Lessons Learned

Hi...I'm pretty new to this board but I saw the "Bloopers" section so I figured I'd post a few of my lessons learned!

1. When I was 12 I got my first perm. It looked BEAUTIFUL. Soft ringlets. That was the LAST pretty perm I ever had. The next time I permed, I didn't like the look so I took a brush to it as it was drying. I had crisped frizzy stuck-out hair...I don't know how to explain it...it wasn't wavy or curly...it was just...well...bent all over.

2. I started coloring my hair as a teenager. I always colored it blonde. Eventually, after a few years, I decided to go back to light brown. I colored it and the color didn't take, so I did a second color over it a week later, and that faded too. So I tried a different brand and, you guessed it, GREEN. I mean REALLY green. I guess that's an old story that many people have done before, but it definitely qualifies as a blooper.

3. Cutting my own hair was a lesson it took me decades to unlearn. I've always messed around with cutting my own bangs and even the back. Most recently I decided to give myself bangs about three months ago. They were too uneven so I kept cutting, not only shorter but farther back because I figured heavy bangs would look sexy. I ended up with about an inch of bangs. My husband (who is normally very supportive) said I looked like a Vulcan. I'm still growing those out. Why oh why did I do that? They're only at eye-level at this point.

Well, those may not be very exciting bloopers but since other people were spilling, I figured I'd embarrass myself and spill as well. Here's what I've learned:

1. NEVER cut on impulse.

2. NEVER decide to cut your own hair because you don't want to spend the money or because you "just can't wait".

3. If you decide to perm, get a professional one. At least then if your hair doesn't do well with it, you will be able to go back and get it fixed. If you mess it up on your own, it's your own fault and your own money.

4. NEVER NEVER NEVER perm and color within a very short space of time. Some people do this and are fine, but since others end up with fried, broken hair, why take the risk?

5. If you want to change colors and you color at home, at least stick with the same brand. Some brands use a yellow undertone and some use a blue undertone. This is why you can end up with green hair if you do this.

6. NEVER say, "I hate my hair so much, there's nothing good about it, I want to go for a radical change" and then do it within a very short space of time. If you're truly hating your hair, wait. Wait wait wait. Make an appointment with someone reputable for at least 2 weeks away. This way, if you have regrets/second thoughts, it won't be too late to cancel.

7. If you want bangs: BUY CLIP-ONS and wear them around for a while. Heck, buy clip-ons and just keep them for when you're in a "bangs" sort of mood. I'm talking short front bangs here (not the long layered kind). Bangs have got to be the worst, hardest thing to grow out, at least if you have medium-length or longer hair and they won't "blend".

That's what I've learned. :) Now somebody slap me if I ever post that I'm going to try any of the above things.