For 10 years I’ve been dyeing my hair the same color – or as similar as possible when I switched to different brands. I always aimed for a plum color, but it usually faded into a nice red.

However, I’ve always loved people who have vivid colors. When I created my DnD character with pink hair, I started giving all of my characters in video games and books purple or pink hair. I started talking about how I wanted to try for a vivid color, but I was a little scared. The only bleach I’ve ever done on my hair was for highlights back around 2012. What would a color transformation look like for my hair – and would it survive it?

Okay, so maybe that is a little dramatic, but it was a very valid question. Luckily, my stylist understood my concerns and talked me through what the process would look like, with assurance that we would take all the steps necessary to keep my hair as healthy and strong as it could be after the bleach.

So I did it. It’s been almost a year of vivid colors and I’ve been so happy that I went through with it. Keep scrolling to see pictures of my hair every step of the transformation process.

Before the Transformation

My hair faded from my box dye!

After Color Remover

We started off with doing a color remover to lift as much of the red as possible before bleach was applied. I honestly really liked this color and have considered doing this with my hair… maybe it’ll be something in the future.

After A Million Hours of Bleach

So we weren’t able to get all of the color out, but this was light enough to work with for my vivids. This phase of color was not my favorite in the process.

The Results: My Main Character Hair!

The colors came out SO beautiful and I was obsessed with it as soon as my stylist did the reveal. I’ve gotten many comments that my hair makes me look like a fairy, which is honestly the best compliment ever. What a great way to feel like the main character in my own life!

This transformation took us about 8-9 hours, so it was definitely a long process. I was so thrilled that my stylist was able to do this and make my hair so fun.

Upkeep has not been my favorite – each appointment is lengthy to bleach my roots and then dye everything to refresh it. And it’s much more costly than just doing a box dye at home. But I think it’s been worth it overall! I feel so pretty each time I get it refreshed and I love seeing the colors change and fade over time in between those appointments.

Would I do it again?

Yes!

Because we only live once and we might as well have fun while we can. And I work in a job that allows me to have fun and support choices like this.

If you’re thinking about getting your own “main character” vivid color hair, I definitely recommend it. You’ll end up having so much fun with it!