I CUT THE BEEHIVE!

Today is my twenty-seventh birthday. It's my Golden Birthday... 27 on the 27th. I'm not sure why, but for my whole life, I've always told myself that 27 would be my favorite year... and now that 27 is finally here, I can't wait to see what it brings.

Also, I kicked my birthday off with a "why not" of all why-nots:

I've always been a fan of change, and for this new year of mine, I'm embracing it fully. I ended up having 12 inches cut, and I'm donating my hair to Children With Hair Loss—they accept all kinds of hair and since the tips of my hair were bleached a few years ago, I picked their charity because some of the others have requirements against bleached & highlighted hair. I went to Kendall of Roots Salon in Boise (208-514-5895) and can't recommend her enough. This new cut is spunky, sporty, and of course—extra saucy. Why not, right?

Last year as I blew out my candles, I made sure that I didn't wish for "babies or anything crazy like that." This year, let's just say I can't promise the same, though I'm in no rush to make any changes that big (or small) quite yet. Oh, 27, I can't wait to see what joy you'll bring.

Here's to new short hairstyles and a brand new year!!

My Hair Identity Crisis

Top: very, very old (like, wore it to my high school senior Honor Society banquet in 2005 old), Skirt: Thrifted F21, Belt: old, Shoes: Mossimo, Bracelet: Premier Design, Photos: Taylor Love Studios

Despite taking a year off from using heat or styling tools, an excess of hair products, teasing often, and "doing" my hair—and even though I knew my hair was growing—it never seemed to get any longer... until I saw these photos! I looked at them and thought, "That's me?"

Here's where I get frank with you... I feel like I've been having a bit of a physical identity crisis lately.

• First, I'm still not used to myself with brunette hair (I've been brunette now for over 3-months... my longest brown-haired record yet!). After being a blonde for 26-years of my life, this change—though one that I like—still catches me off guard. 
• Second, my hair has almost always been a mid to short length. Never did it ever come down to my bra straps in the back. And now that it does... it's just different. I'm not used to myself, the way my hair feels (it's getting thicker due to my lack of highlighting & damaging habits), and how it looks. 
• Third, I haven't dyed my hair since early April, and I'm very surprised at my lack of roots. I had thought they would grow in ashy blonde like before... but I really haven't noticed them and it's throwing me for a loop. Am I a brunette now? A real brunette? 

Anyway, I think that all of this, coupled with a recent bit of weight loss (more on that later) has had me asking, "Who is that person in the mirror?" To be honest, I'm not always sure... but I like her!

What's your preference? Blonde or brunette?

Is My Hair Falling Out?

I realized something yesterday—I think my hair is the longest it's ever been. It currently stops about two inches below my bra line in the back. It's fun having longer hair... I've always been a shorter-haired, chin/shoulder-length kind of girl. But you know what I'm noticing? It seems like my hair is falling out! 

Here's what I do to my hair on a usual basis. I wash & condition (a couple times a week) with Joico or Yes To products. After the shower, I loosely wrap my hair in a towel for about 10 minutes to absorb moisture, and then I just let it down and let it air dry—without brushing or combing it (my hair dries rather straight and tangle-free). I don't use many products (the occasional beach spray), and I occasionally use hair spray. I don't usually tease it and I never use heat styling tools. On the days when I wake up with 2nd day hair, I put in a little dry shampoo and put it up into a pony/bun/braid—nothing too special.

So... basically—wash, shampoo, air dry (no brushing or combing), and the occasional dry shampoo when it's dirty. That's all. It's a really easy routine, but am I missing something? All day, I find stray hairs on my back, on my clothes, around my office, and if I even touch the bottom of my hair, it seems like strands come right out. I claim to be the hair expert, but then why does it seem like my hair is falling out? Am I the only one in this hair battle?

Now, I've spoken to a friend about this, and she suggested that since I don't usually brush it, that the hair falling out is what most people probably catch in their brush in the morning. Also, I've heard that when your hair is longer, more does seem like it's falling out. Long-haired ladies, is this true? It honestly makes me want my short hair back (and we all know that Daniel wouldn't complain if I cut it, because he encourages me to do it daily... see this post for proof)! Anyway, does anyone have any advice? Maybe I'm just being paranoid... but any input is appreciated!

What My Hairstyle Says

My hair is always doing something different... wavy, braided, curly, twisted, or all slicked back & out of the way. The style always seems to match my mood. In honor of my brand new blonde-to-brunette hair change, I've compiled a fun little list of what my hair is "saying" on a given day.

My hairstyle says:

1. All down & Hollywood curly: This took a long time so I must be going somewhere where I want to look goooooooood.
2. Loose, messy braid: Let's keep it low-maintenance & playful, this hairstyle is for the girls.
3. French braid: Don't pay attention to me today.
4. Tight ballerina bun: I mean business.
5. Messy bun: My hair is really dirty, I hope no one notices...
6. Hat: My hair is really really dirty. I knew I should have washed it.
7. Ponytail: Feelin' sporty.
8. Top knot: I am a blogger—take my photo. (Hence, the photo above... obviously).
9. Pinned bump on top: I know my husband hates this, but it's so convenient.
10. Wet so it can air-dry: I just don't care today.
11. Side ponytail: Feelin' sporty & chic.
12. Updo: Must. Be. Fancy. Updo. Means. Fancy.
13. All down & straight: Finally... just me & natural.

What does your hair say about you?

Blonde-a-Bye.

When I began Bye Bye Beehive 350 days ago, I was a blonde.

Do doubt about it.

Now, my ombre hair is out in full-force.
Daniel, my fiancè, and I just had our engagement photos done.
It was really evident in the photo above that my natural color is no longer blonde.
Ash blonde? Maybe.
Warm brunette? Probably.
Weird.

I've been a blonde for about 24 of my 26 years of life.
This whole BBB thing has really made me re-evaluate everything when it comes to my hair.
I'm getting married in 66 days... and I'm considering not dyeing my hair for the wedding.
Just leaving it as-is.
EEK... too many decisions.

Still thinking about it, obviously.

What's your pick?

I. Found. A. Gray. Hair.

Yep. Gray ... or white ... hairs. I'm not sure which they are yet.

My initial reaction?

My opinion now? 

Eh... no biggie.

Maybe I'll go prematurely white like my grandma and have awesome snow-colored hair.

I'm convinced that these little white hairs have been there before...

but since I was always highlighting my hair I never noticed them.

So, thank you Bye Bye Beehive for showing me my true hair color.

What Am I?

 Yes. What am I?

I know it sounds like a deep question... but blonde yourself up a bit and help me out.

My whole life, I have thought of myself as a blonde. I mean, yes, I have highlighted my hair since I was in the 6th grade... and my hair always seemed to have an ash-blonde dullness at the roots. But now that it's finally growing out, a certain someone keeps insisting that I'm a brunette.

So... what am I? A blonde? Brunette? Totally awesome? You decide!

Tease Me.

Lately, I've been having days where I love my pretty much maintenance-free hair. It's just so easy to not have to worry about it.

But then... I see this:

Ugh. And it makes me miss my ex-BFF's Ms. Hairspray, Mr. Teasing Comb, and Miss Blow Dryer. Oh, friends. How I truly miss you.

How about we make it just a little bit worse and "tease" me some more, shall we?

Teased, braided perfection.

Wavy perfection.

Elegant and effortless.

Um. Gorg.

Meh. Only 316 more days. They just can't go by fast enough.

Scene Hair.

OK, I'll admit. I'm not 100% sure what these girls are thinking... but it sure is, um... interesting.

 

Source. Source. Source.  Source. Source. Source. Source.

I personally think it's kind of cool, though it's not a look I would ever sport or let my future kids wear. No way Josè. But for these girls... obviously it fits them pretty well. Also... I see two common trends when searching for scene hair. 1) Duck face. 2) Thirteen-year-olds. Yet another reason I will not be opting for this 'do.

Have you heard of scene hair? What is your opinion?

Square Hair.

Now that, well, my hair is no longer BIG... I feel entitled to call out some of those ladies who rock a style that needs to be 100% done away with. You know what I'm talking about right? Square hair?

Source.

Don't do it. Enough said.