As soon as the headline about Suki Waterhouse’s changing her blonde hair to a deep, chocolatey brown pop up on my facebook feed, I knew I’d click on it. I’m a wannabe chameleon – I want to make bold moves like Suki’s, but I’m usually too scared, so just obsess over other people’s barnets instead.
Changing hair colour holds endless possibilities of a whole new look, something that can instantly transform the way you look without the need for a shopping splurge, surgery or even a haircut. But then again – there’s something about sticking to what you know. Especially when it comes to hair – something that’s, well, always there and always visible.
Meaning any changes to that can be traumatic.
I should know. I did change it up 3 years ago. Having been blonde since I was 14, I decided to go brunette. ‘Maybe I’d finally have that shiny sheen on my hair dried-out blondes can only dream off?’ I thought to myself. ‘Maybe the wispy bits would look thicker and surely not having six-weekly root touch-ups would be a welcome change?’ I argued.
My amazing hairdresser, Ollie Blackaby at Headmasters, talked me through the process, warning me I’d probably feel the need for more bronzer, lots of protein-rich hair products and I might want to make the change gradually. Nah, I said – whack it on, let’s do it. He did, and I LOVED it. It was just as shiny and healthy-looking as I’d hoped. I felt older, but in a good way – sophisticated, cool and serious.
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But it came with some strange side effects. My face looked a bit stark underneath all that dark hair, like a big pink blancmange. My hair was flatter without bleach swelling the roots or making the lengths a bit brittle. I didn’t know what makeup to wear as my usual taupe tones just melted into the blancmange mush of my head. But strangest of all, I felt really shy around new people.
I went to New York a few weeks into life as a brunette, and found myself backing into walls at parties, feeling I ought to start sentences with, ‘I used to be blonde’ as if these strangers might recognise there was something missing. I know, I know – it’s ridiculous. I mean, my hair doesn’t define who I am - I have a job, I have a personality, I have friends, I read books; what the hell does my hair have to do with all that? NOTHING in theory. But still I felt self-conscious. And weird.
Apparently the way I felt isn’t unusual, though. Changing your hair colour can spell drama – especially when you’re abandoning blonde. ‘As a blonde who went dark (pun intended) during early motherhood I know first-hand that hair is connected to our identity and internal mood,’ says Doctor of Psychology at California State University, Dr. Wendy Walsh. ‘In fact a hair change is sometimes linked to depression.’
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So how can you make a big hair change, something which, let’s remember, should be fun, less distressing? First ask yourself, why are you doing it? Hairdresser Jack Howard of Neville Salon, the man responsible for Suki’s new ‘French Brown’ hair, warns against making a change straight after a break-up. ‘Think twice and maybe buy a new outfit until the idea of the break up is no longer fresh, and then try a wig before you commit to a colour. And if you go just a shade or two lighter than you’d like, then you can always go darker next time – make it a gradual change,’ he tells The Debrief.
Good advice, and it certainly seemed to work for Suki – she doesn’t look insecure or apologetic about her new hair.
So what do other experts offer when you’re looking for tips on preparing to make that major hair move:
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‘Really strengthen your hair before colouring to limit damage - Redken do a great protein boost treatment called Extreme Anti Snap,’ says Ollie Blackaby, Art Ambassador at Headmasters.
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‘Have a lengthy consultation with your stylist and talk through what is achievable with an in-depth colour hair plan so you know what to expect and how often you’ll have to return to maintain the colour,’ says Percy & Reed Colour Director, Andrew John
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‘Don’t expect drastic change overnight. Changing your hair from light to dark or vice versa could take up to 3 or 4 visits to the salon,’ says Lee Stafford.
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‘Go to a make-up [counter] to talk about the kind of new make up a change of colour might require,’ advises Jack Howard.
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‘Ask for different ribbons of colour to run through, so it doesn't look to heavy or harsh. Especially around the face, a few lighter tones will highlight features and help with getting used to a colour change,’ says Headmasters guru Ollie Blackaby.
As for me? Well, despite the fact I did eventually get over my shyness around dark hair, I’m back to blonde now. Still, maybe if I’d followed the advice above I would have been more successful. Here’s hoping…
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Follow Grace on Twitter @gracetimothy
Illustration: Sara Andreasson
This article originally appeared on The Debrief.