I CAN DO IT, BUT I DON'T KNOW HOW

I'm glad it worked out well for you. But, remember, the colour will fade really fast, because it's only meant to last a few days. But, if you want it to last longer, don't wash your hair every day. But, at least now, you know what you want it to look like...

Ok, first of all, what everyone else says is completly true. You can't make your hair exactly like someone else's. But, if you REALLY want to try changing the colour. (I've been dying my hair for years, and don't have a problem with it being really dry, you just have to be careful with it. Don't wash it every day, etc.) Anyway, I'd recommend trying a tint, or very short lasting colour the first time you try dying it at home. Flirt is good for just changing the colour a little bit, but, I think it's called Expression (It's in a blue and white box..) is really great. It gives an amazing colour, and only lasts about a week. That way, you can try out the colour, and see if you really like it. (And, they're not very expensive.)Love, Molly

Oh, I know this feeling! So many times, I've seen someone with what seemed like it was perfect hair - exactly what I wanted, the hair I should have been born with. I've tried and tried to get it, and it has never worked.I have straight hair, and I wanted curls, so I tried a perm - big mistake. Some people's hair will take a perm just fine, but I am not one of those people - I looked like I had stuck my finger in an electric socket. I have light brown hair, and I wanted to go red, so I tried to dye it. It left my hair very dry and somewhat damaged.I suspect if you try to straighten your hair, it will actually frizz more than it does now. The same is likely to be true if you color it. Red is difficult to get, anyway - you can never predict just how it will turn out, and the color fades fairly rapidly. (That's true of red pigments in general, not just hair color, by the way. Red paints tend to fade more quickly than other colors - a major issue in the restoration of old works of art.) There's also the fact that if you don't like it, it will take a long time to grow out, and you'll have to live with two-tone, two-texture hair until it does. Maintaining changes in texture and color is difficult - you'll have to deal with the roots to keep up the style. That means doing it over, with even more patience and attention to detail, every few weeks. That's a lot of abuse to put your hair through.Trying to do this sort of thing so near to the start of school is probably not a good idea - what if you came out with fluorescent orange hair that stuck straight up? (OK, so that isn't likely, but it is possible. Straightening and coloring can be a really bad combination.)You're more likely to come out with results you like if you look through magazines and pick out photos you like of people who have hair similar to yours in color and texture. Then think about whether that style would suit your face and build. Then work from there.Also, ask yourself what you really liked best about the airport girl's hair. Was it that you want that color and style, or was it that it looked so good on her? You can get the same pulled-together, attractive air with a different style, I promise. It's easier to do if you look like yourself anyway, and the most important thing is to feel ok about how you look and who you are. (I know that's easier to say than it is to do, and I still have trouble with it myself.)Of course, that isn't what you want to hear. I never wanted to hear that either - I still don't like it. However, if you want shampoo commercial hair, you have to keep it healthy, and straightening and coloring are not going to do that for you. Also, appreciating yourself isn't easy, but it will carry you through a lot more in life than a perfect hairstyle.I know a girl who has about average looks, nothing really outstanding, that everyone thinks is really pretty when they meet her in person. It's not because of anything she does to her hair or makeup or anything, it's because she smiles, and because she's confident and comfortable with herself. Developing that is the best thing you can do for your appearance, and it will last you forever.If you absolutely must go ahead and do it - and I'd really, really recommend against it, because you're not likely to get what you want - you're going to have to condition like crazy. And whatever you do, don't color and straighten on the same day! Give your hair some time to recover, and some deep conditioning in between.Good luck, whatever you decide to do.Laura Jane lswanson@sunflower.bio.indiana.edu

Jennifer J,Sage words of advice. Very well put!Dave

I saw this girl at the airport the same age about the same heighth etc. She had straight shoulderlength dark reddish brown hair. It was really awsome, she had shampoo commercial hair. Anyways, my hair is wavy, long and dark brown. I can always dye my hair that exact same color, but what brand should I use?? How will I get my hair straight??? I have a really tight budget. I can always cut my hair, I want to do this all the way. I know there's always a whole bunch of people who want straight hair and are never satisfied but I really want this hair.My hair would probably be easy to straighten but I don't have any Ouidad or anything where I am from.Not even frizz ease. What I do have is the spray in conditioner from Finesse. It does work, for a while, it is supposed to defrizz, but it sort of doesn't work.My hair is a teensy bit frizzy. Egg doesn't do anything for my hair either. Jojoba oil is hard to find. I am only 12 years old and I know my heart is in this whole process. How do I do it? School starts on the 20th. I would really appreciate any advice of any part of this post. what are the right processes for this?