November 8, 2012

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I think it’s pretty safe to say that for many woman, our hair defines us in a way.  Not in a devastating, life altering way, but in the way that it defines our “look”.  When we describe each other, or ourselves, one of the first characteristics we choose to use is the color of our hair.  Or the length, length is super important to some of us.

I still remember the first time I asked for a short hair cut.  I was in 4th grade and I asked for a severe straight angled bob, like the girl I saw in the magazine with the stick straight blonde hair.  My hair ended up looking nothing like the picture because my hair is brown, and thick and prone to waves instead of stick straight.  Now I love my hair and I appreciate it, but back then, when all I wanted to do was look like the cute blonde in the magazine, I didn’t.  I showed up at school the next day and David Good (who consequently still lives with his parents down the street from my parents ha!), called me Butch, and teased me for the rest of the year.

It bothered me for the day, but something didn’t budge within me, and instead of crying and vowing to grow my hair back out, I kept it short for years.  I was the girl with the short brown hair.  The longest I ever let my hair grow was to my shoulders.  I loved it and thought short hair was best for my face.  I experimented with highlights and different shades of chocolate brown tint, but for the most part my color has stayed pretty consistently dark brown, and short.  After Syd was born over 5 years ago, and falling in love with Courtney Cox’s long hair in that short lived show Dirt, I vowed to grow out my hair.  For once in my adult life I wanted long hair.  I wanted to feel sexy, and short hair had stopped feeling sexy to me.  From a just below my ear bob, to the length it is now, is how long it’s grown in the past 5 years.  Waiting can be a bitch I tell ya.

A few months ago I came discovered Taylor Tomasi Hill, the gorgeous and chic Vogue editor, and I developed a girl crush.  I showed her picture to my stylist and he said no way.  But I persisted and told him over and over that I wanted a change.  I wanted long hair, AND I wanted to be a red head!  As many of you I know can relate, after Hayden was born, the itch for change didn’t subside but only intensified.  When I went in a few weeks back for a cut and color, and he told he wasn’t going to have time to make me a red head in my 2 hour slot, I almost cried.  Sounds so silly, but you know when you’re filled with hormones and you have your heart set on something, derailments can leave you feeling more than slightly disappointed.  So before I left I booked an appointment to come back so he could turn me into a red head.

Five hours later, yes, five hours(!), yesterday I became a red head.  It’s not as bright as I had wanted, definitely not Taylor Tomasi Hill red, and it’s still reading auburn to me, but he promises it will lighten up, especially since about half of my hair was bleached out first, so those parts will especially brighten up after washing.  If it’s still not bright enough in a couple of weeks, I can go back for a lift.  This morning Art took a few pictures of me and seeing my face in my new head of hair is a bit startling.  It is not an exaggeration that it has completely changed the look of my skin color, and it’s tone.  I am going to need to reevaluate my makeup choices I think.  And I can tell I don’t yet feel quite comfortable in my new head just by the way I’m smiling.  A bit awkward still.  For the most part I love it and am happy for the change, but like with any big physical changes, it’s going to take some getting used to.  I’m not going to ask you all what you think because I’m not ready for the answers ha!  But I think I’ll end up really enjoying it for a bit.  I definitely plan to go back to my brunette hair eventually, probably come Spring, but for now it’s fun to have a change.  I think I’ll really like it up in a bun and pulled back into a braid.  So does your hair “define” you?  And do you change the color and style of it often, or do you stick with what works for you?  Oh, and I’d love any recommendations for a good shampoo to help keep the red.  I’ve heard from everyone that red is the fastest to fade and hardest to take care of.  Any tips would be appreciated!  And one last thing (sorry!), anyone have a good flesh tone or natural color lipstick that they recommend?  I bought MAC’s Ruby Woo last night (as pictured) and I love it, but can’t really be sporting the bright red matte lips for Kindergarten pick up.  I’d like something a bit more natural and good for everyday wear for red hair.  Thanks in advance!