Great Inspirations: Gray-Haired Celebrities

Gray-Haired Celebrities, Business Leaders, Role Models

Ten years ago, you could probably count white- or silver-haired women in the national spotlight (or any spotlight) on the fingers of one hand. There were always "women of a certain age," but many of them refused to be gray, anyway. And women who hadn't reached that "certain age" were certainly not going to allow those stubborn white stragglers to show.

Hate to say it, but in ten short years, we have come a long way, baby. Not all the way, of course. But there are white-haired women emerging from the silvery shadows. And they're leaders, models, actresses, journalists, executives, and political powerhouses right out there, right out front, lighting the way for us all.

Yet, a stigma still remains. I recently read a newspaper article that quoted the author of an anti-aging book. Her advice? "Working women can't afford to go gray." I think these women, outstanding leaders all, prove they can...and do.

Some of us cut and paste their pictures into books or put them up on our walls to inspire us through the growing-gray process. Others of us take note of their hairstyles, their clothes, the way the present themselves. All of us are saying "it's about time."

And so we applaud these women. Women you've nominated as sources of inspiration. Women who are making it ok to be gray...or silver...or white. Women who win the GGLG Award for Best Inspiration in a leading role.

Photo: Adriane Jaeckle

BEST INSPIRATION BY A FEMALE SINGER

EMMYLOU HARRIS

Emmy Lou Harris was born in 1947, the daughter of a Marine Corps officer who was reported missing in action in the Korean War. (He actually spent 10 months in a prisoner of war camp.) The class valedictorian of her high school, she won a drama scholarship to the University of North Carolina at Greensboro, where she began to study music. She left college to follow her musical star, working as a waitress in New York City. The rest, as they say, is history. Today, she performs solo, as a backup artist, and in duets with major artists, singing both her own songs and those of other composers. With a style that spans from bluegrass to folk to alternative rock, Emmylou has won 12 Grammy Awards, and was inducted into the Country Music Hall of Fame in February of last year.

Photo: Dana Tynan

BEST INSPIRATION BY A SINGER/ACTIVIST/LEGEND

JOAN BAEZ

It’s hard to believe Joan Baez is 67. Maybe harder to believe she’s been performing for 50 years. Her newest album, Day After Tomorrow, shows she’s not done yet. The anointed Queen of Folk, Joan sang and lived the ballads of protest. Against violence of any kind long before it was popular, she marched with Martin Luther King, Jr., protested wars from Viet Nam to the Persian Gulf, to the US invasion of Iraq. More than a civil rights activist, she is a human rights activist, standing in the fields with migrant workers, supporting gay and lesbian rights, doing jail time for draft resistance activities, and speaking out against poverty, inequity among races, the suffering of children, and the destruction of our planet. These deep convictions found their way into her songs and music, as her crystalline three-octave range easily morphed from folk to rock, pop to country gospel. In 2007, Joan Baez was given the Grammy Lifetime Achievement Award.

BEST INSPIRATION BY A SONGWRITER/SINGER

CAROLE KING

Carole King looks smokin’ hot in her sequined mini at the 2008 Grammy Awards. Now 67, her career actually spans 53 years! She started peddling her songs at the tender age of 14, and married her collaborator/lyricist at the age of 17. Together, this dynamic duo turned out some of the greatest hits of all times. “Will you Still Love Me Tomorrow?” “Take Good Care of my Baby,” “Up on the Roof,” “The Loco-Motion,” “One Fine Day,” and “You Make me Feel Like a Natural Woman,” among many, many others. After a divorce in ’68, Carole moved to Laurel Canyon, where she fit in well with the bohemian songset. After a brief collaboration with a female lyricist, Carole found her own “voice,” and began to pen her own words, “heavily under the influence of James Taylor,” she says. In 1971, the album “Tapestry” hit the stands, and the rest is history. She’s the proud recipient of 4 Grammy’s, and has a place in both the Songwriters Hall of Fame and the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame. She’s also planning a world tour with James Taylor in 2010. Says she, “I was never told you can’t do this because you’re a woman.” Obviously, she was never told she couldn’t go gray, either!

Photo: Ellen Barnes

BEST INSPIRATION BY A MODEL/PHOTOGRAPHER

YASMINA ROSSI

Born in France in 1955, and raised in Corsica, Yasmina Rossi has also lived In Paris, South Africa, and now, as a permanent home, the United States. In 1983, she combined raising children with a double career as an interior/fashion designer and photographer. Soon after, she was modeling for Yves Saint Laurent and other designers, taking acting classes to prepare her for what would surely come: features in movies, and countless television commercials. Recently, Yasmina turned down a lucrative global cosmetic campaign, when they asked her to dye her hair, saying the money could not buy her freedom and her happiness.

Going gray has never been an issue with Yasmina, who spotted her first white hair at the age of 12. She loved it immediately, as it made her different. She says she wore the "extroverted mask" of a shy person to survive her fear and insecurity, and turned to modeling as a means to conquer that shyness. Today, as "time has had an effect on my appearance," she feels comfortable and all the more beautiful. Insisting she is not a feminist, she believes women have to break away from the beauty conventions, and never be afraid not to be the standard, never be afraid to show they are special. "The goodness inside of each of us has to be recognized first by ourselves," she says, "it is a pity to destroy what Nature has created so nicely."

Yasmina continues to express her love of nature through photography, and indeed works as a photographer for various publications and corporations. Her unique textural landscape approach is highly recognizable and equally adaptable to interiors and fashion locations. She is also an advanced ceramist, speaks three languages fluently (with Spanish to come, she says), and loves yoga, windsurfing, and scuba diving. Latest passion: Green building with Adobe Alliance in SW Texas.

BEST INSPIRATION BY A MODEL/MAKEUP ARTIST

CINDY JOSEPH

Cindy Joseph had decided to retire from the fashion business after spending 23 years as a top makeup artist. She was ready for adventure, wanted to pursue a "life in the wilderness somewhere out West." No one could have been more surprised when a casting agent approached her on an East Village street in Manhattan, asking if she wanted to model for an upcoming Dolce & Gabbana campaign. She didn't think she had the makings of a model; for one thing, she was too short. And she wasn't emaciated. At 5'7" tall, she weighed a healthy 125-130 pounds. And she was 49. But she gave it a go, half thinking they were crazy. Ford Models spotted the campaign, signed her to an exclusive contract, and before long, she was hired for print and TV ads. Cindy was ok with going gray in her thirties, then started covering it in her 40's. Six years later, it was back to gray. Now, it's her trademark.

BEST INSPIRATION BY A MODEL/REAL ESTATE BROKER

SUSAN MCGRAW

Yes, Susan will actually sell you a house, if you're looking to buy in the Hamptons. Far from giving up this successful career, she calls modeling her "alternate" career, and feels it blends well with her position as Senior Vice President at Town & Country Real Estate in Southampton and her life as a college student at Skidmore (where her son just completed his freshman year.) Although she was a former teen model for Ford, she hadn't done a shoot for years. Then Bobbi Brown "re-discovered" her for her book The Evolution of Beauty. Inquiries from magazines started pouring in, so Susan went back to Ford as a Classic and Lifestyle model, a bit surprised at how her new career has led to incredible opportunities; commercials, billboards, catalogues, and a stint as The Face for Revlon's Vital Radiance collection for women 50+.

Susan never colored her hair, and never thought of doing so. She is "a proponent of letting life reveal and not hide who I am physically, intellectually, and emotionally." Like Yasmina, she has turned down six-figure modeling contracts because she refuses to color her hair. Recently re-married, Susan says she revels in the woman she has become and is scintillated by every adventure of her life. Favorite quote: "The baby boomer woman is demographically exceptional in every way!" No argument here.

BEST INSPIRATION BY A MODEL/DIETITIAN

MAYE MUSK

As a registered dietitian, Maye’s hair color did not affect counseling, writing or speaking. However, as a model, it was a whole other story. Her agent wanted her hair to stay long and blonde, as that's how clients booked her. But she was tired of coloring her hair every four weeks and panicking that her roots would show before a shoot. She decided to stop coloring at 59, so her hair would be natural for her 60th birthday party. Even if it meant giving up modeling. Maye didn't know what the color would be, but when it came in white, she was delighted. She took another big leap by getting a shorter “hipper” cut, thinking her modeling career was definitely over. Not so. Her clients were very excited about both the color and cut, and Maye feels the decision was so liberating. With the short cut, she just puts her fingers through her hair as it dries, no more blow-drying. And she notices the condition is better, shinier, and healthier. Added bonus: people say she looks younger. See for yourself. There’s a small picture of Maye before, and Maye now. The only question she has is "Why didn't I do this 10 years ago?"

BEST INSPIRATION BY A FASHION DESIGNER

EILEEN FISHER

Eileen Fisher believes every woman has a unique beauty, which is why she features many non-traditional models in her advertising, including employees of her own company, and, gasp, women with gray hair. It must work. Her timeless, easy-to-wear clothing has fostered a company consisting of 25 retail stores in eleven states, a presence in most major department stores, and consistently high sales. Not bad for a company she started in 1984, with $350. Her first "collection" consisted of two tops, a pair of cropped pants, and a V-neck vest. After one trade show, eight stores ordered them. And she was off and running. Literally. What drives her is the idea that a woman should feel comfortable in her clothes, comfortable with her body, and, above all, comfortable being herself.

Photo: Melissa Hom/New York Magazine

BEST INSPIRATION BY A FASHION EXECUTIVE

LINDA FARGO

As Senior Vice President, Women's Fashion Director and Store Presentation at Bergdorf Goodman, Linda Fargo makes a fashion statement with her striking white hair wherever she goes. Sitting in the front row at fashion shows critically analyzing the trends of the next season, attending parties for every designer worth a glance, working with her team to create the look, the feel, and the windows of the legendary specialty store, Linda is totally a woman in charge. Responsible for the breathtaking holiday windows, Linda creates dreamscapes of past and present, art and fantasy, exotic lands and enchanting places that draw tourists at the holidays and city gawkers all year through. With her street-smart style and her fondness for bold color and bolder accessories, she has emphatically put white hair on the fashion map.

BEST INSPIRATION BY A POLITICAL STRATEGIST

DONNA BRAZILE

Born in 1959, Donna Brazile cut her political teeth at the age of 9, when she took on a local candidate for political office after he promised to build a neighborhood playground. The first African American woman to direct a major presidential campaign (Gore-Lieberman 2000) she had been making her presence felt in Washington for over two decades, working for several advocacy groups before tackling campaigns from Jimmy Carter's through Bill Clinton's presidential and re-election campaign. Now a Democratic super delegate in the 2008 election, she is also a weekly contributor and commentator on CNN's The Situation Room, American Morning, and election coverage. Donna is a fellow at Harvard University's Institute of Politics, and an Adjunct Professor of Government at Georgetown University. The Founder and Managing Director of Brazile & Associates, Donna continues to empower grassroots advocates and train citizens to participate in the political process.

BEST INSPIRATION BY A GOVERNMENT OFFICIAL/USA

KATHLEEN SEBELIUS

The 44th Governor of Kansas, Kathleen Sebelius is capturing her share of national attention. You could say it started as she gave the rebuttal speech to President Bush's State-of-the-Union address, but this Kansas Governor has been pivotal on the state, national, and international fronts since first being elected in 2003, and re-elected to a second term in 2006. The first daughter of a Governor (John Gilligan, Ohio) in US history to be elected to the same position, she was rumored to be on the "short list" as an Obama VP candidate. Instead, she accepted the nomination for Secretary of Health and Human Services, and was sworn in on April 28, 2009. Governing one of the largest civilian departments in the federal government with more than 67,000 employees, Secretary Sebelius is charged with protecting the health of all American citizens.

BEST INSPIRATION BY A GOVERNMENT OFFICIAL/FRANCE

CHRISTINE LAGARDE

As the first woman ever to become Minister of Economic Affairs in a G8 country, France’s Christine Lagarde has been called “ravissant” by the press. Ravishing, yes, but also a very dedicated, serious and powerful influence on global economic policy. In 2008, she was ranked the 14th most powerful woman in the world by Forbes Magazine, and has been awarded France's highest honor, the Légion d'honneur. As an antitrust and labor lawyer, Minister Lagarde made history as the first female chairman of an international law firm, Baker and McKenzie. In 2007, she joined François Fillon's cabinet in the Ministry of Economic Affairs, Industry and Employment to become the first woman to ever be in charge of economic policy in France. Today, under French President Nicholas Sarkozy, she continues to pursue economic reform, including driving down inflation and unemployment. The epitome of French chic, she is also a champion synchronized swimmer.

BEST INSPIRATION BY AN ACTRESS

JAMIE LEE CURTIS

Born in 1958 to Hollywood Royalty Janet Leigh and Tony Curtis, Jamie Lee Curtis was often the bombshell squeaky teen, playing ingénue roles with all the beguiling innocence a buxom beauty could muster. Initially known as the "scream queen" because of numerous roles in slasher films, she soon established herself as a serious actress in Trading Places (1983), earning the BAFTA Award for Best Supporting Actress, and cult-classic A Fish Called Wanda (1988). She won a Golden Globe for her work in True Lies, and received her second Golden Globe nomination for Freaky Friday. Jamie was also nominated for an Emmy for the television movie, Nicholas' Gift. While she is now focusing on her family, she also pens critically-acclaimed children's books, and has applied for a patent for an innovative children's diaper! Little known facts: Jamie Lee is a Lady. Lady Hadon-Guest, after her husband, Christopher Guest inherited the Barony of Haden-Guest upon the death of his father in 1996. Another surprise: she's the godmother of Jake Gyllenhaal.

BEST INSPIRATION BY AN ACTRESS/DIRECTOR/PRODUCER

DIANE KEATON

Ironically, Diane Keaton’s “real name,” Diane Hall, leads us directly to the much-loved Annie Hall, the film that depicted the actress’s romance with Woody Allen. This landmark film, for which she won an Academy Award, is just one of many favorites: The Godfather, parts I, II, and III; Looking for Mr. Goodbar, with Richard Gere; Reds, with Warren Beatty (earning her a second Best Actress nomination); Baby Boom, Father of the Bride, and The First Wives Club. She earned her third Oscar nomination for her work in Marvin’s Room, and her fourth for best supporting actress, in Something’s Gotta Give, with Jack Nicholson, a film the original studio wouldn’t touch because they felt the main characters were “too old” for romance. Many more films are on her filmography list, yet the actress also turned to directing and producing, lending her considerable talents to music videos, after school specials, and TV features, making her first feature-length directorial debut with Unstrung Heroes. Always a trailblazer, in both her personal and professional lives, she’s passionate about photography, the restoration of historic buldings in the Los Angeles area, and becoming a mother after the age of 50. As a “face” for L’Oréal, Diane Keaton is undoubtedly “worth it,” gray hair and all!

BEST INSPIRATION BY AN ACTRESS/DAYTIME STAR

MAEVE KINKEAD

Maeve Kinkead didn’t start out to be an actress. She wanted to be a professor. After attending Radcliffe College, she became a teaching fellow in English literature at Harvard. One day, she enrolled in a classical theatre course, and the rest is history. Next stop: London, where she attended The London Academy of Music and Dramatic Art. Back on home turf, The Guiding Light was not her first soap, but the character of Vanessa Chamberlain proved to be her most memorable. Nominated for 5 Daytime Emmy’s, she won for Outstanding Supporting Actress in 1992, and received her first nomination as Outstanding Lead Actress in 1995. Little known facts (unless you’re a soap buff): Maeve is Meryl Streep’s sister-in-law, a breast cancer survivor, and co-founded the Athens Street Company with singer James Taylor, humorist Fran Lebowitz, actors Bill Murray and Christopher Walken, among others. What's next for Maeve? Undoubtedly, stay tuned!

Photo: Michael Neugebauer

BEST INSPIRATION BY A SCIENTIST

JANE GOODALL

Renowned primatologist Dr. Jane Goodall spent nearly 40 years with the chimps of Gombe, doing groundbreaking research in a most unorthodox manner. The first to gain their trust, she lived among them, studying their habits, their skills, their moods and emotions. And she was able to challenge every conventional notion about chimpanzees. Her book The Chimpanzees of Gombe: Patterns of Behavior, is considered a definitive work, proving primates are highly intelligent, live in complex social groups, make and use tools, have distinct personalities, and can engage in brutal warfare. Dr. Goodall continues to be a global leader in the effort to protect chimpanzees and their habitats, and through her Institute has established community-centered conservation and educational programs in Africa and 96 countries. One of the most honored scientists on the planet, she was named a U.N. "Messenger of Peace" by United Nations Secretary-General Kofi Annan, and, in 2004, was invested as a Dame of the British Empire.

BEST INSPIRATION BY A MEDICAL PROFESSIONAL

JULIE GERBERDING

Dr. Julie Gerberding, the first female head of the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), and infectious disease expert, has helped lead this country’s defense against bioterrorism, toxic substances, and safety initiatives to prevent infections, antimicrobial resistance, and medical errors in healthcare settings. She has contributed numerous guidelines and policies relevant to HIV prevention, and has been a consultant to the National Institutes of Health, the American Medical Association, the Occupational Safety and Health Administration, the National AIDS Commission, the Congressional Office of Technology Assessment, and the World Health Organization. Prior to assuming the helm at the CDC, Dr. Gerberding was acting Deputy Director of the National Center for Infectious Diseases. In 2005, she was named one of Time Magazine’s Top 100 Innovators, and was added to the Forbes magazine list of the “100 Most Powerful Women” in both 2007 and 2008. Although her tenure at the CDC was not without controversy, she recently received the Surgeon General’s Medallion for actions of exceptional achievement to the cause of public health and medicine.

BEST INSPIRATION BY AN EDITOR

ELLEN LEVINE

Unlike a certain white-haired, Prada-wearing editor the movies dreamed up, Ellen Levine has risen to the top of the publishing world, earning many accolades and awards along the way. Today, she is the first-ever editorial director for Hearst Magazines. Yes, all the magazines, with responsibility for strengthening current titles and developing new ones, and evaluating opportunities for brand extensions, books, digital alternatives, and cross-promotional magazine opportunities. She originally made publishing history when she became the first woman to be named editor-in-chief of Good Housekeeping (you mean men were telling us how to keep house before?), appearing often on ABC's "Good Morning America," and other national talk shows and news programs. A few other titles you might recognize: Ellen was instrumental in developing O. The Oprah Magazine, served as editor-in-chief of Redbook and Woman's Day, was a senior editor at Cosmopolitan, and helped develop Weekend and Quick & Simple.

And in her spare time, she served two terms as president of the American Society of Magazine Editors, was appointed a member of the U.S. Attorney General's Commission on Pornorgraphy, served as a delegate at the International Women's Media Foundation meeting in Prague, Czech Republic, and is a director of Finlay Enterprises, Inc., the parent company of Finlay Fine Jewelry, the top operator of leased jewelry departments in the U.S. Ellen has won numerous awards and been cited by major organizations for her accomplishments. In 2004, she was inducted into the Magazine Editors' Hall of Fame, received the Writer's Hall of Fame Award for lifestyle coverage, and received the Matrix Award for exceptional achievement, one of the communication industry's most prestigious honors.

BEST INSPIRATION BY A JOURNALIST

HELOISE

Also known as Poncé Kiah Marchelle Heloise Cruse Evans, but to millions as the "Hints from Heloise" Heloise, this great gray has helped many of us solve the inexplicable tricky mysteries of running house and home. She came to it naturally, as the daughter of the "original" Heloise, a trailblazing woman journalist. Her mother began the helpful columns in a newspaper in Honolulu, offering to work free for 30 days to see if it took hold. It did, and proved to be such a success in two years, Mama Heloise was written up in Time magazine. The headline "Hints from Heloise" was born in 1961 when the column was syndicated, and by 1964, it was running in 593 newspapers in America and abroad. In 1966, her daughter, then a college student, began helping her out with the column. This is the Heloise of today, who took over the column when her mother died, and continues to write it to this day. She's also penned books, covering every single household dilemma, including getting organized, mastering stinks and stains, keeping the planet healthy, and do-it-yourself beauty hints. Heloise is also a contributing editor of Good Housekeeping and monthly columnist. She's popular on the talk show and lecture circuit, as well, speaking to business and civic organizations across America. And she makes frequent appearances on behalf of Battered Women's Shelters, the USO, and The American Heart Association. If you've only used one of her helpful hints (and chances are, you've used many), you'll know that, like her mother's tombstone reads, she truly is "Every Housewife's Friend."

wow diana ...you never sleep do you?
i love all these great grays!! proud to be one of them!!! (gray that is)!
louann

Posted by louann on 01/04 at 09:28 PM

Oh Diana. I love this page! I must admit I didn’t read it - but only stared at these beautiful ladies! I promise to read it tomorrow, but it’s late, so I’m just gonna scroll up and stare at them one more time before I go to bed. :o) Thanks for the inspiration!

Posted by greeneyes on 01/04 at 10:28 PM

Yet another great page! Thanks Diana.

Posted by dorsetlady on 01/05 at 12:58 AM

A great page Diana. Yasmina is my personal silver inspiration. Of course YOU belong on this page, you have done more than anyone to promote natural hair and have a stunning head of silver in your own right.

Posted by Sharon on 01/05 at 01:33 AM

I am completely inspired!! I needed to see this today and am so happy you have included this feature Diana. All the photos of long, flowing silver hair has inspired me so much. I love it!!

Posted by lulubell on 01/05 at 04:29 AM

Wow!! This is a great page! Very inspiring! Makes me wish I went gray sooner. But better late than never, right?

Posted by Silverhair on 01/05 at 06:51 AM

Okay. I’ve been reading. I enjoyed all of the bio’s. These are some amazing women.

I became angry that Yasmina and Susan were asked to color their hair. Are those people blind?

All of the colors, styles and lengths are beautiful but I am partial to the long haired beauties. And thanks for adding Susan, a darker gray! We can’t all be white. :o)

Posted by greeneyes on 01/05 at 07:31 AM

Diana, what a great page! Really, when do you sleep?

I’ve noticed a few more models for print ads that have “gray” hair but it always seems the ads are for products being marketed to women over 55, us seniors. Still good to have the exposure and they are always beautiful women.

Posted by sallee on 01/05 at 09:46 AM

yea i notice the same thing...it is all about joint medication or worse yet the partner with the guy for the viagra meds...sheesh…

louann

Posted by louann on 01/05 at 09:54 AM

...or dentures, bathroom issues, hearing issues, special bathtabs, motorized chairs…

Posted by greeneyes on 01/05 at 10:10 AM

Gee, do you think they could make getting older any more glamourous?! Makes one want to be a senior right now

Posted by sallee on 01/05 at 11:04 AM

OMG, I want to be as gorgeous as these women when I grow up!

Posted by Scorpioanne on 01/05 at 01:56 PM

I’m just sitting here laughing about all the women in the denture/viagra ads. When will advertisers get it? Hopefully, with a little help from ALL you gorgeous grays visiting us!

BTW—did you see Carmen in the November issue of Harper’s Bazaar? She was actually portraying Cindy McCain in contrast to Oluchi’s “Michelle Obama,” and looked smashing.

No motorized chairs needed there!

Posted by Diana Jewell on 01/05 at 04:07 PM

I would like to add Deborah Nadoolman Landis to Great Inspiration by a Costume Designer. She’s an Academy Award–nominated costume designer of Coming to America (1988). Her other costume design credits include Animal House (1978), The Blues Brothers (1980), Raiders of the Lost Ark (1981), Three Amigos (1986), and Michael Jackson’s Thriller (1983). Her work is on display at the Smithsonian Institution, the Autry National Center, and the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame. I went to one of her lectures when her book came out. She is gorgeous!

http://www.dressedthebook.com/About%20the%20Author.html

Posted by elleniek on 01/05 at 04:12 PM

Diana, This is a wonderful article! I just love it!! You are awesome!

Posted by RunnerGal on 01/05 at 09:04 PM

Diana - what a great concept!! I love this page (as obviously, all of us do!)

Thanks for keeping the site fresh and interesting ... and for pacifying all of us “photo junkies”

Posted by RuffDiamond on 01/06 at 06:25 AM

These photos are sensational! Thanks so much Diana. Every day I get more and more inspired by this site. Jane xx

Posted by Jane on 01/06 at 10:56 AM

i think my hair is similar to the governors hair...i am just not sure if i am wild about her haircut...i have seen it on tv and it looks a little better there...this pic looks a bit “mulletish” (there’s that word again!!)
don’t get me wrong ...all these ladies look fantastic...love the realtor susan...i envy the long hair look...i just haven’t had it in YEARS !!

louann

Posted by louann on 01/06 at 11:00 AM

Nah—your hair is more tousled, Louann. The gov. should try that—looser and sexier. Of course, let’s not push the politicos too far. It’s enough that she’s a “natural.”

Posted by Diana Jewell on 01/06 at 03:29 PM

This is awesome. I recognized Cindy Joseph as the beautiful lady in the perfume ads with Catherine Zeta Jones, and thinking she should be focus of the ad.

Posted by oneofthefew on 01/06 at 04:07 PM

Diana,

These are some very beautiful women. Wow, this is an awesome piece you put together! I still can’t figure out how you do it. I haven’t had a lot of time to look around and post lately, but I always know when I do drop in there will be something great to read or some nice photos to peruse! And I have to second the notion that you rank at the top of the list here!! Thank you, thank you, thank you!!!

Posted by grayincali on 01/07 at 02:04 PM

Awww, thanks guys. I’m glad this is inspirational. But I’m not the inspiration—you ALL are!

Posted by Diana Jewell on 01/07 at 02:25 PM

Diana, thank-you, thank-you! Beautiful, lustrous, gray locks to aspire to. My mid-length(awkward length) hair thanks you, too, since I will refrain from cutting it off in the hopes of achieving some long silky hair like one of these beauties.

Posted by newbie2 on 01/07 at 07:38 PM

Must agree...the board is not complete without you Diana but we certainly understand. What a fabulous collection of inspiring ladies from all realms of life and careers.
Many of them have been at the top of my list!

Must say I had forgotten about Heloise! I remember getting her book as a present when I got engaged. And it was nice to see Jane Goodall up there as well! I just started reading a book she put out that has to do with food and how and what we eat is impacting our planet and future.

The one thing that rings true for all of these women is that besides the hair each is an individualist!

Posted by morningstar on 01/08 at 03:46 AM

This page makes me smile so I visit often. :o)

Many times I am odd one. You know, the only one in the room with silver highlights...at least I am the only WOMAN in the room with silver...or the only woman under 80 years old. :o) But now that I am fully transitioned and getting a comfortable length back, I am beginning to enjoy being the different woman in the room. And we HAVE to know that these ladies - in their line of work - are the different ones so often, and they are in the public eye so much of the time. These women have so much to teach us about being true to ourselves and not worrying about gaining the approval of the crowd.

One thing for certain. If someone is trying to point them (or us) out they can say, “She is the woman with gray hair.” Everyone will know who they are talking about. If they say, “She is the one with brown (or blonde or red) hair” - it’s going to take more information than that! :o)

Posted by greeneyes on 01/08 at 07:20 AM

Hi greeneyes .... you know what’s really ironic here? In being true to themselves these women HAVE gained approval of the crowd, gray hair and all. This should say more than anything that it just doesn’t matter what color a womans hair is. And I’m with you. The more I notice that I am now the “different” one with the gray hair, I like it! I think it makes us special!

Posted by grayincali on 01/08 at 08:09 AM

Suzanne, I was just thinking that this morning. I love being the only one with silver hair! I think it makes us unique. How fun!

Posted by RunnerGal on 01/08 at 09:11 AM

We do stand out in a crowd, don’t we?! I’ve had my hair natural for going on 11 years now and not one of my friends has decided to go natural, but that doesn’t surprise me considering where I live. I’m not sure how much of anything is “natural” in the OC!

Posted by sallee on 01/08 at 09:21 AM

Forgive me, but what is the OC?

These women are great in many ways. I too, keep checking back to see them. I notice many great gray’s in my area but they all have short hair and the ones with long hair are the ones that, sadly, do look like they are letting themselves go. There was one woman about two years ago, and I guess you could say she’s the one who re-planted the seed for me to transition, anyway, she had beautiful long silver hair neatly tied back with a silver barette, I’m guessing she was in her sixties. She reminded me of Santa Fe, NM because of the way she was dressed. I thought she looked very stylish and very comfortable with herself. I think it was that “comfort” and confidence she showed that was so enticing to me. I think that I had just had highlights done and so many people noticed and complimented me, that’s the only reason I think I waited another year and a half.

Posted by Marisa on 01/08 at 02:18 PM

Marisa, the OC is Orange County, almost as bad as Hollywood when it comes to the youth obsession.

Confidence and when you “own” your look really says a huge amount without ever saying a word.

Posted by sallee on 01/08 at 02:43 PM

After years and years of colouring my hair, now my silver can’t come through quick enough for me! I’m almost getting impatient! Can you believe it?!!!

Posted by Jane on 01/08 at 02:47 PM

if our gray hair is the “elephant in the room"… then i am THAT ELEPHANT !!!! whooo hooo!!!
louann

Posted by louann on 01/08 at 07:37 PM

I was hoping to find Paula Dean on this page. Her hair is that glowing white I hope mine will be someday. She’s the one that cooks all that deep-fried stuff. I wouldn’t eat much of her food, but it looks delicious and she’s a hoot to watch!

Posted by Graydiva on 01/09 at 04:09 PM

Love it, Diana! Its what was missing…
Ruth

Posted by ruthmgon on 01/09 at 06:22 PM

Hi Graydiva—No, Paula Dean isn’t here, but that’s because she’s already in our “Newflash” section. You can access it from the homepage on the Latest & Greatest list. Scroll down towards the bottom.

And, thanks, Ruth. Inspiration is all around us, too! Keep scouting!

Posted by Diana Jewell on 01/09 at 08:36 PM

Cool - thanks. Just checked it out. Still learning my way around the site. Wow - get a load of J-Lo’s roots in the picture below Paula!!

Posted by Graydiva on 01/10 at 08:30 AM

Yasmina just sent a lovely thank you for being included in this article, and her words were so powerful, I thought I would share them with you, with her permission. She reminds us that being true to ourselves is the first step in being true to a larger community. In fact, a global community. Something to think about. . .

“I see all these women who tell me that they will let their true hair be visible...It is a great feeling to inspire women to be “true” in the world we live.

Our look is not a “superficial “ thing, it is more important than it seems at first point , it is a strong symbol… we are a part of a deep “human “ transformation. I see the big crises that we are living through in the world as a natural shake up, a positive thing to make fall all that is not useful anymore and create new structures for a better world to live and to share.

My thought was about the Goddess inside each of us that has to be recognized, meaning the female power of Beauty, of immense Love , Compassion of the great Mother, being in touch with that inside of us to be fed by it. To be able to give it outside and contribute to a better world....enjoying our natural assets is the recognition of that Goddess...goodness…

Men are “killing” this power in many countries in the world, Africa, China..and more ...and as you said I am not a feminist, but what men are doing around the world even now is so sad...they don’t understand that it is themselves that they kill by not being in touch with their sensitive part ... the Soul, that women represent...”

Thank you, Yasmina, for this perspective. It’s not about every new inch of gray, it’s about the goodness and authenticity we find in ourselves along the way. We all wish you a very Happy New Year!

Posted by Diana Jewell on 01/13 at 02:33 PM

WOW! What beautiful words of wisdom from a woman who is not only beautiful on the outside but inside as well. I have to admit I had a bit of a lump in my throat when reading what she had to say. Those are thoughts of true inspiration for sure! Thank you for sharing!

Posted by grayincali on 01/13 at 02:49 PM

I admit the same thing, Suzanne. Wow, really, Diana, thanks for sharing it with us.

Posted by sallee on 01/13 at 02:54 PM

Now THERE is a woman who really “gets” the big picture.

Thanks for sharing this Diana.

Posted by RuffDiamond on 01/14 at 06:30 AM

I just read the words by Yasmina...I am speechless...she completely captured the essense of what is felt but words have not been able to express..until now(for me personally)

Thank you so much Diana for sharing her words and “passing them on”..I’m printing them now as I type(which is a joke....my typing that is )

Posted by elizabeth on 01/14 at 11:26 AM

I keep going back to this page. Truly inspirational! Thank you so much, Diana!

Posted by RunnerGal on 01/14 at 11:46 AM

Well, Elizabeth and RunnerGal—so glad you liked this. I find these women pretty amazing myself. Just goes to show you—there’s so much more to this than meets the eye. It’s all about discovering what’s really deep and true within ourselves.

Posted by Diana Jewell on 01/14 at 02:04 PM

Wow - how have I missed this before....this is truly inspirational. We are in very good company.

Posted by SBKaren on 01/15 at 05:11 PM

Thank You Diana for sharing the photos and words of some very wise and “Fine” women. I can only aspire to be like them.

Posted by Silver Lining on 01/16 at 03:54 PM

YASMINA ROSSI is truly inspirational. Have been watching her for years. Her hair color makes all the difference in her exotic beauty, just amazing!

Thanks Diana for putting up this great collection of beauties and inspirational stories.

Posted by Jadejou on 01/18 at 10:36 AM

Glad you liked it Jadejou. And so glad you had a good time at the SoCal event yesterday—thanks for the PM. No matter where you go, you can always find kindred spirits.

I agree, Yasmina is inspirational on so many levels. Beautiful, intelligent, and kind-hearted. And, did you know she’s also a Member of GGLG? She doesn’t just appear on our pages, she’s right there with us!

Posted by Diana Jewell on 01/18 at 04:25 PM

I have to say that Emilou Harris has slways been my insparation & I’m happy to see her on this site. I now have so many people that inspire me to continue my transission and a place I can come to when I feel less than excited about my trans. I am so proud that Yasmina nixed a contract because she would not color her hair I think that speeks volumes for so many women that have may have the same conviction with no outlet to express it. It’s like a deep rooted desire to say move over make room and let me be who I am cuz I’m commin through!

.925

Posted by .925 on 01/19 at 11:15 AM

More wise words have come in from Susan McGraw, another of our Great Inspirations. These are always worth sharing with you all, because they come from women who have achieved, who have gone on to live with – and love – their silver. Here is just a part of what she had to say:

“Thanks for including me among these women of great strength, talent, beauty, and full understanding of who a woman is when she is happy within herself. It never occurred to me to rid myself of what I perceived to be striking and beautiful...and different.

I refer to my silver hair as my “blonde” to those women who ask me how I could have let this “happen”. To me I wonder how anyone could cover their natural silver? I meet women all the time, and men as well, who applaud me for my hair...disbelieving that they could do the same as I have. I challenge them to give it a “go” and some say they will.

The sexiness of a woman emerges in her sense of self...how she thinks, smiles, moves, and what she FEELS...it is not lost to women of silver hair and in fact, I am sure we may “own” sensuality in that we are confident within our spiritual and emotional selves… We are women who have courage to do far more than let our hair naturally evolve into a silver color… if you knew us you would see we are like most women...we have dreams, accomplishments, disappointments, failures, great loves, deep hurts, and all of us are splendid examples of survival.

I invite your fans to join us...to live naturally and fully and to recognize the inherent beauty that can only develop in truth when a woman believes her hair color is just that...a color...it is the woman inside the soul that expresses her self...I can tell you it is far more fun to spend time loving, learning, and having fun than it is worrying about coloring hair!”

Thank you for those thoughts, Susan. You are speaking our mantra—gray is a COLOR. Be watching for an updated shot of Susan soon. You will see, her color is “evolving,” as it is for all of us.

Posted by Diana Jewell on 01/24 at 02:51 PM

Such “inspirational” words! Thanks for sharing Susan’s thoughts with us Diana. I can’t wait to see her updated photo!

Posted by lulubell on 01/24 at 03:00 PM

Inspirational indeed!

Susan has nicely detailed what we all call “feeling free” ... accepting our natural beauty and reveling in our uniqueness.

Posted by RuffDiamond on 01/24 at 03:10 PM

Thanks to Susan for her words of wisdom and to you, Diana, for passing them on to us. I’m looking forward to seeing the updated picture!

Posted by greeneyes on 01/24 at 03:20 PM

Just to let you all know, Susan’s picture AND Cindy’s picture have both been updated. Sometimes you have to hit the refresh button (circular arrow) to see them. I got caught myself wondering where they are, so just a tip.

Posted by Diana Jewell on 01/25 at 10:29 AM

Susan looks so young in that new photograph.

Posted by Sharon on 01/25 at 10:48 AM

I agree with you Sharon, Susan does look young in that photograph.

Posted by Silverhair on 01/25 at 11:07 AM

I love the new pics of Cindy and Susan. So fun to see!

Posted by greeneyes on 01/25 at 11:37 AM

Hi Everyone…

To Sharon and “Silverhair”...the new photos were taken at the end of this past summer. The former photo is from MORE magazine..two years ago! The more silver my hair the younger I feel! Thank you all for your wonderful compliments...I am looking forwarding to meeting you all in person!

Susan McGraw (Keber)

Posted by susanmcgraw on 01/25 at 02:44 PM

Love the new pics of Cindy and Susan! Cindy looks gorgeous as always ... what a classic beauty! I love the carefree and casual feel of the photo. And, Susan, wow!, what a different look! When looking at this page initially, she is who I picked out to have hair that is most like I expect mine to be color-wise when grown out. This new pic is absolutely beautiful. It’s neat to see the changing shade of her silver! Thanks for sharing these inspiring stories!

Posted by grayincali on 01/25 at 02:59 PM

Susan - Thanks for dropping in on us! I visit this page often - just to stare at you and all of the other beautiful silver ladies :o)

Posted by greeneyes on 01/25 at 03:05 PM

One more thing .... I LOVE the shirt Susan is wearing. Anybody know where to get one???

Posted by grayincali on 01/25 at 03:06 PM

Lovely updated photos!! Thanks for sharing with all of us here at GGLG!!!!

Posted by lulubell on 01/25 at 03:16 PM

Susan,

If you don’t mind sharing, when did you first begin to go gray? And what inspired you to NOT color your hair?

Mary (Silverhair)

Posted by Silverhair on 01/25 at 04:40 PM

Dear “Grayincali"…
My silver silk shirt is from J.Crew’s spring 2008 collection...it is one of my favorite “accessories”.
Susan

Posted by susanmcgraw on 01/25 at 04:58 PM

Hi Mary!

The “bio” Diana Jewell provided basically sums it up...I never considered coloring my hair and when the woman cutting my hair told me I had gray coming in (from the back of my head under my naturally dark brown shiny hair (with natural auburn highlights) I was surprised but curious. I was probably thirty years old. Not only was I “going gray” but I had white and silver hair coming in and over the years it filled out evenly and as the glimmer of silver overtook the dark hair I did not mourn it but reveled in the “new silver” sophisticated woman I had become. During a particularly difficult time in my life, a divorce, I was urged by female friends to dye my hair because they felt I had a better chance of meeting someone new if I looked “younger”...I was not influenced by what I believed to be a personal projection of their own reservations about gray hair and as usual, I chose to explore the natural progress of change...and I am so happy I did! My inspiration? My need to be truthful to who I am and the confidence to stand up and be that human being.

Frivolously speaking, I much prefer the sheen and richness of silver to gold. I adore silver...from my mother’s Georg Jensen bracelet from the 1940’s to my hair...I’m a silver woman!
I am a former fashion editor (REDBOOK),stylist, and media spokesperson for fashion and beauty companies. I have always felt extraordinarily comfortable and secure in my own style and sense of well being. Never once did I doubt my choice to let my hair journey to another color. My grandfather had an abundance of white hair in his eighties, my grandmother at eighty five had natural brown hair and a few grays at the temples. As we mature our skin tone changes and I did not want to be “false” in my appearance...dark dyed brown hair and pale skin...I can spot dyed hair from faraway and that is concealment of one’s natural beauty to me. When woman approach me about the color of my hair and ask me where I get it colored I am amazed...but I tell them they too can have it if they stop dyeing their hair and accept the beautiful silver streaks and snow white that is just underneath it all.

The woman who looks back at me in the mirror every morning is someone I’ve worked with all my life. I am content and happy from the inside of my soul to the outside of my appearance. As for those friends who urged me to color my hair all those years ago; my new husband couldn’t agree more! He loves my silver hair and would not like to see me dye it! I sent Diana a wedding photo of us...perhaps she’ll post it...we’re two silver haired people and very much in “quiet solid love”.

If you’re here at this website it is because you have already decided in your heart that going silver/gray/white is exciting and who you really should be now! I am increasingly silver and love it!

Posted by susanmcgraw on 01/25 at 05:29 PM

what a cool crowd we hang out with!!!

love these new updated pictures…
thanks for showing everyone ELSE out there that gray/silver/white is COLOR… as our fearless leader has drilled into our silver heads!!

louann

Posted by louann on 01/25 at 05:47 PM

Thank you Susan for the info on the shirt! I hate to say it, but I am a big, fat copycat now! I found what appears to be the same shirt on their website and ordered it on major sale!! What a deal!!! And, thankfully I’m tall b/c I think the only sizes I saw left were in TALL!!! Thanks!

Posted by grayincali on 01/25 at 06:14 PM

P.S. - I forgot to mention that I too was a silver girl long before my hair started turning silver. I’ve always been a big lover of silver jewelry .... from my platinum wedding rings to my collection of turquoise (which I LOVE) and silver, I love it all! I even have the coolest sea glass necklace and bracelet, also set in silver, and so on and so on. It just made sense to move away from the gold highlights I had been putting in my hair to a new, shiny silver glow. What could be better?!

Posted by grayincali on 01/25 at 07:07 PM

Dear Grayincali…

So glad you found the shirt...I love that you also got a great deal on it. Your collection of jewelry adornments sound beautiful. I feel as though my silver streaked hair is an “accessory”...anything else I add is secondary! Keep going silver!!

Susan McGraw (Keber)

Posted by susanmcgraw on 01/26 at 04:51 AM

Susan,
I have to tell you that it was the spread in Oprah that you were featured in that gave me the inital courage to try giving up colouring. I had been frustrated with colouring for some time but was really discouraged by others whenever I would bring up the idea of giving up colour. Seeing you and the other women in those photos made me realize that natural, graying hair could be beautiful! So thank-you!

Lisa

Posted by newbie2 on 01/26 at 07:24 AM

Oh! I didn’t know Susan was one of the ladies in the Oprah feature. That also gave me the push to begin my journey to gray! And then I found this site which took me the rest of the way.

Posted by greeneyes on 01/26 at 08:11 AM

Yup, that’s exactly how it went for me!

Posted by newbie2 on 01/26 at 08:20 AM

A comment on hair as our greatest accessory (I love that idea, Susan) .... even though I mentioned I have several favorite pieces of silver jewelry, I wouldn’t really consider myself a person who’s big on wearing lots of it. I’m pretty much a minimalist when it comes to adding accessories. On the same note, I’ve always preferred wearing solids to prints and so forth. I have been wearing headbands a lot lately which seems contrary to that, but it’s just been my way of hiding my roots and keeping the “poof” on the top of my head to a minimum!

I LOVE the idea of considering my new silvering tresses as the utmost in accessories! I can only hope that mine turns out even half as beautiful as some of the ladies on this page and throughout this site who are already great grays!

Posted by grayincali on 01/26 at 09:11 AM

Suzanne, which t-shirt? I get so behind in the posts on the weekend.

Susan, I’m so impressed that you went against the grain and held true to yourself and still do. How in the world could anyone think you would be more beautiful if you colored your hair?!

Posted by sallee on 01/26 at 09:46 AM

Hi Lisa!

You have a good eye..yes, the Oprah editorial was fun for me too...and the story was up-lifting for women who were thinking about letting their natural silver come in...glad you were inspired!

Susan

Posted by susanmcgraw on 01/28 at 09:42 AM

i totally enjoyed this read. Thank you Diana!

Posted by miss red on 01/29 at 08:28 AM

Hi Sallee! The shirt I was asking Susan about is the one she is wearing in her picture above! I love the look of a classic white shirt, but this has that same feel with the punch of silver! Anyway, I found one and purchased it and am waiting for it to arrive. Who knows whether or not it’ll look good with my new hair color, but I hope so!! It’s really classy and chic!

Posted by grayincali on 01/29 at 02:50 PM

Hi Suzanne, thanks. Susan looks great in hers and I’m sure you will look stunning, as usual, in yours. I’m not a big button up shirt person. I am really wide from shoulder to shoulder and its just always been hard for me to find a shirt that’s comfy and I’m not a big collar person, on jackets or coats, yes, but not on my clothes. I know it’s easier to find things for tall women now, but oh boy, when I was young, forget it. Nothing was ever long enough and I hated the shoulder pad 80’s. If there’s one thing I don’t need, it’s shoulder pads!! I looked like a linebacker everytime I tried something on back then. Too funny.

Posted by sallee on 01/29 at 03:05 PM

Oh, Sallee, LOL!! Thank goodness the days of shoulder pads are over. That’s one style I hope NEVER comes back! You know what ... I almost NEVER wear shirts that button up or with collars either. I really like a plain and simple sweater or tee because they just feel more comfy on. I’m taking a chance here. But, I saw that pic and it looks so nice on Susan, I thought I’d give it a try! I wear so many tees and flip flops (true California style) that I’m trying to branch out and at least have something in my closet to go to for a dressier, snazzier look. I think this shirt will look great even with jeans! We’ll see!

Posted by grayincali on 01/29 at 03:14 PM

I know what you mean about trying to branch out from t-shirts and jeans and sandals, which I pretty much live in. All the women who are featured here are so put together, I’ve always wanted to be able to do that. I know what looks good on me and I do have my own style, so I’ve always just gone with what feels right, it’s just most of the time it’s jeans and t-shirts. I did buy some t-shirts at Bloomingdale’s a few weeks ago. My daughter wanted both of them so I think I made good choices.

Posted by sallee on 01/29 at 03:32 PM

man oh man do i hear you guys...i do own a few of the button up in fact wore one to the getty but really honestly i am a sweater/tee shirt flip flop kinda gal...also love the mock turtle neck with fun vests…
really though...IT IS ALL ABOUT COMFORT ...i am getting used to this makeup stuff ..but.. honestly when i am not working...i take my long walks...come home to water /coffee/or wine depending on when i walk!!! slip into the sweats and check out what YOU ALL are doing!!...i know ...i need a life!!!

Posted by louann on 01/29 at 06:54 PM

What, this isn’t a life? This is the authentic life with authentic hair!

Louann, how’d your son’s interview go?

I should have kept my mouth shut the other day, I think I just needed to let out some steam.

Everyone looks great in the Villa pic’s, and I thought you looked very classy.

Posted by Marisa on 01/29 at 07:09 PM

Sallee - I think we are going to get along just fine
I’m so a tee shirt/comfy kind of gal. I help with our after school dance program on Thursdays and we get to wear our T-shirt on that day. Then every Friday is school T-shirt day (since it’s Friday - guess what I’m wearing? LOL) I’m all into being comfortable and thankfully - working in a school by the beach - we all have a pretty laid back style.

My husband wears T-shirts and jeans to work every day. He comes home and changes into shorts....true southern California beach wear - matter of fact, that is where we met. I’ll get into that when I get our ‘sweetheart’ picture in - which I hope to do this weekend.

I also have very broad shoulders. I had to purchase some things with the shoulder pads in them (for a while) but I always cut them out. The button up shirt I wore to the Getty is one of 2 I have in my closet. I only wore it to show off to the folks back east about our weather....which by the way is HOT again! I figured a brightly flowered Hawaiian print shirt might stir some jealousy (I know...I’m mean

And - when I’m home (like now) even the shoes come off. I think it’s going to be another beachie kind of weekend!

Sorry this post is so long- I’ve had to do a lot of catching up!

Posted by SBKaren on 01/30 at 01:53 PM

Oh yes! Another casual kinda gal ... must be the socal in us!! And that’s not to say we clean up VERY well if need be!

So, Karen, I’m going to be hanging with my friend and her kids who live in old town tomorrow. Both of our husbands are sailing in a regatta together tomorrow. I’ll be with my kiddos .... maybe we’ll see ya around town! Have a great weekend!

Posted by grayincali on 01/30 at 02:02 PM

Oh, Karen the few things I ever bought with shoulder pads they were cut out first thing. Guess I could have used them to stuff my bra where I really could use a bit
of padding

This weather is crazy. I love it, I wish we could share it with our shivering silver sisters. Say that 3 times fast.

Posted by sallee on 01/30 at 02:39 PM

Man, I knew I shoulda saved all those shoulder pads!!!!! I could put them to good use too Sallee!

Posted by grayincali on 01/30 at 02:43 PM

Gray! We’re going out to dinner on Main St. - and then there is a Star Gazing event at the pier...at 7PM. I’ll outtie email ya!

Posted by SBKaren on 01/30 at 02:51 PM

Lucky you!! Sounds like a nice evening especially with this weather. Will be around midday tomorrow. Email me your number and maybe we can meet up!

Posted by grayincali on 01/30 at 02:54 PM

Susan, I just wanted to say that your hair is beautiful - may I ask what your routine is--how do you style it—how often do you have to cut it--what products do you use.
- Your hair is very healthy looking.

--grayme (Teresa).

Posted by grayme on 02/02 at 08:29 AM

Dear Teresa/"Grayme",

Thank you for your kind compliments...my “routine” is very very basic and economical...I am not a beauty diva. My shampoo and conditioner are found at any CVS, grocery store, or Rite Aid...anyplace that sells the least expensive products...I buy what is on sale. “Suave” is a favorite...coconut scents or tangerine. My husband and I use the same shampoo.
Suggested to me by a hairstylist at a shooting was Clairol’s “Shimmer Lights” but I don’t care for the purple color that ends up on the shower walls and the scent is somewhat odious to me...as though it is a dye or chemical.

I have my hair cut when the razor sharp edges begin to look less sharp...every six weeks at the most. At the present time it is nearly shoulder length as I am letting it grow a bit longer. It is cut shorter in the back and falls longer toward the front. It is a simple basic haircut...shorter underneath and longer layer on top. I pay about $45.00 to have a local salon cut it...or walk in off the street anyplace I find when I travel and just explain what I would like...so far so good! I don’t believe in spending tons of money for a haircut or shampoos and conditioners...I have spent alot and alot less and always think less is perfectly acceptable if not better!

My hair is very silky and surprises most hairstylists when they touch it. I really do nothing to enhance it. Hair itself is not “alive” so there is no real nutrient you can provide for it to make it “healthy”. I do believe genetics and eating well helps to produce “healthy” bodies and minds.

So try Suave or any discounted shampoo and conditioner… and your local beauty salon...Thank you again for writing!

Susan McGraw (Keber)

Posted by susanmcgraw on 02/02 at 08:44 AM

This is great:) Diana thankyou for the suggestion to look around the web site. This has been one of my favorite’s so far. I love all the positive attitudes about claiming who we really are.. I just love it. I just seem to keep saying thankyou because i am just that...so glad I found this site!!!
I loved really about your opinions on clothes.. you guys sound fun..I too usually always roam around in a t-shirt and levi’s girl when I’m not at work. I don’t usually enjoy collars or buttons either but once in a while it fun to dress up. I’m looking forward to getting to know you all.

Posted by celticme on 02/08 at 01:30 PM

ok I messed up a line! I meant to say I am t-shirt and levi’s girl but two thoughts got mixed up. oh boy!

Posted by celticme on 02/08 at 01:32 PM

I was shopping in Target this morning (for exercise wear, ugh) when I rounded an endcap with a great big and very beautiful picture of Yasmina. I notice those silver inspirations are out there more and more! It put a big smile on my face to see her stunning face smiling back at me with that gorgeous silver hair framing it!!!

Posted by grayincali on 02/21 at 02:12 PM

Hi!
I’m new on this website and I love it. Firstly I’d like to introduce myself: I’m a german European living and working in little Luxembourg in the middle of Europe. If my english is not perfect, please apologize. It’s improving every day…
I’ve been thinking about going gray a couple of months now and last week I’ve decided to do it! I have to admit that I’m a bit scared, because I have received such negative reactions on my announcement that I want to turn silver. “You will look like a grandma!” was the one comment of ALL men. By the way, I’m 44 years old…
But I’ll do it anyway. I find this website so inspiring and helpful and I’m pretty sure that with all these tips and tricks I will look more interesting with silver hair than now.
You all will support me with your encouraging comments, won’t you?
I’m not alone!

Posted by kirsten on 02/26 at 05:52 AM

Of course we will kirsten, and WELCOME !!!

Posted by RuffDiamond on 02/26 at 05:57 AM

Kirsten, herzlich willkommen! I believe you are German number three! Accents are welcome.
You will find support and great exchange of information here. Hope to see pictures soon!
Eva

Posted by silvercurl on 02/26 at 06:00 AM

Kirsten, I began my journey to gray at age 44. It took my a year to transition to natural because I wanted to keep some length to my hair. Now I’m 45 and very happy in my natural shade of gray.

Welcome to the site and YES! We will encourage you the entire way. Consider sending in your pictures to the Newbies so we can watch as we cheer you on!

Posted by greeneyes on 02/26 at 06:57 AM

Welcome, Kirsten—I’m glad you found inspiration here and on this site. And, as the others have said, you will find tons of support. You may be particularly interested in Petra’s story, too. She was once a Newbie, and is now in the Newbie’s graduates gallery. Petra is from Holland, and like you, received little encouragement from her friends. Hey, sometimes we’re all in that same boat!

But this is a conversation that best belongs in our Newbies ‘09 chat. Let’s all move on over there.

Since you are the “new gal” here, Kirsten, you can find lots of chats under the Café Gray tab. Look for Newbies ‘09 in the right-hand column. That’s also where to go if you do decide to send us your pictures. Because that’s where you’ll get your compliments, words of encouragement, and support.

Naturally, you can join any of the other chats, too. Check out the topics. You can vent about friends and family, talk about products, or jump in on any topic of your choice! So grab a cup of coffee and join us at the Café!

Posted by Diana Jewell on 02/26 at 07:16 AM

I’ve mentioned before that Yasmina Rossi is my silver inspiration. I want to share this link to a photograph of her I hadn’t seen before. She looks even more beautiful than usual if that’s possible: http://web.me.com/yasminarossi/Model/Book.html#43

Posted by Sharon on 03/18 at 03:23 PM

She is so gorgeous in this!! I really love the colors she is wearing in the photo! They compliment her so well!

Right now I am thinking about what style I would like my hair to evolve into next. I’m starting to feel mulletish!!! I really like the way your angled bob is looking Sharon! I’m seriously thinking about working toward something similar. I was perusing some hair cut sites today and if I saw correctly, it looks like the curly bob is going to be big this spring. Of course, I’ll have to put my own personal spin on it ... not sure what that is yet!

Posted by grayincali on 03/18 at 03:30 PM

grayincali - it took me a surprisingly short period of time to go from ‘back to the wood’ to a bob shape. I know what you mean about the mullet, I had that a few months ago
My plan now is to get it long and join Elizabeth in the long hair gallery I look forward seeing to what your own personal spin is

Posted by Sharon on 03/18 at 03:34 PM

This is so helpful!!! I’ve been lurking around here since I decided to stop coloring in September ‘08, and every time I come back I get new courage. I’m so happy there’s always something new--I continue to be inspired and appreciative of those who have shared their stories--you are definitely helping me get through this transition! I’ll eventually post my story, but I have really enjoyed seeing this page today as I needed a boost while my hair grows out. Thanks!

Posted by TaraS on 04/01 at 11:09 AM

Hi TaraS and Welcome! Glad you decided to come out and play! Every one of us has needed a little “boost” now and then, so happy this page helped. How could it not? These women are not only beautiful and successful, they really prove it’s ok to be gray, white, silver, ash, pewter. Hope you will send in your pics, but in the meantime, why not post your profile and pic in the Members Album?

Posted by Diana Jewell on 04/01 at 02:23 PM

Hi TaraS, I’ll add my welcome. You should just post in the member album if you’re not ready to send in pics to the Newbie ‘09, it’s so nice to put a face with a name. This is a great site and Diana is always adding new and up to date things. I was wondering if you are growing out your hair without ever having it cut, or did you have some cut off? We all seem to do it differently so I’m just curious. Hope to “see” you soon.

Posted by sallee on 04/01 at 03:18 PM

What a fabulous shock of white, beautiful. And thank you for working so diligently to protect us.

Posted by Marisa on 04/29 at 03:48 AM

I am new to this site and want to say what a great place. I love all the pictures of the women who are inspirations to all of us. I emailed Yasmina a week ago to ask what her routine was. She kindly replied back the next day and it was very helpful.

I do have a request- would it be possible to have a section on this site where we can post what hair products we use- shampoos, conditioners, etc.? Since some buy from salons and others from regular stores. It would be helpful since we all have different textures of gray hair.

I can’t wait till my head of hair is completely gray/white. I think it is a classy and elegant look.

Posted by momto4 on 04/29 at 09:17 AM

Hi Momto4—we do have a section like that. Go back to the Café Gray, and join the chat Product Watch. We gab about products we love there all the time!

Glad you joined us!

Posted by Diana Jewell on 04/29 at 09:36 AM

Thank you Diana. I haven’t had a chance to check out the whole site yet. (sorry, should have checked before posting that.)

Posted by momto4 on 04/29 at 10:27 AM

I am finally going to do it! I have said that going gray would be my 60th B-day gift to myself. A good friend said “why wait til then?-2010” Add that I HATE the color that was applied two days ago. And finally, I found this web site....I am INSPIRED and will visit you all regularly for support.

Posted by Sparky from Pittsburgh on 05/15 at 04:36 AM

Go for it Sparky, you can do it! I’m 36 - well til next Wednesday

Posted by Jane on 05/15 at 04:45 AM

Hey, Sparky—a big welcome to a fellow Pittsburgher! (My old home town!) How’re things back at the Golden Triangle?

It’s funny, people set such arbitrary deadlines. I was approached by a woman who gave me a big “thumbs up—love your hair!” and then she told me she promised herself she’d go natural at 50. Chazz, on the other hand (the cover model of my book), said white was her “40th Birthday Present” to herself. You can see how this “present” spans many decades.

I always advise—look in the mirror. That’s what should determine your decision. If your haircolor just isn’t going with your face anymore, do something about it. Adjust it, one way or the other (color or not), but don’t live with a mistake on your head. You’ve already come to this conclusion, and that’s great! You’re getting a good jump-start on the big 6-0. Congrats!

Posted by Diana Jewell on 05/15 at 06:24 AM

Sparky (love that name!) Sounds like you’re ready! You’ll find nothing but support & tips to make the transition “smooth sailin’”!! We hope to see pictures of you soon! Welcome!

Posted by Goldie on 05/15 at 06:57 AM

Jane—I have fingers crossed that your book will arrive right on your birthday! Hope it’s a happy one!

Posted by Diana Jewell on 05/15 at 09:13 AM

Thank you Diana for posting the book to me and for the birthday wishes! I’m so happy to have finally bought the book because your site has been the total inspiration for my decision to go natural and I have enjoyed my time on here very, very much!!

Jane xx

Posted by Jane on 05/15 at 09:42 AM

I love Eileen Fisher’s clothing line. Great for my body. And her hair’s beautiful!
Barbara

Posted by Barbara on 05/26 at 11:53 AM

Yasmina, I think that your hair is very pretty. I notice that from your roots til past your shoulders it is white/silver and the longer ends still has a darker color. Did you ever highlight to help it blend or just let nature take its course. In my hair there is alot of gray/white in my bangs (which I am trying to grow longer) but darker in other places. Just trying to find out how you have coped so well. You look very confident and at peace with who you are.

Posted by grayme on 06/15 at 01:50 PM

Thanks for the inspiring pictures and bios. I’m new to this site and have just started letting my hair go natural. It’s going to be an adventure..sort of like slowly opening a present!

Posted by heart to heart on 06/21 at 08:36 PM

Welcome heart to heart...what a great way of looking at transitioning..."like slowly opening a present”. Indeed.

Posted by Goldie on 06/22 at 07:06 AM

Hi Goldie! Thanks for the “welcome note”! Today I’m going to use “COLOR OOPS”. It’s a hair color remover. So, I guess I’m going from “..slowly opening a present”, to ripping the paper off!!! We’ll see how this goes---I’ll keep ya’ll posted…

p.s.We home-schooled both our daughters. Our youngest just graduated this spring. So, I guess we have a little more in common than the GGLG thing

Posted by heart to heart on 06/22 at 12:49 PM

Wait, heart to heart! I’m not sure Color Oops is the right thing to do. Is your hair colored lighter or darker than your natural color? This will affect how this product takes away the dye. Have you read about the different ways to transition on the site? (click the transitioning tab at the top of the page, then go to the side column & click on the the different ways to transition subjects) I know you really want to “open the present” now, but using Color Oops might not be the best way to go.

Without knowing your complete hair story, this is about all I can advise at the moment. Please get back with us (You can ask Diana, too!) before using this product on your hair!

Posted by Goldie on 06/22 at 01:21 PM

Too late---we’ll see what happens.It’s in my hair now! Oh boy… I have a short asymmetrical cut, so I may be going very short! We’ll see, when I rinse it out in 30 seconds…

Posted by heart to heart on 06/22 at 02:38 PM

....tick, tock...please let me know how it turns out heart to heart!

Posted by Goldie on 06/22 at 02:42 PM

Actually, there is a product review of Color Oops under Care & Treatment>Products You Should Know About. Scroll down. You’ll find just how it works. I have never tried it, but one or two gals on the site have, one with great success, the other found it very drying.

So we’re all waiting, heart to heart, to see how it worked for you!

Posted by Diana Jewell on 06/22 at 03:32 PM

Oh these are wonderful photos! And I am going to be printing out Yasmina’s words for my bulletin board at work. She captured so eloquently a lot of my outlook and motivation towards expressing the “true” me.

I would nominate Georgia O’Keefe (abstract painter and classic “late bloomer"), and Vicki Noble (writer and shaman, one of my spiritual teachers). Diana I’ll send you some links to photos.

Heart to heart I’m curious to know how the Color Oops worked too! Hope you had a good experience with it.

Posted by MsWoolfe on 06/22 at 06:59 PM

Well, I tried the Color Oops and as I expected, I got a “mixed bag” result. The top of my head looked a little scary ---too light and brassy, so I toned it down with some Fanciful temporary rinse. Now I like it...no more “scary looking”. However, I liked the sides and back right away! My sides went from light ash brown to almost pure white and the back looks about the same except for more silver sparkles shining through.

I knew I wasn’t an ideal candidate for Color Oops,but thought the pros would outweigh the cons and they did(Whew!!!) The hair color I have been using is a shade lighter than my natural color. I also have a few face framing highlights(Thank you Diana and Goldie..yes, I did read the info on Color Oops in your Care & Treatment section. I’ve been visiting your site for a good month now, & today I went from quietly sticking my toe in,to going public, with a Color Oops splash! I AM going to do this!)

Posted by heart to heart on 06/22 at 10:23 PM

I’m glad you decided to take the “plunge” heart to heart! Now you need to send in your pictures so we can cheer you along!

Posted by Goldie on 06/23 at 05:28 AM

Welcome heart to heart~ Glad to hear you are OK with your color oops experience. You had me worried there. I’ve had a few mishaps with products myself along this journey we all are taking/took. I can look back on my experiences now without wanting to cry about it but boy, I’ll tell ya, there were a few times it was just awful. I live in an area that has a LOT of iron in the water and I used a product that was supposed to help remove the iron deposits (recommended by a professional, mind you). Well, the dyed part of my hair turned bright orange! I had to go to my stylist who “worked” on the dyed part to make it at least liveable. This all happened the week before last Christmas. My extended family hadn’t seen me since late spring at our daughter’s wedding so I really needed to do something to “fix” it. They weren’t too thrilled about me growing out my color to begin with. I really couldn’t/didn’t want them to see this disaster. And, I really didn’t want orange hair for our family Christmas photo that we send out. A lot of the people we send cards to haven’t seen me since the wedding either. We live about 1 1/2 hours away from our hometown. I am so glad those days are gone and past me now. We will be going back home late September for our DD’s best friends wedding. It will be interesting to see what everyone thinks of my hair. The mother of the bride was horrified that I would quit dying my hair. I told her that I had done my last lowlighting at our DD’s wedding and she made such an awful face and said she’d never do that. Mind you, she also has a long 80’s hairdo with the flipped up bangs and all. I really should bring my camera to take a picture of her when she sees me. Anyway, looking forward to seeing photos of you and hearing about how you progress.

Posted by Aziza on 06/23 at 05:31 AM

Thanks Goldie and Aziza, for the encouragement and support-- it really helps! Since I don’t have any friends here in town that are “going gray” with me, it’s good to have this support online.
Because of the drama of me using the Color Oops, my girls 21 and 18 have gotten pulled into the GGLG adventure. They got a kick out of reading the comments with me and I think they are starting to realize that if I go gray, I’m not going to look like a fuzzy haired little old lady.That’s a compliment to all you gorgeous grays out there!(Obviously, they weren’t for it like my husband is--it was actually his idea, but more on that later...) I’m sure glad I found this site. I will send some pictures etc., as soon as I get my daughter to help me upload the pictures( I’m a little “technically challenged”

Aziza,thanks too, for what you shared about your orange hair color adventure, before last Christmas, with your extended family---Yikes! Glad your stylist was able to fix it! I’m going to be singing at my best friend’s memorial service---she is on hospice and has only 3 or 4 more days max. The 1st thing I thought was “Oh no, they won’t be blessed and comforted by the song I’m singing("I Can Only Imagine")---if this bombs,they’ll be thinking “Who’s that freak up there---oh it’s Janice” Thankfully, it worked and I shouldn’t be a distraction.
I’m transitioning, that’s for sure, and we can laugh about it together.

Posted by heart to heart on 06/23 at 06:38 PM

I’m so sorry to hear about your best friend, heart to heart. “I Can Only Imagine” is a lovely song. I’m sure everyone will be listening to you & the words & gain some comfort.

Posted by Goldie on 06/23 at 06:45 PM

That goes for me, too, heart to heart. This must be a very hard time for you, but I am sure that people will be moved by your singing, and not focus on your hair at all.

Glad your daughters are on board. You should take them to the Great Grays Gallery to check out Lisa Green. When she first decided to go natural, she just buzzed her hair off, and her friend told her she looked like a “fuzzy white tennis ball.” Boy, just look at her now!

Posted by Diana Jewell on 06/23 at 08:32 PM

Diana, I did check out Lisa Green & I’ll show the girls tomorrow when they are home. My eldest still thinks I’m too fair skinned to look good with white hair, but now at least she is enjoying the adventure of the gglg site!-- and I’m ready to go the distance! From what I can tell,I’m white on the sides and salt and pepper on the top and back. (and I have dark eyebrows.) I’m SO curious to see what it’s going to look like! Ripping ALL the paper off the package didn’t work with the Color Oops but some of it came off! I’ll just be patient now, while the rest of the present is unwrapped!
Thanks too, Goldie and Diana, for empathizing re: my best friend. It has been hard, but I’m ready to let her go. She almost died last Nov 08’ and God gave her 7 more months with us. For that I’m so thankful!(She has fought a courageous battle with ovarian cancer for 4 years.) I have 27 years of great memories with my dear friend Leslie and I know that soon she’ll be in heaven and out of pain(..and as she was telling her teen-age daughter the other day “When I get to heaven, I can’t wait to have hair again!)
Leslie is a remarkable woman, who’ll be leaving a beau-
tiful legacy. It’s been amazing and heartwarming to see the love and support for Leslie and her family in this community, here in Tucson. There’s going to be standing room only at that service! She has seven children 8 to 18. Her youngest Abigail Janice, (she has my name for her middle name ) turns 8 this Thurs. I think Leslie’s holding on til’ Abby’s birthday. She made it until her 10 year old’s b-day, Father’s Day and her 28th anniversary, which were all last week.
So, this site has been a “fluffy”, fun and helpful caring place,during a hard time. (Leslie’s taught me A LOT about having fun and looking at the lighter side of things, She’d like this site

Posted by heart to heart on 06/23 at 11:40 PM

Oh heart to heart~ My heart goes out to you! I will be praying for you during this difficult time. It sounds like you have a truly wonderful friend that has blessed you and many others through the years. True friends are hard to find. And to realize it while you have it is an even greater blessing. It really does make a difference to know that when they leave this earth they are going to a better place and that you will see her again, hair and all. I’m sure she will be smiling down on you as you are remembering her in song. Bless you, girl.

Posted by Aziza on 06/24 at 04:11 AM

Well, heart to heart, you have just brought tears to my eyes with your wonderful thoughts about your friend. She truly is a “great inspiration” for all women. This is precisely why I have an article about ovarian cancer on the site (you’ll find it under the Gray Today tab.) Too many women haven’t a clue about the symptoms. And even if they do, they think it is so “rare” it can’t possibly happen to them. Believe me, it can.

Posted by Diana Jewell on 06/24 at 05:14 AM

OK, ladies...I’m in. I am inspired, not only by the beautiful women highlighted here, but by ALL of you. Like heart to heart, I need my daughter to help me get photos to you. Then I’ll be an official “newbie.” I already wear my hair pixie short, so I am hoping it will be somewhat quick and painless. My hairdresser was supportive, but the hubby and kids...not so much!!

Heart to heart, sing “I can only imagine” with all of your heart. What an amazing song. Your friend wont have to imagine soon. Peace to all of you. It puts gray into perspective, doesn’t it? It is just hair after all!!

I’m so happy I found this site. Yeah!!!!!!!

Posted by inner grayce on 06/24 at 05:25 AM

Welcome, inner grayce! We’re happy you’re “IN,” too! We’ll be waiting for the pics. Once all those daughters out there teach their Moms how to send, you’ll find it’s really easy to do.

Why don’t you do what heart to heart did - involve kids and hubby in the site? Naturally, they’re going to have their doubts. But when they see some of the women here, and the fact that it CAN be done beautifully, maybe their “worst fears” will go away.

Posted by Diana Jewell on 06/24 at 05:38 AM

Dear inner grayce- my goodness, what a lovely posting name. We’re so happy to have you! It sounds like your transition won’t take too long.

My daughter-in-law is my official photographer. While she would rather I stay blond, we have the best time together taking pictures! That just makes it all the more special for me. When those around around you feel your joy (like what heart to heart says about opening a present) they can’t help but enjoy the ride too!

Looking forward to seeing your pictures!

Posted by Goldie on 06/24 at 06:37 AM

Welcome, inner grayce~ Love your name too! What a perfect thought for this transition. We truly do need inner grace as we go through the many different twists and turns this process can take on along the way. Looking forward to your photos. It’s always inspiring to see the lovely faces to go with the posts and to be able to cheer each of you on.

Posted by Aziza on 06/24 at 06:45 AM

Welcome heart to heart and inner grayce!

So glad you are both here and looking forward to seeing your pics. You are going to love it here - everyone is so friendly and supportive. You might even connect with some silver sisters in your area and actually meet in person (but if not, we are all right here for you anytime).

heart to heart...I am so sorry about your friend. My thoughts and prayers are with her friends and family and I know you will do her proud at the memorial service.

inner grayce...you’re lucky to have a supportive hairdresser! The hubby and kids will come around. My husband has been supportive from day one but my three teenage daughters are still coming around (although they have gone from being “horrified” to actually saying that it didn’t look bad the other day!).

Nadine
Newbie Class of 2009 First Semester

Posted by lookingrayt on 06/24 at 09:32 AM

Wow, thanks to all of you for the support that poured in. I came to this site for “Going Gray” support and have received so much more. You gals rock! We so appreciate your thoughts and prayers at this time…

Welcome inner grayce---you’re gonna love this site

lookinggrayt, you ARE looking great! I went to the Newbie Class of 09’& saw your pics. Your gray is coming in beautifully & it’s nice to be able to “put a face with the name”
aziza, I finally found your picture in the “great grays” gallery. You look gorgeous! .. & you look like you have a light complexion like me. BOTH my daughters are still a little skeptical about my going gray, because of my light complexion, so seeing your beautiful picture gives me hope. (Come to think of it,I’ll have to show them your picture too! That should help!)

Posted by heart to heart on 06/24 at 11:45 AM

Hi, all...Goldie, I did the “photo shoot” with my daughter yesterday. We never laughed so hard. It was great fun. She is now my official photographer (like your daughter-in-law).

I have been noticing that I am “announcing” my decision to stop coloring to a lot of people. I think it is because I want people to know that I KNOW I look like this. I don’t think I want people to think I’m “too sick” to color it. Know what I mean?

Heart to heart, how’s your friend?

Posted by inner grayce on 06/25 at 03:17 AM

just to clarify...my “too sick” comment had to do with another conversation I read SOMEWHERE on this site. It was a cute story.

Posted by inner grayce on 06/25 at 03:28 AM

I just re-read my post and feel sick over the way it sounds considering heart to heart’s friend. I am just sorry at the choice of words and the manner it which came across. I, in NO WAY meant to offend. Please accept my apologies at the way it sounds. I’m horrified. Heart to heart, I have been praying for your friend non-stop. God bless you and God forgive my choice of words. I am just so sorry.

Posted by inner grayce on 06/25 at 01:38 PM

Oh, Inner grayce, I don’t detect a heartless word in your comments at all. To me, it was obvious you switched to a different subject—people do tend to accuse those of us going natural with not looking well. Besides, providing prayer support is a lovely thing to do. Please don’t fret over your comment. I’m sure heart to heart understands.

Posted by Diana Jewell on 06/25 at 09:52 PM

Thank you, Diana.

Posted by inner grayce on 06/26 at 03:13 AM

Hi inner grayce! No worries...you didn’t offend me at all. Your sincere concern just jumped off the page and gave me a big hug!
Last night I was busy sending in my pictures and info, so I could be an “official newbie”. I just checked and saw that you recently did the same! It’s so good to be able to put a face with your lovely name, inner grayce. We’re on this this GGLG journey together!
The only thing I’m really concerned about is 2 weddings in August. My nephews are getting married then---one 8/2 and the other 8/22. Since I have a short hairstyle and my hair grows faster in the summer, maybe I’ll be almost there by then! We’ll see.... I’m glad for this support network ---I don’t want to back out of this decision, because of the weddings. As the time gets closer I’m sure some of you newbie grads will have some good advice from your experiences with “THE TRANSITION”

Posted by heart to heart on 06/26 at 12:11 PM

I am so happy to have found you ladies! everyone I know keeps asking me when am i going to get my roots done so now when I get dejected I log in to going gray and look at all of your lovely fotos and progress...you have really have helped me alot already. I thought my hair was pure white but I was wrong and almost thought of going bck to the bottle and then I turned to you and your encouragement and I’m right back on track again...with a few highlights to help disguise the skunk look. I have been planning a trip to the states for years now but I think I shall wait until I have transitioned and add the minardi salon to my itinerary!

Posted by katiemay on 06/29 at 12:18 PM

Welcome, katiemay—where are you from? Always nice to have visitors to NY, and I’m sure the Minardis would love to be on your itinerary. Transitioning is a time of “wobbles,” but that’s what we’re here for. Just to prove it can be done, and done well. Good luck with the rest of your journey!

Posted by Diana Jewell on 06/29 at 01:07 PM

Katiemay- Welcome & just for fun here’s the link to Minardi Salon
http://www.minardinyc.com/

It is great fun to check out their site and imagine sitting in “the chair” having Carmine cut your hair!!

Would love to see your pictures here soon!

Posted by Goldie on 06/29 at 03:21 PM

Diane - I’m a brit living in Rome and not very many silver inspirations here! Goldie - link truely appreciated- I don’t know about pictures of me...I’m a bit pathetic on the computer. Thank you both for the boost. By the way I’ve just tried out my new Aveda blue malva shampoo and conditioner and it really does take the yellowness off hightlights(without turning the silver roots blue). Maybe transitioning is not gonna be so bad after all!

Posted by katiemay on 06/29 at 08:45 PM

Welcome katiemay ~ Rome, huh? MY DH and I took an 8 country tour 5 years ago. Italy was my favorite, and Rome was wonderful! So much history, beautiful place. You are going to love this site. It’s really a fun, encouraging bunch of women who are going through the same process. We would really love to see pictures of you. Maybe you could get a friend to help you out?

Posted by Aziza on 06/30 at 04:52 AM

Ooooo heart to heart what about one of those tiny little hats, a la Audrey Hepbourn, that you pin to your head and that have a little netting that you can position strategically. that could be fun for a wedding

Posted by katiemay on 06/30 at 09:35 AM

Wow! So great to have this website. Many years ago when I decded to keep my greys, I scoured the internet for inspiration and found vitually nothing! Although nothing can send me scurrying back to hair dye (it’s pretty toxic, isn’t it?) there have been many times when my insecurities have been overwhelming and I’ve felt “invisible.” What I’ve found is that I needed to be more brave with colour. People love red on me and I have a great red, silk shirt I wear sometimes. Also, clear, bright yellow looks great, too. I get many compliments about my hair. An old lady once said it was my “trademark.” It’s a graduation to being an “elder” I feel. It looks great straightened in cool climates and left curly in more humid atmospheres.
Thank you for your great website; now that I’ve found you, I’ll send some photos!

Posted by viewdemonde on 07/13 at 05:46 PM

I saw a commercial on TV this morning for Jacoby and Meyers (the law firm) featuring founding partner Gail Koff, Esq. with a great head of silver/white hair. Here’s a link to a photo of her (couldn’t find the commercial online!):

http://nymag.com/nymag/advertorial/personalinjury/57380/

Nadine

Posted by lookingrayt on 07/16 at 11:07 AM

I’m watching the BBC news at the moment and just saw Christine Lagarde, the French Finance Minister. She’s silver
Google her and see....

Posted by Sharon on 08/13 at 01:18 PM

Thanks Sharon, she has a beautiful color.

How are you? How long is your hair now?

Posted by Marisa on 08/13 at 04:13 PM

Hi Marisa
I haven’t had a trim since March - my hair is halfway between jaw length and shoulder length. It is now long enough to tie back My aim is to have long hair like Yasmina eventually.

Posted by Sharon on 08/14 at 12:29 AM

PS
Oh, and I’m fine thanks Marisa. So obsessed with my hair I forgot to answer that part. I trust you are well too

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

Heart to heart, I just stumbled on this link today and saw your post about the weddings...I hope you managed to stay transitioning and still feel good about yourself at these events (well, I guess one is over and one is still coming up). I almost “caved” 3 months into transitioning because I had a professional conference and wanted to appear polished. A co-worker encouraged me not to colour ("You’ll never see those people again.” she said). That may not be the case with a wedding, but hopefully you found a tool (hairband, hat, or temporary colour stick to blend the line) that made it possible to be there and still feel good about how you looked.

Posted by newbie2 on 08/14 at 04:52 AM

I’m doing great Sharon, thanks for asking. I’m envious that you can pull your hair back. Mine is getting there, I can make a tiny pony tail at the base of my neck but it still poofs out at the sides. Do you call them pony tails in the UK? Just curious.

Posted by Marisa on 08/14 at 05:14 AM

Yes we do call them pony tails

Posted by Sharon on 08/14 at 05:31 AM

But we have fringes instead of bangs

Posted by Sharon on 08/14 at 05:32 AM

Fringes, that’s what I add to the designer pillows I make at work, he he.

Posted by Marisa on 08/14 at 05:41 AM

diane keaton came into a restoration hardware ( in the valley no less!!) i worked at one christmas (2007) she looked fantastic and was there buying gifts by herself...no enterage!!! all dressed in white from head to toe…

Posted by louann on 08/18 at 04:20 AM

Oh, she looks so beautiful in her natural color! And she is one woman who is embracing her natural beauty. Don’t you just love it? No plastic surgery for her, no siree. There are just a few hollywood leading ladies that are saying no to that. Diane Lane is another one. I think she is beautiful too. Now, if she’d just let go of the bottle! They are both fantastic actresses.

Posted by Aziza on 08/18 at 07:43 AM

I love Diane Keaton! I’ve always thought of her as a role model for getting older and looking great! I’ve enjoyed her acting so much throughout the years. It’s so neat to see her here looking beautiful as ever! Thanks Diana!

BethA

Posted by beth on 08/18 at 09:25 AM

I agree with you about Diane Lane, Aziza. She is truly beautiful and would make a fantastic silver. And, yes, Diane Keaton is adamantly (and vocally) against plastic surgery. Good for her!

Did you catch the updated shots of Yasmina, Cindy, and Kathleen Sebelius, too? They just keep getting better and better! Oh, and due to popular demand, we added Christine Lagarde, too, France’s Minister of Economic Affairs. All powerful, smart, silver women!

Posted by Diana Jewell on 08/18 at 09:28 AM

Yes, I did notice that earlier today. I agree, maybe because they are all confident enough to let their true silvers shine through, ya think?

Posted by Aziza on 08/18 at 10:31 AM

Undoubtedly!

Posted by Diana Jewell on 08/18 at 11:01 AM

Love the new role models and the updated pics. I guess I must have missed them last week either that or this thread was recently updated. thanks Diana.

they do look better and better!

Posted by Marisa on 08/18 at 06:42 PM

What a great update Diana! I was waiting for Diane Keaton’s Silver for years, here she is, finally.
Thanks a lot.

Posted by Barbra on 08/19 at 03:25 AM

Wow! Diane Keaton’s color and cut are fantastic. She looks great for whatever her age may be.

Posted by Barbara on 08/19 at 12:57 PM

Thanks for putting Christine Lagarde up there!
Here is a little piece of her flamboyant wit as reported by The Economist in their October 2008 article “On Lagarde”

“WHEN introducing her at a recent event in Washington, DC, the host reminded her audience that Christine Lagarde, France’s finance minister, had once been a member of the French national synchronised-swimming team. Synchronisation, he suggested, was a useful experience in handling the current financial crisis. To which Ms Lagarde added, without missing a beat: “You also have to hold your breath.”

As the French would say “Quelle répartie!”

Posted by gardenmimine on 09/15 at 04:39 AM

Ah oui, bien sûr! Love this comment! She is extremely quick, has such a charming wit. Signs of a very intelligent mind. I wish we could import her as our Sec’y of the Treasury!

Posted by Diana Jewell on 09/15 at 05:02 AM

I didn’t read through all the comments, so I don’t know if she’s been mentioned before or not, but Maeve Kinkhead who is a soap actress from the now defunct Guiding Light looks BEAUTIFUL ever since she has allowed her hair to go gray! Photos of her are somewhat hard to track down, but this link has a great pic of her: http://www.fanpop.com/spots/guiding-light/images/4836141/title/vanessa-chamberlain-maeve-kinkead

Posted by GoingNatural on 10/15 at 10:46 AM

yet one more woman to stand by her hair!!!!

Posted by louann on 10/17 at 07:08 PM

Oh dear, now I’ll be singing Stand by your Man, uh Hair, all night!

Posted by Diana Jewell on 10/17 at 07:36 PM

it’s my job to be a nudge....just ask my kids…
g’night all!! ; )

Posted by louann on 10/17 at 07:41 PM

Okay, here’s one...Best Inspiration By a Fashion Expert: Stacy London! http://media.miamiherald.com/smedia/2008/04/22/12/953-Stacy_London.embedded.prod_affiliate.56.JPG

She’s young, just barely 40 now I think. I read online that she’s had that silver streak since she was 11 and has it written into her contract with Pantene that she be allowed to keep the streak. And, from various photos I saw of her on the web, it appears that she is allowing the rest of her hair to silver naturally as she ages and it progresses. Honestly, when I’ve watched What Not to Wear, I saw the silver streak, but thought she had it put in artificially. I didn’t realize it was natural.

Posted by GoingNatural on 10/24 at 04:42 AM

Thanks for that GoingNatural, I hadn’t seen Stacy London before.
I’d also like to suggest another inspiration by a Fashion Expert: Caryn Franklin, who for some years has sported a lovely grey streak at the front of her hair.
http://www.howtolookgood.com/

Posted by Sharon on 10/24 at 06:28 AM

Actually, this is a better link for Caryn Franklin: http://www.howtolookgood.com/advice_fortyplus.html

Posted by Sharon on 10/24 at 06:29 AM

GoingNatural- I met Stacy London. She was one of the stylists when I had my Oprah makeover. I can tell you that yes, indeed, she is a lovely woman with a wicked sense of humor! However, I think she used something to cover-up that silver streak for the show I was on. It wasn’t there. No problem though. Obviously, it was temporary, because after that show, it reappeared!

(Remind me some time to tell you the “red shoe” joke I shared with her!)

Posted by Goldie on 10/24 at 08:32 AM

Sharon- love the new inspiration link. She looks great with her gray streak. Beautiful and unique! What could be better?

Posted by grayincali on 10/24 at 08:40 AM

Wow, Goldie! I just love Stacy--how cool that you actually met her. She must have put something very temporary on to cover it..too bad...:-( But, it’s all about choice, I guess and that is one choice--to color. I’ve learned so much from her tips on dressing for your own figure, and being “on trend”, but not a victim to fashion fads. She rocks!

Posted by GoingNatural on 10/24 at 09:03 AM

Might have been ColorMark, GoingNatural. At any rate, she had her own hair stylist that came with her. We all sat in the same room & chatted with her as he was doing her hair. Saw her in hair rollers, I did....(she even looked good doing that!)

So, what tips you learned from Stacy have you incorporated into your beauty style?

Posted by Goldie on 10/24 at 09:48 AM

Remember the model Kristen McNememy from the 80’s? Here’s a shot of her with her long gray hair. She looks great!

http://blog.gettyimages.com/2008/11/21/undying-grey/

Posted by cruella on 10/24 at 09:54 AM

Cruella- What a fantastic link!! She is still causing “waves”! Only, this time, they are long, beautiful silver ones! Thanks for posting it!

Posted by Goldie on 10/24 at 10:02 AM

Hi Goldie, well, mostly to choose clothing that is suited to my shape, thereby creating more of an hourglass. I’m a fit and in-shape pear. LOL So, I look for tops with rouching (sp?) that make the top look bigger, boot cut mid rise jeans to balance out the hips, things like that. I can’t afford the tailoring of every item of clothing she and Clinton are always touting, but I’ve also learned to try things on and really look for proper fit. No matter how cute it is, if the designer has not cut it to fit my shape, I don’t wear it, i.e., I pass right on by the Junior department, even if I see an outfit that I like and could get in a 11/13 or whatever size they make to fit me. Junior is just not cut to fit my shape, never has been even when I WAS a junior. And now, more often than not, the outfits wouldn’t be age appropriate anyway.

Posted by GoingNatural on 10/24 at 10:21 AM

Cruella ... great link to the pic of Kristen McNememy. Hadn’t seen that pic of her. Funny how in the attached article they question whether or not readers have chosen to embrace the “stigma” that gray hair is! One of these days, hopefully words like that won’t be associated with gray!!!!!!!!

Posted by grayincali on 10/24 at 10:40 AM

Sure, Goldie. Happy to see she is still modeling at 42 with (gasp!) gray hair. She was recently on the cover of Italian Vogue:

http://projectrungay.blogspot.com/2009/07/kristen-mcmenamy-in-vogue-italia.html

Posted by cruella on 10/24 at 10:42 AM

Loved the site with Caryn Franklin!

Posted by grayme on 10/24 at 11:34 AM

Grayincali- I’m going to investigate making a posting to the attached Kristen McNememy. It is a year old, but it’s nice to make current post to articles like that, just to keep the “gray talk” going!

Posted by Goldie on 10/24 at 12:10 PM

GoingNatural- Those are tips to live by for sure! Ya’ know, GGLG has a stylist member, Teresa Morisco of Wardrobe911. She’s a doll! And she has her own system (quick little, painless test) to figure out your “shape type”. Go check her out in the member’s album.

Posted by Goldie on 10/24 at 12:13 PM

Cruella- Unbelievable that she is 42! She was born to be in front of the camera! And what a delight that she CHOOSES to be a gray! Inspiring! Thanks!!

Posted by Goldie on 10/24 at 12:16 PM

Great shoot, Cruella—and a super great model, too. So glad she’s finally coming into her own with the long silver locks.

Posted by Diana Jewell on 10/24 at 01:39 PM

Hey, Ladies-
Kristen’s long hair looks so pretty. Stacy London’s silver streak is my favorite part of her hair. Stacy tip: You can follow her on Twitter and she will tweet back. Pretty cool. Jade

Posted by Jadejou on 10/24 at 06:08 PM

Hi Ladies-

Just got the latest MORE magazine with Diane Keaton on the cover. The photo on the cover as well as the inside photos, are all black and white. I cannot tell if she is silver or blonde...does anyone know? I am enjoying them as though it is silver and she looks awesome with silver hair.

Jade

Posted by Jadejou on 10/30 at 09:51 AM

Funny question, Jade. You have only to look above and you’ll see Diane Keaton, gray hair and all!

Posted by Diana Jewell on 10/30 at 10:14 AM

I know...but, sometimes she is a blond in films. Wasn’t sure if she colored it for the photo shoot or was natural.

Posted by Jadejou on 10/30 at 04:44 PM

I recently joined the “Tweeting” world (not sure how that’s gonna go). lol I ran across a photo of interest for our group here. Check this out: http://tweetphoto.com/4846329 It’s Maeve Kinkhead with other soap stars who are arguably attractive women, but are women who color their hair. Note that Maeve looks more fabulous than the rest! She’s doing a web soap now called Gotham along with the other ladies in the photo.

Posted by GoingNatural on 12/21 at 05:49 PM

I agree. Maeve does look great. I know it’s all about choice but as anyone here knows somehow natural hair just looks better with your natural coloring

Posted by Chrysalis on 12/21 at 05:57 PM

In case you didn’t notice—Maeve IS one of our Great Inspirations above!

Posted by Diana Jewell on 01/28 at 08:02 AM

Diana - wow, so inspirational. I just keep finding more and more to love on this site. The first post, asking if you ever sleep, says it all.
How about Essie Weingarten? Saw her in More magazine, Feb. ‘10, and am praying my gray comes in half as gorgeous as hers.

Posted by reddy to gray on 02/03 at 07:17 PM

Diana, I would love to have Anne Kreamer added to this page - especially a recent photo with hairstyle from her recent time on The Today Show. Thanks! Hope that your move is going well.

Posted by grayme on 06/05 at 08:09 AM

Reddy to gray - I also love Essie Weingarten’s hair - it is gorgeous.

Posted by grayme on 06/05 at 08:10 AM

Thank you for your suggestions, grayme, I always appreciate them. However, given the surge in Newbies and updates, PLUS moving, OZ is simply out of time.

Posted by Diana Jewell on 06/05 at 09:50 AM

I just stumbled upon this page. What beautiful women. I can’t imagine any of them with dyed hair—they would be simply ordinary—rather than stunning and extraordinary.

Posted by Mickeyduck on 06/14 at 02:58 PM

Glad you stumbled upon it, Mickeyduck! There are all sorts of “hidden nuggets” here. It’s true about silver hair though. It truly is transformational.

Posted by Diana Jewell on 06/14 at 03:07 PM

Hey - here’s another one to consider adding to model inspirations - Kristen McMenamy:

http://www.vogue.com/voguedaily/2010/07/the-cult-of-kristen-mcmenamy/?mbid=fabsugar

Posted by morningstar on 07/25 at 06:49 AM

Thanks, Morningstar! We actually had her featured on our FB page, but this article is very interesting. I love two quotes: “You can get older and still be rock-n- roll,” and “I thought all that gray hair would make a beautiful picture.” Right-o! I’ll put her in Great Inspirations soon!

ooops, this posting originally appeared under Silver Sisters Meets. Why, I haven’t a clue. Now it’s where it should be.

Posted by Diana Jewell on 07/25 at 07:10 AM

going gray looking great

Great Inspirations: Gray-Haired Celebrities

Gray-Haired Celebrities, Business Leaders, Role Models

BEST INSPIRATION BY A FEMALE SINGER

EMMYLOU HARRIS

BEST INSPIRATION BY A SINGER/ACTIVIST/LEGEND

JOAN BAEZ

BEST INSPIRATION BY A SONGWRITER/SINGER

CAROLE KING

BEST INSPIRATION BY A MODEL/PHOTOGRAPHER

YASMINA ROSSI

BEST INSPIRATION BY A MODEL/MAKEUP ARTIST

CINDY JOSEPH

BEST INSPIRATION BY A MODEL/REAL ESTATE BROKER

SUSAN MCGRAW

BEST INSPIRATION BY A MODEL/DIETITIAN

MAYE MUSK

BEST INSPIRATION BY A FASHION DESIGNER

EILEEN FISHER

BEST INSPIRATION BY A FASHION EXECUTIVE

LINDA FARGO

BEST INSPIRATION BY A POLITICAL STRATEGIST

DONNA BRAZILE

BEST INSPIRATION BY A GOVERNMENT OFFICIAL/USA

KATHLEEN SEBELIUS

BEST INSPIRATION BY A GOVERNMENT OFFICIAL/FRANCE

CHRISTINE LAGARDE

BEST INSPIRATION BY AN ACTRESS

JAMIE LEE CURTIS

BEST INSPIRATION BY AN ACTRESS/DIRECTOR/PRODUCER

DIANE KEATON

BEST INSPIRATION BY AN ACTRESS/DAYTIME STAR

MAEVE KINKEAD

BEST INSPIRATION BY A SCIENTIST

JANE GOODALL

BEST INSPIRATION BY A MEDICAL PROFESSIONAL

JULIE GERBERDING

BEST INSPIRATION BY AN EDITOR

ELLEN LEVINE

BEST INSPIRATION BY A JOURNALIST

HELOISE

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