Hair is a personal thing for me. It always has been. I remember at age 5 wishing my hair looked like my best friend April’s long, blonde hair. My mother always kept my hair extremely short, almost like a bowl cut– think Jim Carrey’s character, Lloyd Christmas, in the movie Dumb & Dumber. Yes, I am serious.
When I met my husband in 2004, I had blackberry hair with hot pink highlights. Yes, again, I am serious. The picture below is proof. This was my rocker I’m-working-at-a-cosmetic-counter-so-I-have-to-be-different look. This lasted about 4 months before my boyfriend, now husband, banned me from using his pillows because I was dying his sheets pink.
After this, I decided to go back to my natural hair color.
This did not last that long. I got bored of being normal, so I added some highlights and took off some length.
Shortly thereafter, my boyfriend, now husband, became my fiancé and we started planning our wedding. As all brides do, I started to envision my appearance on the big day. How did I want to look? Did I want to walk down the isle with short hair, dark hair, highlighted hair, extensions maybe?
It was then I decided I wanted to be the “hot” bride. Yes, “hot”. Now how was I to go about this? First thought was to grow my hair long. So that is what I did. But that wasn’t enough. I wasn’t to that “wow” factor, yet. This is when I changed the next 4 years of my life…
I WENT BLONDE.
Being blonde changed the way friends looked at me, people treated me, and my overall mood improved. It was like a powerful drug that left me feeling empowered and high all at the same time.
My wedding day on August 21, 2006 was everything I imagined and more. I married the man of my dreams and I was HOT! (Yes, we got married on a cruise ship. No, it did not leave us stranded in the Pacific Ocean.)
I kept the long blonde going for a couple of years.
Variations in levels of bleach and length followed.
The below photo was taken in September 2009 for Washingtonian Magazine.
And today, I have decided it is time to say goodbye to blonde. This picture was taken two weeks ago. My hair has seen some damage over the years, it has been high maintenance to keep up the blonde, and time consuming. I’m ready for a change.
On December 1, 2010, Celebrity Colorist Jason Backe from the Ted Gibson Salon in New York will take me back to my natural hair color. He is the only one I trust with this request. I can’t wait!
He gave me a vibrant look before, using the INOA L’Oréal Professional Hair Color System, see video below, and I can’t wait to see what he can do with my new mission! With INOA and their ammonia-free formula, I’m looking forward to a healthy, shiny, hair transformation!
Follow the countdown to brunette on Makeup Artist Backstage and check back for the results!
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About The Author
Victoria Stiles is a make-up artist from Washington, DC working in New York and worldwide for commercial print, editorial fashion, red carpet events and weddings. Victoria’s client roster includes celebrities Roberta Flack, Jordin Sparks, Real Housewives of New York’s Jill Zarin, and publications Glamour, O Magazine, Vogue, Surface, Virginia Living, and Washingtonian. Stiles’ expertise in make-up is frequently called upon by local and National publications. Recent articles in Washingtonian, Real Simple, Women’s Health, American Baby, and Northern Virginia Magazine showcases and quotes her knowledge in make-up and labels her as an industry leader.
In addition to artistry, Stiles is a presenter for The Powder Group-- an organization uniting makeup artists worldwide with relevant industry information and career guidance. She has presented seminars nationally at The Artist Summit and The Makeup Shows.
Follow her on Twitter @victoriastiles and add her on other social media networks here.
www.VictoriaStiles.com
