I'm Gonna Wash That Gray Right Out Of My Hair ~

Here is part of a conversation that Kirk and I exchanged today:

Kirk: "Don't let that strand get in your eye, it could blind you!!"

Me: "WHAAT?! Help me move it away from my face..."

That's right.  The blind (Kirk) was leading the dumb and blind (Me) through a hair coloring session this afternoon.  During the entire ordeal, Kirk would caution me and remind me that if the color chemical slipped into my eye, then it could permanently blind me.  Who knew that dying and styling your hair could be so dangerous?!

No seriously, we are both novices at this do-it-yourself hair grooming thing.  I'm 31 years old and I had never colored my own hair before.  Is that sad or what?  I lack education and self-confidence when it comes to beauty. 

When I think of all the money I've wasted spent over the years on this vanity, I am truly amazed.  Why?  Because it really is quite easy to color your own hair at a fourth of the salon price.  I realize that now that I've done it (with the help of a technical, adult supervisor). 

Of course, I should backtrack a little to tell the whole story of how complicated it was for me in the beginning stages.  That way I can further illustrate my stupidity innocence when it comes to allure and style.
 
First, I didn't realize all the choices of hair color that exist.  I understand the concept of blonde, red or brunettes.  But I had no clue about permanent, semi-permanent and temporary.  Geez, I need a Hair Color 101 class. 

So what did I do?  I just picked out the box that looked prettiest and contained the words, "Only takes ten minutes" in a warm-golden brown color.  I am a brunette after all.  Plus, all I really wanted to do was remove the colony of grays that invaded my scalp recently.   Later on, I realized I chose a "permanent" color.  Okay, no big deal.  I want it to last.

As several friends had suggested, I didn't wash my hair for two days prior.  So my strands were dirty and oily, perfect as they say for soaking up color and chemicals.  Or for resuming the role of a redneck whore.

I read the instructions on the box. Sounds simple enough.  I grab a towel and drape it around my neck.  I put on the gloves.  I mix the solution just as it says to do.  This one doesn't have a nasty smell, thank gawd.

The solution is mixed and I'm ready to begin.  Okay.... how do I do this?  Why am I turning into a stupid ass donkey? I stare blankly at my face in the mirror.  I couldn't figure out how to properly squirt the solution in my hair with one hand while I rubbed in the color through the follicles with the other hand. 

After a minute or two of me being an invalid a dazed woman, my technical husband came to the rescue.  I think he felt deeply sorry for me and my dumbfoundedness.  He grabbed the bottle and squirted the solution on my hair as I rubbed it in. 

Kirk (offering me tips): "Massage it in real good." 
So I did.  I began to rub my scalp. 
Kirk again: "No, not like that.  You need to rub it in your hair, not your scalp!  What are you doing??" 
Me: "I don't know what I'm doing.  I've never done this before."  (laughing)
Kirk: "Well, I think you need to put the solution on your hair, not in your scalp, like you're combing it through your hair." 
Finally my last remaining brain cells keen sense of style kicks in and I figure it out. 

As I move toward different sections of my hair, the front parts begin to fall in my face. 
Kirk then repeats: "Don't Get That In Your Eye!!" 
Again, I remove the rebellious hair from my forehead.  I smile at Kirk.  It's nice to have such a safety-concerned beauty consultant husband. 

After a detailed hair coloring massage session, my ten minutes were up.  Time to rinse.  I climbed into the shower.  Again Kirk was my lifesaver, telling me not to let the chemicals wash down into my eyes (or I'd be blind!!) until most had gone out.  He instructed me to continue rinsing until I could no longer see any color in the water.  The water had to be clear, he tells me.

Rinse, lather, repeat.  Got it!

Conditioning came next.  Just in time too since my hair felt like a bird's nest and spider web combined after two days of not washing it.  That conditioner felt oooh, soooo goood going through my fingertips and my hair strands.

Finally I was done!  I towel dryed my hair.  Not a gray hair in sight!  Whew! (relief)

It worked.  My hair isn't green. No weird streaks or bad results.  A nice brunette color once again, after months (maybe years) of being different brown, gray and washed out blonde highlights.  I like it.

In fact, the new hairdo inspired me to do further grooming on myself today too.  I plucked my eye brows.  Then I even decided to cut bangs.

Even Kirk joined my grooming ritual.  He cut his hair and shaved his goatee.  It was an afternoon full of self-indulgence and vanities.  But hey, we both look good and hardly spent a dime to feel beautiful again!    

So not bad for my first hair coloring session.  I'm grateful for my stylist husband who guided me through the beauty process in a step by step manner.

Oh before I go, I will post a before and after photo of me that captures the experience. 

Okay, here you go -

Before I colored my hair:

After I colored my hair:

I know, I can hardly believe the difference myself....  Not bad for less than ten dollars!  :-)