So you want to dye your hair. That's great! Hair has always been a great means of expressing one's self, and with all the trends of mermaid hair, pastel ombre, hidden rainbows and more, 2016 is a fabulous year to get flashy with your follicles. My best friend finally pushed me to put the pink in my hair that 3-year-old me always dreamed of, and I don't think I've woken up a morning yet where I didn't see the pink locks on my pillow and smile. However, when you start strutting your stuff with you hair, the world sees you differently. This is not necessarily a bad thing, but it is something to get used to. Here are some things that become old news once you experiment with your hair color.
1. Cold showers.
Aside from not being able to wash your hair as frequently as you may have before, you often have to take cold showers for the first few weeks to keep as much color in your hair as possible. Somehow, you will get used to them. That's not to say you're going to like it. I dreaded every cold shower and cursed my Atomic Pink hair dye. But stepping out and shivering before you grab your towel is something you'll inevitably grow used to.
2. Colorful showers.
Your cold shower is also going to be the color of your new 'do for a while. It's just some of the excess dye coming out with your ice cold water. No worries. Unless your hair is red and you share a shower. Then you might have some explaining to do.
Hitchcock's "Psycho" captures the feeling pretty well.
3. New colored everything.
That towel you grabbed after your cold, colorful shower? It's now going to match your hair. Your sheets are going to match your hair. Your shirts are going to match your hair. I hope you like your hair color enough for ALL of your possessions to be that color. I even managed to stain my phone case.
4. Your elders staring at you.
Congratulations! Even though you think your sea green hair is fantastic, your elders might not. You might get some disapproving stares. At work, I've gotten some gasps and rude comments from grandparents. Don't worry though. Not everyone thinks you're the anti-Christ. Rock that ombre, my friend! "Haters gonna hate."
5. Children are in awe.
More congratulations are in order! You are now every child's dream, with your mermaid hair. What kid doesn't love seeing their favorite color prominently and expertly displayed atop some cool adult's head? Inspire the youth with your 'do!
6. Unexpected comments and compliments.
For every "Did your hair get caught in the cotton candy machine?" you will get an equal number of ,"You look like a fairy princess!" And not necessarily from people you know. I've had complete strangers tell me things about my hair, whether in jest or in awe. Take it in stride! That stranger wishes he had cotton candy hair.
7. An addiction to hair dye.
You are now going to want to dye your hair all the time. Especially when it starts fading out. You have now made a commitment, but it's more like a deal with the devil. You're gonna wanna rock that blue ombre forever, or until you want a new color. Either way, you're going to want to dye your hair pretty often. Hooray!
Now that you know what you're going to get used to, go out and have some fun! Free your mind, free your locks.
