Fashion + Beauty

Thursday, November 26, 2009

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Update: Finally dyed my hair red!

A few weeks ago I wrote a very forceful, lady-empowerment post about changing my hair from easy, safe blond to something more interesting and perhaps even a little wild. I said that though I felt terrified, I knew this fear was kind of stupid and I was finally going to face it, march into the hairdresser's and declare, "Make my hair red! (please.)"

But then the appointment got canceled. And I made another one and I couldn't go. And then no appointments were working out and they were booked until last night and it was all getting REALLY FRUSTRATING. In the two week interim, I had far too much time to obsess over the whole shallow situation and to hear other people's advice and opinions (all of which stoked my panic and really made me want to chicken out). To wit:
"Well it will be next to impossible to go back to blond and you'll probably cry," said my best friend Clayton.
"I think with your hair it will probably turn out like, a pinkish salmon color, which could be good!" offered my friend Phoebe.
"Wait, like red, red? Like Lucille Ball red?" gasped my sister.
But the best came from my friend Chuck who reads this blog and told me, "Well, if you don't do it, that will be false advertising. As a reader, I would be disappointed."

Sigh.

So, last night I did it. I told my incredibly wonderful and patient colorist exactly what I wanted and he explained that it would be complicated, but it could absolutely be done (the process involved 3.5 hours of dyeing, rinsing, toning, highlighting, drying—this was because I was blond on the bottom and brown at the roots). And now, I have to wash my hair less often and use something called "Jazzing" to keep the coppery effect. It's a little labor intensive, but ultimately, I'll save myself serious money on hair coloring. Single process dyeing costs about a third of good highlights. And that is super exciting.

Does it look good? I'll let you guys judge. I'm just really psyched that I actually went through with it.

This is what I was going for:


















This is how it turned out:
Syndication:

From the Community…

Comments 1-10 of 83
  • Angela's Avatar
    Posted by Angela Wed Jan 28, 2009 11:05am PST

    Wow, Jennifer. Congratulations. :)

    I saw this when you were thinking about it, and thought about posting to it, but then thought not to bother. I guess I thought, "Really? Someone's freaking out about this?" But then, everybody has their things that they feel "iffy" about. I have them too.

    To me, hair is not that big of a deal. It's more like a science experiment. I started dying my hair when I was a kid. I've always stayed away from blonde and black, because, well, everyone does that. Right now, my hair is Lucile Ball red with pink and blonde highlights. It's fun. It grows out. It can be redyed. I don't do blue or purple anymore, because I have to stay somewhat in the normal spectrum for work...but I bet you could get away with it. ;)

    I only wash my hair every other day so I don't strip the color. Oddly, I find it usually looks better on the second day.

    Anyway, have fun with your hair! I've always wanted to get some cool wigs too. I already love hats. Why not different hair for different days?

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  • RitaF's Avatar
    Posted by RitaF Wed Jan 28, 2009 11:07am PST

    It looks exactly like Scarlett's! You make a great red-head! See, you had nothing to worry about!

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  • MaryMary's Avatar
    Posted by MaryMary Wed Jan 28, 2009 11:10am PST

    Love it!

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  • Chrystani's Avatar
    Posted by Chrystani Wed Jan 28, 2009 11:22am PST

    O its cute! It actually looks better than scarletts. Or at least in that picture. Her hair looks dull and broke off.

    Yours looks shiny and healthy. YAY!

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  • elle's Avatar
    Posted by elle Wed Jan 28, 2009 11:25am PST

    Jennifer,

    I am a natural redhead and I couldn't imagine being any other hair color! There have been times when I have thought about going for a deep chestnut brown or another color just for a change and then I think about how fun and unique it is to be a redhead and I quickly change my mind. I have played with my natural red color and had it darker red and strawberry blonde at times just to play with the tones.

    The red is a great look on you. You will love it...I promise!

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  • coolgal18's Avatar
    Posted by coolgal18 Wed Jan 28, 2009 11:31am PST

    aww loves it..

    i've been wanting to go red too.. but more ashlee simpson red. as a hair colorist, i think shades of red are the hardest to formulate, i've been trying formulas on friends so i can get that same red but alas, i have yet to find the perfect formula so i can finally do it on myself.

    damn you redken.

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  • Val's Avatar
    Posted by Val Wed Jan 28, 2009 11:32am PST

    Wow you look great, red really suits you

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  • mrscolbert's Avatar
    Posted by mrscolbert Wed Jan 28, 2009 12:12pm PST

    Yours is better than Scarlett's. In that picture, the top of her head looks really flat and 90sish.

    It turned out well. You look great. :)

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  • =]'s Avatar
    Posted by =] Wed Jan 28, 2009 12:14pm PST

    looks amazinggggg! and it's better than scarlett's.

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  • me's Avatar
    Posted by me Wed Jan 28, 2009 12:38pm PST

    OMG I've been waiting for pics it looks Awesome! So much better than hers and I'm a die hard Scarlett fan!But hers looks a bit boyish anyways good going and don't forget to use a Color Saving Shampoo and conditioner to keep it looking great

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Comments 1-10 of 83

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