Purple Mane

I colored my hair.

Really. I colored it purple. This was the first time I ever did something like this. My youngest wants to try a semi-permanent dye, so she researched some natural vegetable dyes and I ordered the color she wanted. Then I saw the purple (plum) and figured we could both do it. Except only I've tried it so far. She did try to dye a lock of her hair, but we aren't sure she used enough color.

My hair took the color better since it is now shot with white strands. (When did that happen?) After watching a few YouTube videos and being in possession of a quiet morning, I decided to take the plunge. My hair sectioned off, I stood in front of the bathroom mirror and learned some valuable lessons about hair coloring:

1. Don't shut the bathroom door. If you need help, your family won't hear you and you won't be able to open the door with your purple dye covered gloves.
2. Clips would work better than hair bands to hold up the sections I'm not dyeing.
3. Maybe I should have ordered that tint brush. The comb doesn't seem to spread any color at the hair line.
4. Patience is a virtue. And I am not. After ten minutes of trying to squeeze color through one of my sections of thick curly hair, I questioned the sanity of anyone who colors their hair regularly.
5. I probably needed more oil or petroleum jelly on my ears. 
6. It's a good thing my husband works from home so I could call to him as he passed the bathroom. Also good that this is the only bathroom. He would have come this way sooner or later. He got my oldest daughter to come and check my work and wrap my hair in plastic wrap.
7. Hair dye sticks to everything, including porcelain sinks and tubs. When I rinsed, the shower walls looked like a scene from Psycho, if the girl had purple blood. A friend later told me I could use a Mr. Clean Magic Eraser to get that out.
8. The gloves are necessary for rinsing too. Oops.

In the end, the color looks pretty good. I'm also glad that the dye smells of grape candy. I've heard that the henna dyes are not as pleasant. It wasn't the best dye job, but it looks fun for now and it will wash out after a few shampoos. Would I do it again? Ask me when my hair is completely white.

My adventure with Jerome Russell Punky Colour

Interesting side note: Many people have told me they love the color and wish they were brave enough to do this. For the record, I am not brave. I am spontaneous. The real trick is to do it before you can think it through and talk yourself out of it.