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Same Girl, Different Hair

Whoa! What started as a simple color change led to major life impact.

Nicole Pearl

Photo Credit: Taghi Naderzad

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I lost my virginity for this story: For 29 years, I'd been true to my brown roots. But, after a six-hour bleaching bonanza at the Rita Hazan Salon, I emerged with a honey-blonde halo. My first reaction? Snow White had morphed... into a Stepford wife. It didn't get better when my friends kept insisting I smile. Why? Blondes aren't allowed to be serious? By nature, I'm not a relentlessly cheerful, chatty person, but there was this new pressure to lighten up. For once, I decided to play along. Out went my black wardrobe, in came ivory and bright colors. I replaced my favorite deep-toned eyeshadows and lipcolors with bronzes and nudes.

Click forward to the next page to see Nicole's new blonde locks.


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