Hair

Last week, I visited my stylist Ashley – a very sweet and accommodating girl – to have my translucent blonde roots “done.”

I entered the salon with a head full of brown hair and slightly lighter highlights, looking to have my roots colored and to get a clear glaze for shine. I left with black hair no highlights.  Yep, you heard me  - it’s black. 

While this is certainly not a “life or death” situation, I’m not really sure how it happened. I didn’t want or request a change. Of course, I can’t keep the black hair – it’s way too severe. Now I will have to endure the difficult process of going lighter and the cost is going to be ridiculous.

My next journey is known in the industry as “corrective hair coloring.”  Translation – “corrective” means expensive!

I’m sure you’re saying, “it was her error, why are you paying?!” You are correct. I guarantee you – in some way, I’ll be the one to pay. Even if I’m not charged, it will take SEVERAL appointments to “get it right” and lots of time wasted. You all know my mantra – don’t waste money, don’t waste time and don’t waste words.

(By the way, just before the color incident, I received a beautiful bouquet of Hawaiian flowers from the salon to thank me for being a VIP customer.  Obviously, I can’t be too bitchy about this – I don’t want to lose my “nice” status.)

When I realized my hair was the wrong, I immediately called Ashley. Ashley doesn’t get riled about too much. In fact, several months ago, right before a trip, I visited Ashley. My hair didn’t come out black that time. Au contraire! My roots were bright orange! The moment she took the towel off my head, I pointed out the orange roots. Ashley calmly confirmed ginger roots and said, “I wonder how that happened.” 

I had to decline her offer to “fix” my roots because I was leaving for Boston that evening, hadn’t packed and simply didn’t have time. Off I went to Boston with my orange roots and on a mission to get my hair “fixed.”

Suffice it to say, orange is not one my favorite colors.

Years ago, I was going to a different salon and wanted deep auburn hair. After an entire day of highlighting, toning etc., I got the perfect color. My husband even said the color was the “most gorgeous” he had ever seen on me.

Three weeks later, I returned for a “touch up” and guess what? It came out dark brown.  

I clearly understand it’s hair – only hair. No big deal.  But seriously, I don’t understand. I live in Hawaii. Most native Hawaiians have brown hair. One would think it would be relatively simple to find someone who can consistently give me the right hair color. It’s brown – not red, not blonde with highlights, not auburn with golden hues!  I want dark, rich brown.

I’ve threatened to go blonde. With my translucent blonde roots, it might be a great alternative, but my husband has always been a Joan Collins, Catherine Zeta Jones kind of guy. He’s made it clear he likes me as a brunette – could a change of hair color jeopardize my marriage?

Well, we’re going to a friend’s for dinner this week. Those same friends have heard my desire to go blonde and collectively determined that I am NOT allowed to do so. Why my hair color has become a democratic process is beyond me.

Anyway, my granddaughter Niccie and I have a secret. I’m wearing a blonde wig to dinner to prove blondes do have more fun!

So, in the course of one week, I will have had black hair, blonde hair and hopefully will return to a pretty rich brown. Otherwise I’ve heard “purple” is the color for fall!

Who knows?