Over the past ten years, I’ve spent thousands of pounds on my hair, but I didn’t realise my subconscious choice to stop last year is actually tied to a broader issue affecting many others as well
As financial concerns become an increasingly significant issue for many across the UK, women are choosing a lower-maintenance hair colour instead of their salon-maintained blonde. This new hair trend has prompted women to adopt a more ‘affordable’ hairstyle, which involves growing out their hair to reveal their natural colour. I myself have chosen to forgo the hair salon to save some extra money, but I’ve been pleasantly surprised by the benefits my hair has seen as well.
I remember the first time I dyed my hair. I must have been around 15 years old. I had begged my mother for months prior to let me have some blonde highlights like my older sisters, and after what felt like forever, she finally said yes.
The deal was for half a head of highlights, but it came with the condition that I had to trim off all the ragged ends. I wasn’t thrilled about the haircut, mainly because I had always loved my long hair.
However, living in Australia, my hair wasn’t the healthiest due to the sun, salt, and sunscreen. I felt amazing once I got my haircut with those gorgeous highlights that I so desperately longed for.
Little did I know that would kick off a wild hair adventure that would last a whole decade. It definitely took a toll on my wallet and maybe wasn’t the best for my hair, but I had some fun along the way.
Over the last ten years, I’ve enjoyed experimenting with my hair colour. I have tried everything from bright purple and light pink to platinum blonde and deep black.
However, I’ve come to realise that I’ve never achieved that gorgeous, healthy, natural look that I’ve always desired. Until last year, I often wondered what my natural hair colour is anymore since I hadn’t allowed my roots to show for so long.
After a hair debacle last year, I quietly embraced the idea of growing out my natural hair. I hadn’t even realised how many other women were on the same journey. It’s been about 10 months since I last dyed my hair, and right off the bat, I’ve probably saved myself around £400.
At the top of my head, you can finally see my natural colour emerging. The particular shade of mousy, ashy brown had been dubbed as ‘recession brunette’. Even celebrities, like Taylor Swift, are opting for this trend.
For women like me who were blonde as children but lost that vibrant, fun colour as they grew older, we have become addicted to maintaining our title of being ‘naturally blonde’. With this, we have done everything we can to ensure people always refer to us as blonde.
However, with rising costs, many women, including myself, are choosing to forgo these expensive hair treatments. The “recession brunette” trend highlights a growing movement of women transitioning from pricey hair colour treatments to more natural shades. Online interest in the term “lived-in colour” peaked in February, while “recession brunette” has emerged as a trending search term in recent weeks.
This is similar to the Hemline index, a theory that links women’s skirt lengths to economic trends. The index highlights that shorter skirts are viewed as an indication of prosperity, while longer skirts signal an economic downturn.
With the cost of living rising by 3% over the past 12 months, many have begun to rethink their spending habits and are opting to forgo their luxuries. This means losing those luscious golden locks.
While I do miss my golden, lighter hair, I cannot overlook the overall benefits of abandoning the dye. Almost immediately, I noticed a reduction in hair fall and breakage, and now, nearly ten months after my last hair dye appointment, my hair is incredibly glossy and shiny, a look that was previously achievable only through a myriad of products.
Although I continue to long for a time when I can start reinvesting in my self-care luxuries, I’m excited to embark on this journey of maintaining a naturally healthy head of hair.