Why I have dyed hair.

Its often asked why having brightly coloured hair is so important to me, some people don't understand it the same way they don't understand piercings or wild clothing. I have a couple of theories why they might not, stemming mostly from experience and I try to see that point of view when speaking with anyone about my hair in this regard. I find there are three reasons people object, misunderstand or plain old don't like it.

Firstly, they think its a rebellion issue, I want to be different and shun the norm. I want to be seen as different or unique, and whilst I quite like being a little unique (lets face it, who aspires to be a clone?) that isn't the objective.

Secondly, this is normally followed by some reasoning of insecurity if they are of a little more IQ, they lead themselves to the conclusion that I am unhappy with myself and must put on a mask to cope with it. Its unthinkable that I feel like the brown hair I was born with could feel like a mask to me, like its not how i was meant to look.

And thirdly, its too fit in with the sub section of society I choose to spend my social time with, ie the alternative, rock crowd types.

These are all massively untrue. I'm quite creative by nature and my body and hair are the only canvas's I feel I have sometimes. Its my way of showing the world this is how I want to look, this is how I feel I should look and how i think I look the nicest. I genuinely thing I look pretty when I have brighter coloured hair, I am more comfortable and happy with it. At first I noticed the looks people gave me and the sneers too sometimes but now I don't notice at all. When you find a look that you think suits you and makes you happy in your own skin, it doesn't seem to matter what others think. There have been times that I have felt pretty in a 'normal' outfit, the sort you go out for dinner with your parents in, and my natural hair colour, but to me that feels like dressing up, putting on a show and not being myself. Fun for a short while, but I prefer being myself.

Its not a mask I put on, its the way I think I should look and look the best, Im showcasing my looks not hiding them which people often misunderstand. I'm also not trying to fit in, its more the case that I have found a place where I do fit in, not that I am trying to be like them. Going to rock clubs and being around others who are comfortable with being a little different, is the place I feel most comfortable myself. If it was more acceptable at work or in non alternative places then I would feel much happier there too.

For all those who still think anyone looks better with their natural hair colour than bright, take a look at these and tell me they don't look stunning.

 I guess this little rant is based on my frustration that by having my hair brighter than normal I am somehow disassociating myself with the rest of the world. If i have bright pink hair at work, this means I am unprofessional because by their standards I look rebellious, stuff what my standards are. In fear of upsetting the minimal section of society who has misguided opinions I am forced to be a clone and fit in with their ways, exactly what some accuse me of doing if I don't.

As a result I have to be uncomfortable, and unhappy with my appearance so I can be taken seriously at work or by some others (usually the older generations). By giving up part of who I feel I am, I am giving the nod to being one of the sheep and therefore acceptable. Even for those who don't particularly care how I look, there is still the stigma that me doing things to my hair outside the norm is some kind of flag carrying act of stick my finger up at the man. It saddens me and deep down makes me feel suffocated.

A little dramatic you say? maybe, but only to those who don't identify with this. I know many a person who has forgone this creative and inherent side of themselves for a pay packet and not to rock the boat. If there was a way to get people to see this, I would be all over it, but alas, some view will never change, so until they do it seems I must be the one to change.