Some days I feel like I have lived my life in several different bodies. Thanks, in large part to the miracle of childbirth. You see, having children apparently changes many things about a woman. I am not talking about the suddenly selfless acts of nurturing and love that a mother experiences, or the loss of personal identity, or the change in career goals, or so many other things becoming a mother changes. I am talking about the half size larger shoe size, the less than perky body, the slightly less sharp eye sight (which my eye doctor swears has nothing to do with childbirth, but which got worse with each child). And finally, the thing that has caused me countless hours (Well, minutes at least) of pondering and wondering: should I just give up the fight and finish the job already?
I am talking about the ever darkening shade of my hair.
As a child I was a tow-head. My girls both are blondies. But with each child my hair has darkened considerably and continues to get darker the older I get. I have fought it. My husband has reminded me time and again, "I married a blonde. I would like it to remain so."
Then, about a year ago I saw a video by Dashboard Confessional (Stolen) and was struck by the actress in it. "She is a striking brunette." I thought. No blonde can pull off that striking elegance. So I googled her and found out it was Olivia Wilde.
Sound familiar? the first time I saw her she was on the OC and looked like this:
Pretty. . .and blonde!
So I started thinking. If she looks that much better as a brunette, can I do it? We both have blue eyes--does that count?
Here she is as a brunette:
What do you think? Better, no? (If you are not sure, go google the Dashboard Confessional video--plus, it's a great song.)
So I decided I needed more input. Here I am now:
(I'd offer a more original photo than my profile pic, but I take the pictures, so pictures of me are few and far between.)
I have been every shade of blonde, from bleach blonde, to slightly darker than this pic. Do you think I can pull it off? Or do blondes really have more fun? (Make no mistake, I get that she is pretty much beautiful anyway you look at it and I clearly don't resemble her, but none-the-less. . .)
I figure since it is one of the things I would like to try before I die, maybe it's time to go for it. Yes, or No? I was just wondering. . .
12 comments:
I say go for it! It is only hair!!
Although, every blonde that I know that has gone dark, has eventually made her way back to blonde.
I have been wanting to be brave and do the same thing....so be brave for me and do it! You are gorgeous, so it will look good!
oh the roots that you would have to deal with. Way too much maintenance! I say stay blonde.
Here's the deal: come up with a great barter for the great hairdresser in your area. Dye it...if it stinks have her strip it and put your original color back in. That easy :) If you LOVE it - yes maintenance is a factor but YOU ARE BARTERING - therefore you just keep going back!
Thanks for stopping by my blog! I am loving being a featured blogger!
This is so the conumdrum (don't know how in the heck to spell that one) I deal with all of the time! It is so weird when your hair darkens, and you're used to it being such a light-blonde color! It almost makes you feel like you're a different person or something. Anyway, I have found that darkening it definately brings out color in your face and eyes... I too, say, go for it! You have fabulous, dark eyebrows, and you might just love what it does for you! If not, change it...it is just hair, right? And damaging it just give it more volume too...right? Good luck - can't wait to see. I just got out the scissors on Saturday night and wacked at mine...cut more layers...and BANGS!! Haven't had those for 10 years now! Weird.
Why not?
Hair grows back anyway, so you can get your blonde hair back if you do not like it? You may need to be creative while waiting for the blonde to grow back...use headbands, hats, etc. Or color the ends back to blonde.
One other thing, you may want to use the herbal/organic color types so that it won't harm your hair roots. You can bring your own colors to the salon.
Tsk. The things us girls have to go through eh?
By the way, have tagged you over at mine. Hope you don't mind x
I am on the GO FOR IT team. I agree with commenter #4. The dark shade really does do wonders for the complexion. It is winter too, nothing to go better with the fall colors than new dark hair! I am giving myself a birthday present on the 19th. I decided that it is time to have long hair again...so extensions it is!
It is only hair...have fun with it ;)
Hi Jen,
I'm a brunette, so I don't know if my advice counts. I think you would look great with dark hari. I like Olivia Wilde better with dark hair. I remember her on the OC, then I watched on a short lived NBC drama
http://www.nbc.com/The_Black_Donnellys/
where I first saw her as brunette, now she's on House with it dark. I like it. You seem to have similar features & I think you should at least give it a try. You can alsways go back. You DH will come around.
I agree with Shalice--it's just hair---though you hubbie's opinion should count for quite a bit. I love going darker in autumn since it looks so pretty with all the orange and dark brown, and lighten to a caramel color in summer. Except this summer. It just felt like a dark summer so I stayed dark.
Sorry about that--back to YOU. I say try! Your face will be pretty either way :)
I second the, "you be brave for me" comment. It is just hair, right?!?! I think you may like it!
I think you should stay blond. Your hair is gorgeous!
I was always blonde my whole life too.. until I had two kids and my hair also got darker. I had to highlight my hair every 6 weeks, and it was a pain. So, about two years ago I went dark and I LOVE IT!!!! I keep blonde highlights in my hair so its still feels a little blonde. Jared didn't want me to go brown at first but then said whatever makes you happy. He actually likes me better dark now. Hey, if you hate it, you can always lighten it. I Say GO FOR IT.. you will look great!
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