It's no secret that I put my hair through A LOT over the years.
Most people don't realize just how much.
Most people don't realize just how much.
I tell people I've been coloring it since my teens...but that's a lie. I started around age 10 or so. Highlights after loving the lighter color thanks to "Sun-In Spray" (you remember that junk right?)
My hair has been blonde (like, yellow blonde), strawberry blonde, brown, brown with highlights, other varying shades of auburn, brown/auburn with pink, strawberry blonde with pink, bright red, dark red, and probably a few things I'm forgetting.
The above photo was the shortest I've gone ever since being old enough to have a say in what happens to my hair. After far too many short and PERMED experiences, I always stared at pixie cuts with a look of fascinated horror.
So no one was surprised when I finally announced that my hair was incredibly damaged and unable to really hold color anymore.
I had a few choices.
I could cut off just the damaged part and do all over brown...and then continue to cut off the damaged areas as the color faded.
I could do all over color, again, and ignore the problem.
Or I could cut it all off and start over.
I could cut off just the damaged part and do all over brown...and then continue to cut off the damaged areas as the color faded.
I could do all over color, again, and ignore the problem.
Or I could cut it all off and start over.
So, after much much MUCH deliberation and scouring the internet for pictures and bothering my Facebook friends...
So what did I learn?
1) I learned I do, in fact, have good bones in my face. See, I was worried that cutting my hair off would make my face look heavy because I'd no longer have layers to balance it out or frame my cheekbones. I was wrong.
2) I learned my natural hair color. You're laughing, I'm sure, but this was a real problem I had. After 18 years of color it, I had no idea what my natural color looked like. I could guess but new-growth always looks different when paired with colored hair. I always assumed it was mousy brown because that's what color DYED BROWN faded to most of the time.
2) I learned my natural hair color. You're laughing, I'm sure, but this was a real problem I had. After 18 years of color it, I had no idea what my natural color looked like. I could guess but new-growth always looks different when paired with colored hair. I always assumed it was mousy brown because that's what color DYED BROWN faded to most of the time.
3) A pixie cut is perfect for someone like me because it's always changing. It's obvious I get bored easily with my hair. With long hair it's hard to change it up without doing serious cutting or, my apparent favorite, color it. When a pixie cut grows out, it changes out you can wear it. Each trim ends differently. This bothers some people, but not me.
4) I relied on my hair for feelings of femininity. Why? Probably because society dictates that girls have long hair. (Hey, Disney, can we get a pixie cut princess?) It was great for my Castiel cosplay, but I don't feel as girlie even when rockin' a dress and heels.
4) I relied on my hair for feelings of femininity. Why? Probably because society dictates that girls have long hair. (Hey, Disney, can we get a pixie cut princess?) It was great for my Castiel cosplay, but I don't feel as girlie even when rockin' a dress and heels.
5) Mostly I learned...that I really can do anything with my hair and learn to love it. Are there days when I miss having long hair? Yes. Did I prefer short hair during Arizona summer and post surgery? Heck yes. I love that I can toss on a bandanna and rush out the door. I loved learning my natural color is a pretty dark brown (almost black...who knew?) I love that I can shower quickly and not have to wake up with wet areas if I go to bed without blow-drying it.
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