I’m not sure why it is, but I’ve always had a thing for blondes. Blonde hair that is. You can ask all of my friends. Growing up I would always recommend “going lighter”, and “you can never go light enough”. Naturally I have brown hair; I was born a brunette. I experimented at a young age with my appearance. The first time I ever dyed my hair was in Middle School and I bought a DIY at home-kit of non-permanent pink hair dye. I streaked my hair like Avril Lavigne. I guess she was my idol at the time. Fast forward 12 years, and now I’m a blonde!
As I mentioned I always had an infatuation with blonde hair. I never thought I would actually pull the trigger though, because I didn’t necessarily think it was for me. I always wondered though.
As a young, broke college student I definitely didn’t have the funds to splurge on a $300 salon appointment. But one day, when I was on my College study tour in Thailand I remember learning that salon appointment’s are very cheap. In between itinerary plans I had some free time and spontaneously walked into a hole in the wall salon. No one spoke English, so I picked up a color book and pointed to the color I wanted. Next thing you know my head is being dunked in bleach in a tub and after a few hours plus a rinse I came out of that salon strawberry orange! It was nothing like what I wanted, but what was I going to do in a foreign country, alone, where no one spoke English and I had to pay in cash. So I walked out of there with a feeling of acceptance and potentially some regret. That was my first attempt going blonde.
After moving to New York I slowly began to come into my own. It could be because I had finally graduated college, was living the real world, away from family, supporting myself, with a big girl job. These circumstances help you form your identity. Well my identity started shifting more and more blonde! I would casually get balayage to lighten my hair, and it became an addiction. This was a smart move because it essentially helps your hair get used to going lighter so you don’t completely shock and dry it out. Going full blonde takes time, and you don’t want to damage your hair by dunking it in bleach like I did the first time. Slowly going lighter definitely helps maintain healthy hair.
After a year of doing balayage to lighten my hair it finally dawned on me that I was ready. I had hit a moment and phase in my life where I needed a change. Whenever this happens the first thing I do is change my hair. It always helps with that sudden urge for a re-fresh or fresh start.
I contacted one of my favorite hair experts at Art and Autonomy and she was ready to help me with my transformation. We decided we would go for a natural look, so we left the roots darker for a lived in look. She knows I like to roll out of bed with my hair “as is” in the morning, and also opt for low maintenance. When finally Siobhan showed me the big reveal I was in awe. I LOVED IT! The new look just felt so right. I feel so confident with my new color I can’t believe it took me this long! I have a feeling I’ll probably be going lighter by next year. Because…why not? Blondes have more fun right? That is my experience from brunette to blonde.
Salon Art and Autonomy
Stylist Siobhan Quinlan
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