Is Hair Color Ever Really Just Hair Color?

It’s been a weird week in our house. I usually pride myself on being able to roll with the punches of life, just take what I’m dealt. But, for some reason, this week was really tough and surprisingly emotional. You would’ve thought that I was wrestling with some eternal decision or deep theological thoughts on life, but all it was about was my hair color. Yes, I said it. I admit it. I was in a serious “funk” over the color of my hair.

I’ve felt that this was coming for awhile now. Jerod, my husband, has never understood why women pay $150 just to get their hair bleached and aluminum foiled. He thinks it crazy. Which is why when an opportunity to spend 10 days traveling Ireland this summer came my way, I knew the blonde was going to be the first thing to go. I told him that I was willing to sacrifice anything to make it to the land of U2 and Guinness…(10 days with girlfriends and no kids, do you want my first born?) But, after the plane ticket was booked and the bill came, reality set in, and I could tell I was no where near ready to be a brunette again. I was a brunette for the first 27 years of my life, so why was this turning out to be so hard?

Does hair color really affect who you are or how you act or what people think of you? Well, the last we know if true. It was the first two questions that I thought would be interesting to find out the answer to. I felt like I was a blonde through and through now. I was the fun girl, the simple one of the group, the one who you went shopping with and who made you laugh so hard you spewed your drink. When you’re a brunette don’t you have to work in a library and wear glasses and think deep thoughts all the time?

I went to a friends house with a box of color last Monday. I figured that it would be good to have support if I had a total breakdown. I sat with the color on for 25 minutes and then quietly walked to the shower. I was really bummed about what I was about to see. I dried my hair, rounded the corner back to the kitchen and I got a “Well, it’s not terrible.” I think we were both in shock more than anything, like Allison had disappeared forever in a 25 minute “developing” time.

I woke up the next morning dreading the look in the mirror. I went through my usual routine and started putting on my makeup. And somewhere about halfway through my mascara application a glimmer of hope flashed before me…I liked my eyes with brown hair! They really popped! Then I got dressed and I really started to feel the brunette coming out again. I felt more mysterious and kind of rebellious. I’d like to compare myself to Angelina Jolie, but I think that may be stretching it. Every day that has passed though, I have liked it more and more. And what’s funny, is that most other people have liked the brunette me better than the blonde me.

So, my “fashion” point is, why not take a risk! Maybe it’s hair color. Think about how much fun Ashley Simpson-Wentz and Rachel McAdams have changing their hair. Maybe you need a push to wear that awesome pant suit to the black tie event. Pants can be super-chic and very fashion forward. Always wanted to own some stilettos? Go buy a pair and vow to wear them at least once this month. I don’t know what your “risky” thing is, but try it! Who knows, you may even like it better.