Tuesday, December 18, 2012

Three Weeks of Pink Hair

Day 20
Wow, time flies! I guess the old saying is true--pinkheads really do have more fun.

I promised I would keep you updated on the maintenance of my new hair color, so I've been (somewhat) dutifully documenting it via Instagram/cell phone shots.

Here's night 1, when I am freaking out. ("What have I done????!")

 Day 1.

 Day 2.
 Day 4.
 Day 5.
 Day 6.

 Day 8.
 Day 10.
 Day 17.
 Day 18, post washing.
 Day 21.
 Day 22.
 Day 22, root view!

The color has been holding up beautifully. I took some advice from an Instagram peep and added  pink dye right into my conditioner. I only wash my hair 2-3 times a week, and then apply a healthy dose of conditioner, and use a clip to keep my hair off my back. (I scrub my hands really well at this point too, otherwise they stay pink for days.) I leave the conditioner/dye mix in for at least 5 minutes. I've also been using Moroccan Oil treatment on my hair when it's damp, which has helped significantly to counteract the dryness from bleaching.

My only complaint about the color is how differently it photographs in different kinds of light. Here it is in natural light, taken on my good camera. I must need to mess around with the white balance, because this is not how the color really looks at all.

In terms of social interactions, I've never gotten more compliments on my hair. The attention takes a little getting used to. (Hint: men love it.) My favorite compliment was from a very elderly man, after I held the door for him at a bookstore. He looked up and gasped, "Pretty hair!"

It's time to touch up the roots and overall color, and I've decided to go to a professional for this. My one regret about doing the initial bleaching myself is that I have some patchy brunette spots in the back, that a stylist could have gotten for me. I also worry that I didn't go quite blond enough, which is giving my hair an orange cast in some light. So on Thursday I'll be getting a touch-up on the bleach, plus more pink! The salon uses a color called Pravana Magenta, which is supposed to be very good.

All in all, I'm just really glad I did it. I feel it suits me--maybe I should have been born a pinkhead!

46 comments:

  1. Wow! That really requires some maintenance, eh? But I do think it is a great, bold choice!

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  2. You have beautiful hands!

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  3. I never comment, but I just have to say I LOVE IT! You look like a natural pinkhead! :)

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  4. You're beautiful!! When I had fun colored hair I actually loved that it looked so different in all kinds of lighting! Keeps it more fun :)

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  5. I agree with the old man. I love the style.

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  6. I am a lurker who rarely comments. But HAD to come out of lurkdom to tell you I love, love, love your pink hair. I don't have the guts to do it, and have a job where pink hair would be frowned upon. But I am completely jealous.

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  7. Love it! My hair has been many colors over the years, including pink, and the pink has always been my favorite of those I tried. Its held up fantastically too! I would have never thought to mix some of the color in with my conditioner though. Will have to keep that in mind if I ever go back to coloring my hair again. I've been dye/bleach free for over 3 years now.

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  8. Pravana is pretty much a little slice of awesome. I use 2 parts Red and one part Magenta. So much more long lasting when compared to Manic Panic.

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  9. I really love it, and it looks great on you!
    I've been wanting to do that for years, but it would be frowned upon in my career. You are so lucky that you can pull it off.

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  10. I think it is a bit harsh with your skin tone. I think I purple shade would look more flattering.

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  11. Pink does you justice. Gotta love the old dude, he nailed it!

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  12. My sister is a stylist who specializes in color correction. Pravana is her go to, they really have awesome color selection and they have good fade resistence.
    When I went purple we COULD NOT get the color to stop fading until we went to the pravana.

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  13. I used Pravana magenta as well as every other brand. They are by far the best. They are also the only ones with a cotton candy shade that actually lasts more than 3 days.

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  14. I see alot of people with bright hair and think to myself what have they done. But when I see yours I think it looks amazing and it's lasted quite a while. I really wish I could get away with a colour like that.

    ~ Jamie-Leigh
    http://jjswayoflife.blogspot.co.uk/

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  15. I wonder how many people you have empowered ...

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  16. I personally like you in day 10's pic...the one with the leopard print..I also like the turquoise too... :)

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  17. Wow that is holding up well! When I had pink hair it never held up like that. Maybe I washed it too often.

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  18. I hope it's ok to express our personal opinions about your hair Gertie, cause I've been meaning to comment this- at first I though, wow, she has lost her mind.. Pink hair..But then I looked at your photos again, and I actually think you look better than before, and you were pretty. You know why? Cause now you also look HOT. That's it, my conclusion, sort of. This color took out your inner vamp woman, you seem much more confident and sexy in many pic. I personally love the one with the pink nails and the bag.

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  19. Just think about what a wonderful society we would be like if more people had pink (or other fun colors) hair. We would have a more fun-oriented society, it would be much more festive year round, not just at Christmas-time, pink hair would bring out our inner whimsical nature, we would have more fun, people would have reason to talk to strangers more often, we would be smiling more often and therefore be nicer to each other. Women would feel more empowered. Pink hair would be acceptable in every profession and position. I think our society would be vastly improved with more pink hair.

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  20. It really does suit you...it actually enhances your vintage look!

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  21. I think it looks amazing. You did a good job doing it yourself. I always freak out trying to do mine at home and behave like a real wuss! Good luck with the salon.

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  22. You seem to look more confident with every following photograph too. :-)

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  23. I gotta say, I really loved the pink tips and was sad to see them go when you went all pink, but it really looks just fabulous. It's even really pretty with the little bit of brunette roots coming in =)

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  24. Hi - I have been meaning to say I love the hair and in have been totally inspired and over the weekend dyed the ends of my hair pink. Thanks.

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  25. I'm too OCD - the root thing would drive me NUTTERS! I'd be getting it colored twice a month. LOL and then have no money for fabric. Best of luck at the salon. I've heard good things about Pravana. :)

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  26. I love the pink. It suits you. I do not even like the color pink, so that's saying a lot. My mother is a stylist, so I have had every cut and color imaginable. The thing I always tell myself is, it will grow out and the color is always changeable. So try new things and go for it! You only live once and you don't want to always wonder what if!

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  27. I love the pink and it really suits you. I have had my hair pink (along with blond) a few times and recently went to purple with magenta bits in with my blond. My stylist kept trying different dyes and we both love pravana! It does not fade like the other dyes have in the past. The tip to put dye in your conditioner is good, but I actually try to condition my hair as little as possible when it is a bright color. It seemed to help my color to last better. Good luck!

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  28. It looks beautiful on you. Would it be weird to say it looks natural on you?? :-) It does!

    The upkeep, though, the upkeep... Are you going to go to a hairdresser every 3-4 weeks? Is it expensive?

    Also I'd be careful with dye in my conditioner - it mustn't be healthy for your skin or eyes to be exposed to so much chemicals frequently. But I'm no expert - just a worrywart :-)

    Anyway you look beautiful. Brown or pink haired.

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  29. you look fab, it really does suit you!!

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  30. Love it, great job doing it yourself too. I'm going to do my hair a pale pink for new year, thinking either Manic Panic flamingo or Crazycolour Candyfloss pink. Heard good things about manic panic but it's too expensive to use all the time, what dye did you use?

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  31. I love it! You look really different but still beautiful. Those glimpses of your clothes was interesting. the combination clear blue or leopard print matches your hair perfectly.

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  32. Back in the day, I only had a pond. Today we've got Instagram and blogs. That makes it so much easier to get other people to admire you while you're busy admiring yourself.

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  33. Gertie girl, you get those great compliments because you are gorgeous! The classic lines you wear with the classic hairstyle only add to your wonderfulness.
    40's pin up all the way. (total compliment, hope that does not offend!!!)
    I think the pink turns more heads and if you are bold enough to do that, people are going to be bold enough to tell you how much they like looking at you :0)

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  34. Ahh, your hair is so fabulous! I wish I could pull off a pink hair, but unfortunately it's not one of my best colours. Perhaps coral! :D

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  35. Wow, it's holding up so well -- reddish colors usually fade so quickly! I'd heard that Pravana was permanent, non semi like Manic Panic and Special Effects, but it seems like a lot of people have had good experiences with it. I'll have to look into it, as I just went back to magenta!

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  36. I do adore your hair... It's fantastic! What do you do to keep your bangs looking so good? I can't seem to get mine to behave!

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  37. Wow that's holding up VERY well. And I think the different colours in different lights thing is probably a good thing, I mean you get different shades for different light moods right?

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  38. Stunning colour and so brave to DIY - I wish I had the guts to transform my brunette locks to something so KAPOW!

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  39. I actually had pink hair - even though it was years ago. My fave comment was an SMS sent by a friend to friend - one of them saw me on the street, and wrote to the other that pink hair was probably the right tool to bring tne spring closer.

    I am back to my usual redhead now for years. Yet people still remember me being pink.

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  40. My best friend is an educator for Pravana - I can't wait to hear how you like their colour. I have peekaboo highlights in my (dark brown) hair of a mix of Pravana Wild Orchid and Red - and their colour is really, really gentle on the hair and does last a good long time. Your hair is lovely and I hope you like your Pravana treatment!

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  41. Great post. I just located your blog and wished to let you know that I have certainly loved reading your blogs. At any rate I’m going to be subscribing to your feed and I really hope you are writing again soon.

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Thanks for your comments; I read each and every one! xo Gertie

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