Reality Check: Does the Media Get Gray Hair Right?

Real or Not?

Can you tell just a shade of difference between model Agyness Deyn's hair and that of our cover girl, Chazz? That's what makes all the difference between salon white and completely natural. Still, we can thank Agyness for making "almost white" look cool, kicky and fun!

Separated at Birth?

Have you noticed a striking resemblance between our Scottish lass Newbie, Second Semester, Helen Burton ("Silverlake") and the new model in the Fendi ads? Are you moonlighting, Helen?

SIGNS OF THE TIMES

Recently, I passed by a nearby bus stop. There was the familiar two-sided kiosk sign on the side wall of the shelter. It stopped me in my tracks because I noticed both sides of the sign featured a gray-haired lovely. A gym, once the provenance of lithe 20-somethings, used a silvering woman to express fitness, health and vitality. The flip-side of the sign featured a Chanel sunglass ad. And yes, there was a fantastic crop of white hair. Okay, the model was probably 20-something, but who cares. It still said this is a fashion color for hair. Do you think this is trying to tell us something?

SILVER AND THE CITY?

Although the Sex and the City gals are now admitting to 40-something, nothing stops them from hitting the bottle. And I don't mean their Cosmopolitans. Wouldn't it have been fun, modern, current, if just one of them had turned into a silver fox? Sexy Samantha, maybe, as her hair grew back in after chemo. But no, wasn't to be. The only sexy silver seems to be actress Lynn Cohen, playing Magda. And in "real" life, she's quite glam!

IS FRIZZ IN?

Remember what we said about gray hair and frizz – it just makes you look old?

Apparently not. Leave it to Vogue to make it look, well, interesting. But unless you’re willing to pile on all that eye makeup, stick a few sparkly things in your hair to give it some life, and waft off to work like this, I’d skip this look. Still, it’s all part of the fantasy fashion’s having with gray hair lately. Wouldn’t it be nice if they’d admit gray hair exists in the real world?

Photo credit: Vogue photograph by Irving Penn

CURLS OF ANOTHER COLOR

A recent Vera Wang ad campaign fares better on the gray front. Here the waves are nicely scrunched and defined, and the hair has some life. You don’t need the crown jewels at all. Or the black eyes. Or the snow, for that matter. (Unless you’re feeling very Anna Karenina.) This is hair that is good to go.

ONCE IN A BLUE MOON

Although I hate to use the word blue around gray hair, here’s a shot from a recent H&M campaign. No dramatics. No dark eyes. Just showing a great-looking woman who happens to have white hair. I feel better already.

MODERN MUSE

Supermodel Daria Werbowy turned gray on the pages of December Vogue (well, for one or two shots, anyway.) What I like about this is that Vogue used it as a tribute to modernity in artist George Condo’s work. Come to your own conclusions about the hair style, but do note the details. A celadon green dress (remember what we said about grayed-pastels? See Fashion Finds, the colors to wear with gray hair). Celadon is a green with some gray to it. And note the necklace. Certainly a focal point – but see how it plays to the gray?

Photo credit: Vogue photograph by Mario Testino

WHAT WAS HE THINKING?

For his Spring 2008 collection, John Galliano sent a bevy of faux gray-hairs down the runway. Although his looks channeled the 40’s, with a bit of Little Bo Peep thrown in for good measure, the hair and makeup was channeling the Wicked Witch of the West. Even on bad hair days, we all can do better than this!

Oops, he did it again. For his Spring 2009 show. Maybe this time he was channeling the Easter Bunny?

And for Spring '09, Jean Paul Gaultier also went for the silver, suggesting it with model skull caps. Fashion, or fiction? Look closely. You'll see some silver hair there.

HAS CARMEN EVER LOOKED COOLER?

Carmen, the white-haired model who really started it all, has become a classic icon of sophisticated silver-ness. But look at her now in a new Rolex campaign. Sexy, glam, and over seventy!

FUTURE SHOCK

OK, we know white hair has come to stand for something far out in the future. In a galaxy far, far, away, probably. We all know it’s here and now, but apparently Motorola and Verizon want us to think otherwise. Girls, get on your leather wristbands!

YA GOTTA LOVE DOVE

As part of its Campaign for Real Beauty, Dove scores high points with this ad. A gorgeous shade of charcoal hair, a real looking woman (wrinkes and all), and a super natural look. Proving that gray hair doesn’t have to be witchy, bitchy or frumpy.

Supermodel Daria Werbowy looks like she is about to faint. Poor thing ... somebody get that girl a cookie. Carmen? Wow.

Posted by Lynn on 09/30 at 01:13 PM

Well, after they made her stick her finger in the socket to get her hair to stand on end, she got a little woozy.

Posted by Diana Jewell on 09/30 at 08:00 PM

Diana, I love magazines and since discovering the site I seem to notice all the ads that feature women with “gray” hair. Seems more women with natural color are being featured although, it usually has something to do with women over a certain age, but hey, I guess any exposure of women not afraid to be gray is a good thing. I need to really check out every bit of your site. I hadn’t realized there were so many places to post.

Posted by sallee on 10/07 at 02:04 PM

A-ha! I love it when people discover something! Right now, the posting sections (other than the Café) are all under the Gray Today and Great Gray tabs.

Spread the word—I don’t think too many others have discovered this, either!

Posted by Diana Jewell on 10/07 at 03:40 PM

Happy to help. I’ll do some spreading tomorrow. And more investigating. WooHoo, more places to post, I can hardly stand it

Posted by sallee on 10/07 at 04:22 PM

Great, thanks for the tip sallee! I plan to do some searching tonight, you never know what one might find .

Posted by lulubell on 10/08 at 09:25 AM

Helen - Yes! There is a resemblance, except the model’s hair seems to be a bit on the dry side. Your hair looks so soft and smooth.

Posted by greeneyes on 10/17 at 03:08 PM

hi diana, found the “reality check” portion...this site gets cooler by the week! It’s like a game finding all the new sections! Tag! you’re it!

Posted by Thisyear on 10/17 at 03:29 PM

King’s X! Or was that Olie, Olie, Oxenfree? WhatEVER. I will not be IT!! I do try to alert people to new things on the Homepage, so it’s always good to check there. This hasn’t gone up yet. I want to give another day to alerting people of where they can post. It amazes me that some just haven’t discovered the Café yet. I think I need a megaphone! Glad you found this, Thisyear.

Posted by Diana Jewell on 10/17 at 06:45 PM

Greeneyes—I sooooo agree. Helen’s hair is prettier. I like her bangs better, too. Still, there are other Fendi ads with this model, where her hair looks a little softer, and the moment I saw them, I just thought—that’s our Helen!

Posted by Diana Jewell on 10/17 at 06:48 PM

I keep accidentally clicking on the part that says I want to be disconnected. I don’t… I love this site.

Posted by Lynn on 10/17 at 07:29 PM

Lynn,

I did the same thing.

I LOVE CARMEN’S HAIR

Posted by .925 on 11/04 at 07:40 AM

.925 do you have pics on the site? Have you just found the site? I’m sorry if I’ve missed you, there is so much going on sometimes I can’t keep up with everyone. And Carmen does have AWESOME hair.

Posted by sallee on 11/04 at 08:52 AM

Sallee,
I love your hair, it’s so beautiful!! I can’t wait till mine grows more, i only have about 1 inch.

I sent some in the other day but I don’t see them on newbes.
I sent them to the editor, I think that’s right. The only other one is on my profile pic, taken end of Sept. I’m at a party holding my friend’s new adopted baby boy!!
Judy

Posted by .925 on 11/04 at 09:51 AM

.925 -

Just wanted to tell you I peeked in at your jewelry website. I enjoyed looking at your unique pieces! Do you craft them yourself?

I think I read you are coming to the Texas gathering this weekend - if so, I will see you there!

Posted by greeneyes on 11/04 at 09:53 AM

Greeneyes,
Yes each piece is hand made, as you can see, i am not web savy...yet! I have alot more stuff than what’s on my site. I have my pieces in Fredricksburg at J Kreations on the square, I may have (hopefully) a place in Brenham and one at an Antique Shop in Rosenberg.

YES! I will be going to the TX event and lam looking forward to meeting everyone!!

Posted by .925 on 11/04 at 10:01 AM

How exciting! I love things that are handmade instead of mass produced. I will keep an eye on your website. I especially love stones of blues, greens, pinks, okay… I love COLORS!

I’ll be seeing you Saturday! :o)

Posted by greeneyes on 11/04 at 10:07 AM

Hey Judy --
We never received your pictures. I checked the “editor” inbox going all the way back to October 24th, and you’re not there. Can you please resend to ? Thanks!

Posted by Diana Jewell on 11/04 at 10:19 AM

Diana

I will be attending the Silver Sisters in Fort Worth, Texas and maybe we can get a picture of all of us (with me in it) for the website.

I am so excited to meet everyone.

Lynn

Posted by Lynn on 11/04 at 07:53 PM

I’ve been on this site for months now and hadn’t found this section till now.

Posted by Sharon on 11/20 at 10:37 AM

That’s the problem with some of our “hidden nuggets.” I try to post announcements on the homepage when there is something new in each section. And also, if you look down the Latest & Greatest column on the homepage, you’ll find these things.

Like Topsy, this site has just grown, and I’m aware we have some navigational issues. It will be a New Year’s resolution to solve some of them!

Heee, but some of the requests gleaned from the survey to make this site as user-friendly as yahoo just can’t happen. Yahoo is a very large organization with lotsa bucks. We’re tiny. But I’ll do my best.

Posted by Diana Jewell on 11/20 at 11:22 AM

OMG!!! I just found the picture of Carmen--I want that hair!!!

“Not...gray....enough....dang!”:long:

Well I never thought I’d be saying that! It’s something to aspire to...she is beautiful!

Posted by Graydiva on 01/16 at 04:51 PM

"Real or not?” really puts it in perspective. I’m so glad you used an updated photo of Chazz. What a beauty she is. :o)

Posted by greeneyes on 02/20 at 10:50 AM

Oh - and the spring fashion ‘09 pics are frightening. I guess I should be happy the designers are using gray...but it’s hard to be happy when they look this scary. :o)

Posted by greeneyes on 02/20 at 10:52 AM

Wow, great comparison. Do we love it that we don’t have to pay big bucks for some of the coolest hair colors! Mother Nature rocks.

Diana, can we ever say thank you enough for this site and everything you do? I think not, so, thank you!!

Posted by sallee on 02/20 at 10:53 AM

Aw, Sallee, that’s sweet of you. Right now, things are really exploding with this site, and it’s hard to keep up! Especially since I’m knee-deep in planning the June event.

Greeneyes, yes Chazz is a beauty, through and through. She’s a dynamo, and lots of fun besides. She’ll be at our “do” in June, so come meet her!

Yeah, I don’t know why certain designers like to make gray/silver/white look scary. It’s ridiculous. Others, like Anna Sui, sent Agyness down the runway, lead girl. Celebrating its coolness. But Anna is very cool herself.

Posted by Diana Jewell on 02/20 at 11:08 AM

I’m so jealous I can be there!!!!!

Posted by RunnerGal on 02/20 at 12:03 PM

THanks for the redirect. I had forgotten this section. reminds me again of why going gray is my newest punk rock style, it can only be achieved naturally!

wish I could come to NYC, I am totally bummed.
m

Posted by MsMika on 02/20 at 01:30 PM

I SENT IN PICS earlier hope they can be seen, the get together sounds fun. wished i was able to be there as well, hope you all have a wonderful time ,, joann aka jo

Posted by joannt50 on 05/18 at 10:57 PM

I want to be like Carmen when I grow up! I’m just worried that I have so much hair that my face will get lost in all that hair and of course my hair is still much darker especially around my forhead.

Anyone have any thoughts on this?

Posted by Marisa on 07/16 at 04:05 PM

Okay, after looking again I can easily see that I will not be as gorgeous as she is but I might be able to pull off a bit of attitude.

Posted by Marisa on 07/16 at 04:06 PM

I think you definitely can be like Carmen!! (with both -being gorgeous and having attitude!...)
Helen

Posted by Thisyear on 07/16 at 04:18 PM

you are too kind. I love her hair but also her facial features are astounding. I wonder how tall she is.

Posted by Marisa on 07/16 at 04:22 PM

Marisa- Remember make-up & lighting (not to mention photoshop) are all used in the media. Not saying Carmen is not naturally beautiful, she is. But so are you.

I got a little taste of that when I was on Oprah. Lights, camera, action....I certainly don’t look like that in my regular pictures!

Posted by Goldie on 07/16 at 04:39 PM

http://www.imdb.com/video/imdb/vi509412121/

ok here is the link to the movie ...summer hours with juliette binoch and i said long DAR hair...i forgot..it’s bleached ...she is prettier than this...but at any rate check out he lovely french mother character...she looks great!

Posted by louann on 07/16 at 04:43 PM

Well Goldie, you certainly pulled it, naturally, off in that silver airplane shot!

Hmm, maybe I should just photo shop Carmen’s face onto mine in all my pics and be done with it, he he .

I think I’ll just have to settle for the hair style and a little makeup. My hair is a different texture and volume now without dye, it seems a bit more tame, so we’ll see once it grows more.

Posted by Marisa on 07/16 at 04:47 PM

Looks like a great movie, yes I like the mother’s hair. Juliette’s is not so good in this movie. Louann, are you going fo something like the Mother’s hair? Her’s is lighter in front, is yours like that? I think it would be pretty on you.

Correction on my previous statement: ...pulled it off, naturally,…

Posted by Marisa on 07/16 at 05:01 PM

You know what’s fun Marisa? Find a great professional photographer & do a photo shoot. I did one last weekend here in town. I am fortunate to have a son & DIL who are photographers. We took them at an abandoned flour mill. I used to work for Glamour Shots (remember that chain?). It’s fun to do something different than the usual quick clicks we’ve become accustomed to! It doesn’t have to cost alot. There are new photographers out there wanting to get experience & build their portfolio.

Your face is beautiful Marisa, no photoshopping Carmen’s onto yours!! Thanks for the compliment on the air show shot. It’s funny, I don’t think of that as a particularly great picture. I was having fun & LOVED the silver plane!

Thanks for the link, louann! The movie looked very bittersweet. You’re right. The mother’s hair is lovely. Juliette’s hair, not so great. Too bad, she’s a charming, lovely woman.

Posted by Goldie on 07/16 at 05:37 PM

Wouldn’t we all love to be Carmen? I’ve worked with her, when hair and makeup is in full force, and I’ve also talked to her in broad daylight—on the street—without “photoshop” advantages. Let me tell you, she looks fab, either way. Because there is something else she has—true elegance. And that’s something we can all strive for. We may not have the bone structure, the body structure, the hair, but we can all make the best of ourselves, and throw a little elegance into the equation.

How many times do we dash out of the house in jeans, sneakers, a sloppy tee shirt? (Guilty!) Maybe if we channeled our “inner Carmen,” we wouldn’t!

Posted by Diana Jewell on 07/16 at 06:03 PM

Diana I have found that photo of Carmen & have it on my desktop. I have never done that before but she is absolutely beautiful! What a great inspiration

Posted by Graydiva on 07/16 at 06:13 PM

So true, Diana! When we feel we look good, we act like it! My favorite think to channel elegance is a strand of pearls! Makes me feel like Grace Kelly, every time!!

Posted by Goldie on 07/16 at 06:13 PM

So—wear your pearls every day! Or a beautiful scarf wrapped ‘round your neck. Or a stack of your favorite bracelets. There truly are little tricks that make us all feel elegant. I always like something flow-y.

Hey Graydiva—nothing wrong with that! It’s always good to remind ourselves of our own potential.

Posted by Diana Jewell on 07/16 at 06:22 PM

That sounds like fun Goldie. Right now there’s no budget for any more extravagances but hopefully by the time I’m fully transitioned and have more of the length I’d like.

I think the picture of you in front of the plane is part ambiance, it adds to the mistique and that makes YOU more glamorous. It’s all in the attitude. That’s definitely what we’ve all learned here as we survive transitioning.

Diana, I bet that was a cool experience, working with Carmen, and probably many other interesting people. What wonderful stories you must have but I’m sure there are those that were not so good too. I prefere to hear about when celebs turn out to be great people in person too.

I have a “church lady” friend who is very elegant in her manner. I always thought of her as an elegant southern bell, kind of like Olympia Dukakas in Steele Magnolias only sweeter, until I found out she was from some small town in Minnesota. It’s all about how she carries herself and how she treats others, that’s what makes her so beautiful. Oh, and she has the most beautiful white hair!

Okay, channeling, channeling, channeling… let’s see if it works.

Posted by Marisa on 07/16 at 06:30 PM

Heee Marisa—so funny. Channel away! (Or Chanel away—yeah, that would be good!). You are so right about the way you carry yourself, too, yes, and also the way you treat others. It’s all a part of how people perceive you.

I truly don’t have any “bad” stories about people I’ve worked with. Fortunately, I never encountered any divas. I always found, when you’re all working together on a project, you just want it to be the best. There is a real camaraderie.

Now, let’s all try to have a “Carmen” day, at least once a week, when we make the extra effort, go the extra mile. Deal?

Posted by Diana Jewell on 07/16 at 06:59 PM

Hey, that’s a great idea! Let’s report back what we do & if we get any special attention or response!

Posted by Goldie on 07/16 at 07:01 PM

I’m so glad you’ve had positive experiences, that too is inspiring!

What fun - a “Carmen” day, that might take a little work but it will be worth it.

About pearls and scarves and anything that goes around your neck: I love these things and I can remember as a young girl, my mother couldn’t stand anything around her neck in the summer because it would make her feel hotter and uncomfortable. I thought she was nuts, well, it’s come back to bite me… I can hardly wear anything around my neck. Today I wore a thin black leather necklace with a pendant and thought about ripping it off several times. This just doesn’t seem normal but I must say, we’ve been having tripple digit temps. When I got home from work it was the first thing to go!

I know I’m all over the place in my conversation but speaking of work, and I forgot about this, it happened last week. The office mgr came to brief me on a few items and mid sentance she stopped and said, “you have fantastic hair” I was so focused on what she was telling me that it cought me off guard, I froze for a moment and then all I could say was “thank you”. That made me feel good.

Okay, I’m going to start my “Carmen” day with a good night’s rest tonight. I’m not sure I’ll be able to pull one off tomorrow because I have a Dermatologist appointment tomorrow. I would imagine it would be hard to be elegant when you’re, em, compromised.

Good night.

Posted by Marisa on 07/16 at 07:54 PM

going gray looking great

Reality Check: Does the Media Get Gray Hair Right?