Having the guts to let my hair go grey. Update and photos on page 5.

[cmarsh31]

I'm 38 (almost 39) and am currently opting not to dye the gray. I have dark brown wavy hair (it was pin straight til I had my DD) so we're currently calling the gray my "sparkle" hair. I went from a few gray hairs to it's starting to look like I've highlighted my hair gray, even more so when I pull my hair back in a pony tail. Before and between kids I kept my hair highlighted but after DD I just never went back to it. I'll stick with regular manicures and embrace the gray - the longer I let it go, the more I feel like I'm committed. It would be just weird to go back at this point.

 

[roliepolieoliefan]

Never never never will i let my hair go gray.
I go to the salon every 5 weeks

 

[MataHari22]

Never never never will i let my hair go gray.
I go to the salon every 5 weeks

That's a lot of "nevers". If it's one thing I've learned, it's never say never.

 

[Poohlove]

@MataHari22 while I wasn't on disability I know what it's like to stretch a dollar beyond its capacity. I also k ow that during those times it was even more important for me to do something for me. A movie is a nice treat, maybe a monthly yoga class. There is a studio in my town that offer $5 classes in the morning. Maybe you could stroll a local museum or something like that.

 

[MataHari22]

I am 60 and stopped coloring in my mid 40s. I had had enough as my part and sides were always showing the gray, very very quickly. When I had had enough, I couldn't get it to grow out fast enough. I hated that stage of letting it grow out but I persevered and got through it. It does make me a bit more "washed out" looking, so need to warm up my face with make up. It was liberating to not need the salon every 4 weeks, or so. I have to say that my skin is still young looking and even with the gray, people can not believe I am 60.

Maybe I should start lying about my age, but in reverse. Tell everyone I am 65 years old, and they will say, wow, you look awesome for your age.

 

[3boymthr]

Go for it. I dyed my hair for years and years because I thought it would make me look old to have grey hair. I'm in my late 40s. I stopped dyeing about a year and a half ago. My hair is mid length. My hair is hard to dye so I had to use the dyes only available through beauty suppliers to get the color to take and it would still fade quickly especially on the areas that were grey so I had to dye it frequently to keep up the color up. Quite frankly I was getting tired of the maintenance and expense. In addition the skin on my head burned for days and days after I dyed my hair. I figured if I didn't like it or if it really made me look old I could always start dyeing it again. It took a while but once it grew out I'm actually very happy with it. I thought most of my hair was grey but I found as I grew it out that most of my hair is still dark brown but I have two very distinct white streaks in the front. I'm loving how low maintenance it is and saving all the money - just a trim every time I go to the salon. As a bonus my husband thinks the streaks are sexy so no more dye for me.

 

[AppleDumpling]

OP, I see you've decided to go for it. Good for you. You can't worry so much about what other people think. You've got a great attitude and really nothing to lose!

There are plenty of older women with gray hair who are still beautiful...Jamie Lee Curtis, Helen Mirren, Glenn Close, Emmylou Harris, etc. It is much more about your overall style and personality that makes you attractive. If you are happy in your own skin (and hair), that's all that matters.

 

[MataHari22]

There are plenty of older women with gray hair who are still beautiful...Jamie Lee Curtis, Helen Mirren, Glenn Close, Emmylou Harris, etc.

True!

 

[Disney Doll]

Stop dying my hair in my late 30s. Now I'm salt & pepper. Natural color medium brown. Also don't wear a lot of make up. I've had people tell me I don't look 54. They may be lying.

The beauty of being in one's 50s is that you begin to care less what others think. I'm happy with myself, my life and my dents and scratches. Nothing makes me sadder than seeing an older woman trying to pretend she's not her age.

 

[roliepolieoliefan]

That's a lot of "nevers". If it's one thing I've learned, it's never say never.

Thats usually my motto too
But when it comes to gray hair , I can honestly say me not coloring my hair would never happen
Ive colored my hair since i was around 20 long before any gray hairs made their appearance

 

[DisneyFan32WI]

Don't do it. Nothing ages a woman faster.

http://features.aol.com/video/woman...|dl12|sec1_lnk3&pLid=600093839_htmlws-main-bb

Great TODAY SHOW segment where two women look YEARS younger by taking out the gray! Timely thread.

 

[ols386]

I've seen some really cute hair styles on women with gray hair, usually very short hair.

I don't usually think LONG gray hair looks good, the shorter the better.

 

[MataHari22]

I've seen some really cute hair styles on women with gray hair, usually very short hair.

I don't usually think LONG gray hair looks good, the shorter the better.

I agree that sometimes long styles with grey hair can look tired.

 

[georgina]

Stop dying my hair in my late 30s. Now I'm salt & pepper. Natural color medium brown. Also don't wear a lot of make up. I've had people tell me I don't look 54. They may be lying.

The beauty of being in one's 50s is that you begin to care less what others think. I'm happy with myself, my life and my dents and scratches. Nothing makes me sadder than seeing an older woman trying to pretend she's not her age.

You sound like my twin, except I never dyed my hair and don't wear any makeup. Also 54, my hair has been getting more gray streaks each year. And to counter DisneyFan32WI, I see no reason to look young. I'm happy looking my age.

 

[MataHari22]

To give you guys an idea of how I've been wearing my hair the last three or so years.



And these are the cuts I am thinking about when I cut the color out next.

 

[ronandannette]

Maybe I should start lying about my age, but in reverse. Tell everyone I am 65 years old, and they will say, wow, you look awesome for your age.

Best.Idea.Ever. I am stealing it!

 

[MataHari22]

Best.Idea.Ever. I am stealing it!

I thought it was pretty genius. Steal away!

 

[wishing4PA]

To give you guys an idea of how I've been wearing my hair the last three or so years.

View attachment 192124

And these are the cuts I am thinking about when I cut the color out next.

View attachment 192125

You have a great eye! Those would look sharp, I think!

 

[MataHari22]

You have a great eye! Those would look sharp, I think!

Thank you.

 

[jahber]

Stop dying my hair in my late 30s. Now I'm salt & pepper. Natural color medium brown. Also don't wear a lot of make up. I've had people tell me I don't look 54. They may be lying.

The beauty of being in one's 50s is that you begin to care less what others think. I'm happy with myself, my life and my dents and scratches. Nothing makes me sadder than seeing an older woman trying to pretend she's not her age.

I'm only 38 (39 in two weeks!!!), but I just can't care anymore what people think about my hair. I have four kids, including a 6-month-old, and I homeschool. Regular hair appointments just aren't gonna happen. Period. If my hair bothers people or they think it makes me look old, well, okey doke. I'm gonna keep on taking care of my family and worrying about things that actually matter.

And anyway, why would I be ashamed to look older? We used to revere older people. Now we all want to look 25 or 30. If that makes someone happy, then by all means--enjoy it! But can we please stop telling people gray hair makes them look "old" or tired or whatever, as if it's a bad thing? Fwiw, I AM tired. I have four kids at home with me all day.