"Fifty-year-olds are considered young here; all those years, they do hair updos consistently." Just like many young women feel the need to put on full makeup just to take out the trash, for Tianjin aunties, a styled updo is the essential accessory for leaving the house. "If our hair isn't done up, if it's not neat, we won't go out. We won't even go grocery shopping. 'I can't be seen like this.'" "Auntie Zhu," who has over 30 years of hairdressing experience specializing in updos, perfectly captures this unique sense of ritual held by Tianjin aunties.
"Basically, when aunties get their updos, it's generally a combination of curling, teasing, and braiding. The hair can last a week without any problem." "Auntie Zhu" started her career with basic haircuts and perms, but through gradual exploration and practice, she mastered the art of the updo. She can typically complete a style in just half an hour, easily handling any preference or request her customers have. Even for this year's more intricate Year of the Horse hairstyle design, "Auntie Zhu" can finish it quickly with her skilled hands; "Others (in the field) can't even finish shaping it in two and a half hours."
"Auntie Zhu" is an internet influencer now. Encouraged by her customers, she started posting on Douyin and doing live streams. Her live streams have reached over 100,000 concurrent viewers, attracting many young people and big influencers. "Influencers like Miyou and Bao Bao Xiong saw my work online and came to me for updos. The online platforms have brought me so many new friends." "Auntie Zhu" also constantly innovates her styles to cater to younger tastes, making the updos more colorful and creative.
"After I got my hair done, my illness is 99% better." "Auntie Zhu" recalls. This was said by an octogenarian auntie who had just completed a surgery. This phrase perfectly embodies the Tianjin auntie's attitude towards life: finding joy in life, being optimistic despite challenges. "Auntie Zhu" and her friends live by this philosophy, persistently pursuing elegance, embracing life, and discovering their own life philosophy through the art of the updo: "The most important thing is being happy."
(Reporter: Ella Qu; Cameramen: Berhard, Rachel Liu; Video Editor: Ella Qu; Editor: Ashley; English Editor: Ella Qu, Darius)
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