Wednesday, April 18, 2007
Colorado Springs, Colo. — Once upon a time, women would curse their gray hair and reach for the dye to cover it up.
Or they'd eventually cave in and drench themselves in that ghastly purplish-blue rinse — the one that turns the shade of the Rocky Mountains at dusk. It was like the mark of the old age beast.
But with salt falling on their heads like a blizzard, baby boomers are, as usual, opting to do it their way. So long, stigma, hello gray.
It's a fashion statement showing up more and more, even in Hollywood (think of a classy-looking Meryl Streep in "The Devil Wears Prada" or the radiant Helen Mirren at the Oscars).
"Baby boomers aren't afraid. They led the way in coloring hair and now that they are older, they don't hesitate not to color their hair either," says Greg Chavez, owner of J.Gregory, an upscale Colorado Springs, Colo., salon.
Making sense of silver
Why is that gray showing up in your hair?
Hair gets its color from melanin, a pigment found in the hair shaft. There are two types of melanin pigments — those that are dark and those that are lighter, which mix together to give you your hair color.
Scientists aren't sure what happens to trigger gray hair, but they theorize that hair follicles have a "melanogentic" clock that slows down over years until the melanin is replaced by colorless air bubbles.
Genetics plays a part in when this happens.
It is estimated that people gray 10 percent to 20 percent every decade after age 30.
Source: American Academy of Dermatology; ebeautydaily.com.
Greg (he uses only his first name professionally) and other stylists are even telling their baby boomer customers to flaunt their gray hair, even though they could make zillions of dollars covering up the gray every few weeks.
"Keeping the gray out is just too much trouble for most women," says Hillary Hand, a hair professional at J.Gregory.
Gray hair is coarse, and although color products are a lot better than they used to be, it is hard to cover the gray — and keep it covered. It takes frequent trips to the salon to avoid looking as if a skunk were walking down your part line.
Besides, gray hair is like a trophy, showing off a woman's wisdom, confidence and elegance, Hand says.
"It's beautiful, and it is less maintenance" Greg says. "But you have to have a young hairdo to go with it, so it doesn't look like those old, set waves."
Marcia Wurm, 51, who works at Rich Designs Home in Colorado Springs, says she is stopped on the street by women wanting to know how she got her fabulous color. Turns out, she didn't do anything: It's naturally gray.
"I got sick of coloring it. I didn't know how much gray I had, so I cut my hair shorter and shorter as I let the gray grow out," she says.
Colleen Rodman, 55, who works in sales, used to color her hair but was persuaded to go gray.
"My stylist told me, `You don't have to do this anymore.' I trusted her." Now she gets raves from acquaintances because she lets her gray show.
How do you care for gray hair?
It can be tricky because gray hair has a stiffer texture than hair with color, and hair shafts thin out, so your usual routine may not work as well.
Some tips:
• Gray hair is usually more unruly, so use hair-care products that will tame those locks. A good conditioner is a must, as are gels that will give it style.
• A good haircut is essential — one that will highlight your natural tones, whether they are white or pewter or silver.
• When you wash your hair, give your scalp a good massage. It not only feels heavenly, it stimulates blood vessels that feed the hair follicles.
• Do as mom told you: Eat your vegetables. A good diet with essential vitamins and protein can give hair a healthful look.
Source: J.Gregory Salon; womenrepublic.com.
Of course, lots of women still color their gray, and will continue to do so. But with gray becoming more of a fashion statement, it opens up their options.
"I think women do what works best for them. Some color their hair and that looks good," Rodman says. "But I think we have a lot more leeway, since society is more accepting now of gray."
If your hair is more than 75 percent gray, you should just let it go, Greg says. But that can be a problem; some women don't have any idea how much gray they have because they have colored their hair for so many years. The roots on the crown are often more gray than the rest of the hair, so it can be hard to tell just how gray you are without letting it grow a bit.
If you want to go gray, how do you avoid that incriminating color demarcation as it grows out? Weave other colors and highlights into it, Greg says.
Kris Faricy, 58, owner of Hayden-Hays Art Gallery, uses two colors with her natural gray: blond highlights and golden lowlights. She likes to keep some blond in her hair because it goes better with her skin tone. And she doesn't like the idea of monochromatic hair without some interest and sparkle.
Greg suggests that women who want to go gray talk to their hairstylist about it. If the stylist isn't savvy about how to do it or willing to give up coloring your hair, find someone who is, he says.
Comments
Margo (anonymous) says...
I am reaching the point of no return myself but, in my world, especially in my office, there aren't that many grey heads. I would definitely be flaunting my status as 'senior' management if I quit coloring my hair, and I'm not sure that would be a good thing.
April 18, 2007 at 7:44 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
gracie (anonymous) says...
Over the last 3 years I have been letting my gray hair shine through my black. I stopped coloring for a few reasons. First because of the chemical in the dyes and second because it is impossible to keep color on and my hair grows out so fast. I have had very mixed reviews, from how much younger I would look to is that natural. I have come to enjoy my gray, but from time to time, especially when I look at pictures when I was not gray, mourn my black hair. Perhaps I am mourning the passing of time, too. My husband likes my hair. I wear it long, which is what he really loves, although there will probably come a day that I should cut it. Applause to all of you who choose to be natural, although I think it is sad that it takes a professionl hairdresser or Hollywood to tell us it is okay and stylish. We must trust ourselves above all.
April 18, 2007 at 8:46 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
cathy (cathy) says...
I've been going grey for two years now and am satisfied with my decision about 80% of the time. I love that I'm saving money and time, and I think my natural color is quite pretty. But when I see a photo of myself now (the flash of a camera seems to make the white even whiter) I get uneasy, especially since my husband has all of five grey hairs on his head. I applaud everyone that chooses to be natural, too, because it's not always easy. There's a lot second-guessing involved in this youth-obsessed world, at least for me.
April 18, 2007 at 10:03 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
smooth (anonymous) says...
I went "natural" several years ago. I used to have dark to medium auburn (lighter in summer) I sometimes miss my darker hair.
The odd thing is, my hair now looks blonde, and many think I have it done professionally and ask who does it and what colors they use. I just smile and say this color is exclusive to me, no one else can have it or my colorist....then I tell them it was done by Mother Nature and it took many years and raising four daughters on my own to get it! :)
I keep it a medium length now, used to be very long (to my waist).
April 18, 2007 at 1:41 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
bornin1955 (anonymous) says...
Here's another issue that doesn't seem to be a problem for men (although I do know a few older guys who color their hair which I think is ridiculous - do they think we don't notice?) Why do men look 'distinguished' in grey hair while women just look 'old'?
April 18, 2007 at 2:49 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
drjudithfl (anonymous) says...
What a timely subject! I have been struggling with ending the color process and just letting it be. Why not? I truly don't know what my hair will look like, but I do think I owe it to myself to give it a whirl. I have a career where age and wisdom happen to be huge advantages, so who's stopping me, but ME???? And the money I will save? I can have some of the wrinkles removed!
April 18, 2007 at 7:52 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
keurejian (anonymous) says...
Yes, I probably would look a few years younger if I colored my salt and pepper hair (Okay, much more salt than pepper these days)but it's just not worth the effort and frankly, I love the way my hair looks. I get many comments and praise, mostly from young men.
The guy who cuts my hair says it fits my personality and he's tried several cool haircuts over the past couple of years that really bring out my "highlights".
April 19, 2007 at 9:42 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
Theresa (anonymous) says...
I think I'm also ready to let my hair "go". It is expensive to color your hair so that it looks natural, which usually means using more than one color. I'm not sure how to go about at it without subjecting myself and others to that white 'skunk stripe' at my part. What do you do? Start adding bleached highlights gradually until it all blends in?
April 19, 2007 at 11:46 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
GoingLikeSixty (anonymous) says...
My wife would die to be able to dye - and maybe literally die.
http://goinglikesixty.com
April 19, 2007 at 4:49 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
amazonratz (anonymous) says...
I think the whole "men look distinguished, women just look old" thing is mostly a social construct. As a rule men have thicker skin, with less/later sagging, so I think they do have an edge on the looking young thing, but it's mostly because we're trained to believe this stuff. Age and wisdom is valued (and assumed to go together) in men, but youth and beauty is what "society" wants in women. It's a shame it's set up this way. It's what makes a gorgeous older woman insecure and try to play at being 20 while a paunchy bald guy struts around in a speedo thinking he's God's gift to women....
April 20, 2007 at 6:52 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
smooth (anonymous) says...
Theresa, When I decided to go "natural" I went to Colors salon (by Body Boutique) and had Julie do high and low lights, she did such an awesome job that it blended and grew out beautifully!
I haven't looked back since, I will never color again!
April 20, 2007 at 9:20 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
keurejian (anonymous) says...
By the way, there are some wonderful shampoos on the market to brighten gray hair and take out the yellow. Pantene makes a very nice, reasonably priced shampoo and conditioner.
April 20, 2007 at 10:01 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
christysuzanne (anonymous) says...
The best accessories for our gray hair are happy eyes and pearly white teeth. We just need to relax and enjoy our blessings.
April 20, 2007 at 8:42 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
zinlover (anonymous) says...
I have often thought of going natural. My formerly brunette with red and gold highlights (natural) has been replaced with black and white. I miss my brown hair, but don't care for the black. My temples are 90% silver, which is pretty, but my part is maybe 30% gray, and the back? Who knows. I keep coloring because I am trying to find a better job-but let's face it, I'll never pass for 30 again!
April 21, 2007 at 7:58 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
Debra_Ann_Foster (anonymous) says...
I was very disappointed to see Cindy McCain on Larry King last night with her husband who has now announced he's running for president. Cindy's hair used to be short and chic with a beautiful shade of gray. She always looked like she stepped out of a magazine. Now Mrs. McCain has gone the long, blonde route, probably on the suggestion of the party advisors! It's a shame that she may feel she has to look like a young chick because she will now be in the limelight!
April 26, 2007 at 9:44 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
janola (anonymous) says...
We all have an individual outlook on this subject and are all influenced by the fashion industry and have been our whole lives. To say we could turn away from years of influence and be free to look however we choose is pretty much impossible. Each of us finds our own peace and ability to embrace our indivual beauty whatever the packaging is. Mine is definitely a mixture so I have gray and darker mixed.
April 28, 2007 at 10:06 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
Post a comment
Commenting requires registration.