If you know me, you know I'm all for the crazy-colored hair trend. In fact, I have been since my senior year in college, when I first dyed the ends of my hair purple for an ombre #mermaidhairdon'tcare look. I've only continued to experiment with hair colors since then – trying out a bright, fuchsia pink; dark blue; and my favorite to-date, a scintillating mix of blue and green that turned into the perfect shade of teal. These days, I've gone for a deeper shade of vibrant forest green.
So why have I tried all of these wacky hair colors, you ask? Well, truth be told, for me there is nothing more liberating style-wise than experimenting with different shades. I read somewhere that many girls with this mindset now think of their hair color as an accessory, and are apt to change it accordingly, often on a whim. While some may not go that far, if you're like me, your hair color does indeed change with your mood.
If you're not like me, that's okay too. Maybe you're a little more hesitant to try a bold hue. But since you're reading this article, I'm going to go ahead and guess that you're looking to be a little more adventurous – and just might be up for the challenge of dying your virgin (or not) locks a fresh and trendy new color.
Still not convinced? Here are a few reasons to do it – even if you're scared:
You'll stand out.
What better way to stand out from a sea of blondes and brunettes than by experimenting with fun and unique mermaid shades? Try out cotton-candy tones like mint, pastel pink, lilac or cool sea foam blue (think Kylie Jenner) to channel your inner unicorn. Because really, who wouldn't want to be a unicorn if given the chance?
Plus, the myriad compliments you receive may be enough to keep you on the crazy-colored hair bandwagon.
It's self-expressive and liberating.
Like you've taken on a brand new identity, you'll find yourself loving your look in a completely unique way. For me, it felt like I was taking on an alter-ego I had previously only accessed while out at shows or taking music festivals by storm with my friends. It felt like I was a careless wild child/mermaid/fairy goddess unencumbered by any kind of worry, much less that brought on by the real world.
In this fantasy world, my only worry became how fast my newly-dyed purple was fading. (Not that that's something I tend to obsess over, or anything. Trust me, you'll see what I mean when you dye yours.)
Plus, there's plenty of room in today's world to shed the restrictions and misconceptions some people may have about unnatural hair colors. For example, it's still entirely possible to hold down a real full-time job even when you have teal hair. I'm proof.
So don't worry what people think: Express yourself in the way that feels right for you, especially if that means experimenting with different colors and styles. If that happens to translate to a burning need to dye your hair an utterly tantalizing shade of magenta, then by all means, you should go for it.
It won't last forever.
Like a bad haircut, if you end up hating it (though I highly doubt that will happen), you're not stuck with it forever – or even for longer than a few weeks, really. Inevitably, the dye will fade out faster than you know it, which is actually one of the only pitfalls for the rest of us. Oh, the upkeep.
(Note: On the other hand, blue is not the color for you if you're commitment-phobic. Make sure you're in it for the long haul before you dye your locks this bright and beautiful hue. Unlike many other unnatural hair colors, blue tends to stick to hair for waaay longer than its lighter-toned cousins like pink or purple.)
It doesn't have to be expensive.
Purples and pinks are especially pricey to maintain. But don't give up! Soul-crushing salon price tags aren't your only option. While I wouldn't suggest bleaching your tresses yourself at home (though I have many friends who swear by this), I recommend trying at-home color instead of taking frequent trips to the salon to refresh your color. You can purchase the dye at a beauty supply store and enlist a beauty-savvy friend to help.
Additionally, color-depositing conditioners like Overtone Haircare are an easy and fairly inexpensive way to seal in the freshness of a newly-minted 'do. Plus, they won't cause excessive extra damage to the hair.
Ready to take the plunge? Take this quiz to find out which color you should die your hair. Or check out celebs who've rocked a neon or pastel hair color for more inspiration.
