Being a natural brunette for most of my life, I never expected myself to have blond hair, let alone be identified as a blond for over a year. Before I made the leap to getting highlights, I never thought twice about my hair color because in all honesty, I never thought it was a big deal. That mind set totally changed when I started to be identified as a blonde from my family, friends, classmates, and strangers.
I noticed that once I dyed my hair, people began to look at me differently. In the beginning, none of the attention bothered me because I thought it was just being recognized and I, as well as others, needed to adjusted to the change, however the comments and judgments got old—fast.
Going to work, out with friends to a bar, or even just family functions all became different. It seemed that everyone I interacted with didn’t identify me by my person but my hair color. Checking people into the gym I work at, or serving drinks behind the bar at a country club, the only name people would refer to me as is Blondie, especially the older men. Hanging out with friends in public places, I found myself getting approached by random people solely because they were “into blondes." Even with my own family, if I found myself making an ignorant comment accidentally it would often get followed up with “the bleach is getting to her head."
Some people may think that I’m being dramatic and that getting attention isn’t a bad thing, but I disagree. This kind of attention made me feel like I was nothing without my blond hair, even when I no longer wanted to be blond, I was afraid to change it back because I thought that was the only thing people saw of me.
When I finally decided I was done keeping my hair blond to make others happy, the backlash I received was not unexpected. Almost everyone around me said I’ve made a mistake and should highlight my hair again. As much as I agree, the blond may look better than the botched box dyed hair I have at the moment, I refuse to give in and let their comments affect me. What people don’t understand is cosmetic changes aren’t meant to satisfy anyone else besides the person doing pr receiving the changes.
Yes, I’m certain I will be blond again one day because, frankly, it grew on me and I like how it looks, but I will not accept the comments I once did. I will not let people make me feel like I am nothing besides a hair color because it's not true.
To all blondes out there who go through the same things I have, I commend you for being able to ignore it and not let it bother you. A hair color should not over shadow who a person is and I will never let it again. So, no, I do not appreciate or acknowledge your comments about my new brunette hair. I am happy, and that’s all that should matter.
