After spending six years as a bleached blonde, I’ve finally converted back to my original brunette form. The decision was a difficult one but with a year in Rome looming, I felt the need to blend in rather than stand out.

From my six years as a blonde, I discovered the pros and cons that come from the stereotypes associated with the bright color.

The pros of being a blonde were numerous. Many hair care products are dedicated to making the dyed blonde “blonder.” These products definitely helped enhance my color while complementing my skin tone. As a blonde, my blue/green eyes shone through prominently. And the idea that blondes have more fun was a selling point to staying that color for so long.

Unfortunately, some people assumed my intelligence was less than what it is due to the typical “blonde stereotype.” I would often hear jokes about dumb blondes meant to offend me. I just let these comments roll off my back and didn’t let them affect the way I saw myself.

As a natural brunette, switching back to brown was a big change from being so blatantly blonde. At first, I freaked out at the drastic change I had just made. But over the past few weeks, the color has grown on me. I jokingly note that this is the first time my hair and my eyebrows has matched in years.

Although my time as a brunette has just begun, I am thoroughly enjoying the lack of stereotypes associated with this specific hair color. As much as I will miss my blonde locks, I must say that being a brunette is equally great.

Whether you choose to be blonde, brunette, red, black, pink, blue or whatever other color suits your personality, there is no right or wrong color and none can be said as more fun than the other!