Melody felt she had the same cut and color as every woman her age; dark roots, blonde highlights.
After 6 months of avoiding “skunk stripe” with a brown color crayon, and realizing just how much white there was, she chose to chop.
Oxidizing ends keep fading away, and Mel’s smile is getting brighter!
A little longer and a lot whiter, Mel is good to go.
Melody Sumner, 57, decided to go natural in the Summer of ’07. And, as luck would have it, she went white! It didn’t take her long before the white really started to pop, but a year later, she feels she still has some “ends” to chop off. I’ll let her tell you about it in her own words.
Last summer I decided to do it! Go Gray….Wow, what a journey it has been. I just got I tired of the 4 week ritual; Color the roots dark and blonde highlights. I knew I had a lot of gray, but I didn’t know how it would look.
After going to the same hairdresser for 10 years I told her to cancel all my appointments. I was not going to color anymore. My hair needed a break from all the processing and I wanted to be natural. I felt a relief, for whatever reason. I was feeling good about my decision. People have always told me how young looking I look and I knew going gray was going to make me look older. I am a grandma, after all, and looking my age seems totally the thing to do. I have to say, my husband was all for the idea when I presented it to him, but he had a very hard time accepting the white hair. His grandmother had white hair and I just didn’t fit the picture.
When I started letting my hair go natural I realized I had more white hair than gray -- which was a pretty drastic change. The tool I had that helped me the most through the first 6 months was a brown color crayon stick that I used on my part. After I shampooed I would color the gray on my part as far down as it went so it kept looking brown. No one could even tell much for several months. It would last until the next shampoo. This was my saving grace from looking like a skunk. After 6 months I did cut it fairly short to hurry up the process. I like wearing my hair longer but I knew during this process shorter was better.
It was exciting to see the new color and feel how soft and healthy my hair was. I didn’t do anything different as far as shampoo or conditioner. Now, one year later my hair is getting longer and I still have a little color on the ends that will be cut off in a few months when I get another cut. There are times I wonder if I did the right thing. Should I have waited unit I was older? I look in the mirror and recognize how different I look and then say it’s only my hair that is different. I am the same person. I am fit, full of energy, hike, jog, and play with my grandkids (5 of them) work and travel with my husband. I am a complete package and my hair is just a part of it. It frames my face and is white/gray in color, but my smile and personality are who I am. I can choose to color again if I want, but when I threaten to my husband always says he wants me to keep it gray and I can’t imagine going through the transition again. He jokes at times and says, “I woke up one morning thinking I was sleeping with my grandmother.” She was old! Well, this grandmother is concentrating on being real and living life to its fullest and she is not old. I think he has the right picture now. It’s just a color, not an identity.
Ed note: Truer words were never spoken, Melody!
Rivaling Dame Helen, Mel and grandson find it IS better in the Bahamas!
Like the Energizer Bunny, Mel and her husband just keep going and going and going! Here, they’re exploring the Canyonlands.
Mel feels being white is appropriate for grandmas. Except she doesn’t look like one!
Mel today. Grown-out, grown-in and glam!
Better blonde or rightfully white? Post your comments!
Melody, all I can saw is WOW!!!!! You definitely do not look 57, even with the hair. There are a lot of 20 somethings who can’t pull of the one piece like you can. You look awesome with the white hair. I’m a premature gray at 20 and you’re definitely a role model. Thanks for your story and the pics!!
Kendall
Posted by on 08/03 at 11:12 AM
Melody your hair is lovely. I must confess I rather hoped mine was going to be snowy white like yours whereas it turned out more a mix of silver and pewter. My father has hair your colour though and I seem to have his genes (we both started greying in our teens) so I’m hoping to have your shade eventually. By the way, you have an amazing figure in that swimsuit.
Posted by on 08/03 at 12:11 PM
Hi Melody,
I’m wondering if you’re the Melody I was briefly corresponding with on a beauty site--we were going gray around the same time and I started last August. When I found this site I posted the link to you there. Well, whether it’s you or, you look fantastic! The new you just lights up! I’m hoping to have a lovely shade of white like you when I get to 57ish. And I can only hope to look as great in a bathing suit!
Lisa
Posted by on 08/03 at 04:26 PM
Thanks for sharing your story, Melody. Your color is very pretty and you look great in every way!
Posted by on 08/04 at 08:02 AM
Hi Melody, you are so right, it is just a color and you look wonderful. Your “after” pic is radiant and I always think the smiles are so big because there is such freedom when you’ve decided to go natural.
And you do look great in that bathing suit!!
Posted by on 08/04 at 10:58 AM
Melody
Now that is what I love to see..a beautiful woman of “age” --- comfortable in her own skin and obviously even more secure in her inner self to let it shine through in her georgeous smile and hair. I just love the color. wonderful story and pictures You Rock!!
from another “Grandma” (Carol’s Story)
Carol Q.
Posted by on 08/05 at 07:14 AM
Hi Kendall,
Thanks for the kind words. I didn’t expect any comments about my bathing suit but it is alway nice to hear. That’s what we are here for is to uplift and encourage each other.
I don’t think we do that enough, do you? Great to have you visiting this site.
Melody
Posted by on 08/05 at 05:25 PM
Moonlit,
I had no idea my hair was going to be so white. I could see white at my temples but didn’t know how much. So, it was shocking. My mom is also white so I knew I could be like her. It’s great that life can be so full of surprises.
Thanks for visiting and commenting.
Posted by on 08/05 at 05:28 PM
Hi Lisa,
No, I am not the Melody you were corresponding with. Yes, the white color has definitly lit me up. My husband would so agree. I am Italian with olive skin, had brown hair many years till I went blonde. Just getting lighter and lighter. I think I have arrived. Thanks for the nice words.
Posted by on 08/05 at 05:31 PM
Hi Melody, Wow..you are rocking! Love the new look...I think...not sure I will recognize you. I don’t think I would have the guts to do this. My hair would probably be a sick looking salt & pepper. If my hair would turn out to be the beautiful silver/white that yours is...I might try it! By the way....your mother-in-law is sitting here beside me...not sure about her either! We both are so proud of you and your cover story. By the way, could you send me your body in that swim suit!.
Love Ya....Jackie
Posted by on 08/05 at 05:50 PM
Sallee,
I think you are right about the freedom. I don’t spend so much time thinking about my hair, appts or products. Natural is much easier for me. I’m happy to have the transition behind me and now just letting it grow.
Posted by on 08/05 at 06:30 PM
Carol,
I loved your story. You had quite a journey and you look fabulous. The lighter you became the more your features stood out. I love the softness and beauty that has come forth. From one grandma to another, we are both happy in our skin and inner self. Thanks for sharing.
Posted by on 08/05 at 06:35 PM
Hi Melody...you really do look great!
Jackie
Posted by on 08/06 at 08:11 PM
Hi Melody, like you I love being a Grandmother!! Your hair, like all the other great grays is lovely. My Grandaughter who is only 7 asked a cute question, she asked “Gramma, if you’re a Gramma, why isn’t your hair gray?? Just this past Friday I asked her to check the top of my head and tell me what color she sees. Her reply was silver, brown and tangerine!! The tangerine was my colored hair!! It has been one month since my last set of highlights and I hope she isn’t right!!! Lulu
Posted by on 08/10 at 02:17 PM
Out of the mouths of babes. . . 
She may be quite right—dye oxidizes, fades, turns all sorts of strange shades. Maybe even tangerine!
Posted by on 08/10 at 10:06 PM
Melody: Hello! It’s nice to meet you. Your photos are fantastic and your hair is beautiful, as is your family. --- Anita
Posted by on 08/15 at 09:03 PM
Melody~
You are a beautiful woman! Your face is radiant and your hair color stunning. Thank you for sharing your pics and your story. You are truly inspiring 
Posted by on 08/24 at 07:56 AM
Melody
You look absolutely radiant....I hope you have never looked back or “missed” those dreaded 2-3 color touch-ups. You have inspired me...thank you!
Posted by on 08/31 at 05:52 PM
WOW! You look amazing! I was a gorgeous silver and because of family pressure, colored my hair. Now, I am a newbie in reverse. I wish I had left it gray and told everyone to mind their own business. I should be telling all of them that “they” are the ones needing a change - haha. You look so fresh and alive now. You even look more approachable with your new gorgeous hair - it is definitely an attention getter. Thanks for the inspiration! Dusti
Posted by on 09/02 at 09:37 AM
Melody, I love your silver hair. I’m hoping mine becomes very white as well. You are a very beautiful woman - vibrant and elegant. Thanks for representing us in such style. -Maureen
Posted by on 10/02 at 06:57 PM