Thank you so much everyone -- what a great place this is; I feel reassured and really happy about doing it.
Mr. Suz likes it a lot. He thinks it is maybe a tiny bit on the short side up top (i.e. he'd like a longer fringe) but he understands I had to do this to get rid of most of the blonde. And I rather like this for a change, or think I will like it as I grow used to it.
It did make the "grow out" phase really short. I had my last permanent colour put on at the end of February. At the end of April I had a few highlights woven through to blend. And then this chop. I think the blonde should be all gone in a month or two, depending.
One reason the process was quick for me is that my hair is super thick. So she not only has to cut it much shorter, but she also thins it out, meaning most of the top layer of the hair is gone by the time the cut is all finished.
I have worn it this short in the past, so I knew that it suited me. I had it this short and red in my 30s, and short and natural dark blonde in my early 20s.
I think I'm similar in colouring to my dad; it's darker at the back and whiter at the temples and there's a sort of silver white forelock in the front which will show up more as the blonde disappears.
I am going to have fun playing with colours in the closet. I do think most of my current favourites will still work on me but I suspect there may be others that I can try in addition.
My hairdresser was actually more nervous than I was. But at the end the salon owner took a picture for Instagram.
