if it’s real.
“A few men have made suggestive comments about it, but most people are politely curious. I’ve developed some good arm muscles with all the hair brushing and vacuuming up of stray hairs.
“There’s a lot of work involved in being a Rapunzel, but for me, it’s well worth it.”
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