In Thrift

A Brief Hair-Story of Time

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It might seem like nothing ever changes until you go back and look through 25 years of photos and see the undeniable evidence.  HOWEVER, I didn’t know that yesterday, and was feeling like nothing ever changes and was thus inclined to make a big change to my hair.  How big?  Well, to put it into perspective, here is the photo evidence of my hair-story.  You can decide at the end whether my most recent change is big or small.  (Apologies in advance for the poor photo quality… remember, I’m OLD so most of these are before digital.)

I had short hair for most of my life until I decided not to look like David Bowie anymore.
80’s Hair: I had short hair for most of my life until I decided not to look like David Bowie anymore.
90’s Hair: It took me a few years to grow it out, and yes, there was a perm in there. Those shoulder pads, those BANGS! P.S. I graduated high school in 1991, for reference.
90’s Hair: It took me a few years to grow it out, and yes, there was a perm in there. Those shoulder pads, those BANGS! P.S. I graduated high school in 1991, for reference.
After high school, I traveled to Brazil (long story) and had the opportunity to have professional photos done. So there's makeup artistry and duct tape behind the scenes of these shots.
After high school, I traveled to Brazil (long story) and had the opportunity to have professional photos done. So there’s makeup artistry and duct tape behind the scenes of these shots.
I remember the moment I realized modeling wasn't for me. I was hungry and someone told me to try and look like a hanger. Well, I got me some mom hair, a job with special needs kids and a snack.
I remember the moment I realized modeling wasn’t for me. I was hungry and someone told me to try to look like a “walking hanger.” Well, I got me some mom hair, a job with kids with special needs and a snack and have never looked back.  These shots span 1993 and 1994, Sylvan Lake to Montreal.

Somewhere along the way, I found a hip stylist, made it through baby bangs and wound up in a hair styling magazine showcasing the work of Patrice. I didn't understand a word he said, but I got to wear red eye shadow and that was cool.

Sometime in 1995, I found a hip Montreal stylist, made it through baby bangs and wound up in a hair styling magazine showcasing the work of Patrice. I didn’t understand a word he said, but I got to wear red eye shadow and that was cool.

The year was 1996 and I was about to leave Montreal and head to Korea and a friend encouraged me to take updated professional photos.
The year was 1996 and I was about to leave Montreal and head to Korea and a friend encouraged me to take updated professional photos.  Of course, I didn’t use them because I am not a model.  But that was a nice short hair style.
For some reason, I decided Korea would be the ideal place for a blonde to get her hair dyed for the first time ever. Not good.
For some reason, I decided Korea would be the ideal place for a blonde to get her hair dyed for the first time ever.  Not good but everyone thought I looked like any blonde American actress so I took it all in stride.
I returned from Korea to Alberta in 1997, went back to school and met Mr. Style! When you're in young love, bad hair doesn't matter!
I returned from Korea to Alberta in 1997, went back to school and met Mr. Style! When you’re in young love, bad hair doesn’t matter!
Oh my.
Short hair IS handy for camping (middle shot).  Molding paste was going strong in the mid-late 90’s.   (I think I look older then than now!)
So many things going on in these shots. I had forgotten I wore OVERALLS to my stagette party. (I have come a long way). I also forgot about the worst wedding photographer ever who neglected to get a face shot of the bride.
So many things going on in these shots.  Bobby pins, booby meringues.  I had forgotten I wore OVERALLS to my stagette party. (I HAVE come a long way).  I also forgot about the worst wedding photographer ever who neglected to get a face shot of the bride, but she did capture my freshly RAGGED hair from the side.
New decade, new highlights. And lowlights. And updo's. And degrees.
2001, new decade, new highlights. And lowlights. And updo’s.
2002 was before flat irons hit the mainstream. So I flipped my ends with a drugstore curling iron.
2002  was the year I graduated OT school.  It was also before flat irons went mainstream so I flipped my ends with a drugstore curling iron.  I wore the highlight/low-light combo for the foreseeable future, until…
I had a mid-life crisis at 30 and dyed my hair auburn, hated it, and dyed it back to blonde resulting in barbie hair that miraculously didn't fall out AND miraculously blended in for vacationing in Cuba and the mountains. Go figure.
I had a mid-life crisis in 2004 at 30 and dyed my hair auburn (no photographic evidence apparently), hated it, and dyed it back to blonde overnight resulting in Barbie hair that miraculously didn’t fall out AND miraculously blended in for vacationing in Cuba and the mountains. Go figure.  That was the first time I went platinum and it wasn’t on purpose.
Within a year, my hair had recovered and I got pregnant.
Within a year, my hair had recovered and I got VERY pregnant.  That was the last time I had bangs.  And hair without grey… 2005 – 2009
I had two more babies and didn't change much with my hair.
I had two more babies and started growing out my hair.  I dreamed of long flowing locks but after two years I realized my hair grows at a glacial pace.  Looking back, I also realized I stopped taking pictures of just me, until…

About two weeks after the top right photo was snapped, my husband lost his job and I started blogging and taking tons of photos of just me!  If you scroll through the archives, you’ll see the same basic hairdo from 2012 to this past Saturday morning… medium long, assisted blonde worn straight or curled or in a couple basic styles.  I like my hair and I’m grateful for it, especially after reviewing all I’ve put it through over the years!  Still… I was craving a change and so…

Before... During... After
Before… During… After

I got myself a platinum blonde angled bob!

3 Stages of Hair Change: 1. Immediately adrenaline  2. "Do I look like a cougar?" 3. The bed-head test.
3 Stages of Hair Change: 1. Immediate adrenaline  2. “Do I look like a cougar?” 3. The bed-head test.

It’s still growing on me but I think this is the perfect style to go with my new blog name!  I gave the new ‘do a spin with a couple Pinspired March 2.0 outfits but I’ve been waiting to post here so I didn’t ruin my hair surprise!

Bright blonde and blue were meant to be! Michael Kors blazer $7, grey wool crewneck sweater $ , polka dot denim $6.40 and blush d'orsay peep toes . The pearls and umbrella I keep lying around all the time.
Bright blonde and blue were meant to be! Michael Kors blazer $7, grey wool crewneck sweater $4.90 , polka dot denim $5.60 and blush d’orsay peep toes $5.50. The pearls and umbrella I keep lying around all the time.
She has holes for distressing; I have muddy dog paw prints. Pleather bomber $5.60, denim $2.80, striped tee $3, mustard scarf $ and flats $3.
She has holes for distressing; I have muddy dog paw prints. Pleather bomber jacket $5.60, denim $2.80, striped tee $3.50, mustard scarf $6 and flats $3.

Now that I’ve shared my whole hair-story, what do you think of my new do?!

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19 Comments

  2. Shannon Ebbesen

    Love the look back!!! So many hair styles…and some that remind me of Princess Diana.

  4. SuzanneDennis

    you always look(ed) great!  i really thought the big glasses look was super-cute too!
    i love the new do, it does go with the new blog name!
    cheers spirited thrifter

    su 🙂

  5. Suzanne Dennis

    wow- did not know you were a model, but it doesnt surprise! beautiful

  6. Sheleena Boulianne

    You’re so awesome. Thanks for normalizing our pasts of poor style choices and bad hair. You always look lovely and the hair rocks (….now ;)).

  10. VV Boutique Style

    Aw thanks! Except I was a TERRIBLE model, lol! Funny where life leads you!

  11. VV Boutique Style

    Ha you’re most welcome. I sure had some ups and downs! Hopefully this latest is an “up”!! Thanks for reading!

  12. Amy Melby

    Love the throwback! I graduated in 92, so the high bangs are very familiar to me. U0001f609

  14. Sherry Honey-Parker

    A fun read this morning. After a rough short hair patch I layed low and grew out, mine…forever. boring I know. You on the other hand rocked every look (almost :)) Love the new “do”!!

  18. Kimberly T

    I think your hair looks great – the perfect amount of change! 🙂  I loved seeing all these pictures from the past – I think this is  one of my favorite posts!  We should have a night of looking through old photo albums some time.  I love to see friend’s pictures and hear stories from before I knew them!

  19. Brenda Hanson

    I was amazed at all you have done and been in life! Looking beautiful through it all!