Sunday, July 10, 2011

What Shall I Do?

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For some forty years, I was a bottle redhead.

I love red hair. I know, in my heart, that genetics made an error somewhere along the way in not blessing me with titian hair.

Looking to correct nature's error, I've used every product on the drugstore shelf to change my hair color. Sometimes the results were stupendous, other times, not so much. One day, I found that I had I honestly forgotten where I started and just accepted that I was a true redhead.

This went on till I began to notice that I was having to color my hair more and more often. Paying close attention, it became apparent that, whatever color I had started out with was no longer the color on my head. Lawdy Miss Scarlet, it appeared as if one day, when no one was looking, I had gone almost completely gray.

Facing this dilemma, I knew it was time to make a decision. I was getting close to retirement age, and coloring my hair had become somewhat of a chore . . .

So the decision was made, I quit dyeing my hair and from that day to this, I've been a silver haired woman.

Cut to today . . . .


As I mentioned a while ago, due to the heat, I cut my hair, pretty short. I've lived with this for a few months, but the other day, I went to the hairdresser and told her to take it really short. The heat has been bothering me and since we're involved in such grimy work, I figured shorter would be better. She did exactly what I asked, and boy howdy, is it ever short.

Actually , it's a bit too short, but I figure what they hey, it'll grow.

Just this afternoon, I found myself at the market and, I swear, a package of red hair dye jumped, I mean it literally vaulted, into my shopping cart. With this leap, the idea sprang into my head; why not try red just one more time?

Maybe my hair will never be this short again. Wouldn't this be the ideal time to take the plunge?

Many reasons not to dye fell into place.

I'm much older now.
My hair is very gray and quite resistant to color.
What if I love it, but, as before,
my hair doesn't really want to hold on to the dye
and I have to redo it every 13 days?
Will I look like one of those red haired Bingo Babes?
(All I'd need is a cigarette hanging out of my mouth.)

So I sit here, a box of Clairol Paint the Town, Color Me Vibrant, staring me in the face. I have to admit I don't know what to do.

On the other hand, she wore a glove. (SORRY, I may be reverting to my childhood), if this is the biggest problem facing me, I guess I would have to say that

9 comments:

ThE MidLiFe CrUiSeR said...

Do it! Go red!!! It's not like you're getting on crack...it doesn't have to become an addiction. If it doesnt work, well like you said, it will grow out. Do what you love! Go red!

Phyllis said...

You may like to know this: My 18-yr-old think women with a full head of silver hair look nice and sophisticated. She wishes my hair will turn all silver one day... :O

Did you ever hear about the natural henna dye? I'm not sure exactly what they are, but am told they don't have harsh chemical, gentle on your hair so you can use it as often as you like.

Russ Krecklow said...

Go ahead, do it!! Like you said, if you don't like it, it will grow out. Here in Eugene, we've seen every hair color you can imagine....pink, green, purple, white, black....you name it. If red makes you feel good, now's the time to do it once more!

You will have to post a photo, though....that's only fair!!

Leave Terry alone....we like him just the way he is. (Not that we don't like you just the way you are...but you know what I'm saying.)

Donna K said...

Oh Kate, got my laugh for the morning. I have to admit I am another one who loves red hair. My dad was a red-head, I married TWO red-heads (not at the same time!) and I have a red headed son. At many times when I was younger I was auburn haired (thanks to a little help from Miss Clairol)and I sure enjoyed those times. Right now I am silver and I feel I have earned every one of those gray hairs. BUT if I ever had the inclination to go auburn or blonde, or PURPLE I would not hesitate for a moment. It's your hair...have fun with it, doesn't have to be a forever decision. It'll grow.

Jerry and Suzy said...

You only live once -- go for it! Suzy used to color her hair, and I'd not always recognize her when I'd see her. Once she decided to go natural, her silver hair is gorgeous, and she gets questions regularly "where did you get that beautiful color?" from men and women both!

She let it go natural shortly before retiring, and as the silver grey came out, she told her bosses, "Look what this place has done to me!"

Nancy said...

You have the dye. Your hair is short and it'll be easy. It'll grow out pretty quickly since it's so short, so what the heck. Go for it!

Lorna... said...

What should you do? Post some photos of course!!!!!

Merikay said...

Go for it! If you get tired of doing it again, being retired you can let it grow out!

I too was a bottle red head for many years.

I got tired of the roots!

Barb A said...

What the hey - go for it!
Barb, Gypsy & the Boys