M is for Money

The law of unintended consequences – when the unexpected derails your best laid plans.

I recently returned to my natural hair color after a decade of masquerading as a blond. Amongst other reasons, I figured the change would save me some money. Maintaining such a drastic difference isn’t cheap, not to mention the serious damage it does to my hair. But there were a few hidden expenses I had not counted on.

Uh Oh – Nothing Works Anymore

As I sat in the stylist’s chair I already spotted a problem, the lipstick I was wearing looked terrible with my new color. I was going to need new makeup, or at least some new lipstick. But that wasn’t the only color clash. When I was getting ready for work on Monday I looked in the mirror and was horrified at what I saw, I looked downright dowdy despite the stylish new cut. The clothes that had looked edgy against the shock of platinum blond hair now looked drab with the darker hue. I was going to need some new clothes too, at least some new shirts in a more flattering color. I hadn’t counted on the way the new hair color was going to look with my old wardrobe, in my case they didn’t work well together!

Unexpected Expenses

I only thought of the money I’d save by going brunette. I haven’t seen my natural color since somewhere around age 13, I guess I forgot what it looks like. Over time I’ve assembled a wardrobe and adapted my beauty routine to a different look. Changing my hair was enough to require an entire overhaul with how I present myself to the world. So far I’ve bought a new lipstick and a few inexpensive shirts, maybe $50 in all. I’ll need a few more just to make through an entire work week without looking dull. It certainly won’t break the bank and I could use some new clothes, but it’s not a cost I considered when I thought about changing my hair color.

What about you? Have you had a frugal idea backfire and end up costing you more?


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