Everything that happens when you change your hair colour

Just to clarify before I start: when I say “change your hair colour” I mean a drastic change. Like from beachy blonde to autumnal auburn, for example. I speak from experience here. Having undergone this exact hair transformation not so long ago, I’m somewhat of an authority on just what you can expect when changing up your hair colour…

First up – the absolute terror when you see that the dye your hairdresser is using is actually a bright purple. When she’s already put it on half of your hair…

… And the relief you feel when you voice your concerns and she reassures you that’s not the colour your hair’s going to turn out…

… The second round of terror when they wash your hair and it looks a million times darker than you expected…

… Followed by the second round of relief when your hair is dry and you see the actual colour for the first time…

… Leaving the salon and setting out on possibly the vainest walk of your life…

… Literally, every single window is an opportunity to admire your new found ginger-ness (or blonde-ness or brunette-ness)…

… Wondering if all the random people you encounter can tell you’ve got a new ‘do…

… Realising they don’t and if they do, they most likely don’t care…

… Or maybe they’re just jealous of your perfect new colour (unlikely)…

… Getting home and admiring your new colour in an actual proper mirror…

… And then wandering round the house trying to find the perfect light in which to capture the colour in the essential #NewHairDontCare selfie…

… Enjoying the reactions of various friends and family members…

… The inevitably dismissive attitude of the men in your life…

… Which are irrelevant because you like it anyway so there…

… And the inevitably flattering comments from the girls…

… Which make you fear for the day your dye job fades from subtle auburn to bright orange…

… Leading to the trip back into town for the perfect colour protecting hair treatments…

… Regardless of the obscene amount of money you’ve already spent on your hair appointment…

… All followed by the inescapable fortnight of “have you dyed your hair?” from literally everyone who’s ever seen you…

… But soon the unavoidable fade starts to set in…

… And you think to yourself “I should really book in for a touch up”…

… But then you don’t…

… For weeks…

… Maybe months…

… Because you’re poor…

… Until you bite the bullet and head back to the salon and so the cycle goes on.