Shhh…. I have a secret

When we went to Disneyland (and took 4 of our kids, one of their long-term girlfriends, and my ex-husband’s sister (whom I got in the divorce) for our 10th anniversary, I dyed my hair purple. I mean, why not? It sounded like fun and it is my favorite color.

I dyed it a semi-dark purple. A little too dark, but I knew it would fade. Added glitter while we were there. It was perfect!

I’m to the point where I don’t really care what anyone other than my family cares.

It might be different if I worked a corporate job, but I don’t.

I kept my hair purple, or some shade there of, for the next three years.

I learned to mix a shade that looked right on me. Several people always told me that it looked natural on me. Now that I think about it, was that a compliment? I always took it as one

The only reason I stopped or changed the color was my youngest sons high school graduation. His paternal grandfather was supposed to be there, and he is slightly conservative. I figured that I would dye it back after the ceremony.

Well, it’s been five years. I have been thinking about it, just never got up the nerve to do it again.

Until a couple of days ago.

I always used permanent professional dye, at least for purple. I ask for help, and I actually listen when I am given advice. Did that help this time?

Yeah, not so much. I forgot that some color darkens the longer it is on your hair.

I got busy and forgot. An hour or so later, I washed it out.

Dramatic, dark plumish purple. The plum part was on purpose. However, there was supposed to be raspberry highlights.

Not what I got. Nope. Deep, dark plum. Waaaaaay to dark for my skin tone.

Now I am working on toning it down without relying on something like “Oops” hair dye remover or a bleach bath.

I don’t want to ruin my hair. Just lighten it a bit. Like, two or five shades.

I got advice from a hairdresser, and a color striper. She suggested that I try a couple non chemical methods first.

So, I tried Head and Shoulders I’ve used this in the past to lighted dye. I also learned to not use it if I like the color of my hair. No dice.

I used Dawn dish soap with the hottest water I could stand, followed by a deep conditioner. Man, Dawn will strip your hair of ANY grease or oil. I lightened it maybe a quarter of a shade. However, it did seem to bring the pink up a bit. Overall, it’s still too dark.

Hydrogen peroxide mixed with equal parts water and left into hair is also supposed to work. I might try that next.

I know. First-world problems.

Not serious in the world as a whole.

It doesn’t seriously effect anyone’s life, let alone my own.

Honestly, when I am busy, I totally forget about it. Then, it is a shock when I catch myself in the mirror.

Maybe I’ll try mixing hydrogen peroxide with Dawn and wash my hair.

I don’t know. Whatever I try, I’ll document later.