Friday, November 2

because I'm a masochist*

When I was single, footloose, and fancy-free, I was the queen of trying new things with my hair. I tried every colour, style, product - any and everything I tried it out - save for perming. By my mid twenties, I had done my fair share of home-kit dye mistakes so I pledged to leave my hair in the hands of professionals from there on in.

By the time I hit 30, I had decided blonde was the colour for me and due to the fact that my hair is medium mousy brown, it required a lot of maintenance.

maintenance = money

Basically to keep my hair looking super fine (or so I'd like to think), I spent approximately way too much money every six weeks - basically, I spent a shit load on my hair.

Anyhow. The days of spending a small fortune on my locks are long over.

spawn = destitution

Not really but it can feel that way sometimes.

But I'm getting off track: Pre-spawn, I had already decided that I was spending far too much on my beauty routine (no money = no fun) so I decided to try out *ahem* "more economical" salon recommended an acquaintance.

What a huge freakin' mistake.

The recommended stylist asked a billion questions and after talking for a while, I though she came off as very competent. One thing I was adamant about was that no straight peroxide should be used on my hair - I told her before she started. And I reminded her through the entire procedure - mostly because I thought the stuff being used seemed suspect.

I'm not really sure what my previous super-expensive stylist exactly did my hair, but it always came out silky, blonde and dammit - it felt good. So I panicked when whatever the current stylist was doing was looking very bleached.  And much to my frustration, this new stylist was all "no, no, no peroxide" - very much in a "cheeseburger, cheeseburger, no coke just pepsi" kinda way.

Well long story short - the appointment ended in tears. OK, not really because I'm not good at crying in public. I'll pull a ridiculous contorted face before I'll opening cry in public*.
* exception: pregnancy & post-partum. I cried at long-distance commercials, detergent ads, and laundry. In public. All the time.

My hair was straw - literally:

One of the few photos from that horrible horrible incident

About a week later, my hair started breaking off in alarmingly huge chunks. And splitting like a Hollywood couple. It felt like wire and I had to wear it in a ponytail because it was nearly impossible to style.

And to boot - I still had horrific looking roots.

I've never had my hair coloured or highlighted since that incident - at home or the salon. I have been scarred for life.

These days, my hair is it's natural colour and while I do have a box of pink highlights in my bathroom cabinet, no agents have been applied to my hair since that horrible HORRIBLE job four years ago.

So why do I share this story of blondisma woe? Well the Parent Bloggers Network is hosting a blog blast today with some awesome prizes. The inspiration for this blast is the new book Beauty Confidential which I will be reviewing on November 20th. So share your tales of woe and maybe you can win a prize, or at the very least a support group of posts that will make you feel better.

* post title refers to the fact that I'm double posting during NaBloPoMo and putting a picture of myself up for the world to see.

12 comments:

Chicky Chicky Baby said...

But you look lovely with blonde hair. And, if I may say so, a little bit like me. Which in no way effects my first statement.

Hey! We could be sisters and not even know it, 'cause lord knows my hair isn't naturally this color.

ms blue said...

I liked having blonde hair but the burning of the scalp, not so much.

What do you think we have a few martinis and perm your hair?

motherbumper said...

Oh thank you Mrs. Chicky, I'm flattered because you is hot. Oh how I really miss the blonde. But I'm gun shy, once bitten, twice shy, and full of useless cliches which incidentally - is a by-product of salon accidents.

And Something Blue based on my current lush-ability, it will only take one drink and a dare for you and I too look hot sporting our Toni perms.

Kyla said...

Oooooh, I like the blonde!

And I do see some Chicky-osity, too.

Can't wait to see pics of the perms. LOL!

seldelaterre said...

thank you for dropping by my blog and leaving your kind comment.

i'm fiscally conservative but i allow exceptions for my hair. i splurge every 6 weeks or so and only go to a high-end salon. i've been going to the same stylist for 10 years. of course over the years i'd tried other places to see if cheaper places could do the same job, but the answer is no!! it is worth it to go to a more expensive stylist!

Jezer said...

I have a feeling that you'd look good no matter the color of your hair. I, too, am a semi-recovered home hair-messer-upper.

Tee-hee--martinis + home perms = you MUST post photos!

Gabriella said...

Oh I love you with blonde hair! But yes once you're scarred by a crazy stylist it can take awhile to go back.
I'm doing the home dying myself now and well...the color ain't looking so good but a girls gotta do what a girl's gotta do! And I'm in with SB for perming your hair...heehee

Anonymous said...

I've had very limited hair colouring experience. a couple of hennas, 1 professional highlighting, and a few attempts at putting some red in at home.

Nothing ever held for very long.

And I too have a fear of hairdressers. So I get it.

petite gourmand said...

I almost bought hair colour today in fact.
was feeling a bit reddish.
but chickened out.
I think I'll leave it to the professionals.
I like you as a blonde though- but prefer the nice natural brown look.
sassy!

b*babbler said...

I tried the at-home remedies, which ended when Mr Babbler came home to find our freshly re-finished bathtub stained with my hair dye and me with chemical burns on my hands from trying to remove it before he got home. Oops.

I also went the more "economical" salon route, attempting to be a patron of the local business in my neighbourhood. Um, yes. Let's just say that the neon orange/yellow look from severely overprocessed hair is not good for anyone.

Now, it is just it's plain old boring brown around here...

Heather said...

Yes I too learned the value of expensive salons.

I decided to go cheaper and what happened but the cheaper girl cut a chunk out of my hair that shouldn't have been. It took two years..TWO YEARS...to get it back right.

Needless to say, I don't begrudge hanging over the $50 for just a cut and style now.

OhTheJoys said...

Wow. That doesn't even look like you to me. Where is that SASSY brown hair bob I know and love, eh?!!