Blonde Ambition
They say that once you start dyeing your hair, you’re never really satisfied until you’ve tried the extreme. In my case and since having my hair colored since I was in first year of college — my FIRST first year of college in Ateneo, that is — I’ve just always decided to go lighter and lighter but the itch would never go away. It was quite a long and not-so-painful journey (many say it is) of bleaching and dyeing before I finally decided to turn BLONDE.
Since it’s a new year (Happy New Year, by the way!) and the year of the blue dragon at that (Yes, I’m a dragon baby!) I thought it was the perfect time to welcome the year with an extremely new look. I knew I had to cut my hair (for the first time, my mother did not have to bug me about my long mane) if I wanted to go really blonde and because I wanted to try something new, I also decided to try out my sister’s hairstylist.
Lourd Ramos of Creations chopped 4.5 inches off my hair in like, 5 minutes! I admit I was a bit nervous at first but I had to remind myself that it never takes too long for anyone to do something if he’s an expert at it. I loved it instantly!
I knew I couldn’t welcome the new year with my usual light golden brown blonde hair or my “carrot blonde” hair as Fashion Editor Anna Canlas defined it in her Spot.ph’s 10 Scene Stealers in the Blogosphere article. I had it bleached at Aura Salon a day before we went out of town. Because my colorist wasn’t there, I didn’t have it colored yet. So my hair was naked for 5 days and looked more yellow blonde.
Right after I got back, I set a date with Ms. Jessica, the only person I trust my hair color with. The reason for such is that she’s the only one who knows the story of my hair — from the very first touch of dye to my virgin 18 year old hair and all that came after that. Like I said, I often get asked what my hair color is and my general answer is usually… “I don’t know.” because I change color faster than seasons do. Applying a different colored dye on top of previously dyed hair gives a very different result from applying the same dye over dark hair/light hair.
It’s not very often that clients of Aura Salon ask for extreme color changes that’s why I know I excite Ms. Jessica every time I come in because she’s always challenged! To get my hair to look exactly like it did on the swatch, she had to bleach my hair a second time before applying L’Oreal Professionnel’s Majirel in LEVEL 9 in 911 Lightening True Ashen Blonde. My hair was previously at level 7. Level 10 is the lightest you can go — think Lady Gaga Platinum Blonde. I always go for Ash based color because I’m not Caucasian and golden blonde might just look so fake on me.
A warning to all those who want light hair though, dye is still a chemical. I’m very lucky to have been born with a strong scalp which did not feel one stitch of pain (I hear others feel like they’re in hell when they get their hair bleached) and strong hair.
Like I said, my motto is, “If all else fails, go blonder.” I think I no longer have that itch to scratch. So far I’ve gotten good feedback! My friend, Erren, wasn’t even surprised when she saw me because she said it looks natural. Or maybe she’s just used to hanging out with blondes. So far, I’ve gotten Jessica Alba with Fantastic Four hair,
Angelina Jolie in Salt,
Princess Yue of The Last Airbender,
Mia Ayesa,
and Blair Willows of my nieces’ favorite movie, Barbie Princess Charm School (HAHAHA!)
When in actuality, if I had a peg, it would definitely be my Pinay girl crush Cristina Garcia, who said she’s a bleach addict!
Pati katawan niya, peg ko. Those abs!
Only one person said something mean about my newly colored hair — apparently Pinay na Pinay and itsura at kulay ko at hindi daw bagay sa akin ang blonde kasi walang halo ang dugo ko. (How was she so sure kaya?) To you (there’s a big chance she actually reads my blog HAHAHA), I wish nothing but more concealer for you so you don’t always look like a zombie with those scary dark under eye circles. I’m nice, I still like giving beauty tips even to mean and bitter people so they look nice on the outside, especially when the inside isn’t. ;)
All I know is that blonde hair, or any color for that matter, suits a confident woman! What matters is that you pull it off. So don’t be afraid to try drastic changes! What’s great about it is that you can reinvent yourself as well — new makeup looks to try, your wardrobe, even when very old, can look brand new with new hair! In my case it even gives me courage to try different things and go further than what I’ve done before. Hair is not JUST HAIR. It IS your crowning glory.
