A Hair-Raising Experience: My Quest for the Perfect Brunette

Estel 8/7 Vanilla Hair Color Cream.

I've heard horror stories about women going gray in their 20s, but those were mostly about men, right?

But the thought of hitting 29 with a head of gray hair was unthinkable to me.

I didn't notice it at first. I thought it was just new growth, and it would soon blend in with my natural color.

Nope.

But this photo taken a few days ago really drove the point home.

I was getting my door replaced at the time, and there was a lot of fog from the paint, which made it hard to see what was going on with my hair.But looking at this, I just don't believe it's me.

I went to my mom and asked her what was going on.

What's this? I asked.

Oh, you're just graying. You're still young. My mom's response was basically just to tell me to calm down.

But I'm still confused. When did your hair start going gray? I asked.

Not until my 40s, she said.

The moment of reckoning for genetics is over.

Quitting a bad habit, like smoking? Maybe.

But I think this picture deserves a caption of 'nerves.'

I don't want to go into the reasons for stress. Just search 'what's going on in Kursk right now' on Google, and you'll understand.

So, the decision was made to get these roots (and maybe not just them) back in order.

I used to love being a blonde when I was around 20. I'd go to an expensive salon on the outskirts of town and love the results.

This was a super complicated hair dye job. Not just one color.But then my mom took me to a regular hairdresser and used Sisso's dye. I was supposed to become a brunette, but ended up as a jet-black. If you're wondering, I'm naturally a redhead.

So, I've had enough experimenting for a lifetime.

I just want to be myself - a redhead, without the grey.

xa0

I had to choose between two hair dyes.

One was the Estelle brand, 500 rubles without any discounts.

The other was a L'Oréal product on sale for 800 rubles.

I went with the first option.

They mixed the dye and started applying it.

Inside the box, I found this.

And the instruction manual.

The instructions said to leave the dye on for 30-35 minutes. But I only managed 20 minutes because I got a bit spooked when my hair started looking super dark.I applied all the protective masks for my hair that came with the kit.

And here's the final result.

I'm supposed to be a light-brown, vanilla color.

8/7. Did I end up with the right shade?

Definitely not.

Did I end up looking like the picture?

Nope, not even close.

Did I end up with brown hair?

Now this is actually true.

One thing I've noticed is that my hair has actually gotten worse, even with using all the different types of conditioners.

I can basically skip washing my hair in the shower now.

And forget about using a shampoo that'll help preserve the color of my hair – if I like it, that is.

I won't say this is the result I was hoping for.

But I guess it's okay.

xa0

xa0

Instead of a great outcome.

I actually like the original result, but this color has definitely aged me.

I'll need to mess around with shampoos and hair masks to protect the color.

I'll have to keep my eyebrows colored to the same shade, so I don't end up looking like a moth.

And the dye itself, although it didn't give me the result on the box, got a five-star rating.

Maybe I just need to get used to it.