Commencing Project Salt and Pepper, and other delights
I wanted to do it 2 years ago, but my hair stylist convinced me I had to be psychologically ready.
She directed me to an article in O Magazine about the process. And after reading it, I realized Wendy was right: I needed to get used to the idea.
But tonight, when she was just about to mix the color, I stood up in my goofy vinyl cape, walked over to her, and said, "Wendy, just what would we do if I decided to let the white come in."
Some highlights and some lowlights, she explained.
I considered the alternative. In my mind's eye, I pictured that funky row of white, about half an inch high, that so starkly contrasts with the fake brown "natural" color I see when it's time to get my "roots done."
And I knew I couldn't stomach it. Not any more. I'd finally had enough.
Besides incurring the crazy cost of hiding the white beneath a wash of my old natural color, then adding dramatic swaths of "blonde," the act of coloring my hair suddenly felt very very silly.
Who did I think I was kidding?
The urge to let the authentic me* emerge could not be restrained.
Maybe it's because I like snow so much. The cool, sparkly, mesmerizing whiteness of it. Or maybe it's because using "hair mascara" (yep, you really can buy it!) to tide me over till I could get my roots done just seems ridiculous. I'm not proud of being so vain about my hair for so many years. But for whatever reason, something shifted in my psyche tonight. And I like it.
So I am most grateful to you bloggers who have encouraged me in the past to go for it.
Letting my patch of white emerge feels downright liberating. It's like the crown chakra has opened up and something's aglow atop my noggin. It's way cooler than I imagined.
Mr. B restrained his reaction. I haven't a clue what he thinks. But that's par for course. When I do something "dramatic" with my hair, he usually doesn't weigh in with an opinion till a few weeks have passed. I think he's wise. I stopped talking to him for a week once when he tried to make light of my efforts to zip up a pair of pants I'd outgrown. I'm sure wise men have learned to broach the subject of their loved one's sensitive appearance issues gingerly.
And, besides, he's agreed to me getting an Alaskan Husky puppy, which pretty much buys him a ticket to paradise as far as I'm concerned.
Speaking of puppies, here are a couple shots of Ginsberg, who is just a tad over 3 weeks old now. Shannon Miller, author of The Daily Dog, a fine writer/blogger/photographer/musher who midwifed the delivery of 8 precious pups, took these shots, and she tells me Ginsberg is still a mama's boy. Ah, music to my ears.
Snuggling with Sophie, Shannon's daughter, who is also a musher
And check out those baby blues!
And cuddling with one of his littermates**
* I've had a blast coloring my hair of the years, and each rendition was very much me. But the me right now needs to let the white come in!
** Shannon is still looking for homes for 3 of these beautiful pups. To help her entice any potential takers, allow me to present the following videos that Shannon produced. Enjoy!
The good little eaters
Puppy pile-up cuteness:
Now then, how can you resist?
Image 1 by stellina
Images 2, 3, 4, 5, 6 © Copyright 2010. Shannon Miller
Comments
The puppies are perfect. I have a good friend who lives in St. Paul and a niece in Minneapolis, and will let them know about the pups.
And there was I, thinking you'd started collecting cruet sets! I had better take a leaf out of Mr B's book and say no more! Cute puppies!
I almost have enough grown in that I can go for a super chic super short Jamie Lee Curtis cut soon and go from there. Will be posting photos at Casa Hice soon!
PS: Ginsberg is just the most adorable thing on earth! I swoon!
Here are the benefits to going natural:
No more spending hours in the salon.
No more spending excessive amounts of money in the salon.
No more looking harsh from being too blond. It does age us, surprisingly.
More time and money to spend on the new addition to your home.
A new found sense of confidence.
Softer, healthier hair.
I get compliments from many people in respect to the color of my hair. I've had people ask me who does my color. Uh...Mother Nature, of course. They're always surprised. My natural color looks like platinum.
I have curly hair when it gets long. I let the roots grow in and then hid them under curls. When I had several inches grown out, I had the stylist cut it super short. Within 9 months of starting my project, my hair color was completely natural. It's been two years since I first started this project and I don't think about it at all anymore. By the way, my husband LOVES it.
The puppy is so adorable but down here the poor things would just be miserable in the heat.
And thanks for the posts about the pups :-) I love them so!
And you can't beat having a puppy lick your face for any kind of hair blues in the world.... :>}}
I want to snuggle with those pups.. they're just adorable.
The puppies are so cute. I really, really want one, but Daisy and 2 horses are about all we can handle...
The pictures are adorable.
Getting Reacquainted in 55
I'm new here, wandered over from Gail's place. The pup is so sweet! when does he come home??