My Brand New, Red, Short-but-Thick Hair.

Here's what happened. I started out the day in a headband-


Gwynne did my cut and color today. I rarely get them both in the same day because of cost, but it's been a season and a half since I've been to the salon for either. I've written a review on Yelp about how yes, this salon is expensive, but if you plan accordingly, you can have a slice of the fancy salon pie.

Gwynne saw my hair pulled back in the headband and decided on the spot that I needed to wear my hair back. We discussed baby bangs, but she reminded me that she's been wishing I would let the top be thick and grow long for like 3 years. I was feeling completely behind her ideas on whatever - so I said "go with it."

The color discussion brought this idea - I like dark hair, but I feel like if my hair is too dark, I over-compensate with tons of dark make-up, so my hair color can't be darker than my eyes' lightness. She completely understood.

I wore it home like this - up and back.

But it's fun like this too!


It's kind of great that I got this new color, because I'm being more conscious of makeup lately and I have 2 fun makeup events this week. This bright red lipstick is my new best friend MAC Lady Danger. I swear 10 people at the salon asked me what this color is. Red-Orange is the future.

I'm not going to wash my hair for at least five days. I got an all-over color, highlights, a conditioning treatment with scalp massage, then a glaze. Five days is fine.

I got a new pot of Kerastase Conditioner. It's just so great. The shampoo came from Gwynne's recommendation. She knows I am on board to preserve my color the best I can.


This was after the all-over color and before I put on my makeup and got the highlights.

I'm Rachel Maddow again!

Today was one of those I really love my New York City life days. Like, savoring these moments because one day I'll have a kid and won't be able to put myself first and be outrageously self-indulgent at the fancy salon. Maybe I'll maintain a fancy salon life, but probably not like this from A to Z - getting dressed, buying snacks at the deli, taking a cab, etc. In the cab downtown to the appointment and I was thinking about my tremendously sad & depressed childhood in Arkansas. I'm here and in my current life because I've made good choices. One of those choices was getting together with Matt, who became my husband, who is my awesome partner in life- who is why we are able to live here. Together we work our respective jobs, and I can tear it up like this. My Mom would be so impressed and proud.