Hiya all my silver sisters! ARE.YOU.READY!?..... ready to become a Gray Goddess!?
Do you want to be known as a silver Fox!?
Grrrrrrrowl!
Or maybe even..... you want to be like me: The Gray Goose! HONK!
(Wait, do geese quack?)
Are you tired of having to dye or henna your grays every few weeks? Do you have an allergic reaction each time that you color your hair? Perhaps you'd like to avoid the not-so-great chemicals in most of the dyes out there. (The wonderful natural dyes aren't always strong enough to coat a lot of white hair.)
Has covering your gray been expensive, messy and time consuming? Or, are you just simply curious to see what you'd look like in your "authentic" color?
WHATEVER your reasons may be, deciding to go gray is a BIG decision, and not an easy one at that! Deciding to let your gray grow can be scary, frustrating and to be honest, a bit of a downer at times.
BUT......I can PROMISE you, in the end, it will be
SO worth it !!!!!!
SO worth it !!!!!!
Going gray is certainly not the right choice for everyone, and that's ok!
If you do decide that it is something that makes sense for you, I'll be
here to help and support you, each step of the way!
(See. That's supportive gray hair love, shooting out of my head and into you!)
Hooray! Hooray! Can you imagine not having to worry about whether your roots are showing? Or taking all of that time and money that you usually put into coloring, and using it on something new and truly enjoyable? If you take small, easy steps to care for and condition your hair, you just might find it to be even SOFTER and much HEALTHIER than before! Really!
As difficult it is to face the world (and our society) with your grays, it can be rewarding in so many different ways too. Believe me, not only will you learn how to redefine your image of self, authenticity and what constitutes beauty, but you'll also learn about being comfortable in your own skin as we age.
Who knows, you might even help pave the way for others! It's hard enough in our culture right now, for women to "make the grade" in the looks department. Even one person wearing their grays, helps to start a discussion towards the acceptance of all different ways to look and be in the world!
So let's go! Here are my SEVEN BEST TIPS AND TRICKS to help you make growing out your gray as easy as possible!
1.) Think About It This Way Instead - What if the gray was your best feature!?
There was a vintage advertisement floating around Pinterest last week, and I am so angry that I didn't stop to pin and save it. I believe it was from Miss Clairol. The ad showed a beautiful young woman, with perfectly coiffed gray hair! Oddly, back then, Clairol sold colorant that actually helped to highlight your gray. The slogan across the photos was something to the effect" "What If The Gray Was Your Best Feature"?
Guess what? It just might be!
Really, no offense at all to your lovely smile or your beautiful eyes. It's just that, you might be as shocked as I was to find, that your silver hair will grab a lot of attention! In fact, if your experience is anything like mine, you will fine yourself receiving infinitely more attention, looks, stares and questions than you ever have before. Of course, some of this can be good and some bad, but the point is, re-think the negative connotation to gray. It can actually be a positive, interesting and pretty point about you!
While certainly not everyone finds gray hair on women to be a positive or particularly attractive, I will be open with you and say that I NEVER used to get compliments on my hair before growing the gray. Now, nearly a day does not a day goes by without a random person stopping to say: "I like your hair"!
Your new color can be your new, most individual and interesting exterior part of you!
It can be fun, you get to play around with new colors of clothing, make-up and accessories to wear. Your white can be a conversation starter, or something to say: "I'm an individual". It's really all about what angle you look at it with. So, re-think the way you think about gray, and you've won half the battle!
2.) Find a Gray Goddess Inspiration!
That is my Grandma Esther up there. Isn't she glamorous in her white gloves? Grandma Esther is my Gray Goddess inspiration, and you should have one too.
We all need role models, teachers and mentors to learn from and look up to. People who have been there, done that. People who inspire us!
Here's why- they give us the motivation to keep going and remind us that growing out your gray is possible.
I wish that my Grandma Esther was still here. I'd ask her questions about her own gray hair, and why she chose not to dye it. I'm curious! The story goes, that my Grandmother, like me, started going gray at a young age, and that she was "salt and pepper" as like me, for as long as my father can remember. In fact, when I was recently watching old 8mm home movies that my Grandpa Harry took in the early sixties, I could see that I even have a similar white-ish streak in the front like my Grandma!
Once you choose your inspiration, remember to think about them often, especially in the long days, mid-grow out. Just remember, if they can do it, so can you!
To find some inspiration, I recommend Googling "Pretty gray hair on women".
There are many inspirational Gray Goddesses!
It can be fun, you get to play around with new colors of clothing, make-up and accessories to wear. Your white can be a conversation starter, or something to say: "I'm an individual". It's really all about what angle you look at it with. So, re-think the way you think about gray, and you've won half the battle!
2.) Find a Gray Goddess Inspiration!
That is my Grandma Esther up there. Isn't she glamorous in her white gloves? Grandma Esther is my Gray Goddess inspiration, and you should have one too.
We all need role models, teachers and mentors to learn from and look up to. People who have been there, done that. People who inspire us!
Here's why- they give us the motivation to keep going and remind us that growing out your gray is possible.
I wish that my Grandma Esther was still here. I'd ask her questions about her own gray hair, and why she chose not to dye it. I'm curious! The story goes, that my Grandmother, like me, started going gray at a young age, and that she was "salt and pepper" as like me, for as long as my father can remember. In fact, when I was recently watching old 8mm home movies that my Grandpa Harry took in the early sixties, I could see that I even have a similar white-ish streak in the front like my Grandma!
Once you choose your inspiration, remember to think about them often, especially in the long days, mid-grow out. Just remember, if they can do it, so can you!
To find some inspiration, I recommend Googling "Pretty gray hair on women".
There are many inspirational Gray Goddesses!
Who will yours be?
3.) Pick The Right Timing for YOU!
I want you to have the best chance of success of pulling this off, and so should you. That's why, doing a little bit of pre-planning will REALLY pay-off. First you need to ask yourself : "Is there any SUPER important events coming up this year, that I need to look my best for"? You must be honest, but also reasonable with yourself. For example, I was chairing a very large, very formal fundraising auction the year I started growing my grays. Because I already knew that I would be on-stage in front of 350+ people, and because I was aware that there might be a bit of press, I know for me, this was a deal- breaker. I had to wait until after the auction was over, so I decided to wait.
NOW....pay attention to this part. There was another time, before even the notion of chairing an auction was on my plate, and I wanted to begin growing out my gray. I knew that my brother-in-law was getting married in New York several months ahead. OF COURSE I wanted to look my best, especially in the family photographs that will last forever.....BUT.....I needed to ask myself, was this REALLY an event that warranted pushing my growing out back another six months? The answer was "No, not really", and I'll tell you why. It wasn't my wedding, I wasn't going to be, nor should I be the center of anyone's attention. If I had to get creative with camouflaging the gray, I was willing to give it my very best shot. You really need to weigh things out when finding the best timing. Try to hold back on the worrying, and only delay the growing out process if it's something where you'll truly be in the spotlight. Besides, if I did end up with terrible hair before the wedding, I knew I could always re-henna or re-dye and start again after.
By the way - here's my wedding hair. I think it worked out fine enough, don't you!? Also, at some point after this photo was taken, I went into the lady's room for an instant root touch up, and so can you!
NOW I'LL TEACH YOU YOU HOW.............
4.) Getting Started - Hiding the dreaded "skunk stripe".
Look, I'm going to be honest with you. One of the hardest things, maybe the ONLY difficult thing about growing out your gray for some, is the going to be the "skunk stripe" that many people have. That ever-widening stripe of white that begins at your roots, and cascades sloooooowly down as the months go by. Here is an example:
Behold, the completely embarrassing "skunk stripe", back when my hair was extra-strange red from years of henna!
*I think this is a good place to insert a disclaimer. I personally think it is completely crazy-town to have so many photos of one's self and their hair. I am not a narcissist. I don't like seeing myself in pictures, quite the opposite. I've just been documenting this long journey because I knew that someday I'd write about it. AND... I crochet a lot of hats and need to get pictures of those too! I apologize for over-abundance of my giant noggin. It's weird. I totally know.
Ok, so there's two ways to look at the skunk stripe, one positive way, one negative. I suggest the positive.
On the one hand, negatively, the skunk strip is glaring and a force to be reckoned with. It's MUCH more obvious than the people who's gray grows in strand by random strand. In this sense, skunk stripes suck.
On a positive note, although the skunk stripe is a little "In-Your-Face", you'll be able to grow your hair out to more consistent color, much much faster than your friends who only have "strands".
Strands and skunk stripes both have their pros and cons, but right now, we're just getting skunky with it.
If you can have fun, and learn some easy ways to lessen the skunk impact, you'll be much happier and much more likely to stick with it while growing out your grays!
Skunky Tip #1. - For a while, it's all about HIDE, HIDE, HIDE!
I can't even begin to tell you how many great products there are out there that can help you out in your early months of transitioning to gray. While your silvery roots are still just a few inches long, you'll have LOTS of options!
Let's start with the root touch-up group. Root touch-up products come in a several forms: Liquid, a solid stick, and even powder!
Here is an example of a liquid cover-up. It's called "Cover Your Gray", and comes with a mascara type wand.
They also offer a similar products with a sponge tip applicator. I've never personally used this brand, but it seems like a popular one. I suggest going online and reading reviews, or visiting your local beauty supply store to ask which brands people have been most happy with. There really are so so many different one to choose from!
Another choice is the ever popular root cover-up stick. I preferred the stick because I was able to wet it and "paint" on light layers of color over my roots, just like using water colors! You had a bit more control over how much coverage you would get, verses using a liquid form which was often very opaque. While I didn't care too much for the strong perfume smell of the stick, my favorite was the "Tween Time Temporary Hair Color Touch-Up Stick" by Roux.
I liked this touch-up stick because it was larger in diameter than most of the others out there. You could cover more roots in less time. Also, you wet the stick, and I think that allowed me to be more precise with how much color went onto my hair. It can leave the top of your head feeling a bit waxy though, so if it does, sometimes combing through gently with a fine toothed comb, will help to make the texture more natural. Have fun, just experiment, and try not to take any of this crazy stuff we do too seriously! :)
The last form of root touch-up that I want to discuss is the powder form. Something that I had not known about, and WISHED I had tried! Many of us use make up for our faces - it comes in powdered form. So why not then, use powder make-up for your hair!? I found this nice, little kit from Mimic, called "Color Make-Up for Your Hair" and it looks awesome! Check out their website, there's a bunch of informative videos. I like how they state that powder color has no drying time, and no drippy mess. That's definitely a plus!
5.) Mid-way through. The skunk stripe gets fatter. Advanced undercover!
Just imagine it guys! You'll feel SO happy when you're all done with the grow-out process. One day soon, that skunk stripe will be more than a stripe, it'll look like a white yarmulke! And as potentially unappealing as that sounds, it's still a good thing, because that means you're getting closer to the finish line!
Enter advanced cover-up. When the root touch up wands and sticks are not enough, when the line of gray is getting too wide to paint on with color each day, consider these more powerful tools:
Ya ready for something kind of silly? Believe me, with the following, you'll be like....."God, what am I doing"? These two techniques can work though, and if going au natural with your grow out is just not for you, than it's worth giving the following powder, rinse and foam a try!
Ok, here you go - Bumble and Bumble Hair Powder. This stuff is pretty darn cool. Many people use this product to help style slightly oily or un-washed hair. And, to add texture and volume. Buuuuuut....because it comes in several colors, it's also useful in covering your grays! I sometimes used this spray on powder when I wanted to look a bit more pulled together. Once in a while it would rub off on clothing, so be careful! After reading what the Bumble and Bumble's website says, I can see that perhaps part of my problem was using it on clean, non-sticky hair. The powder was not always adhering as much as it could. Bottom-line, neat stuff. Powder can really help you in camouflaging your silvers!
Next up, rinses and foams......
Omg. I am not an elderly woman. I am not an elderly woman. Just keep telling yourself that. No offense to elderly women at all, AT ALL, it's just that, when you're 35, you are not quite read to skip through mid-life to elderly just yet. And the word "RINSE" it just invokes images of...well, purple hair!
There is a reason that women have been using rinses, and their cousin "coloring foams" for a long time though, and I think taking a cue from your wise grandmothers and great-grandmothers is a good idea!
Here are two examples, Fanci-full Temporary Color Rinse by Roux and Fanci-full Color Styling Mousse. Both products work by being applied to the hair, letting dry, and wearing the color until the next wash. I have personally only used the mousse before. It actually worked quite well, but honestly, I hate putting more chemicals than I have to into my hair, so any day that I could go without a head-full of mousse, I would. Everyone is different though, and using what you need to get through the growing out of your grays is important! So do what you need to do!
6.) Now What? Half a Head of Gray. Let's Distract and cover!
Ok, I'm going to tell you a great secret about growing out your hair and leaving the dyes, rinses, foams , powders and sticks behind..... THERE ARE FEW THINGS AS LIBERATING THAN NOT HAVING TO WORRY ABOUT YOUR HAIR COLOR ANYMORE!
I really really mean this. Once your hair starts to grow out far enough, and using the cover-ups is not so much an option, here are a few tactics that helped me with my transition. It was so nice to stop with the chemicals, the perfumed products, the mess, the hassle.
I'll started with the oddest thing I did. I guess it does include a TAD of root touch-up stick, but not much more. I FULLY ADMIT THE FOLLOWING IS CRAZY.
There comes a time in every prematurely gray girl's life, when she just wants to look young again. When she feels discouraged, like her hair will never be one color. So, she goes out and buys a........FALL. Yes, a fall, as in, a mini-wig! I'm embarrassed to say this because it seems so extreme, and some people have medical necessities and must wear wigs. I feel badly about that. They're not comfortable. Most people don't choose to wear wigs. I was feeling desperate, I didn't know how to hide my half-a-head of white hair anymore. The stares were getting to me. So, I went to our local beauty supply store, and came across these headbands with synthetic or human hair attached to them. They looked so long and pretty and youthful, and the shop owner took pity on my strange, white and dark brown locks, that she readily offered up a discount. I came home that day with long, brown hair.....that wasn't mine!
I know this photos doesn't really show much, but I'm wearing the fall here. I tied one of my scarves around the headband part to cover more of my gray hair in the front. Then, using a touch-up stick, I colored any remaining hair brown. A perfect solution? No. Helpful on the hard days? Yes. I know I must have looked odd, especially to those who knew me, but out in public, at least it was a way to avoid some of the surprised stares.
A favorite tactic of mine, that I've used for a long time, is the "half-up" hair do. If you are like me, or like many women, every single hair on your head is probably not going gray at once. This is a good thing, because it helps you look a bit "softer". As the line of gray roots widen and grow though, it can look a bit harsh at the border. One way to visually soften, is by pulling your hair back, off of your face. Play around with your parts, try to figure out where your white is growing in, and how it looks best around your face. I've found that half-up hairdos and hair pulled up to one side, are nice ways to change things around.
Here is a self-admittedly, completely weird picture of myself. I have NO IDEA why I wasn't smiling, but I vaguely recall that I was just taking this photo to remind me of how I did my hair/accessory combo for the future, never intended it as a blog post. Here I used pulling my hair back, PLUS a scarf, to soften and distract.
It's clearly evident that you can't fool people at some point, you have to accept that people will readily know and see that you're growing out your white hair. It's just about that extra ounce of security and confidence. And also, it's fun to play hairstylist!
Another thing that you can do is learn to crochet or knit! Then, go crazy and crochet (like me), or knit, a million headbands and hats!
Guys, NEVER under-estimate the power of a hat. If you need to wear a hat for a year, so be it! If that is what it takes to get you through this process, GO YOU!
As I've learned to crochet over the past year, I've made many a wonky-looking hat, but that's part of the fun. This is what this is all about! It's about YOU becoming comfortable with being UNIQUE YOU! You always have the option of going back to being your old self, the more "blend in with the crowd" self. That's fine! But how nice to carry in your bag of experiences and self-beliefs, that you like plain old, authentic YOU too!? :)
6.) The Big Commitment Option
I used to read the Going Gray, Looking Great website. It was SUCH a wonderful, helpful site for inspiration and information while making the transition to gray. The Going Gray website still has lots of information on The Going Gray, Looking Great book! Stop by, you will really feel empowered! Also, be sure to stop by the G.G.L.G Facebook page HERE . And, ontop of all that, a MUST is the G.G.L.G. chat room -The Silver Sisters Cafe Gray ! Check them out for lots of support!
How fantastic is that!?
One thing that I came across time and time again, was that women who were growing out their gray hair were always getting short haircuts! The idea was, if you cropped your hair, there would be less contrast of colors between your dyed color and your new color.
The thought of gray AND short hair, really scared me personally. I liked having longer hair, I worried that wearing a short cut would look bad on me, and make me feel too masculine. So, first I decided to have only my fried ends trimmed off, which really ended up giving me an above-the -shoulder bob. It was ok, but still, as the white stripe grew, and the summer sun turned my previously henna coated hair more and more red, I finally gave up, and just wanted as much of the contrasting red gone. A few days later I went back to the salon for a short cut. I couldn't believe it.
I suggest that you arm yourself with lots of pictures of short cuts that you like. Hair styles that you can live with. One of my favorites, that I felt would also work well with my texture was Audrey Tautou's pixie cut.
And while of course I could never come out looking like beautiful Audrey, I have to say it was half-ok. Actually, I surprised myself by LOVING having short hair! It was so easy in the morning, the first time in my life that I have ever been able to wash-and-go. It was also fun and different and individual. I wish that I had taken more pictures of myself with short hair, but alas, I didn't.
I will say though, sometimes when I am tired of all the blow-drying and curling and straightening and fussing with my long hair, I go back and pine for those fun, short-hair days!
So, just one option to consider. You might want to take the plunge and try for a short hair look. You just might enjoy it!
7.) Go With It....
I'm 18 months into my personal adventure of growing out my hair . 18 months since I had my hair cropped into a a pixie, at least as short as Audrey's above. This is the state of affairs now:
I look a little crazed, don't I!? This is me on four days of little sleep and a 5:30am wake-up. Jon had been out of town on a business trip, and I never sleep well when he travels. This morning, he had rolled in on a red-eye flight. I wanted to snap a hair update shot for the blog though.
A of couple things..... one, this is my hair quickly dried straight. I didn't take much time to shape and de-frizz. Making it straight-ish gives you a better idea of where things are. You can see that the white part is quite disconnected from the dark brown. In reality, the contrast is a bit less, but in this photo it's pretty glaring. I could simply chop off my dark ends and be done with it, but I haven't because I really wanted some length after having short hair for such a long time. My gray extends into the dark brown (but it's difficult to see here), and when I pull my hair half-back, it actually looks fairly uniform. Phew!
I'm not a fan of these harsh layers, but they are remnants of the pixie cut. Something else to grow out....
Maybe I'll have another cut soon, maybe I won't. The point of #7. is that sometimes you just have to go with it. I know that this is one area of my life that I don't have too much control in. I know that peripherally I can try to make things go my way. For the most part though, this is a mini-practice in going with the flow, something that many of us can always work at. Take this whole thing as a learning experience. I know that I am!
******************************************************
Ok my silver sisters! Now it's YOUR turn to go at it! If this is something that you REALLY want, if you feel READY and that it's RIGHT for you.......then by all means, YOU CAN DO IT!!!!!!!!!!!!!
I'm here to back you all the way.
Thank you for taking the time to read these little tips. I hope that some of them can help to make a difference as you go along. One of our BIGGEST and BEST tools for success, in anything that we do, is the connection that we have with each other. So always remember that, you're not alone in this journey!
With Lots of Love,
xoxoxoxoxoxoxoxoxo
Lauren
* Just so you know....in no way have I been compensated or even asked to review the products that I spoken of above. This just comes from my own, personal experience, and from looking around on the web for new products. Thanks!
37 comments:
I love, love, love this! Thank you!!!
I did post the a link to this on the Going Gray Looking Great boards, so I hope other people come in check out your excellent advice.
The best article on this topic I've read yet!
Rebecca
Hi Rebecca!!!!
Thank you so much! I'm thrilled that you enjoyed the post. I hope it was a little helpful. Growing out the gray can feel so serious at times, so I think a bit of fun and silly is good to throw in there too. :)
Thank you very very much for sharing! I want to gain more readership, so that was perfect!
Thanks for reading. If you ever have any questions, please send them my way! I'll post more on going gray as I have the info. Next up will probably be a glaze, for lighter, shinier grays.
Take care!!!!
Lauren :)
Thanks so much for this Lauren ! Great inspiration. I am 9 months into transition & finding it pretty tough.
You can do it! You can do it! :)
Thank you, I'm happy to help!
You know what? That 6 month, to maybe 1 year transitional "middle zone" was definitely the most difficult. I PROMISE you though, once your gray gets to a length that you actually like....then you're done! I can't tell you what a nice feeling it is to kind of like your hair again. You'll feel proud of yourself, and, it's interesting finding a new type of you! I guess what I am trying to say is that it IS so hard, but the rewards are huge. You'll feel free and great! Good luck. Thank you very much for the comment!
You look gorgeous. And you're hilarious! Say hello to your newest follower.
I am actually looking forward to my grey days, as my fingers are crossed that I will be blessed with my father's hair. He and my aunt (his sister) have the loveliest silver white locks, that I hope to have inherited.
I'm currently thinking of going platinum for a few years while the transition takes place, but I'm not sure yet, because I've finally gotten long hair for the first time in my life.
But enough about me ... You are an inspiration!
Hi LouLou! Hi LouLou!!!!!!!
GUESS WHAT? ....I am a.......LOULOU too!!!!!! How awesome is that!? My nickname has been "Lolo" my whole life, but many also call me "Loulou".
We were meant to meet! :)
Thank you so so much for your beautiful comment. Now I'm YOUR newest follower. I can't wait to read more and learn more about fabulous YOU!
I hope that your hair grows in as silvery and gorgeous as your father's and your aunt's hair. That would be fantastic. I hope to try soon, a rise by Roux called "White Minx", that I have heard that it turns some grays silvery! I promise to report back.
It's funny that you mentioned the whole "pre-dying" your hair platinum thing. I just received a comment about that on the Going Gray, Looking Great Facebook page. Here is my two cents on that.... AWESOME! Go ahead and try it if it works for you. But....here is the other part, it looks like you are dark-haired like I am . The only thing is, to lift your current hair color, and then to add gray, there is a high-potential for a lot of drying damage. My hair is FINALLY healthy again after years of dying, and I worry about getting silvery highlights (as I was contemplating at one point.) Of course, I am far from an expert. There might be new, more gentle ways to go platinum out there! I guess it's totally worth a look.
Thank you so much again LouLou. I'm really glad to meet you. Hey, also, do you know what one of my very favorite cities in the world is? One that I enjoy visiting as much as I can....? Yep, you guess it! Lucky you!
xoxox,
Lauren :)
I love your post! Thank you so much for this today. Just what i needed. I am 39 and 7 months into my grow out phase. I chopped to just below the chin and I think I have about 6 more months until it is fully transitioned. I also started having bad reactions to the dye, which prompted me to stop. I had been dying since about age 21 (I am a preemie too) every 4 weeks. It was just too much.
I am loving it so far as well and it just makes me feel more authentic and real, even though it is at an awkward phase at the moment. One secret I can share is that I got eyelash extensions back in September as an attempt at a "pick me up". They have been something to obsess over when I look in the mirror instead of my gray roots/skunk stripe. I also have really amped up my skincare routine, gone for a facial - trying out some new skin care products as I want my face to look fresh and to keep as much of a youthful look as I can on that front. They do require some maintenance, but they cost less than the monthly dye appointments and I LOVE how they helped my eyes look brighter.
I also got asked if I qualify for the senior discount (you have to be 60 - I was 38) at the grocery store which as is an amusing highlight of my journey so far.
But I love your posts about your gray journey...looking forward to following your blog.
Sarah
Hi Sarah!!!!
Oh I can't tell you how happy your post made me feel. I'm SO glad that I'm not the only 30-something going through all of this. I'd LOVE to see a picture of your hair sometime. I bet it looks great! I completely connected with what you said about feeling more "authentic". That's nice, isn't it? It's also nice to not have to dye your hair every month!
Your lash extensions.....oh my gosh, that's fabulous! What a GREAT idea, such a treat while growing out the grays. I have to look into it! If you find any beauty products that you love, please let me know! I also want to stay as young looking as I can!!!
I'm so so sorry about the "senior discount" comment. Ugh! People can be so rude and insensitive. I'm sorry. At some point, if they have not already, the compliments will far out-weigh the rude remarks.
Hang in there Sarah. You're an inspiration to ME!
Nice to meet you!!!
Lauren :)
This is so creative, inspirational, packed full of great information and you look so beautiful. Super job with this site. I love it.
Hi Jane! Thank you so so soooooo much! :)
Thanks for coming by!
My "gray goddess" is Sarah Harris from Vogue UK too! :-)
I love, love, love that you are sharing your story! When I started to grow mine I felt like I was the only young gray person in the whole, entire world. Your hair is beautiful.
I've got lots of salt and pepper and I've got a ways to go before it's all grown out, but your story inspires me. And reminds me that a little trim will do me good :)
Thank you for sharing!
I love, love, love that you are sharing your story! When I started to grow mine I felt like I was the only young gray person in the whole, entire world. Your hair is beautiful.
I've got lots of salt and pepper and I've got a ways to go before it's all grown out, but your story inspires me. And reminds me that a little trim will do me good :)
Thank you for sharing!
Hi Gina!!!
Thank you for your sweet comment. It's so nice to meet you! Ah, so you're an early gray too...? It's not the easiest thing, is it? I'm so glad that I was able to help, even in a small way.
You reminded me that I should trim my hair soon too! These ends, not so great right now. :)
Thank you for your comment. I really do appreciate it!
Lauren :)
Love your hair love your site, thank you!!!
I'm an early silver bird too (33) with young kids and right at the start of growing out my grey and was in real need of finding some young grey inspiration. I seem to be spending too much time at the moment either infront of the mirror obsessing about my growing badger stripe (I'm in England, no skunks here) or recalling in horror as the full extent of my grey-ness takes hold. But as you show, 18 months really isn't that long a time and I'm actually quite excited to see the 'real' me!
LIke you my Granny (a very beautiful lady who modelled in the 30s) ROCKED her silver hair and a beloved Uncle who went white very early are my inspirations - and in some way it makes me feel part of special group of people. I hope to be able to carry it off as well as they did.
Bring on the mighty whites!
xx
Ginia
Thank you so so much! I am 43 I have been going grey since my early twenties but only started dyeing it in my late thirties when I was way to grey for my age! I have long hair past my shoulders and dark brown which is my Natural colour but dyed to hide the grey. But no more!!
Being increasingly worried by the link with cancer and the fact that it is such a hassel to keep dying I am going grey! I know I shall have the dreader badger stripe to contend with... but I am so inspired by this you look absoloutley stunning! You are now my inspiration, if I end up looking half as good as you I will be well impressed!
I am not sure I can cope with going short just yet as I have been growing my hair for years to get it this long! but then I never thought I would be brave enough to go grey!
I know I am in for a long journey and some REALLY bad hair days but the end result will keep me going - bring out the silver fox!
Alix
Hi Lauren!
For of all, I have to tell you: you look amazing!
Second: thank you thank you thank you for this wonderful post! I'm 33, and very recently decided to go gray after 17 years of dying my hair.
I've been feeling pretty good about it for the past month (i'm ten weeks since my last coloring), but the past two days, I've been very VERY close to giving up... I started a blog three weeks ago to help me motivate myself, and it's helped a lot. But reading your post today has really put me back on track!
The emotional roller coaster that is going gray... I'd have never thought it would affect me so much. I'm so scared to looking older than I really am... A month ago, I bought a night face cream: the lady would not believe I was over 30. Yesterday, I went back to purchase a day moisturizer, and she went straight to mature skins. I was so depressed! And the stares... the stares! I can't stand them.
Thanks to you, I think I'll use the cover-up mascara thingy. It might help with the awkward growth phase (I'm a dark brunette, with mid-back hair I have no intention -as of now- to cut, so I'm in for a long time...)
Keep up the great work with your blog! I'm subscribing!
Best,
Steph
Oh Steph, my heart is going out to you right now. I so so so wish I could help more, and really let you know that is DOES, 100% get easier. Know that I'm sending you a big hug!!!!
Thank you for your kind comment, and for sharing your story. (I can't wait to read along with your growing out journey!) I just read the beginning of your blog, and oh my gosh! I just LOVE how you announced to family and friends online that you were going to grow out your gray. That was fantastic! I'm very glad that you received support from people. I think you must be MUCH stronger than you know. You can do this! :)
I'm open on the whole: "Should I let my gray go or not?" I really think this is a very personal decision and that one choice is not better than the other. IF your really really want to grow your gray though, know that it is completely possible, and that beyond the months of ups and downs, and those stares......it is REALLY a fantastic journey!
I know this sounds silly, but going gray has been more than just a change of color for me. In a way, it has taught me to be a bit more comfortable in my own skin, and to accept myself for who I am . Beyond that, my hair has never been healthier, I'm saving money, and no more yucky chemicals and messy henna! All things things will probably happen for you too.
I'm so sorry about the stares. I feel for you. I remember and know how hard those are. As your hair grows out, I promise you, you will get less stares. I think the gray is surprising, but I think the contrasting stripe is what most often catches attention. I have never had random attention and compliments paid to my hair, ever! Now though, every week, women and even some men, say: "Oh, I like your hair!" So, the stares go away a bit, and are often replaced by nice comments.
Please hang in there Steph. If I can ever be of help, please let me know. How Bourgeois is on Facebook too, if that is easier for you to stay in touch if you would like.
Thinking of you along your adventure. Stay strong! Be proud of YOU! :)
You will look just as gorgeous with the gray, just a new version of gorgeous!!!
xoxoxo,
Lauren
You look beautiful! Silver is definitely your color as it is mine.
I have never felt more pretty au naturale. I was blessed with the Silver stripe right in front(think Stacy London) that I unfortunately covered in dark chocolate hair dye for years. One day I said enough.It's been almost a year of growth.
I have never been one for the salon so only go about 3 times a year. Last visit was a month ago (after moving back home 3 yrs later) and the girls were stunned at the transformation of how much my hair has changed. The other customers raved about my stripe and some said they wished they were brave enough to try it. I told them go for it. It's only hair.
Looking forward to your transformation as well. We silver sisters gotta stick together.
Hi! Thank you of the comment. I love Stacy London's stripe, yours must look great too!
I'm glad that your had such a good reception for your gray, that's fantastic.
Thank you for the support, we DO have to stick together. :)
such a great post!!!! i was a late 20 something gray silver stripe girl.
i am so mad at myself now that i started coloring to hide my silvers. my natural hair color was dark brown and i had 2 silver stripes... picture hair in high pony.. someone told me i looked like the bride of frankenstein. it devastated me! so young so fragile trying to be authentic and all. i guess it wasn't my time.
20 yrs later at 47 still coloring and have been HATING the whole coloring gig for mannnnny years for all the reason you wrote about.
i have a plan of action now. my hair for the last year has been a beautiful but very deep auburn. love the color but hate the skunk stripe at 3 weeks.
i starting talking about going natural this last winter, husband wasn't having it! had no idea he would have felt so passionate about my hair color! who knew!
so after a 'heated' discussion about this. he admitted he was worried i would look like an 'old lady'. well that was honest. plan of action...
i will start transitioning into much lighter overall color and highlight for the next year and see where i am (how he feels about this)after all being attractive to my husband is very important.
i have to start somewhere in my mind although still will be coloring i am thinking about it as a transitioning a bit more subtlety.
following your blog now! keep up the great work!
sorry this was so long!
tracie
You look so beautiful. Your silver hair is amazing and suits you so much. I have only just started growing mine out and I don't have as much grey as you. When I see your hair I wish I did!
Your blue eyes are striking with the silver. I wish I could see a pic of your pixie cut. I think I am going to cut mine short.
Thank you for your inspiring post.
Bless you xx
You are so young and your hair is a beautiful color! At 65 mine is still coming in one hair at a time. I'll be ninety before I look as great as you -- and then I'll be too old to look as great as you do. Oh dear.
Hi Tracie!!!!
Thank you so much for your comment. I'm sorry that it has taken a while to reply, I've been out of town.
Oh I am so so sorry about the "Bride of Frankenstein" comment. That was just horrible! :( I can imagine how much that would hurt, and I can only bet that to another person, your silver stripes must have been fantastic and creative and unique!
I know...people make comments. It's really hard, but know for every not-so-great comment you'll get, I'm sure you will receive some great ones too!
I saw your blog, it's great! You live in Finland!!!! How FABULOUS!!!!!! :) I have heard that Europe has some much more advanced and natural hair dyes. I love your plan of a lighter color and highlights and just feeling things out. It really is such a personal decision, and you have to feel ready to transition to gray, and that it is the right choice for you!
I have to ask though, pardon how forward this is....but on your blog, is the man with the bit of GRAY hair your husband!? ;) I'm only asking because you mentioned your heated discussion about going gray. I COMPLETELY understand that feeling, wanting to look attractive to your husband. Of course! I hope if you do decide to go gray, he finds it interesting and not so old lady-ish. (I like his honesty. It's important!) Having your "other half" as your support team in growing the gray out can be HUGE, and the biggest asset.
Thanks again Tracie. I can't wait to hear more on your hair adventure, and life in Finland. TOO COOL!!!!
Take Good Care!!!
Lauren
Hellooooooo there Gumboot Greener!!!!!
Thank you very very much for coming by and for your lovely comments!
Oh my, your plants and flowers and garden are GORGEOUS!!!! You have quite a green thumb, how wonderful! :)
In Michigan, we are just about to start entering into spring, (although it is still quite cold!) and I have started dreaming up our garden for this year. Unfortunately, I am such a beginner, and do not have talent in the garden at all! I have armed myself with many gardening books from the library this year, so I plan to study up!
Oh, you are so kind with your comments on my hair. Thank you from my heart. You know what? Short hair was such a fun time! I really had a ball with it. I was able to wash and go, but even more so, you can make a bunch of playful styles. It was lots of fun!
I'm sorry that you wish you were graying faster. (Ha! That is funny when you think about it). :)
I can understand what you are saying, but how about this.....have you ever put a non-permanent , organic wash on your hair? I can only imagine that the silvery strands you do have, they must look like beautiful highlights! I think natural silver strands are gorgeous, or alternatively, I know somebody who puts on temporary washes and her grays turn a brilliant , warm auburn. There is so much you can do for fun!
Please keep me posted if you cut your hair or find a fun way to wear your gray. I'd love to hear!
So nice to meet you!!!
Take Care!!!
xo,
Lauren
THANK YOU! This is so awesome! I am 49 and decided (after 10 years of dyeing) that I just wanted to be who I was created to be. It has been much harder than I thought - as the reactions of some family has been quite negative. My older sister of 12 years (who dyes her hair regularly) has bought me hair dye twice! Women at work can't believe I am doing this.....unfortunately I moved from the north to the south and it surely seems like gray hair is few and far between down here. But I am determined.....hate the whole growing out process though - wish it would just change overnight! :)
I am maybe 4 or 5 months into transition and just so much love the hair colour and condition that is coming through as opposed to the dyed stuff on its way out.
THANK YOU for an inspirational but down to earth blog. I was searching for a bit of moral support as I see no one around me under about 80 with natural hair.
Hi FlynFamily and Elpha!
Thank you so so much for stopping by, and for your comments!
FF- I really feel for you, because having a supportive group of family and friends makes such a difference. But, as you know all too well, we can't please them all! When your grays are grown out, and you look gorgeous and confident, they'll realize that they were all wrong! :)
I had a similar reaction from a few, and I can not even believe it, now they actually LIKE my hair.
Please please hang in there. Keep being YOU and true to yourself. You'll come out stronger for it, and your health, gorgeously gray hair will be great!!!! :)
Elpha- Hi Elpha! four or five months already!? WAY TO GO! You will soon be out of the most difficult part! I'd be happy to be your cheerleader! You can do it!
I know there are not many out there, to look to with grays, but now we have each other! So you just hang in there too.
Thank you to both of you, I can't tell you how much YOUR comments inspire ME!
xo,
Lauren
Thanks for sharing your story. I, too am a premature grey and just grew it out. I cut my hair pixie so it was done in a flash (8 months). I'm still gettin used to it. Check out my story....
Steph.
www.silverhairobsessed.com
Hi Steph!
Nice to meet you. Thank you for stopping by!
I'm excited to follow along with your story. I can't wait to read the next chapter. I bet your hair looks great!
Lauren :)
Thank you for your artistic view and solutions to going gray! I think I found the vintage ad you were looking for:
http://hotelreginavintage.files.wordpress.com/2012/12/graycharmad.jpg?w=545
Hi Lauren!!!!
Oh my gosh, thank you SO much for finding the ad that I was talking about. I haven't been able to find it again, and I was so bummed! Thanks bunches.
Thank you for the nice comment. It's nice to meet you!
Lauren :)
OK, here's what else I'd like to see: Something on how to go just partially gray. A little bit "salt and pepper," while keeping the rest of the hair colored for a while ... if that's possible. I've got long dark hair which I've colored for at least a decade, and no, at 52 (and not being Diane Keaton), I will not look like those 30-somethings in pictures if I cut it. I'd just look like (a) an old gym teacher and (b) not myself, so it's a no-go anyway, even if somebody said "that would be great." Seems like something partial for a while would help while getting used to it: white/grey highlights? Something like that? Any tips? I don't want to be the old woman with the unnatural dark hair, but isn't there some in-between?
Hi recent Anonymous poster. Ha! I loved your comment, you made me laugh. :)
Ok! GREAT questions about ways to go "a little gray" while you get used to the growing out process. Please, anybody else chime in, because I'm not an expect in this area.
First of all though, I'm with YOU! DON'T cut your long, dark hair! I'm saying this because sometimes, our instincts just speak volumes, and it sounds like you are very sure that a short cut would not be your best option. You have to follow your heart and what your brain is telling ya!
Ok, you didn't mention....is most or all of your new hair growth gray, or do you have the smaller "highlights" of gray? I'm guessing you are more all gray, otherwise, you might already have the highlights.
Well.....you could go to your hairstylist and ask for he or she to put in some low-lights and highlights into your hair. This covers some of the gray, and then helps to blend the rest. You could ask them to keep some of your natural gray showing. I have a friend who kept her white streak near the front of her face and it's GORGEOUS! It lets the world see she has gray, but it's just a bit. Someday when she grows everything out, it won't be such a shock. This might be a fun possibility.
The only other thing I can think of is those highlighting caps where you just pull some strands through. Perhaps your hairstylist could clue you in on that one.
I do hope this helps a little please keep us posted on how things are going. Thank you so much for your comment. I am going to do another hair post soon!
xo,
Lauren
I was beginning to rethink the who going gray thing as I am at the wide white skunk look LOL before I started though I had cut my hair short but not to short and then purchased a wig that was cut in the same style. Once the grey became to obvious I began wearing the wig and everyone just thought I had gotten another cut and changed the color slightly but after two months getting tired of the wig even though it is nice to get up and throw it on in the morning. Thanks for the re-motivation!
Your hair looks awesome, first of all!
Second, thanks so much for posting this! I saw my first grays in high school and have really noticed them coming in in the past couple years (I'm 31). I think I'm ready to take the plunge and start growing it out, much as I'm dreading the long awkward stage. I've been dying my hair for over half my life, which is crazy when I really think about it.
I found a cool article on Refinery 29 about a woman who had her colorist extend her grey roots into highlights to make the transition less awkward. It looks gorgeous on her, but I'm not really looking for more maintenance, you know?
I've also found a ton of pictures of gorgeous gray ladies on Pinterest, so I'm trying to visualize Kristen McMenamy's silver mane in my future. Looking forward to anything else you have to say on the topic, and will check out the rest of your blog!
I'm 32 and one month in to my growing out phase. I have been dying for 13 years. I can't wait to see my real hair and stop worrying about the color, price, damage. I'm excited for the end result and really hope that excitement helps get me through the tough grow out times.
Post a Comment