There’s something about looking our best that gives our self-esteem a positive jolt. It could be a new outfit, stylish eyeglass frames, or a fresh haircut. Usually, the thing we choose to highlight is what we see as our best asset.
Behind Door number 9, I’ll tell you what gives me a lift.
December 9, 2025
I don’t consider myself a vain person, but I do have a pretty awesome mane of auburn hair. As a woman of a certain age, I readily admit that my hair color is no longer genuine. It has enough red in it that I’m often called a redhead. Whatever color it is, I like it. It suits me. I try not to take it personally as it deserts me in my approaching dotage. Aging is a privilege, and all good things come to an end.
Or do they?
Not as long as there are professional hair color formulas. I have tried to go grey. It simply doesn’t work for me.
For the reasons described in Door 6’s post, mirrors aren’t the most trustworthy measures of our appearance. So, when I look in the mirror, the reflected light off my roots and the reflected light off my very fair complexion make me look like a banshee wailing in the rain at midnight. See what I mean about mirrors?
Hence, employing my knowledge of color theory and chemistry, I’ve created a mixture of shades and developer that very closely replicates my natural hair color. It’s darn good, dare I say it myself. And when I apply it in a timely manner, I always look and feel like I expect.
One time while getting my hair cut, the stylist complimented my hair color and asked who did my color service. I told her that I do. She was surprised. Fair enough. Next, she asked what I use. I told her it’s my own proprietary mix. She asked what it is. I laughed and said, “That’s my trade secret.” She laughed. “Can’t blame me for trying!” Fair enough.
What happens in my bathroom laboratory is between me, my hair color, and my God.
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I’m not trying to please others, nor do I put a lot of stock in what I see in a two-dimensional mirror. They do, however, excel at reflecting the wavelengths of visible light. Thus, when light bounces off my hair into my bathroom mirror, which in turn reflects that light into my eyes, I can be sure that it’s giving a fairly accurate representation of my grey roots.