bleach is not for amateurs

So yesterday I got my hair cut. Within reasonable boundaries, I'm no stranger to experimentation with my hair, so every so often (when I can't come up with a new idea on my own), I let my stylist Celeste have at it with abandon. I'm always pleased with the results.

Yesterday was no different. It's been a while since my hair has been short and layered, so that's what Celeste chose. Sort of a "Joan Jett" 'do. I liked it very much. After she was done with the cut, she said, "you should color it dark red and do snappy red highlights on the top and sides." Hmmm....

Next stop was Sally Beauty Supply. I like to spend money, but I do subscribe to a little bit of my native New England frugality at times. I paid for salon coloring once, and it wasn't worth it in my opinion. Plus, John's dad and brother are barbers, so he's genetically programmed to help me out.

Highlights!! Let's see.... the store clerk recommended something called 'Ntense Red Mix 'N Go One Step Bleach 'N Color System. Intense! That's me!!

Although I bought some sort of bonnet thing with holes (you're supposed to pull strands of hair thru the holes with a little crochet hook), John (who for once read the instructions) noted that the diagram on the directions showed a freestyle approach. So that's what he tried. I'm blind as a bat without my glasses, so his assistance with color placement is greatly appreciated, and he's truly a good sport about it. All was well. Although my exuberance often outpaces my common sense when trying new things, we did not go crazy with the streaking. The next step was to put a cap on it and then heat with the blow dryer for a half hour or so.

This is where things started going south fast. In retrospect, I know exactly what went wrong. While attempting to tuck the longer strands along the sides of my face into the cap, I must've scrunched my hair together and, well, bleach and red went where bleach and red were not supposed to go.

I knew it was a disaster as soon as I rinsed it out. I had a good-sized fire engine red (INTENSE red) spot on the right side of my head, just above my ear. The iPhone picture above does not do the color justice, but you get the idea.

Oh. Shit. First I laughed. Then I didn't. Of course it was too late to go to the salon to get it fixed (and I have my pride). Luckily, I also had a spare bottle of dark red "base" color. Praying to every saint I've ever heard of, I attempted The Great Cover-Up. Long story short, it worked. Whew. The texture's a little goofy, but at least I can be seen in public without looking like a freak. Kids, do not try this at home.