Grin & Hair It: Secrets Revealed
It’s funny how a change in environment can make you do things you never thought you would…wear Uggs with work outfits on a regular basis while allowing dust to build up on your favorite pumps, consolidate handbag contents into laptop bag, forego $300-plus hair treatments for $10 at-home-from-a-box treatments…GASP! Yes, believe it or not, I have not had my hair professionally done since moving to New York about five months ago!
Before…
So here’s why I took the plunge in going from ultra chic-salon to temporarily stained forehead in my bathroom - I taught myself some basics in dyeing hair when I was in highschool and have done plenty of experimenting to the point where I know enough not to mess up. On top of that, my hair is super fine and pretty thin, so it’s actually pretty easy to distribute an all over color. The above shot is the before, but here’s a close-up of my roots.
A Shot of the Roots (can you see?)…
I used L’oreal’s 10 minute Excellence To-Go in Medium Brown Natural (a little darker than my natural color…mousy brown). It costs about $10 usually, but I’ve seen it on sale for $5.99 the last few times I’ve checked. Most people probably need two boxes, but if you have thin hair like me, one should do it. I applied to my roots first and let it sit for a couple of minutes before applying to the rest of my hair (otherwise, you’ll get a two-tone from the top down). Roots take longer and when you put a color on top of already-colored hair, it comes out darker…even blackish if you aren’t careful.
After…
Above is the “after” shot, but without make-up. In the spirit of this post, why not put it all out there. I’m 26 and am starting to think more about “maintenance,” particularly in terms of beauty. I haven’t had to wax my lip and I still don’t wear liquid foundation (just light powder/bronzers) or wrinkle creams (should probable start). HOWEVER, last week I found my first grey hair <<INSERT SOUND FROM PSYCO SOUNDTRACK HERE>>…then a second and a third! EEEK! Talk about inspiration for touching up my roots!
While I’m at it, I thought I might as well let you in on another not-so-fashionable piece of my life. When I’m not at work or out and about, I LIVE in Old Navy PJ pants…they even have nicknames. My friends all think it’s funny and humor me by asking about my Pineapple pants or my Freedom pants (see in the pic below). If you want comfort…get a pair of the cotton PJs in one size up from your normal size…lounge and never feel bloated. Ha! This is probably WAY TMI, but what the hell…it’s all part of being transparent. Oh and since you can see in this pic…my toes are super long and the second is longer than the first! There..a handful of imperfections exposed…
“Whatchu Looking At…This is Stylish in My Own Little World…”
By the way…L’oreal did not supply product or pay me to do this post. In fact, they have no clue I’m even a fan. 
Just want to disclose since there’s so much focus on this sort of thing right now.
I think the color suits you well
I just cut my bangs although they look kinda weird but I couldn’t stand having my bangs too short to style back and too long to wear them in the front sigh… and I need a haircut but my split ends are gonna have to wait :/
It’s refreshing to see how gorgeous girls look sans makeup! Thanks for this.
You really do polish up nice, but I love your glow in the non-makeup pics – you look a bit darker.
Your hair is pretty. Glad I’m not the only one who typically dyes their own hair.
Oh, and I DO wax my upper lip, so whatev.
ohh I like your hair, Ive been contemplating a change myself.
I like you with the darker hair it’s great with your skin tone and eyes.
As a pro stylist for 10+ years I would like to offer you one more tip. you seem to be doing everything correct but one more thing will help your hair stay healthier and not too dark on the ends. I suggest leaving the color on the new growth for 1/2 the time then pulling it through. Before you pull it through lightly spray the rest of your hair with a spray bottle of water this will help dilute the color and keep your hair as healthy as possible. Good luck!!
The brown hair REALLY suits you!
Oh and you also look lovely without make up.
I love the dark hair on you. If you ever go back to blonde, though, you can call the gray ones “platinum.” That’s what I do
I think I started to really care about all of that after I turned 30. I just realized the other day that this year I will be…gulp…32. Unfortunately for me, my hair grows insanely fast so dying it really isn’t an option. I guess I’ll just have to go gray gracefully.
To be honest, I have NEVER had a good experience having my hair colored in a salon. They never give me the color I ask for, it fades more quickly than doing it on my own, etc. So I fully support at home hair coloring.
& for more honesty– I live in my Old Navy lounge pants when I’m not out in public too. I feel so much better saying that and knowing I’m not alone!
The dark color looks good! And yay for not wearing makeup; sometimes I go to work with just mascara on because I don’t care and at the end of the day, no one else really does either.
I think the brown looks really sexy on you. Also, I am on like 10 grey hairs and counting. It’s freaking depressing. But thanks for sharing
MISS YOU!!!!
Looks great on you!!!
Ive pretty much dye my hair by myself also but right now I am trying to just let my natural grows since I felt like my hair has been dry out and I lose so much hair lately. Is that something I should worry about?
You look beautiful Jordana! I love the brown hair on you and think you did a fabulous job. Your next start-up blog enterprise should be on saving money and stylish survival in the big city
The darker color is SUPER flattering for your skin tone! You look faboo!
Your hair looks great! I’m 27 and have started dyeing mine again for the same reason–little greys popping up here and there. And I too love old navy’s pajamas. You can’t beat their super soft pants and tees.
These pictures are so adorable and funny! And you are my new best friend for making me feel better about finding my first grey hair at 40. Seriously, I think I heart you. If you find any new ones, come over and show them to me so I can pretend to myself I’m not way older than you.
Looks so good, Jordana!
- http://www.21Arrondissement.com
the color looks great. I, too, live in total comfort when I am at home!
When your second toe is longer than your first it’s called a princess toe
I have them too and think they look even better in peep toes. I like to think of “imperfections” as beautiful because they make us unique. The new color looks great!
bahahah!!! so glad your hair dying at home worked out! i have had mixed results (ONE WAS DASTARDLY — my hair turned BLACK and i looked like a sewer rat), so i leave it to the professionals. it is so damn expensive! but i have more than a few grays, and they have to work hard to make me appear to be a lush brunette rather than a mousy brown greying troll. grrr.
p.s. the best thing about winter is wearing slippers and lounging around in my sweats and sweatshirts from target. love it. LOVE IT.
Love the dark hair it suits you, and your move from west to east. Watch out for those greys, they are sneaky bastards, they seem to pop up out of nowhere and in weeks multiply. Ugh!
And Wendy – 40 really? I’m so jealous!
Way to go girl. Good job. I just did it myself last week. I’m no longer blonde, I’m a brunette. and your so right about the roots vs. ends going black over previous dyes. but I had little choice. My hair is so short, it was kind of hard to control. So I do have darker ends. Next time I need a friend to get those nasty roots first.
Thanks for sharing!!!