How should I handle my hair color, given the female hair standard for the Air Force (AFI 36-2903)?

2017-05-10T23:06:00-04:00

3.1.3.2. "Hair accessories. If worn, fabric scrunchies, hairpins, combs, clips, headbands, elastic bands and barrettes must match the hair color (i.e., blonde, brunette, natural red, black, and grey)." I have natural red hair and have never in my life seen natural red hair ties. All I can find is brown and blonde, neither match and I will have to wear my hair in a ponytail soon as it grows out.

Response by MSgt Private RallyPoint Member made May 10 at 2017 11:55 PM

2017-05-10T23:55:41-04:00

Have you talked to your supervisor, or another red-haired female in your unit or base? Has anyone been giving you grief about this?

I think that having your hair tied up at all is more important than the color of the band keeping it in place. However, you should keep looking for the right color of hair accessory, and get more clarification from your leadership. The reg. says what it says. As long as you are pursuing compliance, you will be fine.

Response by 1SG Private RallyPoint Member made May 11 at 2017 2:15 AM

2017-05-11T02:15:59-04:00

I would choose a color band that comes closest to your hair color. This is likely going to be brown for a natural red color. I think the spirit of the regulation is to have hair that does not stand out, thus no pink or neon bands, etc. I would think you will be fine if you make a reasonable attempt to comply by going with the closest match

Response by SGM Erik Marquez made May 11 at 2017 8:52 AM

2017-05-11T08:52:49-04:00

I can only speak from how I would interpret and enforce the reg...as clearly you have shown there is no clear cut answer.
As long as the hair device did not contrast greatly, id likely not even notice and for sure not say anything because a red hair SM was using brown or even black hair devices. if you wore Green, pink, BRIGHT florescent red hair bands and it contrasted badly,,id ask if you thought they met the intent of the regulation.

BTW

Amazon is your friend
https://www.amazon.com/Endless-Elastics-Bobbles-Pritties-Accessories/dp/B00GVXFAEQ/ref=sr_1_4_a_it?ie=UTF8&qid= [login to see] &sr=8-4&keywords=red+hair+band

Amazon.com : Set of 10 Red Thick Snag Free Endless Hair Elastics Bobbles Hair Bands by Pritties...

Amazon.com : Set of 10 Red Thick Snag Free Endless Hair Elastics Bobbles Hair Bands by Pritties Accessories : Jewelry Accessories : Beauty

Response by Lt Col Jim Coe made May 11 at 2017 11:36 AM

2017-05-11T11:36:07-04:00

Try a beauty shop. They may have a wider selection than the BX or Walmart.

Response by SSgt Private RallyPoint Member made May 11 at 2017 11:47 AM

2017-05-11T11:47:40-04:00

A1C Elizabeth Adams If memory serves me correctly, it was ok as long as it was as close as you could get. Seeing as how your hair is more on the orange side than the auburn side, you could probably get away w/ a thin tan colored one. Had an airman in my flight that had the same issue & she typically wore that shade band. Any leader that has any commons sense (i know, i just used a forbidden word) should see that you are going w/ the only option you have.

Response by SFC Private RallyPoint Member made May 11 at 2017 2:02 PM

2017-05-11T14:02:18-04:00

You just have to find something as close as possible to your hair color. I have brown hair and the hair ties I use don't exactly match but they are very close. You can find some that are as natural looking as possible even for red hair. Brown ones should work. As long as it's not crazy neon or pastel or something that is obviously not matching you should be fine. I don't know how anal they get in the Air Force about hair - I know it's different in the Army.

Response by Capt Gregory Prickett made May 11 at 2017 2:58 PM

2017-05-11T14:58:10-04:00

Try http://howtobearedhead.com/product/redhead-hair-ties/

redhead-hair-ties

Response by SSG Private RallyPoint Member made May 12 at 2017 2:58 PM

2017-05-12T14:58:16-04:00

I have brown hair and I figured out a way to hide all bands and minimize breakage.

1st - I use a rubber band and bobby pin bungee to make the ponytail. [https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8_szV2C7NcA] My method is to use two bands twisted together like a bow-tie and with bobby pins on each end because I have thick hair.

2nd - I split and braid the ponytail into three braids because of the thick hair. I use the tiny rubber bands for the ends.

3rd - I wrap the braids into a slightly loose bun and use one elastic band to anchor it in place and hide the ends underneath. The band usually hides itself under the bun.

4th - I use my lifesaver--spiral hairpins--to position and lock the braids into place to make a pretty bun. The spiral hairpins come in short and long. They're not very visible when twisted in.
[http://www.target.com/p/goody-174-simple-styles-153-mini-spin-pins-multicolored-3-ct/-/A-13623301?ref=tgt_adv_XS000000&AFID=google_pla_df&CPNG=PLA_Health+Beauty+Shopping&adgroup=SC_Health+Beauty&LID= [login to see] 70770pgs&network=s&device=c&location=9021706&gclid=CPKa57SE69MCFQgKaQodJVMD6Q&gclsrc=aw.ds]

5th - I use u-shaped bobby pins to tame flyaways as they emerge when my hair is shorter or being rebellious.

I usually get compliments on my bun when I do it this way. I hope this helps.

How to Secure a Ponytail using a Rubber Band and Bobby Pin

Response by SSgt Michael Cox made May 26 at 2017 4:15 PM

2017-05-26T16:15:22-04:00

If all else fails you might have to go drastic and just go with shoulder length hair so that you won't have to worry about the hair pins.

Response by MSgt Private RallyPoint Member made May 28 at 2017 7:55 PM

2017-05-28T19:55:01-04:00

I agree with those who said to use something that does not contrast drastically. Even a light brown would go over okay in my opinion. But, I found these on Amazon; pretty much a perfect match.

https://www.amazon.com/BlyyasgiTM-Gentle-Elastics-Accessories-Elastic/dp/B0142L9GJ8/ref=sr_1_4_a_it?ie=UTF8&qid= [login to see] &sr=8-4&keywords=orange+hair+ties

Amazon.com : Blyyasgi Candy Color No Metal Gentle Elastics Girls Hair Accessories Elastic Rubber...

Amazon.com : Blyyasgi Candy Color No Metal Gentle Elastics Girls Hair Accessories Elastic Rubber Band Hair Rope (orange) : Beauty