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Monday, May 05, 2008

Going platinum: can a wallflower turn bombshell?

Isn't it funny how much we rely on hair color to indicate personality?

For most of my young teen years, I wanted to go red. The original inspiration was Anne Shirley of Anne of Green Gables -- I wanted to be like Anne, smart and imaginative and brave... and red-headed. Being that I was eleven at the time, understandably I didn't do it. Going into middle school, I wanted to go red like Dana Scully of the X-Files -- brilliant, skeptical, awesome.

And whenever I'd tell someone about the desire to go red, like my hairdresser or even my mom, they'd say, "Oh, you don't have the personality to pull off red hair. You're not outgoing enough."

I think that kind of sucks. And I'm not sure if it's because I don't like being told that it's my personality holding me back from that hair color, or if it's the assumption that your hair dictates your personality.

If it had been, "honestly, with your coloring, no, red doesn't go with your skin tone", then I would have been fine with that. In fact, that's probably true too. (I don't know for sure; I've never tried.) But to be told "your personality doesn't go with that hair color" sucks.

But I've been thinking about it, and I've been thinking about how much I've been blending in lately. And it's true: I'm not outgoing, I'm not a big networker, and I'm kind of a wallflower.

I went to the Glam.com and Stylemob party about a week and a half ago. Being in San Francisco, I've gone to tech parties before and I've stood there and I've usually met one or two new people, and even then it's been because I've been with the boyfriend, who's much better at the mixing and networking than I am. I was excited that, at the Glam party, I met four or five new people. (And they were all awesome people, including Tami of fête à fête.)

But if I hadn't thought quickly and grabbed a seat at a booth and stayed there the whole night, I don't know if I would have gone out and met people. And that's not to say that it wasn't a good party -- I just don't do well at these events where people go to trade cards and promote themselves. It was so well-attended that there wasn't room to dance, and I've always been bummed that there's never karaoke at any of these tech parties. Because while I have a tough time introducing myself and handing out a card to one person, I can get up on a stage in front of hundreds of strangers and belt out a song. (Crazy, right?)

So is it because I'm naturally a brunette? Or is it all bogus?

Let's test this theory.

I've gone platinum blonde. Already it's a conversation starter -- everyone who's ever seen me brunette at least once goes, "Oh wow! You're so blonde!" the first time they see me.

I've never been this blonde before, not even as a little kid. It's definitely new, and I'm definitely reaching for lipstick and eyeliner to try to balance out this new look. I also feel guilty whenever I look at The Non-Blonde, now -- I went to the dark (light?) side! I went blonde after being non- for so long!

But you know what? I'm glad to be trying something new. And I'm hoping that maybe this will help me... well, blossom. Some big things are coming up this spring and summer, and I can't let myself shy away from these awesome opportunities. (Will there be karaoke??)

So yeah. I'm a blonde! ...Does this mean I get to go buy new make-up now? (Kidding! ...right?)

images from periodicstyle.blogspot.com

9 comments:

Crunchy Carpets said...

Awesome...I love it.

I did it a couple of years ago..back to red now ...but I loved it.

Liz Lizo said...

Personality determining hair color?? that was funny, but it's true. The new look is amazing on you.

Susie Bubble said...

That looks fabulous....really does!

Joanna Schmidt said...

I think it is great you tried something new, but, honestly, it surprised me you didn't go with the strong female roles RED you were always dreaming of. I change my hair color on a whim. Always have. It's fun, it's easy and it changes things up... which can be good all around.

I fell in love with RED RED hair when I saw the movie Run Lola Run (great indie film) and decided to try. Go see my bright bozo red hair. It was fun!

http://productbody.blogspot.com/2007/11/run-lola-run.html

Joanna Schmidt said...

Come visit me! I can be a wallflower, too. When I am at a party, I stay pretty much to myself unless I know people. Then, forget it.

Jeanne said...

Hi everyone!

Thank you so much! I'm still playing with it and getting used to it -- it's so weird to walk by a car window and go "wait, that's me!"

Joanna, it wasn't really my choice! ;) My cousin is an apprentice colorist at a salon in San Francisco who's nearly done with her apprenticeship, and I've been her hair model since she was in beauty school. She was the one who suggested the blonde, so I went with it! Who knows, maybe I'll try red or go dark again this fall! (Also, thank you so much for stopping by!! We're big-time Product Body fans here!)

Girl-Woman said...

Looking at your before and after pictures, I love you as a blonde! And go and buy new makeup. The new color requires makeup tweaks. You might be on to something with hair color affecting your personality. Enjoy the ride.

Unknown said...

Wow! Great look :)

Gaia said...

Don't feel guilty. You look gorgeous as a blonde :) .

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