Hair Today Gone Tomorrow
We’ve talked about this before. I’m a hair junkie. I love changing colors, changing styles, looking for new products and goop to slap on and hope it will transform me into everything I want to be. Okay maybe not that life altering, but the fact remains, I like change. The problem with this change is that as a published author, I have a public persona. My website is the ME that the world sees. I like to keep it current and up to date. I like to make sure I keep you coming back for more.
Hmm. Could that be behind my chameleon like appearance? Who knows. I just know that I make my family and my web mistress (who doesn’t know this yet because she’s a new webmistress at least new to me) insane.
I must admit the “new” me is really more the original “me”. I have naturally dark hair although this is isn’t completely natural because you see I also have a thing for shine and gloss which you can only get out of a bottle. So even if I go dark (a la more natural), I still like it professionally colored. Then there’s the new red highlights. I hate hate to be boring so those are a must.
Let’s see. What else? Oh, I know. Style. I have naturally curly hair. Many times in my life, I hate my curls and other times I embrace them. Last year, the blonde me, wanted straight hair. This is easier to do with blonde coloring because it gives the hair texture and it’s easier to straighten. Unfortunately after months and months of both, the result is fried hair. Not pan fried, just fried. As in ick. Nobody likes icky hair. So with the blonde, I started to go curly. The word unfortunately comes into play again – because the hair is so chemically textured, it doesn’t want to curl softly the way it does when unprocessed. Again, it’s hard, it’s frizz prone, and it’s ick. Icky hair.
That’s the point when I knew I was ready for a change. Thing is, change isn’t easy on chemically swamped hair. Soooo …. We slowly eased the hair back to color and not bleach. AND we cut. A lot. My family HATED this in between stage and I have to admit, so did I. I couldn’t blow dry it straight b/c darker hair for me won’t straighten and I couldn’t curl it b/c there was still bleach in the hair frizzing it.
But time passed and really it’s only been a few months, and I am finally where I want to be with style and length and color. At least for now.
So here are some THEN (oh about a year ago) and NOW (last Sat. night) photos.
My website still has the then. Will it/should it have the now instead?
Wow Carly, you look like a totally different person! You’ve got the more conservative persona in the first picture, and the second you look like a femme fatale - men, watch out LOL. Love the brown hair, but I’m so used to you with blonde that it’s going to take a bit to get used to it, but I love a person with an adventurous - and yes, hair can be an adventure - spirit.
I think you should update the site with your new look, though not this pic cuz the background is distracting. But definitely, go for it.
Comment by Stacy ~ — December 12, 2006 @ 7:24 am
You are so HOT!!!
And here I’m thinking about adding blonde highlights to my already processed red! Hmmm…maybe I’ll go back to brown if I can look this smokin’!
Update the website…you know you want to!
Comment by Julie Leto — December 12, 2006 @ 8:00 am
Julie, I went dark/red after seeing YOU at National! I was already dark but I added the red. And I only look smokin’ as you say b/c I had my make up professionally done for a big party we were going to! That and the animal print dress
Stacy, I’m laughing b/c I thought the blonde would be hotter/sexier (LOL) and here it was conservative. ROTF.
Comment by Carly — December 12, 2006 @ 8:16 am
Uh, Stacy, don’t you mean the “fore”ground is distracting???
I like the new style- goes more with what you write and with your personality.
I used to sit on my hair, now it is short and gets cut every 3 weeks. I got so tired of styling, it never looked right or good, if it gets too long all the body just pulls out of it. Now I get up, shower and towel dry, comb and go. I love the simple life!!! Besides, it looks good getting out of a pool when we travel.
Comment by ev — December 12, 2006 @ 8:44 am
Most definitely the NOW!
Your hair looks so much more healthy and glossy than the before picture.
I think the new hair style made your face look thinner and younger looking.
Not that you didn’t already look young ,but hey, we all need help with Father Time.
ps love the scarf:doggie:
Comment by Gigi — December 12, 2006 @ 9:03 am
I vote for the now picture too. Who ever coined the phrase blondes have more fun obviously never had brunette or red hair! LOL! You look great
Comment by Kelly — December 12, 2006 @ 9:33 am
You look wonderful. I vote to update your website picture.
Comment by Crystal B. — December 12, 2006 @ 9:37 am
Undate. Your hair looks great.
Comment by Theresa N. — December 12, 2006 @ 9:51 am
I love the new picture!!! Update the website. I too change me hair all the time. I have had the same hair person for over 20 years(I actually still drive 2 hours away to get my hair cut/colored/permed) and I always trust her with my color changes. I too am actually going back to my more natural color(whatever that is…haven’t seen it in several years) and I hope when it’s all finished I can look as great as you!!!
Comment by Liza — December 12, 2006 @ 9:56 am
Great topic!!! I love them both, but the red/brown is HOT!!!!
I have an appt at 11:30 today to cut my hair. I’m think 5 to 6 inches! I’m ready for something new. Then highlights on Saturday! woohoo!!!!!!
Comment by TRICIA — December 12, 2006 @ 10:08 am
Love the “Now” look! Change is good…. :thumbsup2:
Comment by Barbara-Jo — December 12, 2006 @ 10:13 am
Carly, you look smokin’. I’d go with the now.
Comment by katie — December 12, 2006 @ 10:57 am
Beautiful! I love the new look–definitely go with the dark-haired you on your site.
Comment by Leslie — December 12, 2006 @ 11:11 am
I :love2: the new look.
Comment by Heather Harper — December 12, 2006 @ 11:22 am
I love the new picture. I totally vote for an updated look.
You are one hot wordsmith!!!!
Comment by Debbie — December 12, 2006 @ 12:08 pm
I love the “Now” look! Hot!!
Comment by Susan — December 12, 2006 @ 12:52 pm
i remember those dues, you look good girl
Comment by kim H — December 12, 2006 @ 1:03 pm
Wow! Carly, you look HOT! :love2: Love the new look, update your website. The darker hair is very attractive. I’ve never colored my hair & I often look in the mirror & wish it was still that natural, glorious red but Father Time has interferred & the budget just doesn’t allow for coloring but I do get a good haircut & so far am able to do that! I love my short hair as it is wash & go, no muss no fuss!! Love it simple as someone else said.
Comment by Donna M — December 12, 2006 @ 1:05 pm
Love the new look, definitely update the website.:thumbsup2::thumbsup2:
Comment by Erika — December 12, 2006 @ 2:46 pm
:thumbsup2:
You need to put the now pic up. It looks great!!!
Comment by Shannon Upright — December 12, 2006 @ 4:08 pm
Thanks, everyone! All these compliments!
But seriously, I have to get a better pic taken w/a clean background! Good to know you like the look though. No way am I going through more professional pics. The time, the expense, and the stress (I HATE having my pic taken!) I wonder how people get comfortable in front of a camera. Anyway thanks again!
Comment by Carly — December 12, 2006 @ 4:11 pm
Carly, you sound like me (or me like you). I get my hair “done” every 6-8 weeks. That means colored. I use a semi-permanent color that washes out (and also conditions instead of drying) and so my husband never knows who’s going to walk through the door.
Sometimes it has bergundy in it, sometimes eggplant, sometimes lighter. Sometimes I add highlights (but not often because of the damage). I’ve continued to let it grow so it’s about 1/2 way down my back but at one time it was to my waist and I cut it in one fell swoop to above my shoulders. I love to change it. Keeps people on their toes.
And your new look is great. Definitely update the website.
Comment by Jodie — December 12, 2006 @ 4:39 pm
Carly - I love the NOW look, your hair looks so good like that. I think you should go with it on your website……….I hate having my picture taken no matter when, so can associate with you there………:thumbsup2:
Comment by Cryna — December 12, 2006 @ 5:10 pm
Definitely now, you look like you’re dressed to kill!
Comment by Qua — December 12, 2006 @ 5:43 pm
I really like the now!
Comment by Estella — December 12, 2006 @ 6:35 pm
No more blonde, auburn/brunette is definitely the color for you! It enhances your skin tone, makes your eyes pop, and looks very natural on you.
Comment by Michele L. — December 12, 2006 @ 8:50 pm
You are a smash either way.
My first job was that of a hairdresser. Not many know but with marriage, comes children, with children comes missed appointments and so the life expectancy of a hairdresser averages 10 years or less. 
I just stopped dying my hair a few years back. I figured I spent most of my adult life trying to be lighter in color so I’ve now embraced a very pretty silver. 
You’re to young to not color yourself happy. 
Have fun with it.
After 55 think about lighter colors though. :mrgreen: The skin tends to need lighter shades as we age. 
You are a very attractive woman
Sorry it’s the old age. 
so stay our friendly colorful chameleon.
Oh my I do so tend to do
Comment by jeannie — December 12, 2006 @ 9:04 pm
I am really good with PhotoShop and you could easily clean the back ground out of that new look pic. It is a great picture Carly If you want me to give it a try just send me a copy and I’ll give it a go. No charge!
Comment by jeannie — December 12, 2006 @ 9:13 pm
Karen, Definitely like the NOW look. You look beautiful!
Patricia A.
Comment by Patricia — December 13, 2006 @ 11:01 am
Comment by Cherylann — December 13, 2006 @ 11:17 am
From a fellow hair junkie, your hair looks FABULOUS! Love the color and cut, not that you weren’t a gorgeous blonde as well. The new Carly is hot, hot, hot! Good for you for sticking it out and getting it the way you wanted it! I’m in the process of growing mine out, and it’s making me crazy
I vote to update the web site….you look great!
Linda
Comment by Linda — December 15, 2006 @ 1:42 pm