Darian Darling: A Guide To Life For Modern Blondes!: She-Ra

Monday, January 4, 2010

Haircolor Trendwatch 2010: Pop Art Blonde!

Let's be realistic, in the world of blonde hair; yellow is anathema. We spend our hard earned cash to ensure our blonde stays pale and pure. We tone away brassiness, maintain the fight on lemon and use neutralizing violet shampoos and conditioners like they're going out of style BUT.....should we? Maybe we should embrace this oh so disrespected sunny hue and go atomic! It's quite the unexpected choice. It looks punk rock extreme and yet gives off an aura of Technicolor glamour. In the 30s, 40's and 50's, movie studios often had their black & white promotional photographs hand colored, which gave blonde actresses bright yellow tresses. It can also be seen in cartoons, in the pages of comic books, pin-up art, and in the work of pop artists like Roy Lichtenstein. Give up the fight and go glow!

Jean Harlow colorized publicity still

Blondie comics

Peter Driben pin up art

Barbie doll

Roy Lichtenstein art

Debbie Harry

She-Ra catoon

Cyndi Lauper

Miss Guy

Amanda Lepore

Vitamin C

Sailormoon

Gwen Stefani

Lady GaGa

Bright As F@#$ Yellow hair dye by Special Effects

As someone who was a teenager in the 90's, I definitely dabbled in the world of extreme hair color. This is by far and away the BEST funky color hair dye on the market! It's a conditioning, semi-permanent cream formula that stays brighter and lasts longer than any other out there. Apply it to dry, freshly shampooed, UN-conditioned bleached hair and leave on at least an hour, longer if possible. The color will last 2-6 weeks (depending on hair type), gradually washing out with each shampoo. Oh, did I mention this color glows under black light?!

Buy it at Vegan Essentials

Tuesday, October 27, 2009

Lil' Blonde Darling: She-Ra!

Blonde Beauty Icon She-Ra: Princess of Power

The fate of the world is in the hands of one beautiful girl...She-Ra: Princess of Power! Created by Mattel Toys in 1985 as a girls version of the super-successful He-Man action figures, this gorgeous blonde warrior heroine was one of my childhood idols. Every kid who grew up in the 80's either played with the toys, watched the cartoon or most likely both. She-Ra is the superpowered alter ego of Princess Adora, the long lost twin sister of He-Man/Prince Adam. Although she first appeared as an enemy agent of the Evil Horde that rules the planet Etheria, she soon discoveres her true heritage and is granted the mystical Sword of Protection. After using it's magic to transform, She-Ra possesses superhuman strength, speed and agility, a healing touch, and the ability to telepathically communicate with animals (as well as a sassy wit and longer, more brushable hair). Strong, brave and compassionate, She-Ra can accomplish any heroic feat and manages to always save the day, all while wearing gold, 4" stiletto boots and a mini! She cannot fly however, so she is instead aided by her trusty horse Spirit who transforms into the talking, winged unicorn Swift Wind. She-Ra spawned over 90 episodes and stayed in production until 1987, then vanished from the airwaves and toy shelves! Girls growing up in the 90's got the shaft!

I spent countless hours on the playground with my kindergarten friends, acting out dramatic She-Ra inspired action sequences. I can safely say she was my first blonde icon. Watching her as an impressionable youngster showed me that unlike helpless (though still fabulous) Disney princesses, you can be glamorous blonde royalty AND kick massive quantities of ass!