Wednesday, September 03, 2014

I Cut My Hair! Life Eventually Goes Back to Normal After You Grow Out Your Gray Hair.....Really.

I've been figuratively pulling out my hair in frustration for weeks. It's a wonder that I still have any hair left to take a picture of to show you! I've been frustrated because every time I think I'm going to have some down time to blog, something else pops up needing my attention. So now, really, truly, honestly this time, I am going to attempt to master the art of the quick, not-so-rambling post. I'm not sure that I can do it friends, but I will try.

So, I cut my hair!!!!  *I* cut my *OWN* hair.....


Please beautiful, wonderful, amazing hairstylist of mine Lydia don't be mad at me, please!


It was born out of a moment of pure horror and weakness. When the salon was closed. Or about to be closed. I had no choice! There was desperation involved.

I was at Macy's looking for some clothes, when I went into the dressing room to try on a dress. To my complete and utter embarrassment and horror, my butt was so big and also, the ends of my hair, straggly and yellowed. (I'm sorry, but this is the truth. ) Also, it all sounds too superficial for me to really want to care, but somehow, I totally do care! It was bad.

I went scrambling out of the dressing room, (with clothes on of course) close to tears and headed straight home. Too embarrassed to be seen out in public. I was in a tizzy! A true panic.

For the past two years, once my gray hair had just about grown out, and the pixie cut too, my hair stylist Lydia has done an excellent job encouraging me to keep my hair long, and helping it to be trimmed and healthy. The only thing that had been bothering me was that I felt as though my hair, especially the end, seemed thinner than I'm used to. I think my hair must be thinner now, than when I was younger, but I'm guessing that more so, I've always worn a pretty blunt hair cut, but now, I had lovely layers. The layers though, at the ends, they started just looking...straggly. Scraggily. You know, like wispy spaghetti!

Last time I went into the salon I was really tempted to have Lydia cut a whole bunch off, but she encouraged me not to go crazy and gave me a perfectly respectable trim. A month or so went by before that fateful day in Macy's and in that time, my hair had morphed into a limp mop with yellowed ends.

At home I thought: "Ok, I'll just give myself a wee, little blunt cut. Just chop off a few inches. How hard can it be!?"  
And so I did. And you know what? It ISN'T difficult to cut your hair into a block shape! So now I have an odd looking, blockhead look! (That I've been tooo lazy to go have corrected by Lydia yet!) But also though, now my hair, at least to me, looks twice as thick at the bottom! AND the best part, no more dull, yellowed, straggly ends!

I'm not advocating for you to cut your own hair. Really, don't do it. What I am saying is that after growing out your gray hair for months and months or even years like I did, one day everything goes back to normal and you'll even be getting haircuts for your gray hair, just like you did for your colored hair! Eventually, all of the stressful memories of the time when you had a 2" wide white skunk stripe on top of your head will be a thing of the past! 

So hang in there, really. Your gray....it just becomes part of you and won't always be a daily source of worry. I promise!

Here's a picture that kind of shows how straggly my ends had been getting, and some of the discoloration. I've used clarifying shampoo and purple shampoo and even treatments at the salon. There just comes a point where nothing is as good as a haircut and starting a little anew.

I definitely prefer my hair at the length in this picture as opposed to shorter, but after growing out my gray, I understand and know now that it's "just hair", and that in the grand scheme of things, it only matters some and it will always grow back!


And here's my big old head now! (I kind of look like a muppet with this expression. Also, where do you look with the laptop camera???)  Nothing spectacular, but I'll take it! It's nice to have thicker feeling ends and some of that stubborn dullness off. My hair is curled up a bit, but I would say I cut off about two or three inches.  
And that my friends is the latest in my HAIRVENTURE!
Did you know that this is what it's called now, when you grow out your socially unacceptable hair color? A HAIRVENTURE! Say it proudly! (I just made this up. But still say it proudly.)


And one more spot of EXCITING GRAY HAIR NEWS! (If that even exists. Is that an oxymoron? Exciting gray hair news?) 

I was just THRILLED when the most lovely, sweet, friendly people from White Hot Hair in the UK approached me to see if I would like to try out some of their hair care products! I was so excited!!!
White Hot is a range of AMAZING looking shampoos, conditioners and styling products made just for those of us sporting our silvers. Not only that, but White Hot's line is all about being vibrant and gorgeous and full of life. They actually celebrate the brilliance that white can bring! No more purple shampoo that's been around for decades, making you feel old, White Hot's products are all about the sparkle!

I offered to do a blog review once my products arrive, but White Hot said that isn't even necessary, they just wanted to start the conversation about hair care for gray hair. I'd love to let you know about my experience with their products though, so I'd really like to do a review on How Bourgeois once I have a chance to try out the range. And for disclaimer's sake, I am not being paid by White Hot for my opinions or a post. I'm being given some complimentary products and then I will share my honest experiences with them. In the meantime, you can share in my excitement to be learning more about this great company, by browsing their website and joining their great Facebook group as I did! You can find them on Facebook HERE.

Fun stuff, right!

I would say that this post is at least 30% shorter than most of them. I think I did an ok job! ;)
Alright, coming up........ more posts including a summer wrap-up with pictures, a back-to-school celebration that we threw, some autumn clothing shopping reviews, including a favorite things post! And of course, more hair news to come. I'd also like to get back on track with the "Year of You" soon.

Until next time, don't cut your own hair!

Love, 
Lauren :)
xoxoxoxoxoxoxoxoxoxoxo





14 comments:

Sarah said...

Oh my! I nearly *nearly* attempted to give myself a pixie cut. Thank goodness I opted to go to the salon! Still feeling bummed about my henna red tips to my bangs, but the back is now all silvery nice and really shows what I'm in for in about 6 months. :)

Karen said...

I think you did a great job cutting your hair! You've always been one of my grey role models... I'm fully transitioned now, but stick with the pixie length. I am intrigued that you are the second blogger I've heard of recently to get offered a sample of White Hot Hair products on this side of the pond. I am anxious to hear what you think and hope that means they may start selling over here soon!

Unknown said...

I can so relate to what you did. I must have cut my own hair dozens of times. It is just - as you say - one of those frantic moments, hairdresser's closed, you can not get an appointment NOW.... there you go! But Lauren, honestly, i LOVE the way it looks. You did a fabulous job. Really looks fuller and healthier and - i don't know... Sophisticated-ish haha. No really nice. Suits you very well. Thanks for sharing, it is good to know that one is not alone with these frantic spur of the moment do it yourself cuts LOL

Lauren said...

Hi Sarah! Way to go! That was really strong of you to resist, I couldn't! ;)
It sounds like your gray is coming in BEAUTIFULLY!!! I'm so happy for you. If you're down to just a bit of henna on the tips of you bangs, you'll be through this in no time! A big congrats. Thanks for stopping by!:)
xoxoxoxo

Lauren said...

Hi Karen, thank you! I appreciate your words so much. Congratulations on being done with your transition to gray, that's fantastic! Rock the pixie while you have it. I remember my short cut being a lot of fun. I went right to growing it out, just because longer hair is more "me", but definitely, the pixie was such fun to style and have fun with!

Oh wow! More or us over here talking about White Hot. Yes! Yes! I hope sooooo much that they come to North America too! I promise to let you know how the products are.

Thanks Karen!
xoxoxoxo

Lauren said...

Hi there Nancy!

You are always so wonderful and supportive, warm and kind. Thank you Nancy, I appreciate your friendship so! (>'-')>

Thank you for what you said about my haircut, AND.....ha!!! Yes, it's great to know that I am not the only person frantically cutting my hair. That's good! You know my experience well it sounds like. :)

Cutting hair is a creative outlet as well. I sense that you are creative too!

I hope you are having a lovely week Nancy. Thank you again.
xoxoxox,
Lauren

Lori said...

Oh my goodness! I am totally at the web head phase...I need a trim in a BAD way. Everything's getting fuzzy and unkempt...but I would never touch my own hair with scissors aside from a bangs trim. I am not that brave!
Your's looks great though! I'm sure you have more patience than me.
Good job! :-)

Unknown said...

Lauren, your new do is so pretty. Pretty pro, that is. If you had told us that Lydia had been the one who cut and styled it for you that way, we all would have believed you. That's how good it looks. What a brave girl you are to take scissors in hand and fix your own tress mess just like that! Lydia won't be mad. She'll be like the rest of us - impressed.

Christine, your No. ! Fan in Oakydoakyville

Lauren said...

Hi Lori!

:) I'm not too brave, just stupid! ;)
Thanks so much for your compliment. Ah yes, I know that feeling when you really need a trim. If you can, go treat yourself! We need extra care and attention when going gray. You deserve it! :)
xoxoxoxo

Lauren said...

Dear Christine, my #1 fan in Oakydokeville!!!! :)

Hiiiiiiiiii Christine! Aww, you are, as always, so sweet and supportive. Thank you my friend! :)
I am not brave at all. I was just impatient and got lucky that I didm't accidentally snip a five inch section of part of my hair off. I'm not even sure it's very even. I say a visit to the salon is the *smart* way to go! Thank you for your complimentary words my friend. You make me smile!!! Always! :)
I hope you have a wonderful weekend Christine!!!
xoxoxox

~Sheryl said...

Lauren you did a great job cutting your own hair... how the heck did you get the back straight? Wait, don't tell me - I don't want to be tempted. lol

I finally found a great new stylist in Lake Orion and she does an amazing job with my hair. I'm about 3 inches grown out - no dye since the end of last Feb. I'm tempted to go pixie to get the blonde cut out, but I'm really rocking the bob look and my just keep putting the pixie off. We will see how the last phases of growing out my grey go. I love your encouragement. And your hair looks amazing. I'm hoping to post some pics of my growing out soon. I will be sure you can see them. Have a grat weekend!!

~Sheryl

Lauren said...

Hi Sheryl!

Oh congrats! That's fantastic that you found a supportive stylist. doesn't that make all of the difference? I'm really happy for you. And, I'm happy to hear that you're rocking the bob! That's great!
You know, no rush to get a pixie, if ever! The growing out process is all about going with what feels right. You have so much courage and gusto for doing this. You keep being who you are, pixie or not.

Thanks for the nice words about my hair! Hmmm....I can't guarantee the back is straight. That part is hard for me to see! Ha!

Thanks Sheryl, it's so nice to hear from you, and yes, I'd love to see your progress sometime.

Hang in there and BRAVO!!! \(^-^)/ xoxox

Anonymous said...

Looks good, but the longer hair was just beautiful. Don't be your own worst critic! lol

Lauren said...

Hi! Thanks!!! I know, I personally like the look of my hair longer. This blog post is a year old, so it grew longer, and then just recently, I cut it again!!! This time by my hairstylist , NOT me. Lol. Sometimes , especially with white hair like mine, the ends turn yellow and no amount of special shampoo helps, so you just have to snip them off. Also, today in Michigan the heat index is 96 degrees. Ack! So, the shorter hair is so nice. Thanks again . I think I'm definitely going to grow it longer again, especially for our freeing cold winters! :)
xo