Now here’s a perfect example of something that drives PeaceBang nuts. She’s going to coin a term today for it, and that term is the “Excuse Avalanche.”
It goes like this: a woman visits this blog –which is obviously all ABOUT image and appearance– and doesn’t like what she reads. Instead of saying, “Thanks but no thanks for your advice, as I don’t intend to add even lipstick to my daily routine,” or simply leaving without commenting, she does a hyperbolic pile-on. It sounds like this,
My grey is coming in and turning 40 in two weeks. I have no intention of dyeing it. Why? Because, I’m not Oprah – I can’t afford to have a hairstylist, makeup artist and airbrush going 24/7. – quote taken from More.com
PeaceBang ADORES hyperbole, believe her. It is one of her favorite all-time writing devices. She just thinks that in cases like this, the hyperbolic, avalanche effect is irrational, defensive and rather ridiculous. A box of hair color costs $8 or so. If one chooses to dye her hair, this does not necessitate a concomitant commitment (say THAT four times in a row fast!) to hiring a hairstylist, make-up artist or any other service provider of the kind. It necessitates nothing whatsoever. It is a color job, and it can grow out. How did we get from “Gee, I bet a rich, bright hair color would really flatter your skin tone” to hiring a full-time beauty staff? EXCUSE AVALANCHE, that’s how! TIMMMMBERRRR!
It is true that attention to one’s appearance can have a bit of a domino effect: when we see how good we look and feel with an updated hair style, we may be excited about extending that good feeling to new attention to make-up, clothing, accessories, etc. However, this is never required by anyone, and certainly not by PeaceBang, who would like to remind her readers that It’s All About You, Pigeons. PeaceBang is but a mirror: what you see in her suggestions is your own reflection gazing back at you, asking “How do you like what you see? How is that working for you?”
Well said. I am a girly girl, 45 and cheap….uh…frugal. I dye my own hair, have bought trendy shades of eyeshadow at the dollar store, and apply it myself.
I just want to add, I appreciate your blog. 🙂
Yeah, there’s always an excuse NOT to do something. Saying that you won’t use a particular type of product because you can’t meet Oprah’s quality standards is silly.
understand your comment, but some store bought hair dye does look very flat and not so flattering, even if it is an appropriate shade for skin tone. a salon color (done by a good colorist) can have more variation in tone, hilights, etc, that can look more natural and flattering. just like you review makeup and clothes, can you please comment on how to get a good result from store bought hair dye, and how to find what works well? If you don’t like makeup, you just wash it off and try again. If you don’t like hair color, it can take a month or so to get rid of it, and washing hair that often can be hurtful to it. thanks in advance for your help with this one. I personally have stayed away from hair color, for a number of reasons, but if I could figure out a low cost way to do it well, might give it a go.
I’m a clergywoman in my forties with hair that is almost white in front, and I love it. I don’t go with the word old- but with unique. I’ve been graying since I was 16 and I went the dye route and it looked fake even though I had it done in a salon for big bucks. My excuse is I don’t have an excuse. Is that an excuse? I enjoy your site, by the way. [There you go! No need to be all like, “I don’t dye my hair because I can’t afford to pay a fullt-me stylist like Oprah!” Just Say No! – PB]
This post may be a help, Mary:
http://beautytipsforministers.com/2008/10/13/coloring-thine-own-hair-loreal-products-win-peacebangs-endorsement/
@ Janet–my ‘excuse’ is I have an eye that doesn’t blink fully or strongly enough (residuals from Bell’s Palsy), and the chemical fumes from any colouring irritate it. So, at 48, I’ve gone very salt-and-pepper streaky (‘tabby striped’). It’s not for everyone, but I certainly don’t criticize those who colour their hair.
I try to keep it fresh with stylish specs, a good haircut, and nice clothes and jewellery.
Everyone has their limits and priorities, for a host of reasons–we don’t have to get defensive about them, but by the same token, we should not condemn those who do wish to present themselves as well as they can within their limits.
That didn’t make any sense….