Never Say Never

IT'S that season when hormonal and non-hormonal factors are driving the women around me to do major changes to their hair. Different styles, cuts, colour, whatever. So why wouldn't I be carried away, right? (Even if two of my resolutions for the year are to keep my hair long and leave it the shiny, natural black it is). But I love colours too much and when I saw the colour revolution bubbling around me, I just had to get mine done.

First step was research. Lots of research because I rather go bald than to live with bad hair. So I googled and googled, and came up with a few ideas. Colours in mind were deep blue, aubergines and greens in Ombre style. I thought these colours were a good match for my natural black. Ombre's all about understated funky and it makes classic braids and buns look edgy. Note to self was to avoid red at all cost.

Second step was to have a partner in crime. So I had Mek Zhin. Meks has the most beautiful hair ever. Thick, healthy and glorious + we share the same colour sense (except that she likes purple too much and I don't). So during one tea time, we took off to do our hair. Funky colour Ombre!

I wanted something like this

OR

This ! Love the blue and green

 SO I can do this 

These random streaks add character to the braid

OR this

Not too keen on the gray but I love the style

Third step was communicating our idea to my most trusted hairstylist, Min. I love this Korean man for the way he's handled my hair and soothed me during my worst hair crisis. He's the type who'd tell you what's good and not for you, and wouldn't carry out a project simply because it won't do your face or hair any justice. So upon understanding our special needs, Min projected a worried face. My heart sank because I knew right away what he was about to tell me.


"This requires double or triple bleaching. Otherwise the colours won't turn out right, and bleaching can damage the hair," Min said.

Bleaching would damage my hair, not Meks. Mine's too fine. Hers is good. After an hour of consultation and discussion among us, he began with Meks. For me, he suggested reds and browns, without the bleach. I thought about it and in the instant he put the first dye onto my sectioned off hair, I changed my mind.

"Just use red. All over. No highlights". Very spontaneous. Min didn't complain so that must be a good sign. Or he was just letting me be but I did ask him for a thousand times during the application if everything was going to be okay. While at it, I also texted the one person whom I've known to have had red hair for the longest time, Saby, for words of encouragemnt. She still does, and it's hot on her.

Meanwhile, Meks' process was a long one. Bleach. Wash. Bleach.Wash.Colour. Wait. Wait. Wash. Dry. Glee. Love it.

Meks had this in mind

AND she got this

This pic taken with a phone cam doesn't do justice AT ALL but it's really nice

My hair turned out a deep red. Wasn't too happy in the beginning but I'm getting adjusted to it. Just when I said never to red, I'm living with it now. I might like it more next week.

Mine is red like this. It's on fire outdoors.