Thursday, February 12, 2015

Fifty Shades of Brunette


Goodness gracious, are you so sick of hearing about that Fifty Shades movie everywhere? I will fully admit to reading all three of books (all the while complaining about how terrible they are, yet unable to stop myself). But I think I must draw the line at seeing the movie. (Though seriously, go see it for me and report back please!)

Anyway, I'm much more interested in talking about shades of hair color at the moment. You see, I've almost certainly decided to go back to brunette later this week. In case you haven't been following my hair saga, I dyed it pink over two years ago, then went purple. Then came blue. And then purple again! I haven't seen my natural hair color in quite some time. And I've loved it. And I don't think I'm completely done with the crazy colors.

The thing is, there's the photo shoot for Gertie's Ultimate Dress Book in just a few weeks. I'm modeling 25 dress of various colors, textures, and prints. Add colored backdrops to the mix, and I felt like my purple hair color might clash in some of those photos. How about a nice neutral brunette instead?

The great thing is that I get to choose the brunette I'd like since my base hair is bleached at this point. And who can remember their natural hair color after so long anyway? So I've been collecting images on my pinterest board and having lots of fun doing it. I wouldn't mind something a little warmer and a bit red, like Lana del Rey's hair above. Or maybe even an outright auburn!


There's the classic deep chocolate Bettie.


Or Zooey.



Or maybe something a little paler.

[source]
Or, perhaps the wisest and safest bet: get the salon to try to match my actual natural hair color!



At first I thought it seemed a little strange to dye my hair just for the purposes of the photo shoot. But now I'm really into the idea. Hey, natural hair color seems like a novel idea again!

40 comments:

  1. I liked your pink hair, it was SO CRAZY! But you look so pretty with natural brunette hair. I have originaly natural red hair, but I alwals wanted to try being brunette, like my sister. Perhabs, I will coloring my hair also;-)

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  2. I thought (and still do think) that you looked absolutely stunning in the picture you posted on January 9 of this year for your give-away.

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  3. I had that same problem. I've dyed my hair a few different colors in the past. Red had to be the hardest to coordinate with anything other than neutrals and green. Pink was alright, except it clashed with red and looked gross with orange. You don't think of these things until you've already dyed your hair! I grew out my natural color (dark blonde), now I can wear anything in my wardrobe!! Mind you, I'll probably dye my hair something funky again temporarily one day, but I'll never bleach my hair to do it, that way my natural color can live on.

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  4. As far as the photo shoot goes, I think brunette is the way to go. Between your colourful tattoos and the bright hair, it can be quite distracting when it comes to looking at the clothing. I like both your tattoos and the hairdo but think the focus should be on the dresses right now.

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  5. Linda is quite correct. Anything that detracts from the clothing defeats the purpose.
    Natural hair coloring normally goes best with one's skin tones and compliments rather than distracts.

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  6. I think a brunette with a hint of red would look great on you and work really well with retro style dresses in a selection of colours. I've just changed from blonde to copper red and I love it, it's so much fun to change your hair colour!!

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  7. Talk to the salon pros about which brunette shade suits your skin tone best, and go for it!

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  8. I once went blonde for a Halloween costume. Not weird at all that you are doing it for a photo shoot. Find a good colourist and see what they say. You could go any of those shades as long as the undertones are right for your skin. I once went red, but it was the wrong red and I looked a little green in the face for a while. Good luck, I'm sure you will look gorgeous as usual!!

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  9. Yes, the photo Deb mentions on the Jan 9 post — I love the cut! Can you recall what is the cut you were wearing at that time? I'd love to describe it to my hair stylist. (Keep on changing, G, if it suits you.)

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    1. Thanks, Roseana! It's just a blunt bob (all one length), between chin and shoulder length. Then I have sideswept bangs that are sort of below-eye length. Hope that helps!

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  10. I'm a fan of the dark auburn or your natural color. The advantage of the natural of course is that you don't have to color it right away once it starts to grow out.
    I do love all your fun colors though. I have to live vicariously in the crazy hair color department due to my day job. I've gotten away with some pretty wild reds though.
    Can't wait for the new book!

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  11. I Think Greer Garson red, or Ginger Rogers red. or a nice copper red. a warm natural redhead would be lovely on you.

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  12. Very nice colour, I'm in an awful situation where despite the fact I was changing my hair when I was 15, a few years back I changed products on the recommendation of a friend and finished up with a scabby head for a month. Even changing back to my regular product didn't do it and I have to resort to wash in wash out. I envy you the choice of changing. Without extra colour I always feel washed out and drab.

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  13. Have loved all your hair colors, but like you as a brunette the most. I vote for chocolate brown.

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  14. I love the Bettie bangs on you. You look great in all the different colours. I haven't seen you in red yet though. Perhaps a dark red like Rita Hayworth?

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  15. You look beautiful in any color, but I think you look even more beautiful, actually stunning, in your own natural color.

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  16. Fortunately, you look pretty darn amazing no matter what color your hair has been. So, lucky you. Heck yeah, try natural-ish for a while. I've never dyed my hair. I was always afraid somehow my natural color wouldn't come back like it was. I think that's pretty silly logic, really, but I do like my natural red hair a lot. :) Good luck on picking the shade and the photoshoot!

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  17. Your natural hair color is gorgeous! I love that last shot of you, you look so beautiful! Isn't that Gretchen Mol as Bettie Page? I thought Bettie's hair was a lot darker. Have fun on your photo shoot!

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    1. Yes, that is Gretchen Mol! I just love that photo. :)

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  18. You are a beautiful brunette. The other colors were interesting but your skin tone is enhanced as a brunette. Good luck.

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  19. I have both your books and like the hair color in both. I don't think it detracts from the clothes at all. In fact, I find the pink in Vintage Casual very cheerful and it makes me like the clothes even more!

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  20. I like your brunette color, it looks perfect in your clear skin color

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  21. I cast a vote for the warmer and red, it would enhance red lipsticks etc. oh re Fifty Shades.....bleehhhh! There was an Australian commentator who hated it, the movie. Thought Mr Gray came across as a unpleasant controlling character and the young girl as wimpy. Methinks the whole thing was/is a flash in the pan popularity movie that will sink into the more of history. There are way more sexy and sassy flicks with glances and heaving chests....the unrequited fantasy. Oh sorry gone off track, dreaming of Mr Darcy in a wet silk shirt. Hehehe.

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  22. I've been following you for years and have loved every color. Blue is my favorite, but that's just me. The reason to go back to brown is that it is right for you. Loved the last two books and I'm looking forward to the next. And to add my two cents, I would love to see you do a book on undergarments. OK - so I am a man who will not be using such things, but I've made a couple of your patterns for my sister and she loves them. I would love to expande my skills and make my sister even happier. thanks for what you've given us sewers.

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  23. I did the same thing the last couple of years, and I'm finding brown to be so refreshing and versatile. Ha ha, who knew :). Here are all the colors I tried: http://www.bobijensen.com/2014/12/2014-year-of-color.html

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  24. While I really love all of your fun colors, I really do love your natural color as well. It's beautiful!

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  25. I was a dirty blonde before I started my many years of pink, but haven't been able to do unnatural colors in a while- I'm a rich dark brown, but some red comes through, which provides an interesting depth in sunlight. I do have to say, my decision to love the brunette was based on your original color, though I'm a wee bit darker (I have a kid who *always* distracts me right when I should be rinsing the color out!).
    Love your colors- all of them!

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  26. I love your natural hair color. I think you should do it!

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  27. Whatever you choose the pictures will come out beautiful

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  28. I love all the colour you had! And I agree with others that you are beautiful no matter what haircolour. Having said that, close to natural has one advantage for you though: you could grow your hair out without redying it immediately. That way, you could give it a break from the straining bleach, and as an aside it saves time and money!
    All the best, Julia

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  29. I went blonde for a while just for kicks. First it was streaks, then came the dark blonde that got lighter and lighter until it was almost platinum. I went back to brunette because I couldn't recognize myself anymore! A lot of people really liked the blonde, though, and it's almost as if I could see in their faces the disappointment that I was just drab brown again. I don't care - I like seeing me again in the mirror. Good luck with the transition back to brunette! :)

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  30. I loved your colors but I also feel that your natural color or a variation of...is the best one. I really think that investing in a few good wigs is the way to go. I really hate the way brightly colored hair clashes with clothes and it just all becomes too....hurtful on the eyes. You look really beautiful with your dark hair.

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  31. I dyed my hair from blue back to brunette to take a passport photo. I didn't want passport checkers to think it wasn't me!

    Red-brown is a nice range of colors, and it's fun to tweak every time. I get brown with vibrant red highlights, it looks great! And you can go a little more golden red in the summer if you want. Fun.

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  32. I think black would be even better. And really neutral. Brown does not go well with blues, to my eyes. I would go black!

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  33. YAY!!!!!! I am actually proud of this decision of yours!!! Now for which shade of brunette: nature's choice would not fail you. The first lady photographed above, that colour is gorgeous. No Zooey, please.

    Best with whatever you decide. Now I need to go read and see what's up with these dresses you are talking about.

    Cheers,

    Lyric

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  34. Yay! I really love the idea of you going Brunette! I like the very first photo of Lana del Rey because it adds that hint of red and of course your own natural color is really great! Your second book, Gertie Sews Vintage Casual is fabulous too. I am learning so much from reading both of your books. Best wishes! Kathy from Arizona

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  35. As much as dying your hair in loud colors can be fun, I find both you and Lauren look much better, more feminine and stylish in your natural color. So I am very happy for you! It will be a great photo shoot!

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  36. If it's just for a photoshoot then couldn't you use some kind of temporary colouring?
    I seem to recall Lauren from American Duchess talking about using a brown rinse on her bleached hair for a historical costuming event.

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  37. Amazing. Long time no see, I must admit that this color is the one I love the most. It looks so natural, in my humble opinion, you should keep it for a long while.

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

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