Posted on May 10, 2017
A1C Elizabeth Adams
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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.
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Responses: 9
1SG Vet Technician
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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
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SSgt Geospatial Intelligence
SSgt (Join to see)
>1 y
1SG (Join to see) if my memory serves me correctly, this is how it was handled back in the day.
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SSgt Geospatial Intelligence
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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.
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SGM Erik Marquez
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Edited >1 y ago
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
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A1C Elizabeth Adams
A1C Elizabeth Adams
>1 y
That kind of red would most definitely contrast my hair color and stand out, though I have actually considered the dye method you mentioned, though it would get expensive with how often hair ties break
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SGM Erik Marquez
SGM Erik Marquez
>1 y
I use "Rit" dye often
The liquid works best on synthetic material.
It cost about $3 a bottle not bad at all.

A bottle and pan to "cook" in (dye in) might cost $10 and you could dye an easy hundred hair bands at a time

Save the pot and next time it cost you only $3 for the dye.
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A1C Elizabeth Adams
A1C Elizabeth Adams
>1 y
Where do you get the dye from?
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SGM Erik Marquez
SGM Erik Marquez
>1 y
A1C Elizabeth Adams - Amazon, Walmart, JoAnns fabric, local grocery store, PX have all had it.
https://www.walmart.com/search/?query=rit%20dye&typeahead=rit

https://www.amazon.com/s/ref=nb_sb_noss_2?url=search-alias%3Daps&field-keywords=Rit+dye
You may not find the dye color you need at all those locations.. Each has a smaller selection then the full Rit line up so often i have to order on line to get the shade I want.

Rit Dye liquid dye color library for synthetic fabrics
https://www.ritstudio.com/color-library/rit-dyemore/

Custom mixing to get the color you want
https://www.ritstudio.com/color-library/how-to-mix-colors/#colormixingtips
https://www.ritstudio.com/color-library/how-to-mix-colors/#formulaconversionchart
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