Friday, June 28, 2013

My Hair Identity Crisis

Long Brown Hair, Zebra Skirt
Top: very, very old (like, wore it to my high school senior Honor Society banquet in 2005 old), Skirt: Thrifted F21, Belt: old, Shoes: Mossimo, Bracelet: Premier Design, Photos: Taylor Love Studios
Long Brown Hair, Zebra Skirt
Long Brown Hair, Zebra Skirt
Long Brown Hair, Zebra Skirt

Despite taking a year off from using heat or styling tools, an excess of hair products, teasing often, and "doing" my hair (for my Bye Bye Beehive project)—and even though I knew my hair was growing—it never seemed to get any longer... until I saw these photos! I looked at them and thought, "That's me?"

Here's where I get frank with you... I feel like I've been having a bit of a physical identity crisis lately.
  • First, I'm still not used to myself with brunette hair (I've been brunette now for over 3-months... my longest brown-haired record yet!). After being a blonde for 26-years of my life, this change—though one that I like—still catches me off guard. 
  • Second, my hair has almost always been a mid to short length. Never did it ever come down to my bra straps in the back. And now that it's even longer than that... it's just different. I'm not used to myself, the way my hair feels (it's getting thicker due to my lack of highlighting & damaging habits), and how it looks. 
  • Third, I haven't dyed my hair since early April, and I'm very surprised at my lack of roots. I had thought they would grow in ashy blonde like before... but I really haven't noticed them and it's throwing me for a loop. Am I a brunette now? A real brunette? 

Anyway, I think that all of this, coupled with a recent bit of weight loss (more on that later) has had me asking, "Who is that person in the mirror?" To be honest, I'm not always sure... but I like her!

What's your preference? Blonde or brunette?

66 comments:

Lindsay @ Trial By Sapphire said...

Most importantly, you're beautiful because of who you are. Just wanted to throw that out there first. :)


Secondly, I LOVE you as a brunette. Being from southern California, seeing women with blue/green/hazel eyes who go blonde is just so boring/common to me. I love women the look of blue/green/hazel eyes with non-blonde hair! So beautiful!


Thirdly, I just love you.

Chelsea said...

I LOVE your brunette hair! :-)

Carly Anderson said...

I love this darker hair on you!


Carly
www.lipglossandcrayons.com

Lily Garay said...

Well you know I think you're gorgeous NO MATTER WHAT! But honestly, I looooove you as a brunette. I also love you as a blonde, but the brunette seems to be more you. and hey, I think we all go through identity crisis sometimes. like why do I look so much like my mother? why do we look like twins?? ahhh!

Megan Reinbold said...

I'm biased, but I love dark hair!

Vicki Garrett said...

I LOVE your brunette hair!

Laura at Howdy Girl said...

At first, I didn't like the brunette very much just cause I don't like change, but it's growing on me! I do really like the blonde though. But you pull both colors off perfectly!

Jade said...

Your hair is gorgeous!!! I just chopped all of mine off :(
but it was so damaged from dying it so much so it was the right call!!


Enjoy the long locks!!


www.bohemianmuses.blogspot.com

Cody said...

I think your rock both colors. I like you as a brunette but I think I like the blonde just a tad bit more. It seems a bit more...you. I love how long your hair is now! I am hopping to grow my hair out that long. My is about two inches shorter. I really need to take some pixs and post them so ya'll can see.

Kateri Von Steal said...

I have to say you look lovely as a brunette, it compliments your skin tone.

Kelsey Wilburn said...

you look so gorgeous! i love the brunette

kw ladies in navy

$50 anthropologie giveaway!

Marina Skater said...

love your look

http://afinaskaterblogspotcom.blogspot.ru/

Hannah Scott said...

Definitely brunette! And the dark shade is perfect!

Amanda said...

I like you as a brunette!

Becca Moss said...

You're gorgeous either way blonde or brunette! & I'm intrigued to hear about your weight loss!

Krysten @ Why Girls Are Weird said...

Like you, my hair has almost always been short to medium length. I'm trying my best to grow it out but I always get this itch to chip. It's hard!


I think you look GORGEOUS as a brunette; it really suits you!

tanyagrasley said...

I love your hair! I'm super impressed that you can just let it air dry and don't use a straightener or curling iron. My hair is way too frizzy to do that. I chopped mine off last summer and now I am trying to grow it back. You are gorgeous no matter what though!

Lindsay Watson said...

brunette! :)

Trich Star Mom said...

agree, brunette! very cute!

Cynthia Meyers said...

You are a beautiful brunette! before I even read the post I thought "wow her hair is long!" you look fantastic!

oh! Leona said...

Just when I think I can't get any more jealous over your hair you go and post pictures of it looking as gorgeous as that! I love you with Brunette hair, it looks awesome x

Anna Sinclair said...

Love the brunette on you!

Rachel G said...

I think I'm biased, being a natural brunette, but I love dark hair!! And I know about identity crisis with hair--in my mind, I love long hair. But when my hair starts getting long, I just don't feel like myself!

gladleynet said...

I love your brunette hair! I was a redhead for part of college, until I gave up dyeing one day and I've been natural ever since. Embrace it, you look beautiful.

Kelly Ann said...

You look so pretty and your hair is getting SO long!

xx
Kelly
Sparkles and Shoes

Jaclyn De Bonis said...

You look so great! I really do like the cut and color on you, the long hair suits you! I know what you mean though. I didn't realize how long my hair was getting until the weather got warmer and I started to wear short sleeves. It really does come as a shock. Anyway, you look so pretty, whichever way you decide to go, and I love the outfit on you!

xoxo,

Jaclyn

Written in Fashion

Colleen Smith said...

You're so beautiful! I can relate to the identity crisis! I looked in the mirror yesterday morning and realized I didn't recognize my own body, it was such a great feeling but also one that caught me off guard and was a little bit overwhelming but exciting! thinking of you this morning!

Katie said...

I think you look fantastic as a brunette. I am naturally a dark blonde and after I started dying my hair dark brown I was told it looks better that way than my natural color. And I must say that my natural blonde has never ever returned fully since going brunette. kind of sad. I say go with whatever you feel most comfortable being whether that is blonde or brown. Either way you look beautiful.

Tina Byland said...

You look great and I love your hair long. In the end it's gotta be what you like, and then, second, what the hubs likes. That's really what it comes down to. That will always make you the most confident. And, shoot, I've been highlighting my hair for three years now because what used to be blonde is now, um.... I'm afraid to find out! Haha!

Martha said...

I've been dying my hair brunette for some time and I always feel a little odd about it...but I like how it looks, so I keep doing it. So I know what you mean about looking in the mirror and feeling strange about your reflection! But you look good and your hair is very pretty. I would definitely not think that you are a natural blonde.

Baylee said...

Brunette! Pretty!

Annelise Rowe said...

First, I've never even thought about it with the correlation to the eye color like that... genius! Second, I wonder if it still works as well now that my hair has faded quite a bit? Third, I love you right back!

Annelise Rowe said...

You're awesome, thanks Chelsea!

Annelise Rowe said...

Thanks Carly. I really appreciate that!

Annelise Rowe said...

Ha! I never get told that I look like my mom... but if I did I would sure be happy :) You are beautiful! And thanks by the way!

Annelise Rowe said...

Well I love your biased opinion! Thanks!

Annelise Rowe said...

Thanks Vicki! Means a lot... promise! :)

Annelise Rowe said...

Um... I just love your honesty. I knew some people had to like the blonde better, so thanks for being honest! My family always says they still think of me as a blonde!

Annelise Rowe said...

I'm enjoying them for the moment... still considering a drastic cut, but not plotting it yet. I bet your haircut looks healthy and great!

Annelise Rowe said...

Yes, I would love to see! And thanks for your opinion... everyone who knows me from my blonde days (well, my whole life anyway) says they prefer blonde, too :)

Annelise Rowe said...

Ooh thank you! That's nice to hear!

Annelise Rowe said...

You're the best Kelsey! Thanks!

Annelise Rowe said...

You rock, Marina. Thanks.

Annelise Rowe said...

Thank you, Hannah! It seems darker in those photos... it is quite a bit lighter in person. But a little more natural.

Annelise Rowe said...

Thanks Amanda! You're great ;)

Annelise Rowe said...

Ooh, you reminded me, I need to share a bit about it! It's not anything crazy... but my pants are sure noticing!

Annelise Rowe said...

That's awesome. Everyone who knew me as a blonde usually prefers blonde, and the same way with me as a brunette. So I have to say--I appreciate it!

Annelise Rowe said...

You're so awesome, thanks Krysten! It's SO HARD to not just want to head to the salon (especially on days like today when it feels limp and dead) and just go get rid of it!

Annelise Rowe said...

Thanks Tanya! That's so nice... I have very, very straight hair. As I've grown older, it's developed a slight wave, but only in one little section. I guess I just don't even care anymore... though it looks better when I actually do it :) ha!

Annelise Rowe said...

Yessss! Thanks Lindsay!

Annelise Rowe said...

Oh, thanks so much! It's just so much easier at the moment :) You're awesome!

Annelise Rowe said...

Thanks Cynthia! My original title for that post was "the one where i realize my hair is long..." but then it didn't make sense after I wrote the post, so you know how that goes :) ha!

Annelise Rowe said...

Oh little lovely LeonORA, you're just wonderful. Don't be jealous of my hair today, it's a limp & dry mess!

Annelise Rowe said...

And I love it on YOU! :)

Annelise Rowe said...

I definitely question my longer hair each time I see it --- still! But I love your dark hair. It's fun (and sassy) being a brunette!

Annelise Rowe said...

You're so sweet, thanks a bunch! I have never, ever had red hair, but my sister has a red tone to hers and it's gorgeous! I'm jealous that you did it... so cool! (but natural is always my fave!)

Annelise Rowe said...

It's growing faster than I know what to do with it! :)

Annelise Rowe said...

Thank you so much, Jaclyn! You're right... with the shorter sleeves, I feel it touching down the back of my arms and it's so strange!

Annelise Rowe said...

That's the BEST! Colleen, I'm SO ENCOURAGED by you! Keep it up, lady! :) Thinking of YOU, too!

Annelise Rowe said...

Katie, I think we are hair twins! I have been totally surprised that my blonde roots aren't visible. It's crazy! I love the brunette on you, too!

Annelise Rowe said...

Ha! Oh no!!! I feel like if (and when) my hair begins to gray (or whiten, please), that I'll just let it go! I would love white hair! :) But for now, you keep rockin' that blonde. It's great!

Annelise Rowe said...

Oh wow! Well... I'm a natural dishwater blonde... so I fooled ya :) I love your brown 'do!

Annelise Rowe said...

Thanks Baylee!! yay!

Cody said...

I might do a post about my hair... maybe. And I can see why most people would say that.

Freya H Dub said...

I am literally going through a hair crisis right now as well. But I'm the opposite! I have always had very long hair. It's usually long and it's usually dark. But today I have been researching salons because I am SO ready to chop it all off! Currently, my hair is almost to my lower back. And it's think and I have roots and it has proven to be very hot where I just moved to. So I decided that for my 25th birthday on August 3rd, I'm going to cut my hair off! I think it's time for a new look!


Also, I love your hair long :) it almost makes me not want to cut it!

Annelise Rowe said...

Happy Early early B-day! So exciting... to be honest, I'm at the point where I'm ready to cut mine off!

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