Graying Gracefully

Dear Alisha,

I was wondering your take on "graying gracefully" or if there was even a way to do it? For the longest time I've had a few white hairs but have recently noticed a few more patches that have come in. The thought of coloring my hair immediately came to mind but, with the time, effort, and money that is involved, I don't want to do that forever. How's a classy brunette like yourself handle/going to handle this inevitable situation?

Sincerely,
Graying Gracefully

Dear Graying,

You had me at classy brunette. Little do you know, but I've had gray hairs sprouting up since I was in my 20's. When I say "gray", I mean gleaming bright white/silver. Each one is noticeable over my dark hair. It is the reason I color my hair now. (I like my natural, rich brown hair color.) Without a doubt, it is worth the time, effort and money.

In my opinion, nothing ages a woman more than going gray or losing so much weight that your face sags down into a pile at your neck. Since the latter is not a problem I think I'll ever have, I will continue to color my hair forever. With very few exceptions, I don't think a woman should consider "going gray" until she is over age 60. It makes a woman not only look older, but duller. Gray hair growing into dark hair is the worst- it looks like we're going bald!

Hair color doesn't have to be expensive or difficult. I color my own roots. I use a hair color a shade lighter than my natural color, and I only color the roots so I don't end up with build up in my ends. The results are passable. You could go to a stylist to see how they do it and what shade they pick, and then try and replicate the results at home. You will not be able to apply multiple colors at home, something I often wish I had, but just basic color matching isn't too tricky. My warning to you is to make sure to use a shade lighter than you think you need. A dark hair color only looks darker and more obvious once it's on the hair. If doing it yourself is out of the question or you don't like your home results, I think the expense of hair color is worth treating yourself too. "Because you're worth it". Or "because you don't want to prematurely age yourself".

Enjoy a few before and after gray haired photos:


Before: (really?) After:

Now she looks like the author of a self-help book!

From Oprah.com.,Before:

Everyone knows someone who looks like her.

After:

Is this even the same person?

Bring it on home Susan:

"I dreamed a dream in time gone by...."

"...when hope was high and life worth living"

A note to my friends: When I am really, really old, I will let my hair go silver, hopefully it will be more white. And I will wear it in a big puff and I will tint it the faintest shade of pink or lavender. Just subtle enough so you wonder if it was an accident or if I'm okay in the head, or if I'm just that cool.

Slightly softer than this, but you get the idea. But not the glasses. That would be tacky.

How many of you color your hair?