Yeah, I know everyone’s doing it, but I still feel strange and overpowered by my new fiery red hair. Find out what made me do it, what how I feel post-op, and why I think you should consider doing “it” too. 

Yesterday was Saturday and it started just like any other, with me going to the market before brunch and a long walk around the city peppered with visits to a series of stores. A phone call mid-afternoon from my friend, Ashley, was the first step down a long path that led me to a radically different hair colour.

I went to visit Ashley at 186 Davenport Salon, who was getting a haircut. I sat in the empty chair beside her and, what happened next was a series of subtle events that eventually led to my new red hair. Firstly, I learned there was a Groupon happening that fateful Saturday – 40% off colour was on the table looking tempting. Secondly, I turned my head  ever so slightly to see the cool-looking girl beside me getting her long hair dyed radish red and I became immediately jealous. Having been obsessed with Rihanna for quite some time, and knowing her affinity in making Drake swoon, I too wanted in on the red hair party. Finally, the group of well-experienced stylists descended their opinions on me – “your eyes will pop”, “you’ll look fiery”, “your blonde looks old anyway” – and I was sold.

Here’s what happened next:

So now it’s Sunday and I’m sitting in Starbucks shaming myself for the lack of thought I put into such drastic decisions. Insecurities are simmering to the surface like, “I guess it’s OK to look like Sharon Osbourne for a bit” and, “I feel like Sarah Goldfarb in Requiem for a Dream“. Suddenly, I’m well-aware of what it would feel like to be a “ginger” – a mere 1% representation of the world’s population, the brunt of everyone’s jokes and a victim of schoolyard bullying.

PSYCH!

The above thoughts would be true if I were actually scared of change, which I’m not. I mean, they’re thoughts to consider but the truth is, my eyes DO pop and two men – one rastifarian and one geeky one – have already checked me out. Score! Besides, I get to play with new shades of makeup and liken myself to babes like these:

 The finished product…

Do you think I should regret my decision to go red?

I anticipate a LOT of maintenance to keep this colour looking fresh. Next up? Products I need to do just that.

#yolo