Diana, really enjoyed the interview!  Can’t wait for the others.  Thanks for posting it.  I have a little over an inch grown out and am wondering how in the world I’m going to be able to pull this off before the chop.  I was beginning to wonder if it was worth it.  Thanks for the shot in the arm!  Very encouraging.  Do you know of a good source to check out pictures of really short haircuts?  I’d like to start getting ideas and have something to take to my stylist.  I’ve never had my hair really short.  So I have some concerns about if I’ll even be able to tell if I like my gray hair.  It will all look so different than it’s ever been before.  Acutally the exact opposite of what I originally had......long dark to very short 90% white.  It’s a little hard to get my head around!  Thanks again for all your great info!

Posted by gg2006 on 08/13 at 09:36 AM

Hi gg2006—well, you’ve given me a shot in the arm, too.  Thanks for your comments. Here’s a site to browse really short hairstyles: http://www.hairshow.us. Click on Hairstyles in the upper bar, and a menu will drop down and you can click on short hairstyles. You may have to scroll a bit to get to reeeely short ones, but they offer 930 different short hair looks, so I’m sure you’ll find something in there!

This will be a big change for you—maybe you should go medium/short at first, just to avoid the shock factor! You might need a period of adjustment. Remember what one of our Newbies said—when she got hers cut to an inch all over, it sent her straight back to the bottle (of dye)! Sometimes, you can’t tell if it’s the cut or the gray that’s getting you down!

Posted by Diana Jewell on 08/13 at 09:59 AM

I agree.  If I don’t really like it after the cut I may have a hard time telling if it’s the cut or the gray.  I have already done a medium/short cut.  I did when I first started to grow it out about two months ago.  But there is a big difference in short and REALLY short! It’s a scary new world for me!  It just seems like it would take forever to blend it in and let all the color finally grow off.  Do you have any idea at about what length most women let it grow before they cut all the color off?  I had two inches in my head but am having a hard time picturing what it would look like that short.

Thanks for the info about the site for hairstyles.  I’m going to look at it right now. 

Posted by gg2006 on 08/13 at 10:10 AM

Oh goodness, the length issue is such a personal one. You can see from our Newbies pages, some women get it chopped off right away because they KNOW they don’t want to go through a long growing-in process.  Others don’t really want to go too short, and get a medium-length bob. When I went through transitioning, almost all my silver was in before I finally went very short. And I didn’t do it because I was sick of transitioning—I did it because I wanted short hair! And, I have to say, I loved it short. I had always been a long-hair gal, too, and I felt so free with short hair. It was soooo easy to style.

GG—there are so many things you can try to get you through this 2” stage—headbands, temporary rinses, zig-zag parts, layers, root touch-up wands, pulling your hair back at the sides to show the pretty silver around your face. If it’s scary for you to go short right now—don’t! Try everything else instead. You’ll know when your roots start to really bug you. That’s when you’ll want to do it. Or not!

Posted by Diana Jewell on 08/13 at 10:40 AM

That sounds like good advice. Thanks for the suggestions!  I’ll keep working on it!

Posted by gg2006 on 08/13 at 10:59 AM

Diana, I really enjoyed the interview. So nice to see you moving and speaking!! 
Your hair looks great here and I love the elegance of your outfit.
Sharon

Posted by Sharon on 08/13 at 02:24 PM

Diana - I agree with Sharon....it was nice to hear your voice and look at you. :o) Now when I read your book or your comments, I will be able to “hear” you speaking.

Loved the interview, too. I’m looking forward to more!

Posted by greeneyes on 08/13 at 05:04 PM

between watching the olymipics ...reading the book and now adding the wonderful interview to the agenda ...well it has been a great afternoon..this show was very informative and Diana i love your hair (as well as your outfit ... actually this afternoon i visited with the mother of one of a very dear childhood friend and told her that i was going “au natural” and she clapped her hands and said “good for you”!! so all those “permed” ladies out there have our “backs”!!! let’s go gals hi ho silver!! (has that been done here before?? if so sorry…

louann

Posted by lainla3 on 08/13 at 05:48 PM

Hi Diana! how nice to hear your voice!  great job and thanks so much for posting!  Helen G

Posted by Thisyear on 08/13 at 06:43 PM

Thanks for the compliments, guys—as you all know, it is difficult seeing yourself on video.  Much less posting it!  I don’t think I really DO look and talk like that, but the voice sounds strangely familiar.

Posted by Diana Jewell on 08/14 at 05:36 AM

Diana,
Great interview, it was fabulous! I am looking forward to her next segments.

GG- I am in the same boat as you, but I have had really short hair before, so the fear is not there about the unknown. I have 1 week before I chop to 2 inches, and I am nervous. However, because I really know what I am getting into, and I will miss certain things about my nearly shoulder length hair, I am taking time off from work to get used to it,and my new grey. Just like when I had new dye color, I have found it best for my confidence to go out in public a bit slowly.

Also I know full well what a drag it is to grow hair out from short cuts too, having done it twice. there are days it just looks wacky, especially over the ears, I tend to poof out before it lays down.

So I plan to have fun with the short hair for a while before I grow it out again.

Posted by ruthmgon on 08/14 at 06:03 AM

ruthmgon,

I looked at your pics trying to do a little comparing.  When you do the chop to 2 inches will you get all the dyed hair off?  Your pics look like you are a little ahead of me.  I’m at the 9 wk point now.  I have a little over an inch growth.  I am planning on waiting until I have 2” growth before I do the chop.  It’s just getting harder and harder to hide with the drastic color difference.  My scalp got a little irritated with some of the products I was using to help the back combing stay in.  I’m really nervous about cutting it that short, but I don’t see any way around it.

Do you use Colormark?  Does it stain and will it color 90% white?

Thanks a lot for sharing!
Sheila

Posted by gg2006 on 08/14 at 08:13 AM

Hi Diana, just wanted to say I thoroughly enjoyed your interview!!  I called my grand daughter to come and watch with me and the first thing she said was “wow, she has pretty hair”, and I couldn’t agree more!  I love my new cut so much that I will not go back to long.  I am just going to keep it trimmed and give it plenty of TLC.  So,so glad I picked up the phone and made THE CALL a few days ago.  Best of all, I did not need my daughter to come along.  With all of the wonderful support and encouragement I’ve had since finding this site I am much more confident with my decision to go natural! 

Posted by lulubell on 08/14 at 08:52 AM

Diana,
Fantastic interview! Keep ‘em coming!

Posted by DianeW on 08/14 at 07:13 PM

Sheila,
Color Mark is really great, but pricey. It covers my white hairs, but its just sold for small areas. It washes completely out, stains while it is wet, and wipes up off the counter. Way better than hair dye anyway.
I am not sure I can answer you any better than Diana’s suscinct answer above...but I will try to answer you more at length in the newbies section:go to Cafe Grey>Lets hear it for the newbies>

Posted by ruthmgon on 08/15 at 02:18 AM

Diana,
Loved the interview. You are so classy.  I agree with the others, it was great to see and hear you. Your hair is beautiful!  Thanks for the site and always good information. 

Posted by melody on 08/15 at 08:38 AM

Thanks Ruth, Lulubell, Diane and Melody—I still cringe at this, but, hey, anything for the site, right? If you guys can post your growing out looks, I guess I should be brave, too.  I think the interviews coming up are even more interesting—we get into the “fun” stuff like makeup and wardrobe. I just don’t have them yet—gotta wait ‘til they go up on Viv’s site.  Soon, I hope.

Speaking of Viv’s site—you all should really go there. On the very lively home page, click on “Come Inside”—then, at the top of that page, you’ll see a screen in the top center. Click on that, and you’ll get a fantastic look “inside” the hair industry. It was taken at the preview party for her new documentary, with clips from it, and you’ll see some really poignant footage about what’s going on in your hairstylists’ minds. As well as some very fun interviews. Here’s the link again: http://www.hairdesignertv.com

Posted by Diana Jewell on 08/15 at 09:13 AM

Diana
Loved seeing you and hearing your voice.
Great job!
You looked Amazing!
Your hair is such a beautiful shining example of a youthful gray.
The sparkle of diamonds in your ears,, an asset and nice touch.
P.S.(I would love to have a blouse like that--perfect!)
Very informative ---especially on free-radicals.
Thank You!
Carol Q

Posted by Carol Quinley on 08/15 at 05:29 PM

Diana,

I really enjoyed the interview.  Nice to actually hear you.  I look forward to the future interviews.  Thanks - Deb B

Posted by Debbie on 08/18 at 05:37 AM

Hello Diana!  Marvelous interview.  What fun!  So glad you posted it here for our enjoyment.  I’m looking forward to segments 2 & 3.

Posted by lisagreen on 08/20 at 09:22 AM

Aw, thanks Carol, Debbie, and Lisagreen!  One good thing about it—I’m hearing from some of you who haven’t posted in awhile.  That’s fun! You know, Carol, I thought the free-radical stuff got a little too technical, but women have been hearing about free radicals forEVER, without knowing what they really are and why they can cause damage.  I put that info in the book, but for those who don’t have the book, it sounds just like so much cosmetic clap-trap. So, in the end, I’m kinda glad it didn’t get edited out. It’s funny—I had to go back and check to see what earrings I was wearing!! Thanks for the compliments.

Posted by Diana Jewell on 08/20 at 10:48 AM

Diana!!

Well, the first thing I want to say is that you looked fabulous!!
Then, the photos and all the visual material was also excellent.

The interview was very informational and down to earth.

You are a pioneer and a trend-setter, it was thanks to your book that I was lucky enough to find at our regional library that helped me to muster the courage to go on this 17 month journey.

As you say it is a fun journey of discovery.

I also love your elegant website and now with these interviews you take the support experience to yet another level.

Thank you! Thank you! Thank you!

Roe

Posted by Roe on 08/23 at 08:32 AM

Hi Roe—I’m a little late in getting back to you because I see you posted on what was the first day of my vacation. I’ve been back for awhile, but I never checked out this section. (I think it has something to do with me not wanting to see myself!)

I’m just so glad you’re still checking us out.  Haven’t heard from you in awhile! And, my gosh—has it been 17-months for you now?  You must be all in by this time.  Would love to see a pic!

I still remember when I posted to you on another website!  Time does fly. Thanks for your kind words, and I do hope we live up to them! Let’s keep hearing from you!

Posted by Diana Jewell on 09/07 at 07:05 PM

Diana -

It was a pleasure to watch you in your interview.  Your hair is just gorgeous.  I also want to thank you for this website. While I have always considered myself a strong woman, not really beholden to what others think, deciding to ‘go gray’ was difficult.  I found your website near the end of my journey - but now I venture on another one - the care and maintenance of my a la natural hair color.  I will never dye again!

I’ve actually got a few women talking at work about following in my footsteps.  Wow - that feels pretty good!

Posted by SBKaren on 09/19 at 02:48 PM

Well, you’re welcome, SBKaren.  The journey is never over—because once we have our “sterling silver,” we want to keep it in the best condition we can. So I hope you’ll continue to chat with us here, and find out all sorts of things about keeping your gray in the best shape ever!

And see-- it only takes a leader to start things off among your peers!  Good going. Hope you’ll tell them about this site!

Posted by Diana Jewell on 09/19 at 03:29 PM

Dina - I not only tell everyone about this site, I told my stylist about it.  She is going to link it to her Facebook account. She also teachers a class through our local recreation department on styling your own hair.  She’s very interested.

Posted by SBKaren on 09/19 at 03:33 PM

And I absolutely hate it when I make a typo and don’t catch it before I post it.  It’s the educator in me!

Posted by SBKaren on 09/19 at 03:35 PM

Heee—perfectly ok, SBKaren.  And that’s cool about your stylist linking it to her Facebook account. 

Posted by Diana Jewell on 09/19 at 04:52 PM

That was a great interview, Diana.  You come across as very personable I’m the only one in my circle of friends that has taken the plunge.  But, I’m seeing more and more women sporting sassy silver tresses.

Posted by chattycat on 10/03 at 03:50 PM

Thanks, chattycat.  Well, that’s sort of the magic of gray, you DO begin to notice it more. And that’s because there’s more of us!!

Posted by Diana Jewell on 10/03 at 04:11 PM

Diana,

I just treated myself to watching two new segments: cosmetics and clothing.  As usual with your work, they are superb.

We are so lucky to have you and your passion for helping us look good “in our hair” is a truly commendable work.

Everything in these segments is so useful, I will have to look at these several times so as not to forget anything.  I can’t wait to go shopping.

I was shying away from tweeds because I have the salt and pepper, I will have to keep trying stuff on.

What about prints?  I find that many prints that worked great when I had black dyed hair no longer
go with me, it seems to look too busy…

And your tip about the eyebrows!! So true!! I can’t find someone who will do a good job on them though.  I had a great one done once and I haven’t been able to match that look again!  The next time I am pleased, I will take a digital photo and blow [eyes and eyebrows] up to life size and laminate it so I can give it to the person who does it.  Even if it is the same person.

I once read that there are these higher priced eyebrow specialists who charge say $100 but do an amazing job that you then try to follow-up, can you give us more info about that?

Anyway, keep up the good work we need you as much as our skin needs moisturizer!!  All of us women need to, at least know even if they choose to dye, that we can let our hair be more natural and often times with a lot more grace and beauty!!!

Roe

Posted by Roe on 11/12 at 01:22 PM

Hi Roe!  Um, where did you see the two new segments?  Did you go to hairdesignertv’s website? I don’t THINK we’ve put them up here yet.

Thanks for the nice words! Yes, never shy away from a good salt and pepper tweed—it actually reinforces your overall palette. Just brighten it up a bit, maybe with a bright scarf or bold necklace to bring color closer to the face.

Prints shouldn’t be a problem. But you might find the background or predominant color in some of your favorite prints is wrong now. Small, ditsy prints can look busy, especially if your hair is more of a mélange. But bold graphics are fine. I love strong black-and-white geometrics, maybe some with a little gray in them, too. And I love leopard-skin prints. Even if they are on a smaller scale. But I go for the gray-ish snow leopard now. Never the tan/golden tones. A bright, bold floral print can be fun, too—but only if it’s a strong graphic. But you’re absolutely right—I find I would rather mix textures than play with prints. I don’t have a lot in my wardrobe.

A-ha! Eyebrows! Yup, right again. Some of the best-known brow divas can charge a LOT. Even beyond $100. And some of them are very particular. They’ll tell you to come back when your brows are completely overgrown. Even if that means waiting months! They want to really shape them, and they can’t if they’re too sparse. In my case, my brows are NEVER going to get any fuller (our makeup artist for the book said that was due to overzealous plucking in my teens and early twenties), so I’ve never been tempted to go to a brow diva! But I’ll look into this more for you, and report back later.

Posted by Diana Jewell on 11/13 at 12:04 AM

I don’t know how I got the link I think it is in your site I think.  Well here it is:
http://hairdesignertv.com/jewell.php

I love love love love them!!!!!  All 4!!!!

Thanks again!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Posted by Roe on 11/13 at 05:21 PM

Well, thanks, Roe.  And thanks for letting me know I’m not completely crazy.  I didn’t THINK we had put them up on this site yet. Still on my “to do” list. But, yes, they’ve been running on Viv’s site for awhile now. Hmmmmm, maybe I’ll go look. I really haven’t seen them all edited.

Posted by Diana Jewell on 11/13 at 06:23 PM