Yikes--Dark Hair! Opinions? - YouLookFab Forum

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Yikes--Dark Hair! Opinions?

Ana

(website)

Veteran

So, I'm feeling kind of adventurous with my hair now that it is short. Changing the color is a lot less hassle, less damaging, and easier to fix if I don't like it. My hairstylist has always wanted to dye my hair a darker color, because he said it would make my eyes stand out. At my hair appointment last Friday I finally let him do it.

I haven't had it this dark in years and years. When I was a kid, my hair was a nice warm golden brown, but as I got older it got more fine and sort of turned a dark mousy blonde/brown, bleh. So I've been doing it blonde for a long time. Needless to say, this dark color was quite a shock! Anyway, Bobby was right, my eyes do stand out more, but I'm kind of on the fence about it. It's semi-permanent, so it'll wash out in a couple of months, or Bobby can take it out easily next time I'm there. But I'd love to know what you all think, because I trust your opinions. Plus, sometimes we get into this idea of what we should look like, or what we think looks best on us, and we're not always right (if that makes sense). It's good to get an unbiased opinion. You can be brutally honest, I can take it.

Blonde (for reference):

http://i66.photobucket.com/alb.....1380-1.jpg
http://i66.photobucket.com/alb.....1377-1.jpg

Brown:

http://i66.photobucket.com/alb.....1463-1.jpg
http://i66.photobucket.com/alb.....1453-1.jpg
http://i66.photobucket.com/alb.....1462-1.jpg

Thank you so much everyone!

General

32 replies

Latest reply was from Ana

Anonymous

Oh Ana, you look striking! I've loved your golden hair, and I was also taken aback by how dark it was, and I can only imagine the shock! However, I LOVE the new color! I think it will be a fun change, and you can play with how it works into your look. Your eyes 'pop' and I love how the dark brown contrasts with the jacket in your picture. So chic!

Lee Hovey

I love it! The brown warms up your complexion, and draws alot of attention to the great bone structure you have in your face! You look beautiful!

Maya

Veteran

Ana, I think the dark hair actually looks beautiful on you. I like you as a blonde too, but sometimes it's fun to change things up and I envy you for having the option (I can't have anything but black hair without looking weird). You look fun and sprightly and pixie-ish with the blonde hair, and sophisticated and mysterious with the dark hair. At least that's the sense I get. Both are great looks and I would definitely keep the dark hair for a little while just for fun.

Ellen

I like the dark better! Works perfectly with your skin and there's something fashionably alluring about it... maybe it looks french? Whatever it is, it's flattering and stylish and I say run with it for a while!

Emily

Your hair looks amazing! Funny, I also thought it looked french - part french/part Audrey Hepburn. Incredibly chic!

Tanya

Veteran

Ana, it looks wonderful! It really brings out your eyes and fabulous bone structure!
I have to say that I like brown and blonde equally, you look stunning in both. Enjoy your new look!

greenglove

(website)

Veteran

Ana,
I like both colors. You cannot go wrong here. I might like to see a hint of red in the brown, would be great with your eyes and that coat you are wearing. Beautiful!!!

Kyle

Veteran

Ana: Very flattering on you. Like the others, I'm torn about my preference. I was certain I was going to prefer you as a blonde, but you wear the brunette very, very well. How fun!

Nicole

Veteran

Wow! You are very lucky to be able to wear both light blonde and dark brown hair so well. I honestly can't pick a favorite.

The blonde looks young, playful and cute...while the dark hair looks sophisticated, polished and grown up (in a good way).

I love how a major hair change makes me feel like a different person. I've recentlyl gone back to my original dark brown too, and the first few days I imagined myself as a different Nicole.

I wish I could say one looked great and the other didn't--because then you'd have the answer you are seeking...but both look terrific on you. I say keep going back and forth every 6 months or however often Bobby says it's okay to redye.

What does Brendan think?

julijuli

Ana - I think it looks fantastic! The dark color really brings out your eyes and you look so sophisticated.

bella

(website)

Veteran

Ana, I looked at the pictures before looking at any of the comments so I can be completely impartial and I agree with everyone 100% that you look great! You look equally great with blonde and brown hair. So since you already dyed it, I think you should definitely keep it brown for at least a little while. I am sure you will start to like it even more once you get over the shock!:)

Eva

Ana, you have beatiful bone structure and eyes. I like both blond and dark. I like the dark hair better, but what I like from the blond is the highlights.

shana

Veteran

Wow, the brown looks gorgeous on you. I agree that it not only brings out your eyes but makes your skin look so luminescent as well. Both hair colors work so well - might as well switch out according to your mood! Aren't you excited to try on all you clothes with your new look!

Antje

Veteran

Wow, that is quite a change! I love the new color, it's very warm and very pretty on you. I'm also very fond of the blond, though. My recommendation would be to live with it for a couple more weeks before you decide how to go forward. I think with a big change like this you just cannot tell immediately, because you've been used to the old style for so long and have not had a chance to really "live" with the new style yet. After a couple weeks, you will either find that you miss the blond, or you will find that the brunette feels so "you" that you can't even remember the blond anymore.

Kristen

(website)

Veteran

Both are stunning, but I do love the way your bone structure is highlighted more with the brown. You look so lovely!

Steph

Veteran

I love the brown--I think it looks really great on you. You really remind me of Michelle Williams in those photos with the dark hair:
http://www.imdb.com/media/rm374970880/nm0931329

Lena

Stunning!!!

I know this is not going to be very helpful - I like both colors on you, Ana. I second what others have suggested, try it out and see if you settle into it. You wear both colors well, so it may be a matter of what you feel like having at the moment and depending on season.

Your haircut already highlighted your beautiful bone structure. And this brown color took it to another level!

Amanda

As everyone else has says -- Love Both! Two different looks -- the playful blonde and the sophisticated brunette. Definitely wear it for a few months and see how you feel about it.

Anonymous

You look fantastic. You can wear either color. The dark looks really great for a change.
I must say you look awesome in those jeans, that blouse, and that great caramel cropped jacket. You should go into modeling, you are so photogenic.

Ana

(website)

Veteran

Thank you so much for the replies, everyone. It has been very helpful to read them. I'm not sure if it makes sense or sounds weird, but I've been blonde for so long that I've sort of internalized it--"I AM a blonde, that's part of my identity" kind of thing, so when it changes, it's a big shock. Nicole is onto something when she says she feels like a different Nicole, because that's kind of how I feel. It's not bad, though, it was an even bigger shock than cutting my hair off! I have to admit, the dark hair is growing on me. I think there are elements of my style that can easily veer off into looking too "fruffy" or twee/juvenile, and with blonde hair especially I had to be very careful of that. The dark hair adds kind of an edge that doesn't make that as much of an issue somehow.

Brendan said he likes both, but maybe he would like it better a couple of shades lighter. I'm leaving it until at least my next hair appointment, which is in 5 weeks, and by then it will have lightened up as well and I can see what it looks like medium brown. I think I will keep it brown for awhile though--you all are right, it is a nice change.

San, thank you so much for the compliment, that's so sweet of you to say!

Nicole, I'd love to see photos of your hair--I can't imagine it anything other than red (but I bet it looks great)!

Angie

(website)

Fashion Stylist

FUN!!! I love both colours too! It’s a scream to create dramatic changes in your look. I’m all for it.

The blonde is young, pretty and playful, whereas the dark is sultry and sophisticated. Your eyes are lighter when your hair is darker. Does that makes sense? I’m glad Brendan approved and that you like it too. Enjoy being a brunette

shell

ana, i agree with pretty much everyone else that you look great with either color! i'd always wondered though how you'd look as a brunette. i'd noticed you had darker brows, so i assumed brownish was your natural color.

with that said, i do prefer the brown over the blonde. i love playing with my own hair color but always end up deciding i like my natural color the best.

Ariadne

Veteran

Ana, this is so crazy, I have a hair appointment on Thursday to go dark(er) too! We have/had about the same colour of blonde and I'm planning to go a couple of shades darker than my natural colour.

I love the dark hair. I think it brings out the structure of your face, and your eyes in a wonderful way. If you decide to change it I would suggest some subtle highlights. You may want to try some slightly darker blush or bronzer now, and maybe some slightly warmer red lipstick, and see how that feels to you.

Inge

(website)

I have to admit I didn't know what to expect when I read you were going 'darker', but now that I've seen the pictures, I honestly can't choose.
I think you looked stunning as a blonde (I still think of you as a blonde, it does take some time to adjust, doesn't it;-), but the brown is so sophisticated and elegant too. And your amazing eyes are even more accentuated now.

I'm really curious to see how this will develop, i.e. will you keep switching between dark and light, or settle on one colour;-)

Patience

Veteran

Ana, the new color looks fantastic! Personally, I do have a preference for you as blond, though. This may be because I know you in person and therefore have a harder time adjusting like you. I see the darker color as making you look more pixie-ish and fragile and while this is a positive thing, it is less YOU to me than your blond hair. But at the same time I may see you in person and feel completely different or at least have it grow on me. Still I'm glad you're keeping it for at least little while.

Concerning a person's eyes popping with darker hair-- my stylist told me the exact same thing. (She was trying to get me to go darker too). I can't help but feel this is a bit of a line. Certainly, darker hair makes a person's eyes seem lighter by contrast as Angie says, but I don't really think the change is as dramatic as the stylist makes it out to be. Besides, for you in particular Ana, your eyes will always pop, no matter what your hair color.

Sarah

(website)

Veteran

I like the darker hair on you, Ana, but I do agree with Patience in that I know you as a blonde and that's what seems "right". Your personality is reflected better in a medium hair tone, I think. Something in between your former blonde and your current brown. When your color starts to fade, take photos when it hits the shade you like. I'm sure your stylist could match it for you.
What struck me about the brown is how warm it is. I like how it warms your complexion. Try a lighter brown with blonde highlights. I think that might be the ticket for you.

Patience

Veteran

The other thing that doesn't come through in the photos (for those of you who don't have the pleasure of seeing Ana in person) is that the blond is highlights on top only with darker hair in the back and sides. It makes for a cool ombre effect which I absolutely love.

Laura

(website)

Veteran

The dark hair is really pretty, and as Patience mentions about your former blonde color, some more highlights in the dark hair could add even more texture and interest.

You might have fun playing with colors in your wardrobe as a brunette! It's amazing how different colors look on you when your hair color changes.

You are lucky, Ana, you can change your hair color with the seasons and look gorgeous year-round!

shiny

Veteran

Oh dear, I'm afraid I have to be contrarian... but you DID ask for honest opinions! I prefer the blonde.

I feel that the shade of brown is harsh for your skin tone, and I actually think you look younger as a brunette. (which may not be a bad thing, but you say you are trying to look less young).

With that said, I suspect that this shade will lighten up quite a bit as the weeks go on, and you shampoo it. Hair color is always deepest right after you get it done. So I am not ruling it out yet!! Because I can definetly see you as a brunette!

I'm just not all that keen on this particular shade. It needs something... but I can't put my finger on it.... a few shades lighter, as Brandon suggests? Highlights to add back in the texture and depth you had before?

As Patience mentions, I really liked the multi-tonal effect of your highlights. Perhaps what you could try next is adding in auburn highlights, to acheive that ombre effect, only as a brunette instead of a blonde?

Of course, I could still just be in shock. It may grow on me.

I think you've had your hair done three times since my last haircut. Oh dear. Either that means I am desparate for a hair appointment, or shorter hair needs more frequent hair cuts than I could put up with. (Or, I have miscounted).

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