I just wanted to say hello to my fellow class mates.  This is so exciting, it looks like we’re all in about the same phase.  My husband is bound and determined that I do not cut my hair .......... I look at that pixie cut and it looks sooooo good!
To all of the ladies that have “been there & done that” you all look so beautiful with all your different shades of silver/pewter/charcoal/white etc.. just by looking at your pictures for the last few months have given me the encouragement I needed to go ahead and stop processing my hair.  Thank you all!

Posted by Treeza C on 12/28 at 01:37 PM

Welcome Newbies ‘09! You’ll be a graduate before you know it!

Looking forward to seeing all of your updated pictures as you advance toward “Silverhood”!

Mary

Posted by Silverhair on 12/28 at 02:06 PM

Wow. The class of 09 is growing and it’s not even January yet. I wonder how large it’s gonna be!

Welcome, Treeza. I look forward to watching you grow into your natural colors!

Posted by greeneyes on 12/28 at 03:21 PM

Hi fellow spring ‘09ers! This is totally fun. We have a New Year’s present that nature is slowly unwrapping. 

Thanks for your encouragement, Mary. You really dove in with the short, short pixie cut. Cute!

Treeza, hang in there. You can always cut it short, and maybe down the line, your husband will become more amenable. I think it looks fine; the natural color’s blending with the blond, especially with the body your hair has.

Thanks to Diana for bringing all these folks together!

Maria

Posted by butterfly_dream on 12/28 at 03:26 PM

Welcome to all the Newbies!

Just like the rest, I look forward to watching you all transition into all your glorious gray colors!

Ellenina

Posted by karate_mom on 12/28 at 03:28 PM

Hi Maria,

Thanks for the compliment on the “short” hair!  You made laugh out loud! I do like the pixie, at least until it grows out! I am a long haired girl at heart and am looking forward to next Christmas when I will have it past my shoulders.

I think you will be one of the more fortunate silver haired in our lively, lovely group! Take a look in the newbies 2nd semester and see Petra. Her blue eyes really sparkle with her lovely pewter. I’ll bet your hair color will put a really sparkle in your baby blues too!

Welcome to our group!

Mary

Posted by Silverhair on 12/28 at 03:48 PM

A warm welcome to all the new gals!

Posted by RuffDiamond on 12/28 at 05:45 PM

I’ll be right there with next year Mary...long silver hair!
That’s what I’m aiming for too!

Posted by graytnw on 12/28 at 06:41 PM

oh you guys are all awesome!!!

i am amazed at what just 6 months can do!!! i know our fearless leader can not be shocked at the rate of growth with the internet...but honestly when i think of people we all know who think we are all CRAZY ...we are a strong group of women!!!

here is a peice of advice from the 75 year old sister..don’t say ANYTHING let them NOTICE all on their own...OH RATS i don’t think sooooo this has been sooooo much fun i want them to all join in on all the fun!!!
i think about how this site has reached ALL OVER THIS WONDERFUL WORLD and aren’t we all so impressed??????
we need a mantra...OTHER THAN GO GRAY!!!!

i have come to this realization...this is MY decision...NO ONE ELSES… and it is soooo FREEEEE… i realize that we all have to get there on our own ...patience....patience…

louann

Posted by louann on 12/28 at 08:18 PM

A few months ago, a little semi-feral white-tipped gray cat took up residence in my back yard. He’s a gorgeous soft puff ball—green eyes floating in fur the color of the misty northern California ocean. He’s a reminder of how sleek and elegant gray can be.

(And any cat lovers, don’t worry—I trapped him once for shots and a certain operation, and I’m feeding him till I can find him a home.)

Louann, it _is_ amazing how far around the world this reaches. I tried googling “white hair” in Japanese and found lots of images of Japanese women baring their roots to the camera—and I saw a reference to Diana’s book on one blog site. I imagine if you tried other languages, you’d get the same results.

These days, whenever I’m out, I feel like I’m on an Easter egg hunt to find women with gray or white hair. Did others get obsessed with this at the beginning?

Posted by butterfly_dream on 12/28 at 11:38 PM

Hi Butterfly_dream,

I, too, went looking for GGs when I first decided to go natural (because gray IS a color !) and I found lots of them. I think it is like buying a car, you don’t always notice how popular it is until you buy your own and suddenly everyone seems to have the same car you do!

In fact, I had my camera the other day and tried to take an unobtrusive picture of a GG but my DH kept following me around and drawing attention to me. It was actually kind of funny because I turned to him and whispered feriously, “Go away, I’m trying to take that woman’s picture!” Thank goodness I “woke up” and realized that I would look like a stalker!    So although I didn’t get a picture at least I got to see some really GGs out there this weekend.

Mary

Posted by Silverhair on 12/29 at 06:09 AM

butterfly_dream - Don’t think I officially said hello to you. It’s nice to see your smiling face, and soon your natural shade of gray. :o)

About searching for other grays… sorry to tell you, but this may be an obssession you live with. :o) I am finished with transitioning but still on the look-out for those shades of silver. I even have my 21 year old daughter doing it with me. It’s funny how now I typically don’t like the look of dye but love the natural colors women are wearing. It’s really fun. :o)

Posted by greeneyes on 12/29 at 06:52 AM

Good morning ladies

Yes, I’m ALWAYS scouting “the grays”

Unfortunately, in my area, I haven’t seen too many “great grays” .... mostly “gruesome grays”   You know, the ones that are either “Q-tips” or simply look like they never consider their hair as an “accessory”, simply something gray hanging on their head.

Thank goodness for this site and it’s marvelous photos to keep me motivated

My next cut is this Saturday. My game plan is to stay at my present short length, but add more pieces to “lighten” up the cut. I haven’t had color for 11± weeks.

Posted by RuffDiamond on 12/29 at 06:53 AM

robinw - Welcome to another newbie! It looks like you’re already well on your way to gray.

Isn’t it funny how there are some who just don’t agree with our choice of gray?! I have to think back to the time I fought gray with a vengeance and now I love my natural gray with a passion. If we can change, so can others. :o)

Posted by greeneyes on 12/29 at 06:56 AM

Dara - same here, my “grays” were a big secret (was dating a MUCH younger guy at the time

I think I have to thank my fiance for influencing me (without his even trying)

He made silver “WAY COOL” for me. He’s got this sexy silver military cut, that makes his Danish blue eyes POP.

I’m thinking it’s his influence, because, before him, I was ALL about the color and highlights.

Posted by RuffDiamond on 12/29 at 07:09 AM

RuffDiamond… That’s interesting about your fiance being the one who helped change your gray perception.

My mom has never dyed her hair and has a pretty white, but she keeps her hair very short. I was under the impression that if I went gray, I had to have her haircut. :o) She looks great but short hair is not for me. But I got tired of dyeing and in 2007, I saw some pictures of myself and I looked fake, tired and old. I had been considering going natural but never got the nerve. I needed to see some great grays with long hair. I finally found some long haired great grays on the internet which gave me the push I needed. A month or two into transition, I found this site, and there was no looking back! Well, maybe only a couple of times. :o)

This site and Diana’s book gave me the road-map for the journey to gray. Of course there are different paths we can choose to take, but they all get us to the desired destination. I started transitioning on my own, but don’t think I would have finished without these resources. :o

By the way, I’m looking forward to your new cut! I’m sure more of the gray will be peeking through those layers. :o)

Posted by greeneyes on 12/29 at 07:38 AM

I agree with you Dara. I’ve seen some GGs but they for the most part of short hair. I’m not a short haired gal. I prefer long hair but I just couldn’t get it into my head that just because hair is gray, it CAN be LONG! I know that in my newbies photos, it looks like I have had long hair but I consider it medium. For me long is bra length or longer. When I measure by that yardstick, I’ve never had LONG gray hair.

Isn’t it funny when we get those preconceptions in our heads and it takes awhile for them (if ever) that we lose them? And then it takes a picture or soemone to say something and then the “ah hah!” moment arrives! 

Mary

Posted by Silverhair on 12/29 at 07:44 AM

greeneyes

My mom had beautiful pewter hair, but like your mother, always wore it very short.

I’m torn when it comes to length.

I like my hair long, but I always receive more compliments when my hair is cut shorter.

In fact, a young male waiter, who knows me well, said “You look SO MUCH YOUNGER with short hair ... never change it”

THAT really surprised me. Most of my male friends were upset I cut my long hair.

Go figure .... everyone has their own taste.

Mary, you look great both ways - long and short!

Posted by RuffDiamond on 12/29 at 07:53 AM

as far as length goes?...well i keep mine short mainly cuz i do not have the patience but...now that i have done this “grow in to gray” i may add a bit of length...i don’t know if it is short hair that makes one look “younger” or style!! i think it is ALL ABOUT STYLE !!! we all know the “poodle do” is a typical blue hair granny look but even that isn’t fair to associate old with ...there are some great curly hair grays out there right???so maybe the one ascessory we should not have is the man with the white leisure suit and white shoes on our arm!?
louann
ps
i got the mantra down now…

GRAY IS COLOR!!!

Posted by louann on 12/29 at 08:00 AM

Mary - Yes, I agree. My pre-natural hair was really only medium length too. But the women in my family tend to keep short hair (pixie length) so I always felt like mine was long. :o)

Yes. It really can be difficult to change our perception! But who can argue with a picture!? The proof is there before our eyes, and like you said… “the ah-hah moment arrives!”

Early last year, I had so much fun sitting down with my mom and showing her Diana’s book, this site and all the pictures I have of long haired great grays. She even decided to grow her hair longer for awhile but got tired of feeling it on her forehead, ears and neck. She’s simply a short haired woman. :o) She did admit that gray hair could look nice at any length, even long. And this is coming from a woman who told me 30 year olds should not have long hair. I always thought I would have to cut my hair when I turned 30 (which is one reason I dreaded 30 so much.) Course, I never did. :o)

Posted by greeneyes on 12/29 at 08:02 AM

lainla3

You look great with short hair ... it seems to suit your “personality”

Posted by RuffDiamond on 12/29 at 08:11 AM

Welcome class of 2009. I get behind on the weekends and I just want to welcome everyone to THE site, the ONLY site for all the support and info you’ll need to make this transition, and it seems a lot more than the hair transitions. Every woman on this site has taken a huge step and I admire each and every one of you.

Petra, don’t remember where you last posted but I love your posts. You are so honest and open and oh, yes, I think many of us have heard the, “If only” line. I always wonder how they know their hair won’t look great gray considering most haven’t seen their natural color in YEARS!!

I’m not sure who wrote about her daughter being aghast about the decision to go natural but from my own experience they do come around. My daughter was so against it as I’ve told before on the site. Oh, Mom you’ll look old, you can’t do it!!! I did it and she, now at 37, is going natural and always tells me she can’t wait for her hair to look like mine. It looks like it will be the same color. I think it’s great when we dispel people’s idea about gray hair. One head at a time we are a part of doing just that.

Posted by sallee on 12/29 at 08:37 AM

you are so right sallee...now mine has SWORN she will NEVER color hers...period...interesting...since she too worried about the “you’ll look old thing”...now she sees colored hair on women in my age group and think it looks fake or harsh...not always though and we do know that there are great colorists out there and great colors!

one head at a time...one gray hair at a time!! especially since they seem to come in one at a time!!!

dara
i remember hearing the same thing about short hair...no one wears long hair especially if you are married and have KIDS !!! that all changed...must have been a hold over from the 60’s or something… and even the older ladies with long hair had it in a bun of some sort...think grandma walton...think back to the 30’ 40’ all those great actresses did any of them have long hair??? scarlett ohara was what shoulder length??
louann

Posted by louann on 12/29 at 09:15 AM

Hello to the 09 Newbies and welcome!
Reading all the entries here made me start thinking about when I was “in hiding”.  I went out of my way to cover my roots and blend the greys with blonde streaks, ONLY to TELL everyone that I was actually grey and point out the roots to prove it.  I think I was secretly quite proud of being grey, so this change has been a long time coming, and I’m so glad I’m at this point now. I love my colour!
So stick with it ladies, I’ll be looking forward to watching your transitions and the different ways which you go about it!
Cheers, Christie

Posted by Christie on 12/29 at 01:09 PM

Welcome Becca - number 6 newbie in 09. Glad you joined in. It’s a great way to begin a new year.

Posted by greeneyes on 12/30 at 07:05 AM

Hi all, just found my way here. I’m at the end of Dec ‘08. 

Only got a solid (very solid) 1” stripe right now.  It goes so slowly.  I have the itch to cut again, but that’s kind of silly, I’ll try waiting it out till the first of February.

I read a lot of sewing forums, and the ladies mention all the time about letting they gray grow out.  They talk about styles and fashion, weight, and going natural.  It’s kind of neat in a way.

Without a doubt, gray is the new way to go.  I see it everywhere. 

Of course, I will admit, that I see some women that I believe would look better if they did color their hair (and I might be one of them) but it’s not for me to say...lol (I just did though.) Actually, it’s the not the color as much as the cut.  The women who are either totally natural or even growing it out, and have a great cut...well, they look great.  It’s the women who don’t have any style to their hair that look bad.

Posted by Annette on 12/30 at 07:06 AM

I have made the decision this morning to get my hair cut!!! AHHHHHHHHH!  I’m so excited!  I’m not going pixie short, but alot shorter none-the-less.  My DH will get over it & I’m hoping he’ll like it.  I have done nothing with my hair for two months but wear it in a “relaxed” bun.  Yes, I hear you all A BUN!!  I’m not old enough for buns yet, that’s what pushed me over the edge.  I’ll take pictures this afternoon.  WooHoo!

Posted by Treeza C on 12/30 at 07:19 AM

6 Newbies already!!! Welcome, one and all

Annette, I hear your “slow growing pain” ... I think I have about an 1” also ... but mine is not a solid line. It’s coming in dark pewter with bright silver threaded through it, so it’s mixing in fairly well with my color. (Of course, taller people looking DOWN on my head may think differently

Going for my next cut on Saturday. Not sure what I’ll end up with .... my stylist and I are just going to play with the cut, and see where it goes. 

Posted by RuffDiamond on 12/30 at 07:19 AM

Treeza - hey, buns aren’t so bad .. they showed them on the catwalk !!!!!! 

I just saw a woman this morning, guessing her age around 60, who had her bright silver hair pulled up into a high pony tail. She was dressed in a very tailored navy blue suit, diamond earrings, high heels, and then her sassy pony tail. She looked great!!! She really pulled it off.

I’ll be curious to see what our haircuts end up being, Treeza

Posted by RuffDiamond on 12/30 at 07:24 AM

Treeza - Just sending a word of encouragement out to you about your haircut. My husband didn’t mind me going gray...he actually understood before I did - that gray was just a different color and he had liked me with all of my other colors througout the years...but he DID mind me cutting my hair short. He’s not the type to tell me what to do, but did voice a concern. I ended up going lots shorter than he or I wanted, though still longer than pixie short. My husband actually liked it. He was so surprised and so was I. In fact, he hasn’t complimented my hair in awhile, but mentioned it daily when it was short. (HMMMMM...just thought of that.)

Anyhow, I think going shorter really helped me. Having a shorter, trendier style was fun and distracted me from watching my gray come in. I was able to focus on something I was enjoying while waiting for my hair to grow. I also bought some dangling earrings and perked up my make-up.

I always like to “err on the side of caution.” I had cuts every 4 weeks and just gradually got short since I was out of my comfort zone with short hair. You can always go shorter.

Just my input. Can’t wait to see you new cut! :o)

Posted by greeneyes on 12/30 at 07:52 AM

Welcome Robin and Becca, you have found THE place! Diana has and continues to make this the best site for going gray and looking great!! 

Treeza, can’t wait to see your cut. I’ve done pixie a few times over the years and I do ponytails and buns when my hair is longer as it is now. I like the high ponytail and when I do the bun thing I secure it with chopsticks or picks of some kind and lots of product!!  Of course, I have a live-in critic, my daughter, and she always lets me know with a “Mom, um, that’s not workin’ for you”. Don’t hear it too often thank goodness and usually not about my hair. Gotta love daughters. 

Posted by sallee on 12/30 at 08:00 AM

greeneyes

I don’t think I saw your “short” pics ... darn.

But you’re gorgeous ... what style COULDN’T you wear? 

Posted by RuffDiamond on 12/30 at 08:02 AM

Welcome to all our newbies!  I can’t believe how fast the ‘09 class is growing.  It’s wonderful.

To butterfly_dream, we’ve called our little obsession of looking for GG’s “having our graydar on” (as in gray radar).  It’s fun to look, and even my DH does it (who isn’t thrilled that I’m doing this).  But on the other hand, I can’t help but notice all the really bad dye jobs out there either.  That seems to take up my focus most of the time.  It’s validating somehow.

And I too had the idea that if my hair was long (which is what my DH wanted) I HAD to dye it.  I thought that gray hair HAD to be short.  It’s funny that all it took was a picture of a beautiful GG model to change my perception forever.

Well, I’ll be along this journey with all of you.  I’ll be entering my 7th month dye-free in January, but only have a little over 3 inches of growth.  And since my husband says he’ll divorce me if I cut my hair shorter than it is, it’s going to take me a while.  In fact most of the ‘09 class will graduate before me!  But that’s ok.  I’m free from the bottle, and for me, that’s the most important thing.

And I just want to say something about my DH.  Although he sounds like kind of a jerk when it comes to my hair, he’s wonderful in all the ways that really count, so I’m not complaining.  Just wanted to say that for the record.

Welcome class of ‘09!!!

Posted by RunnerGal on 12/30 at 08:06 AM

RunnerGal

“Significant others” can be really funny about our hair. Your hubby obviously loves the look and feel of your long tresses. And we all know how men can get “stuck” in their ways

Before I discussed going gray with my fiance, he was ADAMANT about me keeping my hair long. When I told him I was going to go gray, he said “Wow, a long mane of gray hair!!!”

When I showed him this site, and the all the photos of the different ways of transitioning, HE said, cut it short, even a pixie if you want ... I’ll support your decision.

He really surprised me!!! And, yep, I fell even deeper in love with him

But for any of you ladies with guys who aren’t too happy about your decisions .... you know, deep down, they are there for you .. and only want you to be happy. They may grumble .. but they STILL are there for you, right?

Posted by RuffDiamond on 12/30 at 08:14 AM

Thanks, Ruffdiamond. :o) Same to you...I think you look great in long and short and I am looking forward to your new cut!

You know, I think all of us can have any length and still look great, as long as we take care of ourselves.

Posted by greeneyes on 12/30 at 08:18 AM

We all are different and are with our unique men. What works in one relationship wouldn’t work in another. What one woman accepts, another woman wouldn’t, etc… I remember when our Catherine (in the newbies graduates gallery) wanted to do the buzz and her boyfriend said no. There was some major drama for a bit, but she was determined and eventually he got on board with her. They worked it out.

Laura - it sounds like you and your husband have worked out a compromise...you’re going gray, but not going short. So, though a lot of us may not understand or agree with your husband’s attitude, it sounds like it works for you.

Posted by greeneyes on 12/30 at 08:35 AM

it is not the DH that i worry about it’s the DC (darling children)!!!...and “worry” is a bit harsh!! please i am the mom here!!but we all want everyone to like it or at least pretend they do!!! ...
it really is a good thing the transitioning take the time it does...get loads of time to watch and wait!!! and used to the whole idea!!
but it really is all about style...and personally that is a fun part of it!!

loved those links sharon sent over…

louann
happy last tuesday of 2008

Posted by louann on 12/30 at 08:40 AM

I am constantly amazed how our children begin to parent us as if we are senile. :o) And they worry about our appearance as if they are responsible for how we look. It is so funny! Gotta love those silly kids of ours!

Posted by greeneyes on 12/30 at 08:44 AM

Hi Ruffdiamond,

Thanks so much for the compliment!  Look, I’m blusing!
It’s just so funny that our own perceptions are what color how we think (just like Diana said in her book). I did happen to see a GG out at our local grocery store. She had long silver/white hair, I was quite envious! My DH noticed and said, “Don’t worry all you have to do now is just grow out the short hair and that will go pretty quick! The hard part is done."(The color being gone, that is.)

I think my DH is a keeper!

Mary

Posted by Silverhair on 12/30 at 01:20 PM