My Hair Journey
Start writing a post
Lifestyle

My Hair Journey

Explaining why I dye my hair.

26
My Hair Journey

For me, dyeing my hair means more than getting a new look. It is a symbol of freedom and independence.

I grew up in a house where it may as well have been a sin if I cut more than 2 inches off of my hair, and dyeing it was never a thought that crossed my mind. I knew it wouldn't fly. My hair is naturally blonde and straight, and for a long time, it was very, very long. Now, my hair is shoulder length and auburn brown with pink underneath it. Needless to say, things have changed in the two years since I graduated from high school.

Let me explain my journey...

The day after I graduated high school, I drove to my hair salon and cut off a foot of my hair. I went from hair down to my butt to hair just beneath my shoulders. It felt absolutely liberating. It was one of the first decisions I made for myself. I didn't look for anyone else's approval.

In my first year at college, I was relatively calm. It was not until the women's lacrosse themed scrimmage that I really made a change. The theme was goths versus hippies, and I was cast as a goth. My team tends to not half-ass anything, and when the opportunity knocked in the form of a senior with fire red hair dye in the locker room, I couldn't say no. Yes, I, the girl who never dyed her hair in her 19 years of life decided to dip-dye her hair in the locker room with fire red hair dye. It looked awful. It wasn't even and I missed several chunks of hair, but I never felt more like myself. Shortly thereafter I bought more red hair dye and my roommate fixed me up.

Because the dye was only semi-permanent, it began fading away. I was back to plain, normal blonde. It didn't feel like me.

I returned to the same salon that chopped my hair a year before and asked for pink highlights, and wow, did I love them. I maintained them for the rest of the summer until they too faded away, and soon I was back at Centre.

I only lasted a month until I dyed my hair pink, again and again. Then, it was purple - which faded to pink. Then, it was turquoise. And then, I got anxious and added blue on top of the teal for an attempt at an ombre style.

Once, the blue faded away, the heat of the lacrosse season loomed. I wanted to maintain my now trademarked hairstyles and do something crazy for our big game. I bought pale pink hair dye and began dying my entire head pink. Unfortunately, my hair didn't pick up the color and my natural blonde turned to a strawberry blonde - not a good look for me.

In the back of my mind, I was always curious about how I would look as a brunette. What a better time then now to try it? So, against many people's wishes, I dyed my hair an auburn, brunette with crimson red underneath. I have maintained that color since March and a few weeks ago, I cut my hair to shoulder length again.

So today, I sit with shorter brown hair and I have never felt more like myself. Dyeing my hair has made me feel like more of an individual and more independent. I feel more in control of my own life when I can change my hair color just because I feel like it. Sometimes it is fun to become someone else. I feel like I have a clean slate with a new hair color. And I'd be lying if I didn't say that my family's wishes against my dyeing my hair made me secretly want to dye it even more.

The best part is that I am still young and in college. Dyeing my hair during this time of my life is absolutely harmless. I would rather know whether not I liked something and live with a little regret, instead of spending my whole life wondering what it would have looked like.

I invite everyone reading this article to take a step outside of your comfort zone and try something new because the moment you take control of your life, you will feel so much better.

Report this Content
This article has not been reviewed by Odyssey HQ and solely reflects the ideas and opinions of the creator.
Student Life

Waitlisted for a College Class? Here's What to Do!

Dealing with the inevitable realities of college life.

38577
college students waiting in a long line in the hallway
StableDiffusion

Course registration at college can be a big hassle and is almost never talked about. Classes you want to take fill up before you get a chance to register. You might change your mind about a class you want to take and must struggle to find another class to fit in the same time period. You also have to make sure no classes clash by time. Like I said, it's a big hassle.

This semester, I was waitlisted for two classes. Most people in this situation, especially first years, freak out because they don't know what to do. Here is what you should do when this happens.

Keep Reading...Show less
a man and a woman sitting on the beach in front of the sunset

Whether you met your new love interest online, through mutual friends, or another way entirely, you'll definitely want to know what you're getting into. I mean, really, what's the point in entering a relationship with someone if you don't know whether or not you're compatible on a very basic level?

Consider these 21 questions to ask in the talking stage when getting to know that new guy or girl you just started talking to:

Keep Reading...Show less
Lifestyle

Challah vs. Easter Bread: A Delicious Dilemma

Is there really such a difference in Challah bread or Easter Bread?

22962
loaves of challah and easter bread stacked up aside each other, an abundance of food in baskets
StableDiffusion

Ever since I could remember, it was a treat to receive Easter Bread made by my grandmother. We would only have it once a year and the wait was excruciating. Now that my grandmother has gotten older, she has stopped baking a lot of her recipes that require a lot of hand usage--her traditional Italian baking means no machines. So for the past few years, I have missed enjoying my Easter Bread.

Keep Reading...Show less
Adulting

Unlocking Lake People's Secrets: 15 Must-Knows!

There's no other place you'd rather be in the summer.

949421
Group of joyful friends sitting in a boat
Haley Harvey

The people that spend their summers at the lake are a unique group of people.

Whether you grew up going to the lake, have only recently started going, or have only been once or twice, you know it takes a certain kind of person to be a lake person. To the long-time lake people, the lake holds a special place in your heart, no matter how dirty the water may look.

Keep Reading...Show less
Student Life

Top 10 Reasons My School Rocks!

Why I Chose a Small School Over a Big University.

126635
man in black long sleeve shirt and black pants walking on white concrete pathway

I was asked so many times why I wanted to go to a small school when a big university is so much better. Don't get me wrong, I'm sure a big university is great but I absolutely love going to a small school. I know that I miss out on big sporting events and having people actually know where it is. I can't even count how many times I've been asked where it is and I know they won't know so I just say "somewhere in the middle of Wisconsin." But, I get to know most people at my school and I know my professors very well. Not to mention, being able to walk to the other side of campus in 5 minutes at a casual walking pace. I am so happy I made the decision to go to school where I did. I love my school and these are just a few reasons why.

Keep Reading...Show less

Subscribe to Our Newsletter

Facebook Comments