I'm not coloring my hair anymore.

@smallT (376)
United States
June 11, 2008 12:58am CST
I've decided not to cover up the gray in my hair anymore with hair color. I figure I earned each strand. I call the gray "my wisdom". No more hair color in my hair. I am who I am. Anybody else feel this way? I'm proud to have made it to 50.
1 person likes this
8 responses
@mentalward (14691)
• United States
11 Jun 08
Hi smallT. I feel the same as you. I used to say I would never grow old gracefully; I'd go out kicking and screaming. But once I got here, I realized the same thing as you. I've earned every single gray hair. The trouble is, you can't see them unless you really look because my hair is so light. I actually point the gray ones out sometimes! LOL ("See here? This one is gray. Look, here's another one!") I've seen women who are obviously older, wrinkles, pale skin, etc., who obviously dye their hair and it just doesn't look natural. When the face starts to look older, so should the hair. Of course, I try to keep the wrinkles from getting worse. I just can't do anything about gravity! I once was looking in a mirror and commented, "My face is fat." My son, who was sitting in the room and was about 12 at the time, said, "No, it's not, Mom. It's just saggy." I wasn't exactly sure how to take that. Was it a compliment? If it was, I'm not sure I liked it! LOL
@smallT (376)
• United States
11 Jun 08
Kids are so honest aren't they? When I want the truth, I'll ask my children. Whether I like it or not. I definitely try to keep myself looking good, just now I'm looking good with my gray strands. For me, its less stressful. :-)
1 person likes this
@smallT (376)
• United States
11 Jun 08
Perhaps :-)
1 person likes this
@mentalward (14691)
• United States
11 Jun 08
So true, "Out of the mouths of babes..." Stress is an excellent "youth-killer". You certainly have the right attitude; being gray with less stress will keep you younger-looking than having dyed hair with a lot of stress. Maybe meditation will help, too? Ommmmmmmm
1 person likes this
• United States
11 Jun 08
I totally agree with you. My son asked me the other day why I didnt do like all the other "old" women do and color my hair. I told him that after 23 years of raising he, and his brother, those gray hairs are a symbol of my wisdom and their survival....lol He laughed and said "yea, I guess youve earned em, might as well show em off" .....lol Be proud of those gray hairs, we've worked hard to get them :-)
@smallT (376)
• United States
11 Jun 08
I totally agree!!!! Thanks for your comment.
@cher913 (25782)
• Canada
11 Jun 08
bravo for you, but i am not to that point yet (although my daughter seems to want me to turn grey, but thats a whole nuther matter and yes, she is a teenager!) but i am only 46 and can pass for about 40, so i dont want to encourage people thinking i am older!
1 person likes this
@smallT (376)
• United States
11 Jun 08
I used to feel like you, but now I'm at a point in my life that I don't really care how old people think I am. And should anyone ask, I will tell them the truth.
1 person likes this
@sunkissed (4330)
• United States
11 Jun 08
small, I do not blame you, I would not cover up the gray hair either.I do believe in being natural.I myself think that gray hair is very beautif and makes a person look very didtinguished looking. I myself am 56 years old and do not have any gray hair yet, but I have been wanting it all my life. I even get my hair frosted at thims to give me the salt and pepper look. I too amy very proud to have made it to 56 years old, and very glad I look as good as I do for my age.Just be yourself!!
1 person likes this
@smallT (376)
• United States
11 Jun 08
Thanks for your comment sunkissed. Wow, no gray at all. That is amazing. I think I started seeing gray in my hair in my late 30's. I agree with you about just being yourself. It's so much easier.
1 person likes this
• Canada
11 Jun 08
I am 51 and I will not let that gray show in my hair! I am going to go down kicking and fighting! Bring on the bottle! I still feel young and I am not going to look in the mirror and have it remind me that I am 51!
1 person likes this
@smallT (376)
• United States
11 Jun 08
To each their own. I'm not mad at you. Thanks for your comment grasshopper.
1 person likes this
• United States
11 Jun 08
Good for you! I'm not to the graying point (although I do have some white!), but I never understood why someone would cover up the gray. I think gray is rather nice, and there's nothing more dramatic than a full head of gray hair. It's the only color they truly can't achieve with hair colorings.
@smallT (376)
• United States
11 Jun 08
I fully agree. Thanks for your response.
1 person likes this
@liquorice (3887)
6 Jul 08
Well that's really good, and I agree with your reasoning! I'm noticing more and more grey hairs since I had my daughter, lol, but I don't like the idea of dying it and putting loads of yucky chemicals on my head. So I'm going to see how it goes, and maybe just let it gradually happen... Well done for making this choice, and for being proud of yourself, you should be!
@smallT (376)
• United States
6 Jul 08
Can't be bad if God made us this way. Thanks for your comment liquorice.
@JTerrasi (199)
• United States
4 Jul 08
Well??????????? I went to Cosmetology College and have been just about every color in the rainbow. From long hair to short. I am now a 'Red Head'. My father passed away 5 years with NO grey, he was 81. I don't think I have any grey but the 'wrinkles' make up for the grey I guess. You are a 'cool gal' smallT. Have a great 4th. By the way I am 61 and still going strong!
@smallT (376)
• United States
6 Jul 08
Thanks J. You are pretty cool yourself. I hope I have your strength 10 years from now. Enjoy your weekend too.