The Bummer about "Blonde" Hair

Some of you may be surprised to hear this, but I use chemical products to change the color of my hair. Here is it's natural color:

See how ugly it makes me look?

And so, I dye my hair.  The problem is maintenance.  I can get away with about 8-10 weeks between dye jobs, but at the 10 week mark, it's kind of urgent. 

The next problem is, in Central America, it's tricky to find a stylist that understands how the blonde-haired Norwegian woman's hair works.  Or more correctly, I told myself it would be difficult to find a stylist that understands how the blonde-haired Norwegian woman's hair works.  Based on my experience in Malaysia. 

And so, I decided to do it myself.  I did the first inch of my hair, or the grown out roots.  And I forgot how badly bleach burns when you apply it directly to your scalp.  Your sunburned scalp.  I was only able to leave it on for 40 minutes.  Then I reapplied for another 40 minutes.  But it only lifted to a nice orange shade.

Like this:

So, I wasted $10 on the box.  In Panama I went to the mall and bit the bullet for a dye/cut job.

The result was super nice color.  Love it.  Dude did a great job with the color.

BUT: Now, in the back, I am supporting a lovely 90's mushroom cut I would have killed for in 6th grade. It's OK. I will just have to face everyone for the next month.