Beauty Transformation: Joining the Dark Side
You would never guess it looking at my dark brown-almost black-hair, but I’m a natural blonde. Yes, I’ll admit that it isn’t quite the platinum you may have immediately pictured. However, I can promise you that if I let my roots grow out, I’d have a head full of dirty blonde locks.
It was in the beginning of my sophomore year of high school that I decided I needed a makeover. I had grown tired of my dusky and dull blonde hair and being someone who has always experimented with style, I decided a new color was a must. However, my friends, my mom, and even my hairdresser discouraged me from doing anything too drastic That’s how I ended up with just a few measly highlights that did little to provide the “new-do” wow factor I was looking for.
After a few months stuck as a blonde, I looked to my mom for inspiration. Everyone, even complete strangers, had said how much we looked alike. The only noticeable difference between us was that my now faded blonde hair was no match for her raven black locks. The decision had been made: I would join the dark side.
Reacting immediately, people I had known for a lifetime were astounded with how natural I looked as a brunette. Even I had to admit that for such a drastic change, I felt much more comfortable with my glistening black hair. It just suited me. After having my hair dyed, I soon discovered how big of a role hair color plays into personal style. Suddenly, all my edgy outfits began to look even edgier against the canvas of my dark hair. It was as if I had unlocked the secret to the ultimate transformation.
Fast forward a few more months to the end of sophomore year. My deep, sultry, brown dye job had faded once again to a duller color. While it wasn’t my original blonde, it was definitely lighter than I had become accustomed to. Instead of simply getting it re-done (like a normal person), I decided to take another daring leap: Purple.
Instead of paying a ridiculous amount of money for a hairdresser, I employed my best friend. She later would inform me how nerve-wracking the process was for her. I mean, the state of my hair was literally in her hands. Thankfully, after some purple stains on her arms, my face, and to my mom’s horror, the bathroom tile, my hair had reached a whole new level. Opting to forgo the harsh bleaching process, the vibrant purple hue appeared to be a dusky, daring eggplant color. This is probably the favorite color I have ever dyed my hair; it was unique, edgy, but somehow still just subtle enough to pull off.
Junior year was the last time I truly played around with my hair hue. To start off the new year, after the purple had washed out, I decided to go with a natural color again: A multi- dimensional auburn red. While not necessarily a failure, red wasn’t my favorite color. My peers seemed to agree too by politely urging me to go back to black. In the short span of a couple of months I ditched my redheaded dream and enlisted my best friend to dye my hair dark brown once more. I haven’t looked back since.
What I learned (besides that brunettes indeed do it better) is that one shouldn’t be afraid to take risks with their hair. Unlike popular opinion, hair is just as permanent as the clothes or makeup we choose to express ourselves with. Don’t be afraid to mix it up, to go outside your comfort zone. You have no idea what you’ll discover; maybe you’d make a great addition to the dark side as well.