Beautiful, Holly! What an amazing transition! You have absolutely turned GLAMOROUS! You are such a wonderful inspiration!
~dede
Posted by on 01/21 at 11:54 AM
Holly’s Story
Holly’s Story
August ’07. Just the beginning.
September ’07. Skunk stripe appears!
December ’07. The worst! Need hats!
May ’08. Almost there.
January ’09. All grown in, with "heavenly highlights."
Holly, 40, couldn’t "face the reality of being a young-ish grayhaired woman in Southern California." Sound familiar? And so, as she began her transitioning journey, she decided to let everybody in on it. Not just friends, family and co-workers. The world. In August, ’07, she started her own blog, graydiva.com, noting emotions that went from "Hey, this is going to be fun," to "Trying to stay the course." Sound even more familiar? Just a month into the process, on September 2nd, she discovered my book, read through it once, and decided to read it "at least once a month" to get her through. Although this site wasn’t born when she started transitioning, Holly found us and registered as a Member in July 2008. She sent in her carefully documented pictures for us all to see and share this January, but there’s more, lots more, on her site. Here’s a synopsis of her story.
I'm a youthful 40-year-old wife of almost 20 years this October '09, mom to 2 great teen-agers, and office manager for a psychotherapist here in sunny San Diego. I found my first gray hair at age 18 and knew I'd be following in my Dad's footsteps.
I started "die"-ing my hair in my early 20's because I couldn't bear to have 2 little kids AND gray hair! Yikes!!
Over the years I dyed my hair every shade of brown thru burgundy, and even a champagne blonde one time! In time I grew to despise the whole issue of dyeing my hair. It was the monkey on my back, the chip on my shoulder and the one thing I wondered if I could ever be brave enough to stop doing! As I came up on 40 I received some family pictures from my white-haired Dad and had a "aha moment". Everyone in my family grays early and ends up with white hair! That is my heritage, those are my people. And - guess what - I don't really have light neutral brown hair!!! In fact I didn't really have any idea what color my hair (aka straw) was any more except for the skunk stripe I was coloring over every three weeks! After some soul-searching and impromptu therapy from my boss I decided to go for it!
My kids were all for it and my husband even admitted he had never liked me with the fake brown hair - go figure! Growing it all out took about a year. Because I refused to do the big chop that some ladies do, I had to deal with MAJOR roots for most of that time. I bought & wore cute hats in every color and kept my hair as short as I could stand it.
Now that the crap-brown is all but gone and my hair is getting back to a longer length, I've started getting compliments on my hair again! I know of a few friends who are considering or already are growing their own gray out to see if they like it! And the best part is I have healthy, shiny, soft hair again!!! I am back to wearing the colors I look best in since I don't have to match clothes & makeup with dye colors. My closet is a BROWN-FREE zone!!!
Today I feel absolutely liberated and totally unashamed of my gray hair. I hope to inspire others to set themselves free from feeling compelled to hide their hair. As far as looking "young" goes, I figure if everyone gets used to me with gray hair now while I am still young-ish, then when I'm older they'll say, "you still look the same as when you were in your forties!" Think about it...
Nowadays I can play with my hair style all the time since I never suffer with roots. I can part my hair anywhere, I can put it up or wear it back and guess what? No roots!!!
I want to wrap up by giving a big "Thanks!" to Diana Jewell for writing her book! When I found it, I read it in 2 days! Now I refer to it and show it to friends who are curious about how to grow out their hair. The pictures and beauty advice have been so helpful to me! Best of luck to all who read this. Going gray has been one of the best decisions I ever made, and I can easily say I will NEVER dye my hair again!
Ed. note: Thanks for that, Holly, glad we could help!
And, along the way, Holly went from trying to match her daughter’s hair to celebrating her own uniqueness.
Deep brunette or cool charcoal? What do you think?
Wow Holly! I just love your natural color. Thanks so much for your story and the inspiration.
Leeja
Posted by on 01/21 at 01:17 PM
i saw your gray diva spot from the members list one day!! how fun to see you here now!! you look great! next time we have our so cal gthering you MUST join us!!
thanks for sharing your journey!!!
ouann 
Posted by on 01/21 at 02:11 PM
Holly, you are truly an inspiration to those of us who are transitioning away from fake ‘n’ bake (or maybe I should say dye ‘n’ fry). It’s amazing to me how some women (like you!) actually look younger with gray hair. I wish Diana’s book had been available when I was 40. I seriously thought about going natural then (I’m 51 now) but I didn’t have the guts or the support group that I do now. You look gorgeous.
Posted by on 01/21 at 02:58 PM
i love that dye n fry...perfect!!!
Posted by on 01/21 at 03:33 PM
Holly--Great story and you sure look good! You mentioned one of the things I enjoy most about being all natural: No roots! No worry when the wind blows your hair around that the roots might be showing, or that if I put a pony tail in more than a week after touching up my roots it will look bad. Ah, the freedom! Thanks for sharing.
Posted by on 01/21 at 04:04 PM
Holly - I much prefer your hair natural, it looks fabulous.
Posted by on 01/21 at 04:29 PM
Wow Holly--you look wonderful. Your natural hair looks beautiful! Thanks for sharing your story!
Posted by on 01/21 at 05:25 PM
Yeah! Another SoCal girl! Hi Holly! I too turned 40 in July of last year and decided to embrace my gray! I loved your pics and think you look great with your natural color. I am still in the process of getting all the dye off with just a little of that brown still hanging on. I also decided to go short to make it faster .... quite shorter than I would have liked! But, I am close to being rid of all the color and will start growing it out soon. Hope I end up with a look as nice as yours!
Posted by on 01/21 at 05:58 PM
Holly~ You are stunning!
Posted by on 01/21 at 06:29 PM
Holly, I’m here in San Marcos and I am jealous of your hair! I am so glad that there are other southern cali chicks who are proud of the gray!!! As a preemie myself, I have days in which I feel I’m alone. I’m a junior in college and often feel like a freak. However, seeing pics like yours continues to give me hope! I recently did the Jamie Lee cut and believe it or not, guys have started to notice me, although, its kinda hard not to notice a 20 year old young woman with short grayish hair who stands 5’10"(haha). Thanks for being another great inspiration!!
Kendall
Posted by on 01/21 at 07:02 PM
Hi Holly
Natural for sure!
Posted by on 01/21 at 07:16 PM
WOW!! What a “warm fuzzy” to come home to!!
Thanks you guys for all the kind words!!! I am very grateful and appreciate your comments. It has been a long funky-looking road at times, but it’s totally worth it now.
I’m still new around here so I’m not sure how to send you each a personal thanks other than right here. It means a lot to share this sisterhood of the the platinum tresses with y’all and I hope to meet up with my new gray sisters at a SoCal event sometime soon!!
Thanks, and cyber-hugs 
Holly/Graydiva
Posted by on 01/21 at 07:27 PM
Hi ... just wanted to comment to you, Kendall. Do you have any pics here???? Would love to see you in the great grays gallery!
Posted by on 01/21 at 07:28 PM
Holly - simply AMAZING how much of a difference your natural color makes to your beauty ... gorgeous, gorgeous, gorgeous! Thanks for sharing 
Diana - another great addition to the site - great work!
Posted by on 01/21 at 07:57 PM
Thanks RuffDiamond! What sweet comments! It’s been so great to find so many kindred spirits on this site!!!
Posted by on 01/21 at 08:42 PM
God does do beautiful highlighting:-)
Posted by on 01/22 at 03:17 AM
You look amazing! Not to mention, a BEAUTIFUL inspiration!!! Thank you for having the foresight to document your transition!!!! This is a great story for those who are questioning whether or not to do the “silver journey”! You “close the deal” Graydiva! BTW great screen name 
Posted by on 01/22 at 06:46 AM
Hey Holly! I like the charcoal the most most most!!!
Petra.
Posted by on 01/22 at 08:17 AM
Wow! Truly stunning.
Posted by on 01/22 at 01:06 PM
Absolutely made the right decision, Holly, you look wonderful with your natural color. I know how hard it can be to march to your own drummer in Southern California. I live in Orange County and I don’t think I know many women with their natural hair color. Welcome to the site.
Posted by on 01/22 at 01:36 PM
Holly - I’m here to echo the positive comments you’ve already received. I love the charcoal so much better than the dye.
I relate to the extreme pleasure of parting my hair wherever I please and pulling it back without giving roots a second thought.
Thanks for sharing your story with us! :o)
Posted by on 01/22 at 02:06 PM
I’ve been meaning to add my two cents here too...WOW Holly, your natural colour makes you look MORE attractive without a doubt and for some reason you just look like you’ve got more spunk! Very inspiring! Thanks.
Posted by on 01/22 at 03:36 PM
Wow, you really do look gorgeous
Posted by on 01/22 at 04:37 PM
No roots, no worries, no problem!!! I love that the most, and the soft, shiny condition of all natural hair. I thoroughly enjoyed your personal story Holly, thanks for inspiring all of us!
Posted by on 01/22 at 06:28 PM
Hi again - I thank you all again for all your terrific comments. It’s so very reassuring! Too bad I didn’t think to look for this site last year---I thought I was the only one out there---boy was I wrong!!
What a great community this is!
Posted by on 01/22 at 07:01 PM
So, so beautiful Holly! And you look years younger!!! Jane xx
Posted by on 01/23 at 06:18 AM
First of all, thank you Holly for the chronicle of switching to your natural hair color. I have just begun the process and your success gives me hope. I am 54 years old and am having problems with hair dye. My hair always turns a coppery golden color, even with ash brown dye. Although my hair stylist disagrees, I think this golden shade is aging in itself. When I go out into the sun, oh boy, my hair takes on a cheap red tone which clashes with the red tones in my face. It also seems that I am becoming allergic to the dye. My dermatologist wants me to go to a specialist to be checked for a paraphenylenediamine (PPD)allergy. I’m not convinced that I need the test because I know that every time I get my hair dyed I experience more and more itchiness. Obviously, something is wrong. The doctor did tell me that this chemical is in other products besides hair dye.
Almost two months ago I went in to my hairdresser and had just a few low lights put into my hair to start the process of growing out the gray. Is this a good idea? The one thing I’ve noticed already is that my hair feels and appears healthier, even at this early stage. I’m excited! My goals are to maintain a cute, medium-length hair style and work on keeping my body in shape through healthy food and exercise. I think this may really work, even though everyone around me is against the gray. We shall see!
Posted by on 01/23 at 06:28 AM
One more thing~ Because my dyed hair turns even more coppery when exposed to the sun, I have to wear hats or worry when I’m outside. It will be great to be out in the sun, free to be bare-headed in the sun if I want. That’s really being young at heart!
Posted by on 01/23 at 06:34 AM
Thanks for the encouragement Holly!! You look just fabulous! So glad you found the site and shared your story with us. I am brand new here, and every bit of encouragement really helps, so thanks again. Karen
Posted by on 01/23 at 06:35 AM
Hi Jewel—love the name
Just want to say Welcome—and to urge you to go to the Transitioning Tab, look at the right hand column, and find the article “A Burning Question.” A PPD allergy is nothing to fool around with. And, yes, this ingredient is in lots of other common household things, which you may also develop an allergy to, if you have a PPD sensitivity.
You should also read Elizabeth’s Story under the Great Grays tab, and you’ll see how severe a scalp reaction can be. Many other women who have posted to this site also experienced much MORE than burning.
Your goals are good—you can do this—and remain dye-free!
Posted by on 01/23 at 06:41 AM
Thanks! I’m so glad I found this site. I will check out that information.
Posted by on 01/23 at 06:44 AM
I also want to react to the ppd-allergy;this can become very dangerous damage to your health!! And i am speaking from own experience...I almost got in hospital.So get away from it,now you can.
Petra.
Posted by on 01/23 at 06:51 AM
Hi ALL!! I saw “PPD”...and had to give my 2 cents worth! I am a HS Diving Coach and I am in the throws of my season right now...I have had a terrible time managing my skins reaction to the chlorine in the air at the pool! Ever since I had my reaction to “die-ing” my hair in 2004 my skin has gotten progressively worse when exposed to chlorine/bleach. I can no longer walk into the pool area w/o full make up on my face to “close the pores” and IF… I take a shower B4 going to the pool my face will react and break out in a rash,burn,and turn bright red!!!! It’s been a tough time for me these past 2 months...I am shocked at how dramatically my skin has been responding to the pool chemicals 
And I don’t even get into the water!!! I agree with catweezie..."it can become very damaging to your health!!” It’s been an eye opening experience for me! I know that I can no longer color my hair...but it’s kinda spooky to not be able to be exposed to bleach or chlorine. I think I might be looking at an early retirement from coaching...it really makes me sad...it’s been a part of my life since 1987! The PPD thing is a SERIOUS matter!!!!! I wish I would have realized this years ago 
Posted by on 01/23 at 01:11 PM
Oh Elizabeth, I’m so sorry to hear about your skin!! And to have to give up coaching !!!! So sad.
BUT ......
This may yet another turn in the road in your life’s journey .. and possibly a very positive one.
I had to give up long distance running years ago, because I had damaged my left hip from logging WAY TOO MANY miles for way too many years. I was heart-broken. But, in my quest to find other “fun” ways to stay physical, I turned to Russian Kettlebell training. Never realizing how much I would LOVE IT, and how much better the health/strength/cardio benefits would be over running. And yes, now I instruct others.
Sooooooooo, my point is this .... sometimes turning away from something you have done for years, opens you up to ANOTHER great adventure you would never have considered because you were pre-occupied with your current passion.
Just look how great going “natural” turned out for you?!!!
With love, Bambi
Posted by on 01/23 at 01:35 PM
Bambi...Thank You...I feel like have been at a crossroads, you just helped shed some light on some things for me...Thank You! Man turning 40 can be a lot of work!!!! 
Posted by on 01/23 at 01:40 PM
LOL ... wait til you hit 50 !!!!
Although, I must say ... neither one really hit me all that strongly.
I just notice there are new “things” to deal with in each decade ... but, along with that, there has been a better sense of handling everything ... much more personal peace in my decisions, and much more humor at life in general.
And, honestly, I STILL feel like I’m in my 30’s !!!!
Posted by on 01/23 at 01:46 PM
Hi Jewel,
Please let me echo everyone’s word of caution about PPD allergies. I had some early warning signs that I ignored. It started with mild itching, then itching oozing on one ear after getting color, a few times losing my breath while getting dyed - all the time I just thought my colorist overdid the developer.
When I went to bed after a coloring one night with an itchy scalp to awaken with a swollen, red and itchy neck, face and tight scalp I pursued things and learned of the dreaded PPD.
I was 51 and very upset - but more upset to learn that if one continues to get color one can go into anaphylactic shock and become sensitive to many things. Elizabeth’s reaction to chlorine is one (and as a fellow pool rat I feel her pain). Mine is being around any fumes - gas pump, certain cleansers and benzocaine anasthesics. I also learned of someone who became so sensitized they could not wear anything with black dye.
Please be thankful you found out early and are taking the right steps...as a former long haired calico cat in the grow out stage I empathize...but once its all grown out I promise you will love and be astounded by what nature has given you. Hang in there and onto this site!
Posted by on 01/23 at 04:15 PM
Holly - wow what an absolutely GREAT transition! You are even more lovely than before. Your hair looks so healthy and vibrant. That was one of the things I noticed right away - my hair health went up on the health meter - and continues to climb today.
I love being free from the ‘dye’ bottle! You are still very young looking, as I think it’s the attitude that you outwardly express to the public FAR more than the color of your hair that ages you!
Posted by on 01/24 at 07:17 AM
Great story, great photos and Holly you look wonderful!
Posted by on 01/25 at 03:07 PM
Holly - you look fantastic! Thanks for the inspiration, I’ll be hitting 40 in less than 2 weeks now and I’ve been in the grow out for more than a year with hair shorter than I would like, but your last picture shows me it is worth it.
M
Posted by on 01/26 at 07:19 PM
MsMika - I don’t know if I mentioned this when I gave you a thumbs up on your new cut .... but you look fabulous in the teal shirt you are wearing! Great color on you!!!
Holly, you mentioned a brown-free closet. What are your favorite colors these days?
Posted by on 01/26 at 07:53 PM
Hi SBkaren, silverlake, MsMika, and grayincali - I just read your posts & wanted to say a big “THANKS!” for your encouragement & kind words!! It has been so liberating to get that monkey off my back and come out of the closet as a “gray” woman!
And speaking of the closet, grayincali, you asked about my favorite colors....they are Reds, most shades of Pink, Black, White, Charcoal Gray, Purple, and some shades of medium and royal Blues. My skin tone is very fair and now with the gray hair I have returned to my old color pallette from back when I had dark brown/black hair....way back in the 80’s!!!!
Does anyone else miss the 80’s like I do? What a fun decade for clothes, hair, makeup and music...or maybe it’s just me....
Posted by on 01/26 at 08:37 PM
Hey Graydiva,i havent said it yet,but your hair is geor
-geous and the way you wear it is stunning..
Petra.
Posted by on 01/27 at 01:45 AM
O and btw,i like the eighties too, and i like hippie-chic clothes. Yeah, i am an old hippie now!!!
Petra.
Posted by on 01/27 at 01:47 AM
Thanks Petra/catweezie!
Have a “grayt” day
Posted by on 01/27 at 07:46 AM
Holly, I’m speechless. You look fabulous!!!
Posted by on 01/27 at 03:00 PM
Elizabeth hang in there. I agree with ruffdiamond. I started a new career at 40. Sometime things happen for a reason, and we are not privy to the reasons why yet. In time, we will come to realize the “whys”. 
Posted by on 01/27 at 03:03 PM
grayincali, to answer your question, I don’t have pics on here.........yet. Hopefully soon.
Posted by on 01/31 at 01:13 PM
Holly you look FANTASTIC!
Posted by on 02/01 at 04:44 PM
Holly, you are stunning. Well done on the transformation. I am in the very early stages but you are far and away my inspiration.
Posted by on 02/03 at 11:45 AM
Thanks elleniek & Kristin!
Kristin have you posted a picture? Just curious…
Also - congrats on starting your transformation!! It’s soooo worth it
Posted by on 02/03 at 12:14 PM
Holly, You look so much younger! It always amazes me how all of you lovely gray women actually look Younger with your natural hair. So, it took about a year, huh? It just seems like it went quick for you. I hope it goes as quick for me.
Thank you for sharing. You look great!
Posted by on 02/11 at 05:55 PM
Beautiful, fresh, young and hip. Love it!
Posted by on 02/20 at 12:41 PM
I love your transition but was wondering if you straighten? Your hair in the bday pic is wavy and that is similar to my texture. Did it go straight after the grow out? I think it takes so much courage to walk around in the trasition. KUDOS to you!
Posted by on 03/14 at 08:16 AM
I love the result - I want! I am curious - how did you do this so fast? I have similar length hair to your and haven’t dyed since December 2007, but I am still only a third of the way to achieving grey from root to tip. I checked with my stylist and she says my hair is growing at the correct speed. You seem to have grown out a lot of dye in a short amount of time - just a year and a half to grow shoulder length hair?
Posted by on 03/19 at 11:27 AM
I have dark dyed hair like yours Holly but when I look at your photos there is no comparison between your dyed hair and your gorgeous grey. I love it so much!!!
Jane xx
Posted by on 03/19 at 11:43 AM
Hi y’all,
XinaMarie - Thanks for the kudos! I have wavy/semi-curly hair but it’s straighter on top so I usually just blow dry it with a lg round brush. It seems like the curls just fall out after a while & look frizzy so the straighter look is more predictable, for a control freak like me! I might try curly again in the summer when it’s longer.
Sixy - Keep going-you’ll get there! My hair grows about half an inch or more a month and that’s one reason why I hated to dye it because I always had roots!
Jane - Thanks so much for the compliment, it is sooo much appreciated! I still have quick moments when I wonder if I did the right thing but those pass quickly when I remember I can part my hair anywhere I like and my hair is so much healthier too!
We are all a bunch of ballsy women here, platinum-haired trailblazers! We should not be ashamed of the color of our hair or anything else!
TGIF!!
Holly
Posted by on 03/20 at 06:44 AM
The more I look at your photos Holly, the younger you look!!
Jane xx
Posted by on 03/24 at 12:32 PM
Absolutely gorgeous, stay with the cool charcoal Holly! I am at the skunk stage, which is so annoying, but I keep reminding myself that if I colour it I will only have to start all over again!
Posted by on 03/31 at 04:07 PM
That’s the right attitude! Just get a few hats you can wear when the roots drive you crazy. I did that, and then after a while I wasn’t so worried about the roots anymore.
It was kind of liberating to have crazy roots, like when Madonna has two-inch brown roots and doesn’t care.
Just keep repeating, it will all be worth it...it will all be worth it...it will all be worth it!
Posted by on 03/31 at 04:21 PM
Holly - how on earth have I missed your story before today? Guess I’m not navigating around enough. I do remember your story early on - and that you had a gray diva blog...but somehow I missed you here.
Your hair looks absolutely fabulous - either curly or straight. And - you mentioned something that I realized once again - now that I have graduated too. No more roots. Like you, I can part my hair in any direction I want...pull it back...fine...doesn’t matter...OH the FREEDOM!
Had an old friend drop by at work today - she walked into our newly modernized media center with her jaw hanging down (she used to be the media center teacher over 15 years ago - and we’ve had some HUGE changes). She walked around ewwing and awwing over all the beautiful changes...then she looked at me and said, “Your hair looks beautiful.” Made me smile! I’ve had my 3rd hair cut since graduating, and like you I am NEVER going back - but it’s still nice to hear that from folks who haven’t seen me in a while...a good reminder that I did the right thing.
Congrats to you and would love to meet up in person some time if you can get to a SoCA meet and greet!
Posted by on 04/01 at 12:23 PM
Thanks, SBKaren!! I’d like to come to a meet & greet too!
Speaking of old friends, I’ve been back on Facebook lately, finding people and whatnot. So far, I’m the only one of our 40--ish group that appears to have a headful of gray hair!!! Oh well, fighting the good fight here.
I’m gonna look for a gray hair group to join.
If anyone knows of one, let me know! Or if anyone wants to be “friends” on Facebook, look me up...Holly Colt
Posted by on 04/01 at 03:37 PM
Just noticed your new member album picture. I love how long your hair is getting! Beautiful!
Posted by on 04/06 at 12:28 PM
Thank you so much greeneyes! I hope to grow it a lot longer like Yasmina on the Great Inspirations page
Posted by on 04/06 at 01:43 PM
Holly - Wow! Your hair is amazing! It is sooo long now! Send a BIG here to your story! It looks fabulous!!
Posted by on 04/06 at 05:44 PM
Thanks! I forgot to mention Cindy Joseph on the Great Inspirations page...that’s another one I’m a fan of too. I’m just gonna keep growing my hair like hers and Yasmina’s.
Posted by on 04/06 at 06:08 PM
I LOVE your hair. I hope mine turns out half as pretty as yours.
Posted by on 04/11 at 12:39 PM
Holly your hair is simply beautiful. Your story is so motivating. I can relate to the monkey on the back. I plan to start transitioning this fall and your story is an inspiration!
Posted by on 04/16 at 12:49 PM
Thank you & go for it! No regrets and no roots!
Posted by on 04/16 at 08:20 PM
Holly~ You look absolutely STUNNING! Love the hair! I just recently did my last cut and I am eagerly waiting to grow my long hair back. Especially after seeing how beautiful yours is, it really makes me miss mine. Just beautiful!
Posted by on 05/07 at 06:35 PM
Thanks Aziza!!! I know just how you feel - I’m much more comfortable with longer hair too. This August will be the 2 year anniversary of not “die"ing my hair and I do not regret the decision one bit. I hope you will feel the same way. My friends & family are used to it by now and new people I meet will never know me with the crap-brown dyed hair.
Best of luck to you!!!
Posted by on 05/09 at 05:24 PM
Holly - just wanted to know if your hair is still long or have you gone shorter?
Posted by on 06/11 at 05:53 PM
Hi grayme,
My hair is longer than it’s been in quite a while. It’s probably a few inches longer than in the last picture here. After having to keep cutting and cutting to get rid of the brown, I’m happy to just let it grow!
Posted by on 06/12 at 11:40 AM
Your hair looks great!!!! Doi you highlight some black into it? it looks like its got some black… Am thinking of highlighting black to make the transition easier… What are your thoughts? Thanks and again you look great!!!!!
Posted by on 06/14 at 06:54 PM
Hi danielamb,
Thanks for the compliment!!! My hair color prior to the gray was dk brown to black so what you’re seeing is what’s left of the original color.
Sometimes when I’m feeling rebellious I do think about putting in some hot pink streaks, but that’s about it. I am just so happy not dying it any more! These days my thoughts are more about finding some hot new clothes to go with my non-crap-brown hair.....YAY!!! Best of luck to you :-D
Posted by on 06/15 at 07:08 AM
Holly, you are such a natural beauty! I love your gorgeous silver-streaked hair.
Posted by on 06/21 at 03:14 PM
Thank you so much Heidi!! What’s a shame was how crappy it looked dyed all different shades of brown for all those years....
Posted by on 06/22 at 06:37 AM
Beautiful head of hair, you look wonderful! I found your blog before I found this sight. I had fun checking it out. My, but we are a brave and honest group of women, aren’t we? Linda
Posted by on 07/14 at 02:48 PM
Hi Holly,
As a “Story Girl,” you’ve inspired so many of us here on GGLG. But imagine what your story could do on Oprah! As you may or may not know, Goldie is doing a write-in campaign. But it’s more than that. As a former Oprah makeover girl herself, she knows the producers to reach and is going to send in a book of our “Letters to Oprah.” I know some of us have written individually to Oprah before, but these can get easily lost in the 20,000 emails a day the show receives. This effort will be carefully targeted, and we will have strength in numbers. I urge you to go to the homepage, and see the “Hello, Oprah” link. Called Goldie’s Campaign, it will tell you all you need to know to share your story, once again, only this time, you may have Oprah herself reading it! Please join us in this campaign. Begin your letter “Dear Oprah,"-- and don’t forget to mention the website and/or book. Doesn’t have to be long, just from the heart. Thanks,
Posted by on 08/03 at 01:10 PM
Holly, Just wondering - how long did it take to grow your bangs out? I am trying to let mine grow some but is taking forever!!
Posted by on 08/22 at 12:34 PM
Hi grayme,
It seems like they grow at about 1/2 inch per month. I’m still growing them because I got a wild hair in June and cut them back again. Now I’ve promised myself to grow them all the way out again until I can get a really cool chic haircut with all one length - this would be something I’ve never done! Hope I can make it without cutting those darn bangs again!!!
Posted by on 08/22 at 01:48 PM
hi holly/graydiva! enjoyed reading your story and your hair is gorgeous! i am in summer 2009 newbies, my pictures are up there. i’d love to read about your journey, but when i tried to pull up your graydiva.com website, it said it didn’t exist. is the site you had still up and running? thanks.. amy
Posted by on 08/26 at 11:54 AM
Holly, wow, you look beautiful.
Thanks for sharing your story, i am 34 years old and i’m about to go natural, after so much hassle with my hair, which is just so frizzy and damaged.
Carly
Posted by on 10/23 at 05:36 AM
Hi there Carly! Thanks and I can totally relate to you! My hair was dry like straw and I was always freaking out about the roots - but no more.
Congrats on making the decision not to dye any more! Go buy yourself some cute hats and ignore the people think you should keep dying ( dyeing ?) not sure how to spell that anymore - ha ha!!
Posted by on 10/24 at 10:26 AM
Hi Holly,
I’m new to GGLG and came across your story after browsing photos of all the gorgeous women on the site. I think my hair looks most like yours, and I must say, you are so incredibly beautiful with your silver hair! I am 53 years old and have been graying (and dying) my hair since I was in my early 30’s. I very recently made the decision to embrace the silver halo of light that God gave me. I always admired both my parents beautiful silver/white hair. It has been six weeks since I colored my hair, and I know I’ll need some strength to get through the transition. I will look to your story as often as need be to get me through. I think we both know that So Cal is not an easy place for silver acceptance! Thank you so much for the inspiration!
With kind regards,
Marta
San Diego
Posted by on 11/20 at 02:41 PM
Wow Marta - what kind comments! I sincerely appreciate it and wish you all the best in your quest to shed the dye. I think you will find that your hair will be so much healthier and softer as a result of not coloring any more.
I have referred to Diana’s book and this website frequently when looking to update my style, since nobody wants to look older with their gray hair. Also I had to get rid of a bunch of brown clothes and accessories which I never looked good in anyway. Now I am back to the color palette that suits my skin & hair the best, and the shopping was fun too!!
I hope you’ll send in some pictures if you haven’t already so we can watch your transformation!!
Posted by on 11/20 at 03:39 PM
Absolutely stunning!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Posted by on 01/05 at 10:31 AM
Thanks and Happy New Year!!
Posted by on 01/05 at 06:23 PM
Your natural hair looks so full of body it is an inspiration!
Posted by on 01/19 at 07:51 AM
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In this Section
- Carol Anne’s Story
- Jill’s Story
- Winona’s Story
- The Way We Were
- Cool Guys
- Barbara’s Story
- Happy Dayz
- Cool Girls
- Debbie’s Story
- Gray Mama
- Goldies’ Story
- Lovin It
- Holly’s Story
- Great Inspirations: Gray-Haired Celebrities
- Heidi’s Story
- Maureen’s Story
- Silver Superheroes
- Newbie Graduates Gallery: Gray Hair Before and Afters
- Melody’s Story
- 50+ Myth Busters
- Sharon’s Story
- Michel’s Story
- Elizabeth’s Story
- Carol’s Story
- Great Grays Gallery
- Three Reasons to Send Us Your Picture
- Shira’s Story