Sarah's Beauty Blog

Brown-town

Sarah T wigs out...and sees how the dark half live.

Last month I had an epiphany. Well, it was more like one of my 'great ideas' like the time I thought I'd start a skincare range made from just eggs, except, this idea one wasn't crap. It included me, with chocolate brown hair. And a fringe. And cos I know how fickle I am, I had to act on it like now, before I lost all nerve. I even told my friends so that it made the idea 'real'.

So I went to my colourist. Me: "OMG guess what I'm going to do **pause for dramatic effect** GO DARK. Rachel Bilson dark." Her: (raised eyebrows) "err, no". Me (whiney, and): "whyyyy
noot?" Her: "You're great as a blonde, plus you'll want to go back to blonde and that'll take months and then your hair will be in terrible condition." Me: "But I reallllyyy want it. With a fringe. Seriously how cool will it be? Her: "Get a wig."

I walked out with a fringe. And a new idea...a wig! A wig! How perfect. I told my brunette friend who was all "you're going to have to work sooo much harder with brown hair". What, like test more gloss? No, she meant with boys. Like I had them lining up. I promptly labelled her an anti-blonde and skipped off to my appointment at Wig Affair in Sydney's Pitt St.

Despite my Bilson-esque dreams, I wanted it to look like my actual hair, so that people would think I'd dyed it. I tried on three different types (too boofy, too thick, too long) before deciding on the one. She even had a name - Felicity. Felicity was synthetic which meant no heat styling, but it also meant frizz was redundant. It didn't even matter if I got rained on. Awesome. But the best bit? I only had to wash it after 15 wears. That there, is my hair heaven.

As my wig specialist - Anita - fit Felicity on my head, I stared at myself for inappropriately long. I looked so...un-me. Grown up even. Or maybe that was my carefully selected 'brunette' outfit (what the heck do they wear anyway?). And my already  non-existent eyebrows now looked white. I needed a brow pencil pronto.

The first test: The GF office. I walked past Leisa with a cheerful 'hi' and she actually jumped. Out of her seat. Good or bad, I couldn't decide, but at least it had shock value. Then, casually typing away at my desk, the fashion girls came in.  All I could hear was "OMG, SARAH TARCA". Lisa was standing, gaping, mouth open.  But after everyone got over the shock the comments were mostly positive "it actually looks good (err, thanks I think)".

Righto, down to the studio to get my snap taken. The photographer - Ian - wasn't quite sure what to say so stuck to 'chin down, eyes up' but then I saw another mate from a different mag. A guy. Not a gay one. "Wow, it looks hot...you're actually hot" and as if to prove my point he kept sneaking looks at my shoot. Guess he's a brunette man then...

On my way back to the office I popped my head into the cafŽ. The baristas see me every day so I knew they'd be good judges. Smiles. Nods. A little laughing... not exactly desirable but still. The next day they seemed disappointed that the blonde was back. They even asked after Felicity...I guess that makes them brunette guys too.

Next test: The friends. The setting: a meal at a local indie pub. Excellent. Dark hair was so much more rock and roll. One friend raved, but then she'd always wanted me to go dark. Her boyfriend just looked amused and a little scared, but whatever, I wanted to see if it made a difference. If I had to 'work harder'. Would I have to wait hours to be served? Would people step on my toes because they 'didn't see me'. Um, no. It was all the same as when I was blonde, but itchier and hotter. Did the boys like me better/ take me more seriously? Nope. But I did have a rather interesting conversation with a gentleman with a Ginger afro. Maybe it was just a weird hair bonding moment.

So what was the verdict? I didn't have less fun, I didn't suddenly want to become a librarian and people didn't take me more seriously. I definitely looked older, and found out which of my guy mates had the hots for brunettes (most) but it whether I should permanently delve into the dark depths? The jury's still out. Why don't you guys let me know?

Sarahxx

Have you ever changed your hair colour and noticed a difference, either in yourself, or how others react to you? Does hair colour make a difference? Tell us what you think on the comments board below!