Jill’s Story

Dancin’ Her Way to Gray


Jill sports highlights in the days before the damage.


Back to box coloring, and worrying about chemicals.


And yet, those pesky roots would show up like clockwork.


Something had to give, and Jill went at it!

The question is often asked, “How young do you have to be to go gray?” In the case of a preemie, it starts very young. And that’s why Jill took matters into her own hands, literally, when she realized no one “got it.” This isn’t a step-by-step story. This is a long-to-short story with one quick snip! Jill tells it like it is.

My story begins when I was a little girl. My mother and father both had gray hair from an early age, in fact, I can't remember them any other way. My mother would be asked questions about her "grandchild", she would just laugh. I never really gave any thought to the fact that my mother chose not to color her hair, it was just her.

When I was 16, in high school, a classmate looked down at my head while I was sitting at my desk and announced to the entire class that I had a gray hair. I was so embarrassed. I began dying my hair in my early twenties. At first the semi-permanent color worked fine but eventually the gray became resistant and I moved up to permanent color. I was coloring every month to keep up with my quick grow out. In my thirties I had a brilliant idea to add some blond highlights to help "hide" the grow out. So I began going to my hair stylist and having it weaved every 4-6 weeks. My very coarse hair eventually began breaking off and was so damaged from the stripping and bleaching. So now I had a real mess of several different colors and straw like hair with big chunks broken off. I went back to coloring it myself at home from a box. Every month I would get my gloves out and smear that goop on my head and wonder what effects those chemicals had on my body while absorbing into my scalp. At 37 years old I'd been coloring for nearly 15 years.

One day I stumbled on the GGLG website and the wheels began to turn. It had never occurred to me that I didn't have to color my hair. Wow, there's a concept. I then ordered Anne Kreamer's book Going Gray and it was all over. I made a trip to my salon and my hair stylist looked at me like I was nuts when I questioned her about adding some silver to my long hair. She told me "you don’t want to go gray". I left knowing I had to do this alone because no one would "get it". I knew I had to do the "chop". Several days later while home alone, I turned on some good music, put on my sexiest high heels, and grabbed the kitchen scissors. Yes, the kitchen scissors. I stood in front of the mirror holding a handful of hair and began chopping away. I danced and cut until I thought it was pretty even. I became a little too confident when I took out the clippers I use on my husband's hair, thinking I could "texturize” my own. The clippers got away from me and took my bangs clean off. I put the clippers away. Despite the mishap I was quite thrilled with my new do, I couldn't stop laughing. I threw some product in my hair, covered the bangs with a head band and loved it!

It's been almost three months and I cannot count how many compliments I've had about my hair, the cut and the color. Of course there have been others that tell me I'll go back to coloring and that's okay, I don't expect everyone to "get it". But above all, the absolute feeling of freedom has been amazing. It has been one of the most empowering experiences.

Ed. note: We certainly “get it,” Jill!


Jill today. Happy, confident, and glowing!



Even without her headband (hiding the clippers mishap), you can tell Jill is thrilled with her new short crop and no more dye!



Jill - Yup, we get it & sister you got it!  What a great crop of beautiful silver!  As if anything could make your beautiful eyes stand out even more, your silver does!!
Welcome to GGLG!

Posted by Goldie on 01/13 at 07:11 PM

Jill- Oh my, my heart was in my mouth at your daring with the scissors!(and the clippers!) But your instincts were right- the color looks wonderful already, and really complements your eye color! grin

Posted by Chrissy on 01/14 at 04:40 AM

Jill-Good for you!  I love the dance of the “chop”.  Just goes to show that just because we have gray hair is does not mean we don’t feel sexy or alive.  The more we show the gray the more we can send the message it is acceptable.

Posted by Chrysalis on 01/14 at 05:06 AM

Jill, you are just too adorable for words.  You remind me so much of my 36 year old daughter, so much fun and quite adventurous!  Good for you for following your own path, in the end your transformation is going to be quite stunning.  I can’t wait to see the final result! wink

Posted by lulubell on 01/14 at 06:19 AM

I love your new “do”...perhaps you should consider a career change?!  Maybe you are destined to be a stylist!

Posted by Cisami09 on 01/14 at 06:29 AM

love your story...isn’t there a song that says “ i hope you dance”?? you did it!!!
welcome to the bright side!!!

Posted by louann on 01/14 at 06:38 AM

Thanks for your story, Jill. You have such beautiful eyes and a beautiful natural silver growing in, as well. Looking forward to your continuing transition.

Posted by greeneyes on 01/14 at 09:17 AM

Ladies, thank you so very, very much for the most encouraging words.  I actually got a little choked up seeing my story and reading your comments.  Because of you ladies, I had the courage to join the party!  March on ladies! grin

Posted by Jill on 01/14 at 01:07 PM

Jill, what a wonderful story. When I got to the clipper part I laughed so hard I cried. Still can’t really see the keyboard. I understand all of it so well. I’m a Flowbee girl. I cut my hair down to less that 2” and was completely elated. Free. Happy. Feeling beautiful.
Congratulations to you. You look fantastic and I doubt you’ll ever go back to color.

Posted by silvercurl on 01/15 at 05:35 AM

Hi Jill
I love the story of you dancing while chopping off your hair - how freeing! Your hair is a fabulous shade of silver. Thanks for sharing your journey.

Posted by Sharon on 01/15 at 10:12 AM

Hi Silvercurl, thank you so much.  Yes, free, happy and feeling beautiful too.  I think you’re right, I don’t feel any urges to color at all!  It truly is amazing.

Posted by Jill on 01/15 at 10:31 AM

Another inspiring story!  So lovely to read about your grey journey Jill.  I love the way everyone expresses the freedom they feel when they stop dying their hair. 

Jane xx

Posted by Jane on 01/16 at 12:18 PM

Great story Jill and funny, too. I get it.....

Posted by annyo63 on 01/17 at 12:20 PM

Hi Jill,
I really enjoyed reading your story.  I’m telling you that if you think you’re getting compliments now, just wait.  Dancing and cutting simultaneously must have been one of those “wow” moment.

Barbara

Posted by Barbara on 01/21 at 03:48 PM

Jill,

You look so beautiful...the grey looks so amazing with your incredible eyes…

Posted by Underneath It All on 01/22 at 09:44 AM

Barbara, how kind of you.  The dancing and cutting was just as you described.  Thank you so much!

Posted by Jill on 01/22 at 06:38 PM

Underneath It All, thank you so much, such kind words.  There is no going back now! wink

Posted by Jill on 01/22 at 06:39 PM

Jill, your sharing is so great here...and a Profile in Courage! I admire you so much!  And the best thing is that I really sense your freedom, which will continue now that you do not have to hit the bottle ANYMORE!  Way to go, sister!
Beth/Shine-on

Posted by shine-on on 01/23 at 12:15 PM

Beth/Shine-on, thank you so much!  You are so right, the feeling of freedom from the “bottle” is amazing.  I’m enjoying the change of my look.  Thank you again.  Jill

Posted by Jill on 02/23 at 04:48 PM

I would love to hear how it’s going, Jill.  Are you still on the silver trail?  How about an update!

Posted by Silver Mama on 08/20 at 06:36 AM

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