What’s the best and worst experience you’ve had because of your dyed hair?

Hair. We can dye it, braid it, shave it off… It’s self-expression. Sometimes, it can be the cause of some annoying questions, but other times, it can be pretty awesome.

After my own experiences having dyed hair, I spoke to some other women who had run into some interesting situations because of their dye job.

Catherine, Penn State

The funniest thing someone ever said was “Wow, is that real?” I was like it doesn’t grow out of my head that color, but it is my own hair. The most annoying thing is when creepy dudes take colored hair as an invitation to start a conversation on the bus.

Asia, Temple University

I love when little kids marvel at it and ask all about it and how it got that way. One time when I was waiting for a ride, this girl and her mom came up and she was hiding behind her mom and her mom said “If you like her hair you should tell her.” I pretended not to hear and the girl ran up and yelled “I LIKE YOUR HAIR!” and she and her mom hugged and it was very wholesome.

Dave, Temple University

I get a wide variety of brief reactions that range from “I love your hair!” to “What are you, a fag?” to the bland bombardment of unoriginal giggly questions from guys asking why I did it that are clearly only meant to make me uncomfortable.

Ilayda, Penn State

I think the weirdest thing that’s happened to me is when I went to see a Schreyer advisor and she was super rude to me and implied I partied too much.

Schreyer advisors are advisors for Penn State’s honors college, so if you’re going to see one, you’re damn smart. Students have to maintain a 3.4 GPA (depending on your major, it can be higher), take two honors courses every semester, complete an internship, community service, a leadership experience, and so much more. Schreyers students barely have time to party.

Jessica Fitzner, Rutgers

I was in NY in a convenience store and as I’m paying, the cashier goes, “How did you color your hair? What did you use?” So I told him, and he writes everything down, then goes, “I think that color would look very beautiful on my wife. She’s Asian, but very beautiful.” Like what?? I’ve had purple and blue and pink and people do tend to comment on it more! I think they feel more comfortable because they assume you did it for attention.

Katie Cleghorn, Tulane

I get a lot of small children pointing me out to their parents and asking if they can have pink hair too, which is beyond adorable and the actual highlight of my life.

Basically, dyed hair is awesome. Keep rocking those unicorn tresses, guys!