Monday, November 24, 2014

Just a Little Heads-Up for Kay ...

You know how it is when the store where you buy your specific hair color is completely out of it? And you run around looking for your color at your backup source-stores, but it's nowhere to be found? And you know you could get it on line but it would be a minimum of two days to get it and you've already let your roots grow too long and you're looking pitiful, necessitating some remedial action right NOW?

And I know you know how it is when you've had a lovely glass of wine with dinner, and you and your husband have been talking about how, now that you're getting older, that you shouldn't stop taking risks or get into to too many life-ruts. Been there, right? So, you know how it is when you're getting tired of dinking around, looking for this one item and you decide to try another brand, thinking to yourself "how different could the same shade be?" And, as you grab a Light Auburn you know how you forget that your usual L'Oreal Preference brand tends to be more of a natural looking blend than the more fashion-forward intensity of L'Oreal Feria colors? Which you pick up in the Feria Power Red brand, 'cause you're now feeling a little adventurous?

So then, you know when you mix the color and your eyes bug out of your head at how much the mixed up color looks like very bright, cherry-red Jello ? And you know how, because you are 40 miles from another package of hair color, you slap the garish pink stuff on your head when you absolutely know better?

I hate it when that happens.

On the box, the color calls itself Rich Auburn True Red and adds the more jazzy Ruby Rush (yikes!) to the name, just for fun. Rush indeed. I should have believed them when they labeled it as part of their Power Reds collection. Anybody who has colored their own hair for awhile knows that these names are subjective at best and slapdash approximations at worst. It could have just as easily been called OMG Red! or WTF Auburn! or, to my eye, most accurately Freaking Hot Pomegranate Pink!

I cannot blame L'Oreal because I was warned.

I'm living with it until it fades, because, in truth, it's almost wearable. In natural or incandescent light, I could describe it as substantially and boldly brighter and edgier than my usual shade. However, under florescent bulbs, it still looks closer to a so-not-flattering dark hot-pink-on-the-purple side. (It's pinker than the photo shows. By quite a lot.)

I don't completely hate it, and it's not the most outrageous thing I've ever done to my hair. But the worst is knowing that when I go to get my hair cut this Wednesday, my always wise and kind and patient and adorable stylist, Kay, will fall down and bust a gut laughing at me. I just know she will. It just seems decent to give her a little warning. Hope I don't cause her a serious injury just before Thanksgiving.



Here I am with the loud hair, trying to distract you with how I've winterized an early fall look you saw HERE . A wide-collared faux leather jacket, a pair of sling-back booties, and my newish Olivia and Joy cobalt blue and black satchel (which I got on scandalously deep reduction at TJ Maxx ... they never disappoint) make for a more wintry interpretation of the basic sweater and ankle trousers. I'm pleased with this look.
And, of course, I don't hate it when that happens.

~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~

Happy Thanksgiving to all here in the US, and have a lovely week wherever in the wide world this post finds you ... I'm thankful for every single one of you! (And especially for Kay and Salon Adorn!)

Speaking of being thankful, I'm joining the Vintagey Yet Thoroughly Modern Patti, impeccable host at her linky party, Visible Monday .I'm always grateful when I get to do that. Come see what all the fuss is about!

Late Breaking: Tardy for .Tardis Tuesday ... swinging over to the Starry Night Beauty,Maricel's link up.  You should come!


50 comments:

  1. Well, I think your hair looks fine, but I have been there .. wanting to 'go a bit darker' a few years ago, I selected a dark shade of brown and when all was said and done, the tips of my hair were fire red .. little did I know what this was a dark "red" not a dark brown .. talk about not reading the packaging. Oh, well it's red .. it'll fade in a few shampoos.

    Monica, www.pear-shaped-gal.com

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  2. Aww, I think it looks cute, and with everyone doing wild hair color these days, it's downright tame. :-) The colors you've chosen here certainly complement it nicely.

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  3. I love it! I think it looks so vibrant on you. I used to be a red-head many moons ago, but didn't know how to care for it. to this day i'm always tempted by such jazzy words as ruby and auburn. I love how you went for it anyway! I'm inspired! And I totally love TJ Maxx, but have to limit how many times a week I go in there.

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  4. Love the look! This bright blue and black are great together. Definitely some bad-assery here. And I don't dislike the hair color. Yes, it seems brighter, but still pretty—more edgy—which is not a bad thing you know. I sympathize with you on the color front. I've colored my own back to red (I was having a reaction to the blonde decoloration formula).

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  5. Love te jacket and the bag combo. As for hair colour... As you said, it looks tamer on the picture. But as my mother (a hairdresser) used to say, hair grows, so whatever you do to it, it's just temporary...

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  6. The red does not look that bright in the picture and I am sure it will fade after a few washes. I love this gorgeous new purse! Have a great Thanksgiving my friend!


    Alice
    www.happinessatmidlife.com

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  7. Sorry it did not please you, Jan - it looks beautiful on my screen though, really emphasizes your eyes! Beautiful contrast with the blue you picked too.

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  8. It's a keeper, Jan, that hair color. You are a ruby! I like it and you look even more stunning with that cobalt blue ensemble because of it. Way to go.

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  9. Well you know me and red...the redder the better so I love this : ) Especially when paired with that amazing shade of blue.

    Happy Thanksgiving!

    bisous

    Suzanne

    http://www.suzannecarillo.com

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  10. It looks good from here especially with the cobalt blue! x

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  11. You look marvelous here and I love the color. I have done much worst to my hair when the stylist gave me some orange hair that cost me $60.00. So, yes it will fade and it did not cost you $60. Happy Holidays!!

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  12. I suppose the photo doesn't show the truth then??? As I quite like it. It is darker than usual and a bit brighter, but lovely. So I don't think your hairdresser will have a laugh.
    And yes... you know you should be careful with colouring your hair. I always have mine done by the hair dresser as I am terrified what might happen if I do it myself. And after three weeks, my neighbour six houses down (hair dresser by profession) does it for me using the stuff from my hair dresser.
    No risk, although I am not so sure about the blond...
    Your outfitt looks lovely. You have done a wonderful job in turning this into fall. But slingback boots? Isn't that warm and cold at the same time?
    Greetje
    PS lovely bag

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  13. Well, I love your hair, Jan - it's bright, bold and beautiful, just like you! Reds fade soooo fast; I always love my hair when it's first coloured and really vivid, but that doesn't last long... It plays really well with the bight blue in your outfit, and that jacket is so Rock Chick cool!
    Isn't it great to have a lovely hairdresser to rely on? I'd walk over hot coals to see mine! xxx

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  14. I'm afraid I think your hair looks great, maybe not the color you wanted, but still fabulous! I love bold hair colors, and the outfit you chose works perfectly with it! :)

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  15. Actually, I had this exact color a couple of years ago :)) I went from blond to red -- it was a complete disaster for me :) But, this color looks good on you! No reason be upset :) Loving your winter look. The satchel is just fabulous! Have a wonderful Thanksgiving!

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  16. I know that sometimes on photographs colours look different. And looking at you now I find that your new hair colour looks quite nice, not artificial at all, beautiful autumn shade that suits you. Actually I had same experience with Lóreal's Feria - instead of desired copper I got kind of bright flaming red. In such cases it is really advantage that these shades fade away quite quickly.
    Love your new satchel, such a wonderful colour and design.

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  17. Jan, I LOVE your hair! I am a little partial to drama and high contrast and I think this looks amazing. The colour also looks amazing against the blue in your outfit. Stunning;)

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  18. Know this scenario well, I am always glad colour fades so quickly. That said I too like the deeper colour on you and it does look so good with your black and cobalt.Another great bag I see.I hope your hairdresser has recovered from her surprise. Have a great Thanksgiving, Jan.

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  19. Happy Thanksgiving to you! I think you look fantastic and the colour is fun. You can do bright and bold colours and it suits the adorable haircut. IN fact, you look so great I didn't really take in the outfit. Sorry. I am sure it looked good because you do put nice looks together, but seriously I was just looking at your head because it is a stunning head-hair and face.
    XO

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  20. I think anyone who colours their own hair deserves a medal! I know i would come out looking red all over my face and halfway down my back! Actually, i don't colour my hair...trying to embrace what I call my hair jewellery. I'm lucky my hair is greying silver. Looking forward to a change of colour in 10 years?
    Blue and black is such a smart combination. Love the shape of the bag.
    You need to stockpile your haircolour! Do it now!
    Hope your hairdresser is uninjured, and up from the floor?
    You look great :-) xo JJ

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  21. You know, even though I read the packaging, and I absolutely knew that Feria can be problematic if subtlety is desired, I did it anyway ... and it can be fun to change it up. it's faded to a ruby-pink... like very cheap red wine. It's a constant frustration here that product is hard to find, but I may have a solution in that the divine Kay has offered to help me purchase consistent color via her contacts ... so it was worth it in the long run.
    Honestly, it's not too bad with very short hair. The only problem is that I can't wear my lovely pink coat with it. Soon, though. Very soon!
    Thanks for the kind remarks and the sympathy!

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  22. That is a good point to remember. My daughter (she's no spring chicken either) has done the lavender thing over blond, so perhaps this will look sedate by comparison to more extreme color. It's not bad after a cut earlier in the week. Kay was, as I predicted, amused, but she did appreciate the heads up! She's going to make it easier to find my regular color via her contacts, so it was worth the experience for the outcome!
    Thank you for the encouraging remarks, Pseu. Nice of you, as always.

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  23. Awwwh. Thank you, Liza ... simplifies my wardrobe choices during the holidays, for sure. Plenty of bling just sitting on top of my head! Thanks for the encouraging noises, kiddo. I hope you had a good Thanksgiving as well!

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  24. LOL!!! That has so happened to me before...and it was Feria as well. Several years ago I tried one of the reds and it turned my hair a deep purple...in all light, not just fluorescent. The kids at school thought it was the coolest thing ever, me not so much. I had to apply brown color over it to tone it down. Actually that color is really pretty on you, but what matters is whether or not you're comfortable with it. :)
    Debbie
    www.fashionfairydust.blogspot.com

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  25. Ah joys that await in the not too distant future (getting quite a few grays now). Well from the photo there's no sign of pink - it looks it deep auburn red from here and it looks freakin' fabulous with all that cobalt!

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  26. Thank you, Neo! I can see you as a red-head so easily, but it is a handful to care for. I'm pretty lucky as my hair is pretty easy to deal with in terms of color damage ... it's fine and needs the cuticle damage just to perk up a little. I went for it, yes I did, and I don't hate it as much as I'm finding it doesn't work with some of my favorite wardrobe pieces, such as my slightly-peachy pink coat. Yikes!
    Ah, TJ Maxx ... I only have a few minutes a week to pop in, but I have a planned route ... handbags, shoes, junior blouses, grown-up tops, skirts, pants and dresses (depending on my current obsession) and end in jewelry or accessories. That way Dan always has a pretty good idea where I am in the store, depending on how long I've been there!
    Have a lovely week, and thank you for stopping by,Neo!

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  27. I gets easier to wear every day now, and darling Kay has helped me solve the problem of finding color by some cooperation with the salon supply people ... she's okay with my home adventures in hair color! Consistancy and some savings! YesI
    I does, I'll admit, have a bit of badassery to it, and looks okay in candle light at the restaurant. Tough with some of my favorite colors, but better than the "faded carrot" it was.
    I'm so sorry you're having reactions to color removers! But then you make a fabulous red-head, as well. We need a club of red pixies!

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  28. Thank you, Tiina ... glad you like the outfit. And yes, the hair is fading, but I'm not letting it just grow out. New color next week, and all should be well. My stylist, the much amused Kay, is going to help me with access to good quality color, so things are better on that front as well!

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  29. Thank you, darling Alice! It's looking better every day, but not fading as fast as I thought it might. I'm keeping the makeup light, the outfits minimal and neutral and the jewelry down to a dull roar, so I don't look completely out of my mind. So glad you liked my bag ... it is a keeper. Thanksgiving was good, relaxed and a little decadent, but ever since there's been no keeping up with employee drama and everyone else's holiday stress ... nuts. We persevere, and appreciate you good wishes.

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  30. Copycat ;-P
    Seriously - I LOVE IT! But then you knew I'd say that, right? It really, really flatters you. I want to see more photos (you only ever give us one a week; boo). Of course my head looks like a carton of neopolitan ice cream, so I'm okay with vivid hair color!
    YAY for taking the risk - and you know if I thought you looked ridiculous I'd tell you ;-)


    Alicia
    spashionista.com

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  31. TARDIS blue, my dear!!! Why are you not over at TARDIS Tuesday!!!!!!?!?!?!!? xx
    Beautiful by the way!x

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  32. Late, late reply ... I'm far behind, but so happy you stopped by to read and took the time to write such nice things! Thank you ... so glad to hear from you.

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  33. Very late but nonetheless heart-felt thanks to you, Pao. Glad you liked it and happy you stopped by to say so.

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  34. So far behind ... been a strange week. But I'm so happy you dropped by, and I appreciate the support. One red to another, you know the pitfalls!

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  35. Thank you, Vix! I'm so far behind I'll never catch up ... but wanted to say thanks, and send an additional belated wish for your birthday-week happiness!

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  36. I'm late saying thank you, Neti ... but I'm grateful you stopped by and extra grateful that you are so right. It didn't cost me $60, and it is fading. I'll color again soon, and have learned from the experience!

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  37. Can you believe it? I'm here to say thanks and apologize for being rude and so late!
    Yes, Kay did indeed crack up, but she's helping me with a consistent source for a color I like!
    My little sling back booties work surprisingly well on a lot of our fall days, and look fine with dark tights later. I love the overall shape so much, and they are beyond comfy!
    Thanks again for stopping by with such nice things to say ... as always!

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  38. Look! At last! Slow but sincere me. I'm reminded that I wouldn't have to apologize as often if I had my act together. But, here it is. So glad you stopped by with encouraging things to say! .The color has settled a bit, and I've doused it with a warm-red glaze that makes it a little less fuchsia colored! Kay did have a massive laugh, but has taken pity on me and it helping me with a consistent supply of a color I like. I'm planning cupcakes for her for Christmas!

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  39. Thank you, Laurie ... late, but with sincere appreciation that you stopped by! The color is improving as it fades, and I'm glad that you liked it at all!

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  40. Olga! Thank you, and I'm sending my thanks for encouraging words with apologies for how late I am. This new Feria series sheds buckets of color every shampoo, but I'm liking where it is right now quite a lot. Too difficult to try again, but Kay the Genius Stylist is helping me find consistent access to a color-kit I can use.
    So happy you stopped by, as always.

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  41. Shawna! I'm so late and awful, but I'm always really happy when you stop by. Thank you for your very encouraging note ... I'm feeling better about it every day.

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  42. Hey, Jack! Sorry to be so slow to say thanks ... been an odd couple of weeks. But I'm glad to have the time to say thanks for your very encouraging note.
    I've colored my hair most of my adult life ... I've always loved messing with color on canvas (that's where I invested most of my formal education) so it's probably natural to want to soak my head in it, too. At almost 65, I'm sure I have plenty of gray, but so far it's taking the color well, so if I may never get to see it. Once every decade or so now, I think about going gray, but haven't made the leap yet. If I every have to shave my head, that might be the time, but I hope that doesn't ever happen!
    Poor Kay did laugh with considerable abandon, and it was a good idea to break it to her via the post before she got to see it. Adorable girl that she is, she made a consistent supply source possible for me, so it might have been worth all the shock and awe!

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  43. Late but with heartfelt thanks for the encouragement, Dawn Lucy! Our Thanksgiving was nice, and I just stayed away from mirrors!

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  44. See ... this is a thing for redheads! This new Feria line is not for the feint of heart. It's been awhile, and I'm ready to color again but it's still bleeding onto towels. I've been using a warm red color glaze on it, and it's looking not quite so bizarre.
    Thanks so much ( belatedly!) for the encouraging words!

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  45. Hello, V! Thank you ( with late but heartfelt apologies for my slow reply) for the encouragement and sympathy. It's slowly fading into submission, but I'm ready to color again. If my hair was as beautiful as yours is, I'd just pamper the few grays and see how you fare with them!

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  46. I knew you had a streak, but no idea you had a head full of color! You wear it well. Thank you (with apologies for tardiness in reply) for the encouraging words. It was a crazier color than the photo shows, but by now, its settled down and faded into a nice bright red with a little help from a warmer color glaze.
    Yeah, I know about the one photo thing. Honestly, I'd dispense with them altogether if I thought anyone would read without them. I'm as vain as the next woman, but time and equipment is always an issue. I'll learn to do better one day!

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  47. I know! I have to get over there ... I'm never good with thematic link-ups, and I'm lucky to get to Visible Monday before my life starts butting into my blogging time. I'm so playing catch up, so thank you for your reminder and kind comments!

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  48. Mwahahahahaha! Thanks for supporting my fledgling linkup. You look GORGEOUS!

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  49. Hi lovely! You look great! The TARDIS blue is super and that jacket is definitely Clara Oswaldesque!x

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  50. Oh but that hair looks awesome!!! Not too loud really! But I understand how you feel. Mine just recently got a tad red to the auburn and I was devastated for 2 weeks.But yours suits you really well and is amazing with the blue! That bag needs to move to Germany asap!!!

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