Grey Period
Firstly I should be straight with you, this is not about entering an artistic period in my life. My Grey Period is part of “Project Hair”. At 45 I’ve decided to step back from the hair dye and find out what’s really under there. Here’s my thinking…..
Now I’m not the kinda gal that gets too het up about what I look like. I’ve honed my ‘look’ over the years. I’ve both loved and collected second-hand clothes (now interestingly known as vintage) since I was a teenager. I know what I like and I guess you could say that my style, like our home, is eclectic. I’m a firm believer in recycling and remain a charity shop fiend – my ideal shopping trip isn’t Harvey Nicks, you’re more likely to find me in Oxfam.
Reaching 45 saw some changes in my life. I became a fully paid member of the varifocal society and finally admitted that without my specs I’m hopeless. I also noticed that when I stop squinting in the sunlight the wrinkles that used to dissipate no longer disappear. Sure make-up hides a multitude of sins but in all honesty with my busy life I feel blessed if I’m able to get myself out of the house wearing matching shoes. As for make up my regime stretches as far as getting a bit of lipstick on when I’m sitting at the traffic lights.
So I’ve had to admit that I’m embarking on a bit of a new phase in my life and I am kind of interested to know what the real me looks like. So, along with a fellow blogger who is growing her hair in after chemo I’ve become her hair buddy and I’m growing in my grey.
I’ve no idea what the result of this will be. I could look wonderful or, on the other hand, I could look like one of those mismatched dogs in the animal shelter looking for a home.
I'll keep you posted on how 'Project Hair' progresses!
Oh just popped back to add this today. A link sent from a fellow blogger, Rosie, who heard this song and thought about ‘My Grey Period’. Enjoy
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I think you are going to look smashing with the grey – I bet it grows in looking fabulous. You’ll be a wise, sage, twinkling-eyed mischief-maker sort, one of those greyhairs everybody wants to be when she grows up! (And you probably haven’t gone as grey yet as you think you have, either – just a bit here and there.
)
Aw thank you. You’re right though, I’m hoping I haven’t gone as grey as I think – should be interesting though!
It is great to look sophisticated, as under my dyed brunette hair I am silver grey, and I have been offered a seat on the bus on several occasions -even by people who look older than me who are not grey!LOLOL
Youngsters offering me their seat. This would not normally happen!,Would it?
Emma
Being a 41 year old with 75% grey I am not brave enough to take the full plunge. I did try two years ago and the back lash was swift. So for now I will embrace the color, do it as cost effectively as I can and work towards enlightentment all the while. Oh – and good for you for supporting your friend. What a wonderful way to show support !
Good luck with going natural. It’s not as painful as you might think!
I started going grey in my teens, just a couple of streaks of it and people thought I was dyeing it but I didn’t dye my hair til I was in my forties. Then I had an unfortunately experience with a new dye (allergic rash from it on my wedding day!) and haven’t used any since then. My hair’s about 90 percent grey now. I still like the dark brown but it likes to hide at the back of my head!
Thank you for taking the time to share your experience on this one. I take comfort that in your experience it may not be as painful as I think. Although I would have to say that I’m having a bit of a bad hair day today. Thank goodness it’s winter and I can wear a hat.
[...] My Grey Period [...]
Well the time is drawing nearer December 6th when I go for that haircut again. Do I dye this hair brunette once more or not?Yes?No?Decisions, decisions. “sigh”
The grey as it would do, is showing through the roots at the top of my head, and the rest is grey.Looks a bit odd! The hairdresser is saying oh dye it (more money for him) but my partner says he likes the grey. What do I like? Well both actually, that is why I cannot make up my mind what to do!LOL
I really want it cut,, as it is irritating me and feels like I am drawing a pair of curtains each time.
We will see.
Hello there Emma. Yep it’s a tough decision to make but I have to say I felt quite empowered when I last went to the hairdressers and said no to the dye. I’m looking quite patchy too, but hey I think I can hang in there. If you fancy taking the plunge you could join our project hair? One of the other bloggers and I are both growing our hair in, for different reasons, me my grey and Caridwen (see comment above) is growing in her hair post chemo (so no dying allowed). You could join project hair and keep us posted on how you’re getting on. The more the merrier.
Yes, I would love to join your “project hair” and keep you posted as to how I am getting on,Jacqueline-that would be great!Like you said the more the merrier!
Great Emma! Whenever you feel like reaching for the dye just click on here and listen to the song Rosie gave me to add to this post – ‘Grey is the new Blonde’. Keep us posted with comments on how you’re getting on. Good luck
How interesting, I just made the ‘grey’ decision this August. My profile picture on my blog site shows my first short haircut, it was the only way I could think of not to have a grey ‘stripe’ on my head. Now 10 weeks later I’ve had a second cut and I am 65 per cent grey, with brown ‘tips’ I guess. In another 8 weeks it will be grey. I feel liberated from having to visit the hairdresser every 5 weeks, and am getting used to the new old me. The downside: I don’t care for short hair and a day after the first cut was the first time someone asked me if I qualified for a ‘seniors’ discount. I had to laugh.
Jacqueline, I too am entering my ‘grey’ period. I used to work as a technical writer, computer specialist, and my co-workers were all half my age. I began to colour my hair and kept on as I didn’t want to have a ‘skunk stripe’ of grey in the middle. Finally I got my hairdresser to cut it short in September and again this past week. Now it is about two-thirds grey. I am not fond of short hair but it was the easiest solution and by February I’ll be grey. Until I cut my hair people used to assume I was in my 40s, few wrinkles and good skin (thanks Mum) I am actually 56, but the week I cut my hair was the first time I was asked if I wanted a seniors discount. I said, sure, and laughed with my husband about it later. I feel free of the expense and pain of having to visit the salon every six weeks, and I am beginning to like the new woman in the mirror.
Thank you Katrina. Wow you are ahead of me. I’m definitely in the skunk stipe period of project hair! Keep us posted on how it’s going but I really like the idea that you are beginning to like the new woman in the mirror
[...] My Grey Period [...]