“I don’t wanna dye a virgin….”<\/p>\n
These were the words I heard when I stepped over the threshold of the Aveda Institute in Holborn<\/span><\/strong><\/a> for my hair appointment. At the time, many moons ago, I worked as a sales associate for the brand and was based nearby, in Selfridges. As employees, we were offered perks such as this one: a free cut and colour at the salon. Only I was about to be denied my trendy new hairdo.<\/p>\n Eyeing my naturally white-blonde hair dubiously, the colourist reached out and lifted strands of hair, as though testing the quality of it with her fingertips. “This is virgin hair<\/span><\/strong><\/a>….pale blonde virgin hair. It’s never been coloured before, am I right?” That was about 17 years ago, and I’d never attempted to get my hair coloured again. Until now. Age 41, I was presented with an opportunity: four whole blissful weeks off work, free as a bird whilst my second home (ie workplace) – a boutique selling luxurious beauty products – is closed for a refit. The perfect opportunity for a semi-permanent colour. And hey, the hairdressers may not be willing to dye a virgin, but I’m not willing to die\u00a0<\/i>a virgin.\u00a0I’m hurtling along the motorway of life at an alarming rate, and I want to do all the things; feels all the feels; see all the sights. If colouring my hair bright pink is on my bucket list, then I’m sure as hell gonna tick that box.<\/p>\n I start tentatively, with a Pick & Mix Rose<\/span><\/strong><\/a> semi purchased in Superdrug, which is pretty, but lasts approximately five minutes.<\/p>\n <\/a> Oh.<\/p>\n
\nI nodded my head silently in agreement.
\n“Do you know how much time, money and effort people put into achieving hair this colour?” she continued. “Weelll….no,” I mumbled, feeling chastised. “I was just a bit…bored I guess.” “Well, I hate to disappoint you, but I’m not prepared to colour this hair. It would be a crime. Nobody dyes hair naturally this blonde dark brown. I’m sorry, no can do. You’d regret it, I guarantee you. I’m having no part in it.”<\/p>\n
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\nThe second the first shampoo is rinsed from my strawberry blonde locks, any trace of the pretty pink colour disappears down the plughole with it.<\/p>\n