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hair thursday makeover 82

This is Beth with brunette hair.

beth_brunette

This is Beth with blonde hair.

beth_blond

Beth has sent a few emails inquiring if she should be a blonde or brunette.

From Beth’s most recent email:

Sending up another smoke signal. I am thinking of asking my husband to make my Christmas gift a trip to the salon to return to my inner blonde but I’m unsure. I have had a lot of feedback from friends, my husband and coworkers who like my hair dark, but my parents and my daughters like my hair blonde. I think I do, too, but am not sure. I need an impartial opinion.

I’m 36 years old and a working mom of two girls and wife to my brunette-loving husband. I want to look glamorous but without spending a ton of money or time. I need more volume but don’t want to look matronly. I felt pretty and vibrant with blonde hair. Not sure if brunette works on me.

Let’s take a look at both sides.

On one hand, Beth admits to liking her hair better when blonde. She feels pretty and vibrant, and we all know that is important.

On the other hand, she doesn’t want to spend a lot of money or time on her hair, and keeping up with blonde maintenance isn’t a cake walk. It also sounds like the majority of friends, family and coworkers prefer Beth as a brunette.

For me, I do have a preference. I much prefer Beth as a brunette. Her complexion looks perfectly peaches-and-cream, her blue eyes pop, and she exudes such a beautiful and sophisticated look in the brunette photo.

How I wish I felt the other way, so I could tell Beth what I think she wants to hear, but brunette is my preference. FINAL ANSWER.

(Although, Beth. How do you feel about the current blonded brunette trend? That could be the perfect compromise for you! Being a brunette doesn’t mean you need to have super dark hair. Think Audrina Patridge’s color for inspiration.)

beth_options

Don’t just listen to me, though! Let’s see what the readers have to say.

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27 comments
  1. Jamie

    December 3, 2009 at 7:33 am

    This is a toughie b/c it can be difficult when you don’t really feel “at home” in your hair…that said, the brunette is really gorgeous. The blonde seems, to me, sort of unnatural looking, and ages her unnecessarily! Brunette, all the way.
    .-= Jamie´s last blog ..Adventures in Optimism: The Tuesday Edition =-.

  2. Kimberly

    December 3, 2009 at 7:51 am

    I voted blonde even though of the 3 photos posted, the brunette is by far the most flattering. I don’t think she’s had the right blonde for her yet. I see her really glowing in a caramel-y blonde. And I do think that feeling good in your hair is the most important thing – so if it’s blonde you want, go blonde.

  3. Tracy H

    December 3, 2009 at 7:58 am

    I am in a similar situation. Recently went brunette (inspired by a previus HT post) after being blonde my whole life, although in recent years it was “from a bottle.” It got to be too much work to keep up with it so I shocked everyone and went dark. I like it, a lot even, but I really do miss BEING a blonde! When I see pics of myself as a blonde I get a little weepy, being blonde defined me in a way. I don’t think I’ll ever go back, it’s just too much work that I don’t have time for and can’t afford, but I’ll always miss it! I think you look great as a brunette, very natural & pretty. Good Luck with your decision!

  4. Carrisa

    December 3, 2009 at 7:59 am

    I agree with Whoorl, keep the base darker and go for highlights instead of all over blonde.

    Or what about something Jennifer Aniston like? Maybe you could go all over blonde, just not quite so light.

  5. Melissa

    December 3, 2009 at 8:01 am

    I just did the opposite – I went from blonde to a reddish brunette and I have to say I love it. I understand the pull to blonde and have done it most of my life. I have fair skin and green eyes and very light brows like Beth. I even had my brows dyed darker and it has been an added bonus. The one thing that everyone says is that I look younger as a brunette and as a 38 yo woman, this is important to me. It seems like a LOT of women aspire to be blonde – Beth’s gorgeous brunette color makes her stand out in the crowd. If she wants body, why not just get some highlights for texture?

  6. kakaty

    December 3, 2009 at 8:03 am

    I really think that brunettes who try to drastically change their hair color to blond or red or whatever look like little kids playing dress up and most of the time it ages them. 99% of the time, your skin/eyes look best with your natural hair color. If you want vibrancy, get subtle highlights or a gloss but don’t mess too much with the color.

    Obvs I voted brunette – look at those awesome eyes & pretty skin tone in the brunette photo! In the blond photos all I see is hair, not Beth.

  7. Darcey

    December 3, 2009 at 8:05 am

    I voted blonde… it all goes to what you feel most comfortable with.
    .-= Darcey´s last blog ..Woe Is Me =-.

  8. Groovymarlin

    December 3, 2009 at 8:08 am

    This is a perfect example of why you should ask other people’s opinions on things like this. Beth is a beautiful woman who thinks she looks better as a blonde, and unfortunately, she is mistaken. She looks so much better as a brunette it’s really striking. Blonde hair makes her look strange and washed out. Brunette flatters her complexion, eye color, and makes her hair look more healthy and luxurious. I could see her doing brunette with highlights, but definitely no more platinum blonde!
    .-= Groovymarlin´s last blog ..Poison! =-.

  9. gidget

    December 3, 2009 at 8:43 am

    Brunette all the way!!
    .-= gidget´s last blog ..Cute Holiday Cards Pt.2 =-.

  10. Tracy D

    December 3, 2009 at 8:47 am

    What is her natural color? I voted blonde because it sounds like she is more comfortable as a blonde and I actually think she looks good in both color options. However, the shade of blonde she used to have was a bit too light, and if it isn’t close to her natural color would be a lot of work to maintain.

    I’m having a similar dilemma about my hair. I’ve been blonde all my life, but getting my hair highlighted is a pain and expensive, so I’m contemplating returning to a more natural dark blonde / light brown…something like Jennifer Aniston’s color…light brown with honey highlights. I think that would look good on Beth too.

    Either way, Beth is gorgeous!
    .-= Tracy D´s last blog ..Fail =-.

  11. kate

    December 3, 2009 at 10:26 am

    Beth looks great as a blonde, BUT, I agree that the brunette is very striking and really makes her eyes really pop! Stunning!
    .-= kate´s last blog ..::group hug:: =-.

  12. hala

    December 3, 2009 at 10:55 am

    Beth you are BEAUTIFUL! :) I personally favor the brunette on you, it really gives so much depth to your eyes and sets off your skin tone beautifully.

  13. Kaleigha

    December 3, 2009 at 11:05 am

    I like the brown with like caramely highlights. She looks so naturally beautiful with the darker color. Makes her skin glow.
    .-= Kaleigha´s last blog ..Breaking news and some thoughts. =-.

  14. kat

    December 3, 2009 at 11:26 am

    I think her skin glows and her eyes POP with darker hair. so i voted brunette. :) i like the idea of adding in some highlights to warm up a darker color but if i had pretty blue eyes, i’d totally go for darker to make those pop. can’t wait to see this update!
    .-= kat´s last blog ..officially moved in. =-.

  15. Tavia

    December 3, 2009 at 12:14 pm

    Although I’m a natural blonde, I have to say that Beth looks her best as a brunette. Her eyes are more defined and she is truly beautiful.
    .-= Tavia´s last blog ..Orly Metal Chic – Metallic Matte 2010 Spring Collection =-.