Winona’s Story

Twist of Fate


In April ’08, Winona had dark hair with caramel highlights.


And now the process begins. By June ’08, the caramel starts to fade, grays start to come in.


Winona’s natural curly-headed state, and wow, look at those grays go!


By December, she’s a medley of silver, caramel, and deep brown.


And by March ’09, the silvers begin win out.

Ohio gal Winona had a funny thing happen to her on the way to the altar, but more on that later! From a preemie dealing with gray in her teens, to a full-fledged natural beauty by the age of 46, she couldn’t be happier with her hair, her new husband, and her life. Let’s hear from Winona, who posts as Yzguy, in her own words.

I began getting gray hair when I was around 15. My natural hair color at birth was very dark brown. Probably the darkest shade of brown you can get before black. Unfortunately when the gray first started coming in, it was one streak on my right side that was about 1 inch wide...what was up with that?? I knew it was not going to stay on MY head. I immediately ran and got hair coloring at the store and my mom helped me.

I have always had long hair and it's naturally curly so this was quite an event. As I grew older, I noticed more and more gray more quickly each month. I had divorced in 2000 after 16 years of marriage and, in my head, thought I should keep my color non-gray. By the time I was 38, the silvers were showing every two weeks, at least! I pretty much kept it my same dark color but then I began caramel highlights to blend the gray better (or that was my reasoning at the time).

One month after my 40th birthday, I met the man of my dreams. Of course what color hair did he have -- gray! He said he turned gray at around 28 and he was absolutely gorgeous! We went on to be ever so happily married in 2005. In June of 2008, I finally decided enough was enough with the coloring, highlights, etc. When you have to go every two weeks, between the cost and the time..I don't know which was worse.

It took me about 14 months to get all the old coloring out of my hair and to have my own natural hair. I had to cut about 8" off! I was not brave enough to cut it short. I'll just say it was the BEST decision I've ever made other than marrying my prince!

I get compliments on my hair every day, whether I'm at work or just out. Of course, my hubby and I match now so we look even better together. My now 18 year old son is about 30% gray already. It’s not that noticeable, but around the age of 22 it will certainly shine!

I'm now 46 and could not be any more pleased with my decision to go au natural. I feel like I've been reborn again! Best of luck to all of the GGLG community!

Ed.note: Isn’t it great to say “I Do” to gray?



Flashback to 2005, Winona weds a silver Prince Charming. Maybe, as she gazed lovingly into his eyes, she was thinking, “Boy, I like the color of his hair!”



By August ’09, they were more of a matched pair. . .



And Winona is smiling happily ever after!


Winona - You are very lovely with your gray!  In the last pic it appears that you still have some brown remaining - just like mine, except my coloring is more of a blondy gray.  I have kept my length also!

Posted by grayme on 01/13 at 08:15 AM

love your happily ever after story winona!!

Posted by louann on 01/13 at 08:35 AM

Winona, You look great.  I was just posting the other day that the best part about me letting my natural hair shine is that when I am done I will also look like I match my husband. After 25 years we BOTH should be gray. You already match.  Good for you!

Posted by Chrysalis on 01/13 at 09:16 AM

Thanks guys for all of the lovely comments.  I had some additional info that miss going into my story so I’ll just post it here.

I have worked in healthcare for over 25 years. 

My husband says that a woman with gray hair/natural hair just has a much softer look about her (and per him, softer is sexier!).  He says hair coloring on women just gives them a harsh appearance in their facial features.  I totally agree after finding this site and looking at all of the beautiful women on here.  It does soften us a great deal.  I would have to say that god knows exactly what he is doing, afterall, he gave me the color I now have! smile

I knew when I stumbled upon GGLG about 2 years ago, it was the last shove I needed to realize this was what I should have done 10 years ago. You guys were my true inspiration!  My dad had two sisters that had bright white hair before they were 20 and I still kick myself that I didn’t just let mine go back then and it may have been that same bright white.  I seem to have more of the salt and pepper look.  Oddly enough, my older/only sister didn’t get gray hair until into her 30’s.  Now that just doesn’t seem fair.  LoL (sorry sis, still love you)

Silver certainly does not signify old, it signifies a reawakening smile

Thanks for reading all about me! smile

Posted by Yzguy on 01/13 at 05:08 PM

Winona- There is nothing I like better than a princess meeting her prince & living happily ever after!  Except, of course, when they both are gorgeous silvers! What a great story!  Welcome to GGLG!

Posted by Goldie on 01/13 at 07:06 PM

Winona, you look super, and so does your DH! grin

Posted by Chrissy on 01/14 at 04:35 AM

Winona, your story was such a pleasure to read, thanks so much for sharing it with all of us here at GGLG.  I love your curls and your length, very, very pretty! smile

Posted by lulubell on 01/14 at 06:26 AM

Thanks for sharing your story, Winona. I agree about the softness of going natural - both in tone and texture. You two are a great looking pair. :o)

Posted by greeneyes on 01/14 at 09:15 AM

i love the “re awakening” term...what a great way of putting it!!! that is exactly how i feel....WIDE AWAKE !!!!

Posted by louann on 01/14 at 05:57 PM

Thanks guys.  What’s even more amazing is I met my Prince Charming (aka: Rick) on Match.com.  Yes, it does happen.  We knew the minute we met in person that there was a strong connection.  It’s great being married to your best friend, the person you want to share everything with whether it’s good or bad.  He is absolutely a wonderful man and I feel so very blessed to have him in my life.

Posted by Yzguy on 01/14 at 06:33 PM

Winona you hair looks amazing, it was definitely the right decision for you.

Posted by Sharon on 01/15 at 10:09 AM

Winona, I can’t stop smiling after reading your story.  It truly is inspiring and you look HOT!

Posted by Jill on 01/15 at 10:35 AM

Your hair looks so pretty Winona. 

Jane xx

Posted by Jane on 01/16 at 12:14 PM

Yzguy,yes, you look great with your natural color. Thanks for the inspiration.

Posted by annyo63 on 01/17 at 12:27 PM

Winona, I love your story, and you truly look fantastic.  Thanks for sharing your pictures and your journey with us!

Beth/Shine-on

Posted by shine-on on 01/23 at 12:10 PM

Thanks Shine-on.  It’s been a long journey but a fabulous one.  I think the most fascinating aspect of it all was not knowing exactly what shade of gray/silver I was actually getting in the end. Lol I just had a good trim yesterday and it’s even more white now and I love it! My hubby absolutely compliments me everyday on it. smile

Posted by Yzguy on 01/23 at 12:37 PM

Ooops...I left the Beth part off of my response. My apologies.

Posted by Yzguy on 01/23 at 12:39 PM

Hi Winona
I think silvery and greys are beautiful.  Mine is about half way there and I don’t regret it at all!

Posted by Donna C on 02/18 at 06:26 PM

Thanks Donna. It’s so weird, everytime I get my hair cut I love it even more.  I have a few areas that seem more of the dazzling white that I love.  I’m still 70% salt and pepper.  The whole bottom in the back is still dark and I have people ask me if I colored it that way. If they only knew..LOL

Posted by Yzguy on 02/19 at 03:48 PM

I’m brand new here! Just sent in my pix!  grin I just started growing the grays out (5 weeks since my last coloring) so I have a ways to go… Curious about salt and pepper versus white/white!  ??  Why do some people have white/white and others salt and pepper?  It will be fun to see what’s under there!  smile

So glad to find the site...very inspirational.

Posted by lisa7 on 03/18 at 03:42 PM

that’s the fun part Lisa, none of us ever know until we start the growing out process.  I had someone the other day say to me that I looked more of a salt and pepper when I leave my hair curly. On the days I use a flat iron on it, it’s has a good silver/white sheen to is.  I’m so happy with it.  I will post another picture here in about a month. I could not be happier.

Posted by Yzguy on 03/30 at 06:23 PM

Leave a comment

Please Login or Register to leave a comment.

In this Section