A new haircut and some beauty accessories can really change how you feel on the inside.
Low Maintenance, For the Most Part
I am not a person who normally obsesses about the way I look. I don’t wear makeup, and the only jewelry I wear are my wedding and engagement rings. My daily attire is 99% comfort and 1% obligation (to cover up in public).
I haven’t had the comfort, opportunity, or will to shave my legs since before my surgeries. I have very light hair, and my husband isn’t grossed-out, so I opt out of leg-shaving wholeheartedly. My arm-pits – I shave those every-other shower. For him, mostly.
Aside from having paint splotches in places I don’t understand, I keep myself clean. Cleanliness is important to me. Maybe that’s why I don’t do makeup, because I can feel it on my face and it doesn’t feel natural. It clogs pores and it would always be smudged, I’m sure.
Low daily maintenance – I’m not wasting precious hours of a day applying and removing something that is only going to get trashed throughout the day.
Long, Hot Hair
After going a year plus some months without a haircut, my hair had gotten really long. I’ve never had hair that long in my life. The very longest of my hair was just touching my lower back and I was very proud of how long I had let it grow! However, I only wore my hair in a ponytail or braid because it was so hot to wear it draping across my shoulders, head and back. It gets hot under all that insulation!
I have been considering dyeing my hair to silver/grey. I already have a nice white color coming from my temple area, and I have earned that grey to no end. But I really want to get this whole business of graying over with – and I don’t want to wait another 10-20 years to get the full salt-and-pepper look that I love.
So I researched a lot about how to dye my hair properly, and I have some product coming in from online orders, bit by bit.
Some Good Advice
I’ve spoken to a professional stylist about my hair-dyeing project. Of course, the first thing she mentioned is having a professional be involved. I have, and am still, considering that, but I am a fairly intelligent person with excellent analytical skills. I think I can do this on my own and make appropriate decisions where I need to.
The professional I spoke to works in a place that doesn’t “do” coloring. She has experience with coloring, and has worked in the beauty business for 20+ years. And she had the professionalism to refer me to highly-skilled colorists that she knows of, and that could and would do a beautiful job. So I think she is skilled and knowledgeable enough to be trusted as well as objective enough to give me good advice.
Duly noted.
My Anticipated Dyeing Process
If I decide to do this on my own, I have a lot of research under my belt, and I have a reasonable process in mind.
First, I am going to nourish my hair with a hydrating masque – that’s happening today.
Sometime next week, I will then lighten my hair all over – remove all the color – and then add in a purple toner to remove any yellowing (I have light brown hair, and also inherited some red tones that always showed up whenever I colored my hair years and years ago – I always ended up strawberry blonde instead of the ash blonde I was hoping for).
Once I have sufficiently removed the color from my hair, then I will dye it to a beautiful grey.
If something fails during the process, I am reasonable enough to get a professional involved, if needed. I do have backup plans and I’m not afraid to use them. Even then, the most thought-out plans can change, and I’m fairly skilled at rolling with the punches. I am well-prepared – mind and body – and anticipate there will be adjustments as needed. I am at a good place at this point in the process.
Note: Pictures will be provided showing my entire progress.
Our Haircuts
So, yesterday, my husband and I kicked off our journey to a ‘new me’ for both of us. He took me for my long-overdue haircut. I got 7 inches removed, and had some layers added in.
It feels so much better not having all of that weight and insulation on my head, and I think it looks better, as well. We both like it.
While there, he decided to have his hair cut also. He wanted a Mohawk.
I am never one to prevent my husband from doing things that he wants to do, within reason, and when he mentioned having the Mohawk, I encouraged him.
First, it’s only hair. He has shaved his head completely in the past, as well as had other kinds of very short or shaved hair styles. Second, he needed a change, too. Why not? And the Mohawk really looks amazing on him! I love it!
So, that’s one part of the “me” transformation. For both of us.
Some Bling
After our haircuts, we drove down to Monique’s in Clearwater- a tattoo and piercing shop where we’ve had our latest tattoos done, and we LOVE our artists there. We got our noses pierced.
I definitely wanted mine done, but he was back and forth on the fence with his. This was another thing we had discussed off and on in the past.
Mine was done on the right nostril. Once finished, I asked him again if he wants to do his. Yep! He then had his pierced on the left nostril.
I’ve had my nose and my tongue pierced in the past. He has had several piercings as well – his eyebrow and multiple ear piercings. Another ‘why not?’. It isn’t anything garish, just a small stud. I got an amber stone and he got the black opal.
We also bought some small hoops – he got two silver for his earlobes and I got one black for my ear cartilage.
A new “do”, a couple of nose piercings, and some new bling for our ears. Our little make-over.
Looking Inside
After this past year-plus – the physical pain I continue to go through on a daily basis – and the emotional roller coaster we’ve both been on with his addiction and depression, and my depression and suicidal thoughts – we needed some change.
It’s small in the grand scheme of things, but a big boost to our self-image. I am happy with what we’ve done so far. We feel like we look better and we feel better about ourselves inside.
Just a couple of regular people who stand out just a fraction more in our own minds. And we’re not hurting anyone else in the process.
And a Change of Color To Boot
I’m looking forward to my new hair color, too. I feel like that is going to give me just a bit more boost in my self-image. I need it. Everyone, at some point, needs just a little change to brighten their Self up a little bit.
Why not?
Thank you for reading.
Lisa
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