Hey, Let's Talk About My Faults Some More!

Lest you think I sat around for the rest of the day yesterday preening after the compliment hit-and-run, my head growing exponentially larger with each preen (Digression:  Don't you just love the word preen?  I like to say it... preen, preen, preen... it just sounds so perfect!), let me assure you, that was not the case.  In fact, I do not take compliments well in the slightest.  I'm surprised that I was able to accept the remark from the gentleman without stuttering or bumbling my disagreement.  When someone compliments me, I typically suspect that they either want something from me or that they're blind.

So, while I felt all good about myself for about an hour, I eventually managed to burst my bubble by thinking of all of the other pretty ladies in the world with whom I have the pleasure of being acquainted.  And classy?  Since I spend about 95% of my time on the morning train sound asleep with my mouth hanging open, I'm not really sure where I'm exuding class and/or elegance.  Perhaps it's the way I politely close my mouth each time I wake up for a moment when the train stops at each station.  That's pretty classy.

Here's the thing about me and my level of self-confidence.  It's not terrible.  I mean, people don't run and hide when they see me coming, and I've never frightened a small child with my visage, but I definitely don't consider myself to be an Uber Hottie First Class.  I think I clean up rather well, and when looked at from the proper angle, I think I am even passably pretty, but lately every time I look in the mirror I kind of want to scream.

I've never had a glowing peaches and cream, English rose complexion.  I'm pale, but not in that alabaster, romance novel heroine kind of way.  I'm pale in that Casper the Ghost, oh my God, check to see if she's breathing kind of way.  But even with the paleness and the irritating red patches, I was never the kid with the terrible complexion.  I had my fair share of pimples, but in the past couple of years--years that I thought would be spectacularly blemish free--I've inherited the face of a fourteen year old.  On a regular basis I have at least six or seven blemishes on my face, and it's even spread to the dreaded bacne--THE HORROR!!!  I have no idea if it's stress related, hormone related, or if my face just hates me, but whatever it is, it's incredibly annoying and painful.  Many of the pimples aren't even your typical run of the mill type--they're those awful below the skin cystic kind that stick around for weeks and sometimes month.  I manage to cover it up fairly well with foundation, but I won't be caught dead in public without at least a heavy dose of concealer.

Oh my God, that paragraph was so gross.  You can go throw up now if you want, but then come back, because my next paragraph contains a hair question and I NEED YOU.

I'm so sick of my hair.  I was growing it out for the wedding, and now that the wedding is over and the holidays are here I haven't been able to fit in the time or budget for a hair cut.  I love my hair stylist, but the girl ain't cheap.  I can't wear my hair down anymore because it just hangs there looking all limp and thin, and I'm running out of cute ideas for wearing it up--I've done the ponytail, side ponytail, low braid, buns--any tips?  However, in the next few weeks I will be making a visit to the salon, and I'm ready for a big change.  I'm thinking Lexie Grey but without relinquishing my precious side swept bangs.

So what do you think?  I've had short hair before, and it makes my hair look much thicker and healthier, but I don't want to go any shorter than this.  And I'm so tired of being a blonde--it's wreaking havoc on my hair and it's been a few years now, time for a change.  Of course, I've also gone the brown route before, and while it started out kind of lovely, it mutated over time and ended rather horrifically when I woke up one morning and realized, oh my God, black hair does NOT WORK on you.  Although it is a testament to my relationship with Colby that he started dating me in my era of hideous hair and apparently seemed to like me anyway.  So, now, the voting, the opinions--I need the internet to tell me what to do!  I am incapable of making decisions without you!  Do you think there's anyway that my hairdresser could give me Chyler Leigh's cheekbones and jawline!

Um, right.

But seriously, do your part, let your voice be heard:

What should I do with my hair?
	Definitely Lexie Grey--chocolate brown and chin length
	I like the Lexie Grey cut, but a lighter color
	Other.  I'll leave a comment with my opinion on your misguided hair choices
Free polls from Pollhost.com

Comments

[Fraulein N]

I like that cut, but if you're worried about looking extra pale, maybe you'd want to go with something between blonde and brown.

[La]

I agree with Fraulein M - I'm pretty pale myself, and have very dark hair, and it takes a lot of makeup to look normal. In my case, at least. But I love the cut! It's very cute! And making me want to get my very own haircut!

[meg]

I think a more golden-brown would be good, as opposed to chocolate, because the darkness could wash you out.
Definitely talk to your stylist about a color that won't highlight your paleness, if she's that expensive then she'd better have good advice, right?

and btw, who are you to be wishing for cheekbones?!!
from the pictures i've seen you've got a pretty enviable pair of them already!

(p.s. i kind of hate Lexie! why do they have to have her talk just like Meredith? i wish they would just make dr. bailey the main character!)

[Ashley]

I love that haircut, too! I especially like how it's styled to be all "flippy" at the ends--that will solve the flat, lifeless hair problem, easy!

Color is so hard to figure out. I second the idea to talk it over with your stylist or a color specialist at the salon and voice your concerns. In the past I have asked for chocolate brown, and even within that, the choices are vast! There are a million undertones for brown, so I hope they can help you find the right one!

Make sure to take before and after pics!!

[Princess Extraordinaire]

I love her hair style and I thin it would make yor hair have more bounce and body - especaily with some light layering. Cute! I hate cystic acne - like yo uI have been blessed wiht a good complexion ,however, there are times when I awake to a cyst that is just not going to go away - my derm put me on some medicine and it's like magic - all gone! If you want any info feel fre to e-mail me!

[Jass]

I don't know if I am best to give hair advice, as you know my story. hehe

I just recently cut about 6 inches, and got lighter highlights, but not light enough like I would want but hey there is always the next time. And I am pale and pink in a very strange way. Hey a doctor once thought I was anemic by just looking at my eyes and see through skin. hehe

Anyway, I think that you shouldn't go too dark, but lighter shade of brown might look really good on you. And I love that hair style. Lexi is kind of growing on me, feeling kind of sad for the girl.

[Caro]

Okay, from one pale girl to another, I think I might even have you beat on skin tone ;-) I think the cut would look fabulous. It's a cute and bouncy sort of cute that would probably add a lot of body to your hair. As for color, I think I pull off brown fairly well and don't think it hinders my pale complexion at all. I've even done that dark chocolate brown you're talking about and I loved it! So, having said all that, I think you should go into your appointment with some pictures [cut and color] and if you have a good hair stylist, she will know what will look fabulous on you and will point you in the right direction!

[TasterSpoon]

1. Damn, you have a great figure. I love that picture of you and the gate up there.

2. I agree with all the remarks that you don't want to go Gothic. I was a victim of a black hair phase. It made my face look fat because it was like this glowing moon in a sky of black hair. But...you're not a blonde? Really? I agree with your thoughts that going darker would make your hair look thicker, adding color generally does just as a matter of physics. But as a matter of aesthetics, kind of a multicolor, layery approach - lowlights? - might give the illusion of more depth. I don't know if that would be more upkeep or less.

3. Would you look adorable as a redhead? Yes! You would!

4. How about hitting a wig store to try out cut & color options?

5. I like your chosen cut a lot, and the color. I like whatsername, Mandy Moore, way better with brown hair. Though you already said you're not interested in going shorter...what about Katie Holmes's new haircut & color? I like her hair now...but actually I also liked it one haircut ago, as well. I guess both would require lots of trims though.

6. Bummer about the grown up zits. Me too.

[Anonymous G]

FIRST of all, I am giggling loudly in a quiet room.

"Gross last paragraph, throw up, come back I need you HAIR". hahahahahaaaa!!

LOVE the haircut idea. The style is darling. Keep the swept bangs and have just a bit of a taper in front. So flattering.

Oh, and keep your lovely blonde color.

[Girl, Dislocated]

1. I'm the same way with compliments, pretty much any kind of compliment. I just don't see what they see. And of course, I get all red and start stuttering like an idiot. So I know from my own experience that arguing with you about how beautiful you are will do nothing to change what you see :-P

2. I like the cut, and I think it'll look even better with your side-swept bangs. I'm not too knowledgeable about hair color and skin tone combinations, but I think brown hair with some highlights or lowlights would look awesome. I'm sure the salon people could tell you exactly what shades will work with your complexion. I can't wait to see your new hair!

[Becky]

Btw, HAPPY BIRTHDAY! You need to do a b-day post!

With your eyes, I'm almost thinking the Jennifer Aniston light brown color, rather than going Lexie Gray dark. You might not need to take off as much length as you think, but just cut in some more layers. Maybe?

[Lisa]

"...on the morning train sound asleep with my mouth hanging open..."

Thank you. I love you so much more for saying this. I do this sometimes and god, it's embarrassing but I'm so dead tired, what else is there to do. I love the length of Lexie's hair, definitely. Not sure about the color.

[Michelle & the City]

I love the cut definitely. But you're so pretty as as a blonde!

[sue]

Came by way of Becky to wish you a (now) belated Happy Birthday!!