Any other topic we haven’t covered that you’d like to talk about? Here’s the place!
Posted by on 12/06 at 01:58 PM
I’m liking the changes i see in my hair and in myself. People are noticing my hair and tell me i look great.I hold my head high and proud. I don’t think of my hair as being gray, to me they are beautiful sparkling highlights.
Posted by on 04/25 at 09:12 AM
Hi Zoe --
That’s great! Wasn’t it just about 3 weeks ago you said you needed some good support? You also said you knew this journey was going to give you more confidence and make you stronger, which was more important than the color of your hair. Well, guess what—that’s YOU saying “I hold my head high and proud.” Sounds like you have gone through the metamorphosis that so many women here talk about. Even if you haven’t completely gone through transitioning. The perspective thing is so important—and that includes seeing your hair as a color, and seeing the “beautiful sparkling highlights.” Glad you’ve come so far. Best, D.
Posted by on 04/25 at 12:35 PM
Hey I found this site it has some cute t shirts. One says Gray is the New Blondes, anothers says I’m openly GRAY theres more...thought I’d share it with y’all.
http://www.cafepress.com/buy/gray+hair/-/source_searchBox
Lori
Posted by on 04/25 at 06:33 PM
Here’s alink to another sight but their shirts are on clearance and sizes are limited.
http://www.signals.com/signals/Item_Gray-Is-The-New-Blonde-Shirts_HE4622G_ps_dpr.html
Lori
Posted by on 04/25 at 06:42 PM
I am wondering since my coloring made me an Autum and I like gold jewelery does that mean when I finally have all my gray hair will gold look ok? And will I be able to wear autum colors or at least most of them? I do have some yellow in my skin especially the rest of my body and I tan very easily. Looking through my hair I believe most of it will be white which will be ok with me. It is really nice belonging to a support group like this and I have a feeling I am going to need it more and more.
Diane
Posted by on 05/05 at 08:04 AM
Hi Diane,
I too was an Autumn gal...the only color I can’t seem to wear anymore is the cream/beige family. I also love my gold jewelery and still wear all my peices...I love the color of your skin! I bet the gold looks great on you! No matter what the color of your hair!
It sounds like you have a beautiful head of hair growing!
Excited to hear updates and see your progress 
Posted by on 05/06 at 05:01 AM
Hey Diane—The “Seasons” thing was a shorthand way to start everyone thinking about color in relation to their skintone and eye color. And it was a good thing because it helped women think in terms of color “families,” or seasons, if you will. You’ve solved the critical issue—you know you have some yellow in your skintone. Now you can be truly season-less! You can experiment with colors (see the Fashion Finds section for some tips), and choose shades that have some yellow in them. (I don’t mean yellow, per se, but shades with yellow—coral instead of pink, turquiose instead of blue, etc.) Having gray hair gives you that kind of incentive, because now you’ll need to boost your complexion, and clothes can do it!
So can jewelry. Look for something bright and sparkling to put nearest your face. It’s great to cast light. Pearls are good, too, because they give off a soft luminescence. And don’t throw out your gold! Sure, silver jewelry is an obvious choice, but I always choose jewelry by what I am wearing, and not by my hair color. If I’m wearing gray, for instance, there’s nothing like the clean bite of silver with it. But if I’m wearing a deep shade like brown or burgundy, I go for the warmth of gold. Black or white can go either way. Silver looks very modern and cool with these tones, gold still looks wonderful.
In the book, one of our experts (actually the accessories director of Neiman Marcus) suggested a rose-gold as a good alternative because it adds a nuance of color that takes it a little further away from yellow. That’s nice, too, if you’re gold-shopping. But metals have an optical value of their own—they add their own kind of gleam and punch—and they never have to “blend in” with your complexion or your hair.
That’s the great thing about going gray—it allows you to evolve and experiment, but most of all, it doesn’t lock you into a formula. You get to play! 
Posted by on 05/06 at 07:03 AM
Jennifer,
I love your new picture! You radiate!
You mentioned in the Newbie chat that you are wanting to grow your hair out to your shoulders...but the short length for you is “easy”. I can’t agree with you more! When my hair was short it was so easy! A little bit of gel and I was out the door.
I have to say...the longer hair is just as easy. It wasn’t easy growing it out. There are so many different stages when going for length, but it has been well worth it!
You have a wonderful shine and curl to your hair...I’d love to see it long.
Posted by on 05/08 at 04:21 AM
Yeah—but for some people (particularly those with hair that doesn’t go naturally straight) longer hair IS time intensive. 
I LOVED the quick-gel-and-out-the-door when my hair was short. Loved it soooo much, I’m thinking about doing this again. But I know what you mean, Jennifer, when you say you just want to experiment, to see yourself with long gray locks. I think we’ve gotta see what it CAN be before we make our decision. I do love this look on you, Jennifer, though. It’s chic, sophisticated, and downright fab! Ohhhh, what to do?
Posted by on 05/08 at 04:41 AM
Mmmmmmm...to “grow or not to “grow”...to “cut or not to “cut"…
We live during a time when hairstyles are so diverse! Society needs to get up to “speed” when it comes to the beauty of gray...but there are alot of choices when it comes to the cut.
I think femininity is more of a state of mind and attitude than hair length. I can’t help but think of Kathrine Hepburn...it didn’t matter what the length of her hair was.
She had an attitude of a strong, sassy, sophisticated, feminine woman...and yes...she was also a “great gray”!!!!
Don’t get me wrong...certain hairstyles give off different vibes. I do think a lot of the “vibe” also has to come from within...style imitates life.
Posted by on 05/08 at 05:53 AM
Darnit! I did it again! I always say “Katherine Hepburn” but I mean Audrey Hepburn!!! My bad!
Posted by on 05/09 at 03:08 PM
Diana -
In response to your message on the home page, about the SELF article....well, you’re getting me started!
Gray hair does not equal old and tired...I don’t feel old, but I was feeling TIRED of hiding behind the dye. Honestly, this experience makes me feel more vibrant and healthy; it is very freeing to say, “THIS is the real me! And hey, I look pretty good!” :o)
Gray is not an age; it is simply a hair color! No other hair color is associated with an age; gray shouldn’t be either. In fact, when I look around, I begin to think blonde is the color of “old” - so many ladies get lighter the older they get! :o) I think silver or white hair is more dramatic than gold or yellow, anyhow!
And, in my humble opinion, everyone looks better in their natural color, even when going gray. Our hair color really does match our skin tones - hey, God is smarter than hair color companies.
Okay, enough from me.
Posted by on 05/16 at 09:06 AM
Can I hear an “AMEN”!!!! Well said Greeneyes!
Posted by on 05/16 at 09:18 AM
Bravo! Well said. And, of course, I couldn’t agree with you more!
And about blonde vs. white/platinum/silver—I happen to think the gray tonalities are much more modern, as well. We’ve seen the women “of a certain age” going blonde for so many years, it gets a bit, well, boring.
I was just reading something from CEW (Cosmetic Executive Women), quoting Carol Hamilton, who is the president of L’Oréal, Paris. She’s known for changing her hair color frequently. Why? She says “It helps me find out firsthand what it’s like to be a brunette, blonde or redhead. I think it’s the best way to learn about the power of hair color.”
Uh, Carol, aren’t you forgetting something?
The sooner these color-in-a-box companies realize that gray IS a color, the better their product selection will be. The “power of color” can open up the “power of a whole new market.”
Posted by on 05/16 at 09:24 AM
Diana…
I’ve been thinking...do you think this is just a cycle in “history”?
If you go back 40+ years a full figured woman was the epitome of the ideal/dream woman! Now...geeesh...don’t get me started!
Who sets the “standard”? Who sets the “trends”? I want the “tide” to turn...I want the mind set in reguards to gray hair to change. I guess I’m feeling a little impatient today
There is power in numbers...and yet this website was created by the “power of one”! You began as the flame...we are part of what is fanning it! I want this Gray Revolution to spread…
We ARE Silver...we ARE sexy...we ARE basking in the feelings/reality of being FREE! It’s such an empowering feeling! You want everyone to “get it"..."understand it”...they don’t have to grow gray themselves to embrace it! People can just stand back and appreciate the beauty...enjoy the radiance.
Mmmmmmmm....like I said earlier, “I’m feeling impatient”.
Posted by on 05/16 at 10:17 AM
Patience, little one. . .heehee—patience comes in all sizes. The patience the Newbies are having to call on right now. . . grow, gray, grow! The patience you have to have when you’re having a “bad gray day.” The patience you need when you KNOW something is right, and have to wait for the rest of the world to catch up. This website, for instance, has been 5 years a’bornin’. Well, no—but first it started with the book. I knew it was right. Then the process of re-printing, starting the site. I still knew it was the right thing to do. And now—ALL of you are proving it.
So now we all need a little more patience. As you say, none of us is out to turn the world gray. Women can be whatever color they’re happiest with. That’s my firm philosophy. What we want—if I can speak for all of you—is just an acceptance of gray as a viable color. A color that doesn’t mean OLD. A color that doesn’t mean you’re “letting yourself go.” A color that means you can be as glamourous and sexy as the next blonde. That’s it, pure and simple.
All I can say is, the more we show it—prove it—the more it will be OK to be gray. It’s all up to us, really. Betcha all didn’t think you were part of a “movement,” but you are. It’s not about being gray—it’s about being what you darn well want to be! If that changes the “cycle,” so much the better! Yes, it’s going to take time—changing mindsets always does. But , to quote the great line from Ocean’s Twelve—“Are you in?” Then let’s go do this thing.
Thanks to all of you—D.
Posted by on 05/16 at 10:45 AM
I’m IN!!!!!!! 
Posted by on 05/16 at 10:49 AM
First let me say, “I’m in!”
Thank you--this discussion is just what I needed to see today! I’ve been thinking the same thing lately, that blond, especially those two and three toned high and lowlight blond colors-are the color of older women. Of course I am or was (getting there) one of them. So while I certainly do not judge those women who choose to get that hair color, it is beginning to symbolize a kind of forced conformity and I apologize if this is too strong a word, but a kind of oppression.
I did have a weak moment earlier this week but I’m feeling strong today. I blow dried my hair this morning and saw many colors and I thought to myself, I look good and I’m doing this!!!
Posted by on 05/16 at 11:29 AM
Hi Beth,
When you are in a constant state of “conceal and carry"..."hiding out”...it is exausting! For some, it IS a form of oppression! I didn’t realize how “bound” I was to coloring my hair until it was “officially over”...then this resolve came over me. At times it was soooo depressing! Not because of the color, the color is/was beautiful...it was the fear of being seen as “old”, “tired” and “unattractive”.
Then this amazing transformation started to “bubble up” in my heart...I am NOT defined by the color of my hair! No matter what the color is! I love it when Diana says “gray is just another color”! It’s true! I can think of many adjectives to describe how I feel and see myself and others with Gray hair, “old” is NOT one of them!
Be SEXY at 20,30 ,40 ,50 ,60 ,70, 80+…
Be SOPHISTICATED at 20,30,40,50,60,70,80+…
Be SASSY at....+
Be SILVER at 20,30,40,50,60,70,80+
Dream Big at 20,30,40,50,60,70,80+
One of the most powerful lines I ever heard in a movie was when Mel Gibson in Braveheart called his men forth with the battle cry “FREEEEDOM”....that is something that rises up in my heart when I read all the comments, heart felt stories and personal journeys that are being shared here.
This kind of energy and transformation will be contagious...again, it doesnt matter your age, hair color, nationality, education...it’s a matter of the heart and what you choose to believe about yourself!
I’m in agreement with you...You DO look good and you ARE on an incredible personal journey...wonderful new adventures are yours for the taking!
Posted by on 05/16 at 12:06 PM
Hi Elizabeth,
What a wonderful reply--your generosity of spirit is beautiful as is your appearance! I’ve read your story many times and it has helped me start and continue this transition.
Thank you!
Posted by on 05/16 at 12:49 PM
I read the article in ‘Self’ and was pretty dismayed at the old, frumpy stereotypical comments that the author (innocently I am sure) blamed on the gray hair but really.....weren’t there a lot of other things going on in the author’s head, life and lifestyle that could have contributed as much or more to the ‘gray’ approach she took to going natural? Who sadly doesn’t know a frumpy, stuck in the mud 20 or even 30 something that can’t hold a candle to a vibrant woman of 40, 50 or 60!
What is ‘old? Case in point! Wednesday night my spouse and I went to see the touring B-way production of Jesus Christ Superstar with Ted Neely as JC. Ted was an original JC on B-way in the 70’s, as well as Godspell and played JC in the movie version many moons ago.
He’s 65 years old now trying to play the part of a 33 year old Christ among a cast of 20 somethings. Needless to say overwhelmingly the audience found his casting less than authentic and it set everything else amiss. Ageist? No!
Tonight I came home from seeing BB King in concert. At 82 there is nothing ‘old’ about this legend...the body may be slowed down by diabetes but the voice, guitar and spirit...are ageless. Everything about BB was authentic and age was never a factor. He easily held his own and overshadowed the warm-up band of 30 somethings.
Somehow I think the old age perception has more to do with authenticity and spirit than a number or even hair color. A person’s attitude, spirit, the way they carry themselves etc. So let’s not blame the gray or the calendar...old might come from somewhere else and so the apparently ‘youngest’ most vibrant person in the room may just be the one with all the snow on the roof!
Posted by on 05/16 at 08:52 PM
Wow - what an interesting contrast. An “old” JC and a vibrant BB! You paint the picture well. And your point is well-taken. I think it always has to do more with the fire in the furnace than the snow on the roof.
“Old” IS an attitude. I’d like to say it’s all in your head, but if it’s physically affecting your body, it’s not. Still, that spirit can be there, that fire, that authenticity. I do think the author of the Self article had a lot going on in her life, pregnancy not the least of it. And what woman doesn’t feel frumpy when she’s packed on 30 pounds? In fairness, I think it was all too much, too soon for her. But the automatic equating of gray with old was just too easy an out.
I think you have to confront your “inner frump” first before you go blaming the color of your hair! Oh yes, we all have inner frumps! Think of your fuzzy slipper days. They’re not bad hair days. They’re inner frump days. And they happen to everybody at every age. . . and with every shade of hair.
Posted by on 05/16 at 09:30 PM
I am at the place where my grey, mostly white is really showing up. I have a question, first of all I have wavey hair and it is fairly short, what is the best way to crunch your hair? What products would you suggest that doesn’t cost a fortune? Thanks for any imput. Diane
Posted by on 05/17 at 03:26 AM
Good morning, Carol, and thanks.
Are you the proud owner of a flat iron, yet?
Posted by on 05/17 at 05:40 AM
Back to “the movement” for a minute...I was just talking to my boyfriend about this yesterday. He was telling me about a woman that he saw on a plane and she had short silver hair with a streak of pink running through it. She was dressed in a pretty funky outfit so I guess she wanted to add a little “zing” to her hair as well. Anyway, now that I’m on this path, he notices women with their natural silver/white/charcoal hair--often. I said “And you’re gonna keep seeing more. Because there’s a revolution going on.” And I really feel that’s true. As Diana said, the more we show that it’s okay to be gray out there in the world the more other women will say “Hey, if SHE can do it...” The old attitude was, “Geez, I don’t see any women my age letting their gray come in...I better not, either.” I know that’s how I thought. I wasn’t going to be a one-woman revolution. But we are not one, we are many!
Now if my hair would just hurry up and grow faster : - )
That patience thing is another story…
Lisa
Posted by on 05/17 at 06:04 PM
P.S. Tried to find the May copy of SELF and can only find June out there. I’ll keep looking. I’m sure curious to read it.
Posted by on 05/17 at 06:06 PM
Beth,
I just saw the picture of your new hair cut...I LOVE it!! The layers in the back are done really well,it’s a great style!
Enjoy the “new look”, you look fabulous!
Posted by on 05/21 at 10:00 PM
Elizabeth,
Thank you so much! It is a big change and I as you can see I am posting in the middle of the night. LOL
Even though I do love it, I was having a bit of that, “what are they going to say at work tomorrow” anxiety. Your feedback is most appreciated!!!
I feel like I am getting back to the real me, it feels like some kind of inner gears are shifting even though all the dyed hair is not gone yet.
Thanks again!
Beth
Posted by on 05/22 at 01:06 AM
Beth,
I know exactly how you are feeling right now...I know those moments are really hard!
I looked at your picture again and I think you look radiant! You glow...the hairstyle is perfect for your face...it defines the wonderful structure of your cheekbones and you have beautiful skin!
Walk tall today Beth! You look great!
Posted by on 05/22 at 04:32 AM
Beth, I love the cut! Isn’t it wild to see your natural colour?? Not sure how many years since you’ve seen yours, but it’s been over two decades for me. I must admit I’ve been hesitant to look at my hair from all angles but last night I held up a mirror and looked at the back and saw my dark brown hair (streaked with some gray...) for the first time in 25 years! Wow--makes me wonder why I was hiding it for so long.
All you “cutters” have inspired me--I am bumping my cut date up a week (that means next week) to get this process rolling faster!
Lisa
Posted by on 05/22 at 04:46 AM
Elizabeth, thank you so much for your kind words!! I’m going to keep them in my mind today.
Lisa, I haven’t seen this much of natural dark brown for 15 years. I started coloring my hair at 38. I know, I was wondering the same thing! I’ll be looking forward to seeing your hair cut!
I have to say, it is extremely uplifting for me to not see all that fading dyed blonde hair next to my face!
Posted by on 05/22 at 05:00 AM
Has anyone tried the Ojon hair products? I was watching QVC yesterday and this product was featured. Before purchasing (it is rather expensive), I would like to find out if anyone has had positive results. None of the “models” that this product was used on for demonstrating had gray hair. —Hope all are having a great day!
Posted by on 05/26 at 05:55 AM
Grayme—Ojon is covered in this site under “Products You Should Know About/HAIR”. You’ll find that in the Latest & Greatest column on the homepage. When you get to the HAIR page, scroll down, and you’ll find an article titled “Going nutty for thicker, shinier hair?” That’s all about Ojon. This is a good place to find more in-depth information about it and several products in the line.
Also, several Members have tried it, and there’s chat about it all through the Café. Even in this section. Click on page 2, and you’ll find some, you’ll also find some comments in the chat under Elizabeth’s story, and there’s more, in Gone Gray. . . and Loving it? and scattered throughout.
Short answer: Do women with gray hair have positive results? Absolutely!
Posted by on 05/26 at 07:32 AM
Grayme,
I use Ojon products daily...I love what it does for my hair!
In my experience it’s well worth the money.
Posted by on 05/26 at 08:21 AM
I just saw a report on CNN by Jill Dougherty, she has beautiful white/gray hair. It’s so nice to see people in the media looking so great and being natural.
Posted by on 05/28 at 02:56 AM
Hi Pam - yup! This can be inspirational. In fact, you’ve inspired me. So I put some info and a pic of Jill in our Newsflash section for all of you who would like to see what she looks like and learn more.
Don’t forget, you can get to Newsflash from the Home Page. Just scroll down the Latest & Greatest column on the right, and it’s at the very end.
Thanks for the tip, Pam!
Posted by on 05/28 at 04:23 AM
Great Newsflash--I love it! I think the confines of coloring hair, for those who don’t want to, is finally going away. I am seeing more women every day. It’s wonderful!
Posted by on 05/28 at 05:02 AM
Maybe someone has an answer. If people say gray hair makes you look older, how come we all get so many compliments?
Posted by on 05/29 at 06:54 PM
Because we’re not from the generation that “gave in” to gray! We know:
1. It’s just another COLOR
2. How to make gray look modern, young, and attractive
3. How to keep fit and stay active
4. When to make minor adjustments in wardrobe and makeup colors
5. Why staying true to yourself is the best de-ager around
And the compliments prove it!! So, everybody, go out there and collect some more!
Posted by on 05/30 at 06:02 AM
Diana, yes! I love those reasons, especially number 5!
and Zoe--hey, at 53 I am glad to be healthy and alive and I am ready to own my age! I enjoyed my younger years and if someone thinks I am 63 when my gray comes in, so be it! I will be proud and happy to be that age too! and any thereafter!
Posted by on 05/30 at 07:03 AM
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