Readers, I think I've wanted pink hair for at least 18 years but I never had the guts to do it. (Yes, I do see the irony in covering my body with tattoos, but being afraid of a little hair color.) But! My friend Fleur (a former hair dresser with a penchant for crazy hair colors) came to visit last weekend, Jeff was out of town, and well . . . it was a perfect storm for pink hair!
We only did the tips, despite me bursting out with "let's just do the whole thing!" every now and then. Fleur suggested starting small. She's hardly a model of restraint in these things, so it seemed wise to listen when she's holding back.
She bleached it first, and then we dyed it with Manic Panic Cotton Candy Pink. It looked pretty good at first (see bad Instagram below).
But in the morning light, it was more of a pale orange than pink. So yesterday I re-did the ends in Manic Panic Hot Hot Pink. The color name did not lie, friends!
I left it on for about half the time of Cotton Candy Pink, and it was still shockingly intense. Basically, it's perfect.
I set it in rag curls overnight, and it's styled with a comb on each side.
In other news: I've been thinking about doing another sew-along with a pattern from
my book! Would you all be interested in making some Portrait Blouses? That's what I'm wearing above. It's the easiest pattern in the book, so it would be a beginner-friendly sew-along. Plus it's a great wardrobe basic that can be made in lots of different fabrics, from charmeuse to cotton to wool jersey. What do you think?
Oooh yes please! I'm a newbie seamstress and I'd love a Portrait blouse sewalong :-) Awesome hair!
ReplyDeletelove the hair. I've wanted pink hair for a long time but still haven't gotten the guts to make the leap.
ReplyDeleteLove the hair! And I would be very excited about a sew-along, though I am severely itching to make the Bow-Tied blouse. Portrait blouse is also on my list.
ReplyDeleteYes!
ReplyDeleteI would love to see a sew along for that portrait blouse, it's so pretty.
ReplyDeleteYou're hair is amazing... full head of pink next time maybe!! I've just been on the same journey only with orange, I'm am now fully orange haired and loving it! :)
Manic Panic sucks. It will continue to wash out. Get Punky Colors. I did mine with a bright blue right before college and it lasted forever. I tried to redo it with Manic Panic while in my small college town because I couldn't find Punky, and it didn't last longer than a week.
ReplyDeleteIt looks great but I'm with piggie1230. I HATE Manic Panic! My 15 yr old colors her hair...often...and Manic Panic and Splat are a disaster. When it starts to fade it looks just awful. My kiddo always goes bright red days before our Disney trip. The one time we used Manic Panic red we did it the week before. OMG we were going down Splash Mountain and as we hit bottom I saw it. Bright red water pouring into the seat. Yes, a week later, that Manic Panic garbage was still washing out of her hair. I told the ride operators so no one would end up with red on their backs and butts. :(
DeleteYes! I'm a beginner and would definitely participate in a portrait blouse sew-along.
ReplyDeleteGreat hair! I've always secretly wanted pink hair too.
ReplyDeleteI'd love to join a Portrait blouse sew-along please.
Love the pink tips. Make sure you have a spare, dark pillowcase, though. I had purple streaks for a while and ruined several.
ReplyDeletei love your hair! i would be in for a portrait blouse sewalong - it's on my list and i have the fabric!
ReplyDeleteI LOVE IT!!! i have always wanted pink tips. i've been meaning to try it with chalk, i've pinned it somewhere...
ReplyDeleteOh wow, that's pretty awesome. The nice part about doing the tips is you won't have "roots" to maintain. It really suits you.
ReplyDeleteI like the idea of the sewalong for the blouse if you're up to it.
Love the hair!!!! Yes to the sewalong.
ReplyDeleteThat hot pink looks very good on you! It's nice you have a friend helping you with dying, it's so much easier than when you do it by yourself.
ReplyDeleteYes! Can you do it in a silk or satin though? That's what's giving me trouble!
ReplyDeleteYour pink hair is great! And as another reader said, Manic Panic is not. It's hard to keep these colours in the hair, but the best I've found is Elumen. I use the VV (Violet Violet) – Pk should do the trick for you.
ReplyDeletehttp://elumen.goldwell.com/en-EN/assortment_diversity_creative_color_mixing.aspx
Love the color! I haven't had funky colors in years but did enjoy it. The upkeep, not so much. ;)
ReplyDeleteI'd love a sew-along!
Yes! woo :D Something for us simple folk.
ReplyDeleteMy name is Jessie, and I think a sew along for the blouse would be wonderful :)
ReplyDeleteLove the pink hair, I did that when I was 17 to shock my parents and it didn't work, they just thought it looked cute. It's impossible to rebel against cool parents.
ReplyDeleteI would LOVE a portrait blouse sew along! This pattern was going to be my first sewing project from your book and I'm still a beginner, so I would appreciate the help.
-bird
I'm an ex-pink haired girl (and blue, and green and purple and pretty much every other colour... the way I see it is hair always grows back!) and I am deeply envious.
ReplyDeleteI've been a back to a mid-brown for more than a year and your hair looks so freakin' great I might have to change to something less natural come the new year :D
Yes to a sew along! Your hair is super cool too. I used to have a pink "streak" in my hair and I loved it. Have to agree about the benefits of it being low maintenance. No roots to think about!
ReplyDelete1983 culy permed pink bob - oh it was so cute untill i went out in the rain, in those days you had to use crazy colour hair dyes and yes they come off on everything I admire you pizazzzzz.
ReplyDeleteand I would love a sew along on your blouse, I wonder if you will be doing an FBA tutoril for those of us with boobs.
Patricia London UK
Me for the sew-along! I have your book (awesome, btw) and I'm a super newb at sewing. I think I only managed the colette crepe dress because of your sew-along.
ReplyDeleteI had purple hair for a long time, so I love the pink! Sign me up for a sewalong as well. I've been trying to make a few blouses and am having troubles. It seems like I need to make so many alterations to basic patterns i really hope I am missing something.
ReplyDeleteOh, and I just got your book - totally fab!
DeleteYay! Count me in. Love the pink hair!
ReplyDeleteloving the new hair! and i so want to make the portrait blouse, sooner rather than later! :D
ReplyDeleteThe hair suits you.
ReplyDeleteWould totally be up for the portrait blouse as its next on my sewing list. Got the fabric and notions and the pattern traced off ready and sitting in a little project bag ready to cut out and sew.
Yes for a sew along using a pattern from the book. It all looks great, but as a relatively inexperienced sewist, I need this push to tackle a project!
ReplyDeleteYour hair looks amazing and I would LOVE a Portrait Blouse Sewalong. After Christmas, maybe?
ReplyDeleteLove the idea of the sew-along from your book. Would you consider having another one later on for more tricky projects like the shirtdress?
ReplyDeleteI adore the pink tips, BTW. Have you ever posted a tutorial for rag curls? I'd like to know how you do it!
One of goals for next year is to make something out of the "Gertie Book" each month next year. I'd love to start with a sew-along blouse =)
ReplyDeleteYa know, I wouldn't've thought pink hair would look good, and yours completely changed my opinion of the idea. It looks fantastic!
There was a rule in my small hometown high school set in place to ban my hair colors. It was even nicknamed the "Tessa Ban". I have a sister in that school now (10 years later) and they JUST lifted the ban to let kids rainbow dye their hair. I think the small town people thought that I was spreading rebellion or something like that, but no one ever gave me a straight answer as to why it was ever banned. I was a kid expressing myself, that was all there was to it, and I gave a speech about it to the school board that ended with a standing ovation. I was even voted "Most Unique" of my senior class, but it took 10 years for them to come around. It's just hair color! I'm so glad I live in Austin now...
ReplyDeleteI love your hair, it looks fab! And "yes please" to the sew-a-long, Thank you!!
ReplyDeleteI would love a sew-along for a more complicated project.
ReplyDeleteLove the hair. Ten years ago, I went from having hair to my waist, to cutting my hair very short and spiky with pink tips. I gained instant credibility with the high school kids where I worked!
Hot Hot Pink! For about 2 months during my first semester of college, my hair was that color :)
ReplyDeleteI'm interested in a sew along! And your hair is great!! Liz
ReplyDeleteLOVE the pink hair, and I would SO BE IN for a sew-along of the portrait blouse. I have read your book, but still haven't pulled out the scissors & cut anythign yet - this would be the perfect motivation to do so!
ReplyDeleteThanks!
Dayl
Yes please!! I'm planning to make the portrait blouse first anyway so a sew along would be fab!! Love the pink hair :) xxx
ReplyDeleteHair looks totally fantastic. If you're finding that MP fades a bit quickly, try SFX. I had pink hair for about five years and was consistently Atomic Pink (or various shades of it). It'd grow out before it'd wash out. Also dillutes nicely to a cotton candy pink if you add a teeeeeeensy little drop of it to conditioner/toner. Doesn't last a long as full strength Atomic Pink, but lasts a LOT better than MP if you want a pale shade. Apart from the fact that it does clash terribly with red lipstick when it's fresh (it does have that slightly fluro blue-tone to it when it's brand spankin new.) I can't vouch for it highly enough.
ReplyDeleteWord of warning with pink hair though: get used to not wearing anything with a white/light coloured collar/shoulders. Be crazy careful with your beautiful new coat, because pink will NOT come out of the collar of that if you accidentally get caught in the rain.
Sew along for the portrait blouse sounds like a lovely idea too! I'd totally be on board.
Oh my yes, pale coloured tops (or pillowcases, or towels) and coloured hair do not go together very well at all!!
DeleteI'm with the others on Manic Panic not being particularly good at lasting. I use Directions (http://www.lariche.co.uk/directions-hair-colour), which lasts a lot better than Manic Panic. Also, you'll find that if you keep putting pink in your hair, the colour will build up over a bit of time and it'll last longer.
Yes please! I got your book as soon as it came out (I pre-ordered it) but haven't done anything with it (except read, read, and re-read) cuz I need to grade the pattern to fit my size 32 body. Well, I've been putting the grading off...for ever. If we are doing a sew-along, I'd be more inclined to actually take the pattern out and work on it. :-)
ReplyDeleteOh yes, and I LOVE your pink hair!
DeleteYour pink hair is amazing...and just doing the tips was totally the right way to go; love the juxtaposition of your natural dark with the bright pink.
ReplyDeleteWish I had the guts to do something like this!
I have always wanted pink hair too!
ReplyDeleteI would love a sew along for the portrait blouse! The next thing I make for myself is the shirt dress from your book! I just love your book, it's full of information and I seriously just sit there and look through it every day.
I would love to make the blouse! I would also love to know what fabric everyone is using -
ReplyDeleteI love the hair! Yes, that's kind of crazy that you are not hesitant to tattoo but are hesitant to dye your hair pink. Regardless, I like the new do.
ReplyDeleteYour pink hair looks amazing! The hot pink looks great with your darker hair color & all your tattoos. I dyed my hair a claret color once for a few weeks, and then had to dye it again to convince people that it had really happened!
ReplyDeleteI love your hair! I would also love to do a blouse sew along. I bought your book a while ago and I haven't sewn anything from it yet. Plus I could use a new blouse right now.
ReplyDeleteYes please. I haven't made anything from "The Book" yet. And i love your hair, it's hot, Hot, HOT!!
ReplyDeleteI just ordered your book - so please wait a few days (or a week) and I can get in on the fun as well :D
ReplyDeleteLove your hair! And I would love to join the beginner sew-along.
ReplyDeleteHot pink indeed! Nicely done. Yes I'd love to do the Portrait Blouse as a sewalong; the coat project did not work out for me (yet) but I could handle the blouse! Great idea.
ReplyDeleteI once had pink hair and I loved it so much. It was just the underneath layer. I would do it again in a second.
ReplyDeleteI'd love a sew-along, but maybe after the new year... there's a lot of holiday craziness between now and then.
ReplyDeleteThis is cool! to be honest I've never wanted pink hair, but I love it on you! does is look good straight as well??
ReplyDeleteOh for Pink hair! I'd love to have my hair a bright colour again, but it's not allowed where I work :(
ReplyDeleteAs for the sew along - I'd love to take part. hoping to get your book for Christmas!
Seriously! I have pink hair ( yours is fab!!) and am about to start the portrait blouse ha! But i will wait for the sew along as it will be my first! Yay!
ReplyDeleteFabulous hair color - it really suits you!
ReplyDeletePortrait blouse sew along sounds like a great idea!
ReplyDeleteLove the pink hair! And yes to a portrait blouse sew-along! That was my next project before taking the peasant dress course.
ReplyDeleteYes, yes, yes, yes, and....YES! to the portrait blouse sew along. That's on my fall sewing list, and it would be great to do it as a sew-along.
ReplyDeleteGreat hair color, by the way. The pink really suits you. I actually like it a lot as just tips because your dark hair is such a great compliment to your skin tone, and it gives your vintage hair styles a funky edge by having the pink graze around your face and in the back.
The hair looks wonderful!!
ReplyDeletelooks wonderful. if you find it fading too fast for your liking, as has been my experience with manic panic dyes, try Punky Color.
ReplyDeleteAs far as pink hair goes - the last time I accidentally ended up with hot hot pink hair, I was actually going for purple. I had SFX hair dye, in a dark violet shade. I stirred in a small shake of bleach powder and a good glug of developer, and my hair ended up hot hot hot pink, and it didn't fade, run, or stain. At all, ever. It was magic, fantastic, and brilliant - literally. I loved it.
ReplyDeleteWould love to do a sew-a-long. Not only am I not an up to date seamstress but I'm large size off of the pattern so hopefully someone will be able to help me if I have a problem.
ReplyDeleteThe sew-along sounds like a good idea - I always need a new blouse. As to the hair - congrats! I still don't have enough guts to do mine, though I want blue. My brother (king of brightly-colored hair) tells me that blue fades the fastest and is most likely to run when wet or sweaty. I trust his judgement since he's had blue hair several times and tried different formulas. I dyed my daughter's hair purple using MP ultra violet and it came out lovely, plus it only ran during the first wash after we did it. My brother says that the trick is to make sure you get all the bleach out, so we waited a day before we did the purple. I'm told that there is a stronger formula for MP that lasts longer than the regular stuff; you can get it at Sally Beauty online.
ReplyDeleteI had hot pink hair for a while, both professionally done and manic panic when I realized how much it would cost to have the salon maintain. Both pigments were very fugitive-- pink towels, sheets, etc. I think that the problem is that both were semi-permanent and as a grown-up you really want something that's going to stick. The only other issue is the wear on your hair if you have to keep removing the natural color. Pureology shampoo also helped maintain the color somewhat but eventually I gave up. I miss it and so do my son's preschool classmates.
ReplyDeleteYes please!
ReplyDeleteI'd be game for a sew-along. I'm a sewing novice and easily distracted. I'm process driven so I know that having some accountability would help.
ReplyDeleteI love it I love it I love it!
ReplyDeleteI love the hair!
ReplyDeleteManic Panic tends to wash out after a few weeks. The best is L'oreal highlights for dark hair, but I don't know if they have a pink shade.
Hair looks great. I'm off over the December holidays so I have oodles of time to devote to a portrait blouse sew along.
ReplyDeleteSuper fun! I love the idea of a sew-along on an easy project. I'm new to your blog, but looking to get your book for Christmas and I'd love to start off with a simple project.
ReplyDeleteHi Gertie, I just received my copy of your book about a week ago and would absolutely love to do a sew along with you and add a lovely new addition to my wardrobe and improve upon my sewing skills along the way. Thank you so much for such a wonderful book and to top it off with a fabulous sew along!
ReplyDeleteI'm in! Love the pink hair too:)
ReplyDeleteYour hair looks awesome!
ReplyDeleteI'd love to participate in the sewalong! That's definitely one of my favorites from your book, just because of the versatility - and because I still consider myself a beginner, and need to start out with something easier to tackle.
Great idea! Can't wait to see the schedule! :)
Sewalong!! Yes Please! I think the main reason I got your book was for the Portrait Blouse!!!! I will need lots of help with FBA, so would love do do it.
ReplyDeleteWow, you look absolutely amazing! So pretty and so cool! I´ve been wanting to dye my hair black for a long time (it´s a boring light brown normally) but haven´t had the guts yet, but now that you took the plunge and made your´s pink I´m gonna get myself some black hair dye and just go for it. Thanks for inspiring me! You are a trailblazer, girl! Have ordered your book and can´t wait to get sewing again like a used to when I was younger. You are a true inspiration in so many ways. Have the best day ever! Hugs, Lina in Sweden.
ReplyDeleteThanks for the sew-along feedback, everyone!
ReplyDeleteI've heard the same negative stuff about Manic Panic. I ordered some Special Effects Atomic Pink online, so I'll give that a try too!
yes to the sew-along! So funny, I'm doing the Butterick dress & then next on my list IS the portrait blouse! I used to use Manic Panic in highschool, firetruck red & ... some sort of turquoise. I think I still have them (15 years ago)! I was thinking of doing something like that to my hair.. i need a change. It looks GREAT on you!
ReplyDeleteyes, to the sew-along. I can't wait to try the portrait blouse. Love your book.
ReplyDeleteWould love to take part in this sew a-long. I pre-ordered your book but have yet to make anything, I have been a big procrastinator.
ReplyDeleteOooooooo I LOVE THE HAIR!!!! I had pink hair once upon a time and loved it. I think I need it again. P.s. Count me in for the sew-along!
ReplyDeleteYes, please do a sew a-long. Love your hair!
ReplyDeleteYou may want to treat your new coat with a healthy dose of Scotchgard to keep pink "rub-off" from happening! Don't forget: snow melts and makes things DAMP and dye rub-off is pretty much a sure thing! Even a little of it happening will ruin your coat!
ReplyDeleteI love your book and would follow all ten designs sew - alongs . In NZ it is called a "stitch -and- bitch"
ReplyDeleteLOVE the hair!!
ReplyDeleteHi - love the blog - loved it so much I bought the book. Now I love the book so much that I think I would really love a sew along for the portrait blouse (already on the top of my list). And I'm another vote to make it up in nice slippery, slithery, slinky silk.
ReplyDeleteI'd love a sew along of the portrait blouse!
ReplyDeleteOoh, Hot Hot pink is my favourite of their pinks, and it looks great on you :). Your friend was right, starting small is a good idea. Mine has been rainbow colours for almost a year now (currently Ultraviolet in front and Shocking Blue in back), and when ones whole head is brightly coloured, you really have to keep on top of roots. If you're as bad at bleaching as I am, that leads to very fried hair very quickly! It would look great however you do it :).
ReplyDeleteI'm super up for the sew along!!!
ReplyDeleteLove the hair! It looks like my daughter's red hair. I am so excited about the sew along. Just got the book and I can't wait to start sewing!!
ReplyDeleteI've been thinking of interrupting a couple other sewing projects (a dress & a ukulele case) to make a Portrait blouse, so yes, Sew-Along!
ReplyDeleteI totally feel you on the hair dying. I too have wanted to dye my hair pink for 18 years but have never had the guts! I've gotten tattooed, pierced my nose and dyed my hair black once even, but still haven't been able to commit to HOT PINK. I finally decided to try big chunks, but learned that bleaching over hennaed hair normally equals disaster. While I've been using henna free of metallic salts for the past 1 1/2 years, I don't know what was in the henna I used prior & have been afraid to test & watch even the tiniest bit of my hair melt away. I wish you lots of luck & fun with your new 'do!!!
Great idea! Frabjous Couture is making a skirt sew along so could just as well make a matching blouse to go with it. :)
ReplyDelete/Agneta
You look beautiful, I love the hair!
ReplyDeletePerfect timing!!! This is one of the projects under my sewing machine right now. I love your pink hair. It rocks!!
ReplyDeleteGertie you are the best! I had your book on order and I know of at least one other person who has bought it after seeing my copy. A sew along would be fantastic, just which I lived your side of the pond!
ReplyDeleteLoving the hair, really suits you.
wish not which, don't you just hate predictive text!
DeleteYes! It's an easy project. It would be so cool to have your advices!! What do you think of the use of light wool for this project ? ;p
ReplyDeleteI *wish* I had time to participate in a sew along. I have the blouse on my list with fabric to make it out of, I just wish that for winter I could have 3/4 or long sleeves.
ReplyDeleteSarah
I'm in on the sew along. Love the pink hair! I used to have pink hair. I also had purple hair. Purple was my favorite.
ReplyDeleteLOVE IT! and i didn't think it was possible for you to get more rad! haha
ReplyDeleteBarnicles
Please do the sew-along! Am absolutely new to sewing and this tutorial would be great as a starter project. :)
ReplyDeletethanks Gertie.
J
Definitely a sew-along! I'm slowly getting back into sewing after a long break, and realizing how much I forgot. :(
ReplyDeleteAs for the hair, I agree with your friend, tips only was the way to go. I think all pink would have been too much, this just makes it fun.
The hair looks great! It's the perfect amount of pink. I would love to do the portrait blouse sew along. Sign me up!
ReplyDeleteTea for Jove/blogspot.com
Sorry, I'm such a nerd. I posted as anonymous.
ReplyDeleteThe hot pink is fab and suits you (tips only was the right choice). I would also love to do the sew-along as this pattern is a little more suitable for my current sewing capabilities!
ReplyDeleteJo
I would love a sewalong! I've already made one portrait blouse, but I would love to make more. If possible, could you include how to lengthen the sleeves? I've tried it but it didn't quite work out.
ReplyDeleteThis comment has been removed by the author.
ReplyDeleteI would love a portrait blouse sew along! Maybe one with a peter pan coloar, one with a bit more sleeve, one with a different neckline?
ReplyDeleteThe advantage of manic panic is that if/when you decide you don't like it any more, you can let it fade or easily remove the color and cover the bleached ends with a dye near your natural color. If you want to keep the color more permanent, try Elumin - the crazy colors will not fade. I've used the red and orange (and natural style blond) as high/low lights for years.
http://www.goldwell-northamerica.com/site/products/color/elumen/
Change the neckline and add a peter pan collar and sleeves is exactly what I want to do to it too.
DeleteIt's only 10 days from the beginning of summer here in Australia so a sew along for a blouse would be perfect!
ReplyDeleteYes please!!!!!!
ReplyDeleteI'm a new reader. Love your blog. Bought the book today. I would love to join in a sew-along.
ReplyDeleteI love the book! I'm an experienced sewist, but I'm definitely in for the sew along. Just the motivation I need :-)
ReplyDeleteI do love the portrait blouse, but I need to scale it up, and with such a simple pattern I've had difficulty doing so without a dress form available. I'd love to hear any tips you might have!
ReplyDeleteMy mother in law, Marty, who passed away almost ten years ago, was a stylin' babe! She used to add plum to her brown hair dye which gave the brown a rich hue and dyed the stray grays which, by the way, were artfully placed, a light pink. She always looked fab!
ReplyDeleteI have the book and might be able to participate in a lower key project. (hopefully will have lost enough weight to fit in too!)
I would be interested in a Portrait Blouse Sew Along!
ReplyDeleteThe pink is fun-I had pink in my hair in June when I went to Paris, then changed it to blue in August and finally purple in September. Loved the purple! Consider purple, it looks great w/black hair!!
ReplyDeleteI would love to do the sew along!
ReplyDeleteOoh, the portrait blouse would be a great sew-along ... I was just bouncing around some ideas for that project!!
ReplyDeleteperfect idea for sew along!
ReplyDeleteSo cute, I love the pink tips. It looks great on you!
ReplyDeletePLEASE do this sew-a-long, Gertie!! I only became serious about sewing about a year ago and it has been a much slower learning process than I would have hoped. Every time I learn something new, I feel like I just become more aware of the fact that I barely have the tip of this iceburg down :(. My mom is an amazing seamstress however she is hours away and for some reason I am having trouble grasping things unless they are shown to me.
ReplyDeleteThis sew-a-long would help me SO much I can't even tell you! Count me in for sure if you decide to venture forth with it :)
Late comment: PRETTY PLEASE do the portrait blouse sew along! I just bought some lovely mauve chantilly lace becuase I fell in love with the lace version in the book.
ReplyDeleteI own the book as well, and I'd LOVE a sew along!
ReplyDeleteYES! I would love to get in on a sew along.
ReplyDeleteWould be a perfect project to get me back into garment construction. I've already ordered your book, and check my mailbox like a crazy person every day. Gah! It's just not coming fast enough.
I adore your pink hair. I have been thinking about doing the ends of mine for about the last two years..and pink also. You may just have been the inspiration I've been needing...hmmm.
Sew Along! Sew Along! Sew Along! Come on everybody...chant with me! Sew Along! I finally got your book in the mail...love it! A terrific read and so inspiring.
ReplyDeleteVery good and interesting site with very good look and perfect information I like it chat sohbet chat sohbet
ReplyDelete