I've always been the type to try new things with my 'do. At 16, I wanted a Halle Berry cut (which my stylist refused to d0). Throughout university, I coloured my hair blue-black, light brown, red, blonde, full head, highlights, you name it. Even going natural, I'll do wash n' gos, twist-outs, braid-outs, flat irons, roller sets, curlformers, ANYTHING. Granted, not everything has looked good on me, and not everything has been good for my hair (relaxer + colour, anybody?), but when the boredom hit me, I'd be down for whatever. I remember once I started wearing my hair naturally, I told a girlfriend that I was bored, and was ready to hit the salon for a new colour. She looked at me incredulously and asked why I'd want to damage my hair just when I'd gotten it to such a healthy point...to which I just gave her a Kanye shrug. She was of the belief that once your hair is natural and healthy, you do whatever you can to keep it that way, and avoid ANYTHING that might damage it. Like scarves. And bobby pins. And hot water. And probably car headrests. She also believed that once you colour your hair, you no longer belong to the "Natural club" as she called it...but that's another discussion for another day. I was of the train of thought that, one, as long as I maintained optimal hair care, my hair would likely still thrive since it was only going through one of the two chemical processes that it used to; and two, that it was my hair, and I'll do what I damn well please. She clucked like a disapproving mother hen, but I went ahead with my colour as planned - and LOVED it.
Here are a few of my colour and style moves:
My personal view is that while having healthy hair is my top priority, having fun is almost equal. As long as you know how to take care of your hair, you'll be fine! Doing a colour? Make sure you step up your moisturizing regimen. Going for a new cut? Make sure you know how it'll look when you rock it curly vs. straight. And if worst comes to worst, remember that it's just hair - it'll grow back!
How adventurous are you with your hair? And if you aren't adventurous, why not? What have been your best and worst styles to date? I just booked an appointment for some more adventure, so I'll have an update later in the week!