The unexpected consequence of rainbow red hair.

First off, I love my new hair. Rarely do I stumble on a new look that I find myself embracing with such enthusiasm. I love the colour so much that I'm wondering how I managed to go so many years, and try to many hairstyles and colours, without stumbling on this idea before. I mean, I've always loved a splash of red in an outfit -- shoes, lipstick etc. Bright red in my hair works really well both for personal colour preference reasons (i.e. I love red) and for aesthetic reasons (i.e. the colour makes my eyes look greener and my skin look fresher). And as a bonus, if I wear red shoes, there's some effortless bookending going on.

But I've noticed something. I only like my hair with neutral colours. My wardrobe isn't hurting for neutrals, so it isn't a problem, but I've just realized that I haven't worn any top that isn't black, white, grey or navy since I got my hair coloured. I put on a teal top this morning and took it right back off. The look is too…maximal, maybe? I think I can only tolerate one bright colour at a time. (For some reason, the hair works fine with bright red or pink lipstick, however).

I think this hair is going to be the final nail in the coffin of my already-dying interest in colourful clothing. I thought it was funny how the addition of one bright colour is going to ultimately lead to the rejection of all others.

I thought I'd mention it in case anyone else out there is considering a rainbow colour for their hair. I give the look a wholesale endorsement, but it's worth being aware that it might affect your clothing choices in ways that natural hair colours don't.

12 years ago

Suz

(website)

Veteran

You know what? This doesn't surprise me in the least. First of all, it is completely consistent with everything you've ever said about yourself and your style preferences -- I can easily see how too much colour would just be TOO MUCH.

Also, while I haven't had this exact experience, for a while in my 30s I dyed my hair red. I really liked it on me -- it suited me and it was fun. (I disliked how quickly it faded out, but that was another issue.)

But even though mine was not a bright red streak, and was a more conventional red hair colour, I quickly discovered -- like you -- that I really only liked it with a limited range of colours -- and even neutrals. I wore a lot more chocolate brown in those days because it worked really well. I really didn't care for black on me at all, with the red hair (whereas I like it well enough with my blonde hair). And I vastly reduced the other colours I wore. I still wore blue and green and some purply pinks -- but that was about it.

milehighstyle (Linda)

I've actually thought of this before. I love to wear lots of color and have considered blue or magenta hair (not that my office would tolerate it, and I'm probably too old anyway so maybe not seriously considered). Then I wondered how would I do that with my wardrobe? Probably best to keep somewhat neutral on my head.

I dyed my naturally dark blonde hair red a few years ago (a pretty carroty red too, not an auburn, but natural vs rainbow shade), and suddenly I preferred myself in neutrals too. That time period was when I really started building a neutral base to my wardrobe that I still rely on, even though now I'm back to my natural taupe-ish colour and enjoy wearing coloured clothing again.

Aziraphale

Linda, I'm 41. Who says middle-aged women can't have rainbow hair?

deb

I think older women rock rainbow hair better then anyone. It shows confidence in oneself. The neutral toned clothes show more elegance with the brighter hair. This also goes back to Una,s thread about 'owning the look"

rae

I have noticed this a lot with other hair colors and colorful tattoos as well. It seems like a natural shift, and it really lets the hair color pop and look edgy-elegant and more grown up.

IF (and that's only if) you do end up craving color, I have noticed that pastels look fab with saturated body/hair color, especially when it's done tone-on-tone. I could totally see blush pink, peach, or pale yellow with bright red hair.

Beth Ann

Sounds like your hair change was a style shift on its own! Sometimes one detail, seemingly small, can be so powerful!

I like the idea of the hair drawing the focus to your face, too. Sometimes bright colors in clothing fail to do that.

Alassë

I completely understand.

Rae, I agree that blush pink would totally work with the hair. I don't own any at the moment so I can't try it. I do have two pastel blue collared shirts, though -- maybe those will work? I might give it a try tomorrow.

Anonymous

Gosh, I never realised the consequences. Hadn't really thought about it but I see what you mean. Rae makes a great point though and I like the idea of blush pink.

Gigi

Thanks for the warning! My style doesn't tend toward coloring my hair, but it's good to know the consequences. Wow! Actually, I think even coloring your hair a single all-over color could have big consequences for your wardrobe, like if you dye your hair a warm color when it used to be a cool color. Some of the preexisting clothing probably would not work. Tricky...

cciele

Awesome that you are owning your rainbow hair! At 48, I've done my hair a bright magenta-ish color. And my color palette has changed, for sure. I used to do a lot of cobalt blue, fuschia and lime green (beyond the normal neutrals of gray, black and denim blue). Now my colors are more muted -- camo/army green, dark teal.

I do find I wear bright colors in the red family on my feet now, since I'm bookended!

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