Welcome to my ever-graying world!
Saturday, February 12, 2011 at 08:16PM ;)
When I was 21 years old, I noticed my first gray hair. Being that I looked quite young for my age (I could have easily passed for a high schooler), I cringed when passengers asked if I was old enough to be working in my profession as a flight attendant. I allowed that single gray hair to remain amidst my long dark brown locks for a few days. Then, I yanked it out.
As the next few years passed, gradually more grays sprouted, of which I showed no inhibitions in plucking at first sight. Fortunately for me, my hair is quite voluminous, so a few gray casualties was nothing to worry about in the premature thinning department.
At about 30 years of age, I realized that plucking grays was becoming quite tedious as it was no longer "just a few". It was time for a different strategy in combatting gray. Spending a couple hundred dollars to have my hair professionally colored was not in my budget. Besides, I could think of so many other things I'd rather spend my money on. What to do, what to do?
I began listening more intently when girlfriends talked about their beauty regimens, especially on the topic of hair treatments. Then I started asking questions and taking notes. Flight attentands are ingenious for finding the best means of doing just about anything without spending much money. I soon devised a plan to tackle my own special beauty problem. . .
With notes in hand, I entered Mother's Market, a local grocery store that sells not only organic foods, but also;)
carries a plethora of products to combat, holistically, whatever ails you. I headed for the beauty supply department. I searched for the hair dye in the "green box". This certain product, I was told, was perfect for a novice like me and would definitely not damage my hair. I chose the medium brown tint that all my girlfriends agreed was the perfect color for me.
Sitting on a stool, in front of the bathroom mirror, I brushed dye onto my long strands of hair. Very long strands of hair, I should say. So long, though, that dying my own hair was proving to be quite difficult indeed. Then it happened! During one fateful stroke, I fumbled with the brush, lost my grasp and the brush flew out of my hand. To my horror, the brush had grazed the white cabinet door as it dropped to the floor leaving a perminant dark brown streak. The bathroom had just been completely renovated a few short months before. So much for my pristine bathroom. And so much for trying to save money!
I then did what any respectable young woman does in my neighborhood when the slightest bit of gray shows. . . I saw a professional! So for the last decade plus, I have left all matters of hair to professionals hairdressers. Now I must admit, they have done an excellent job in hiding my ever-graying head of hair while adding some lovely highlights to my dark brown tresses. I have been beautifully coifed.
That said, I have never gotten over sticker shock. Now I may be totally unrealistic as to the amount it should cost to color long strands of hair. Also, I live in an affluent neighborhood in southern California where the cost of living is high. Thirdly, I realize that hair professionals have undertaken much training. Don't get me ;)
wrong; I do not begrudge them one bit. I know they are worth their weight in gold, especially if they can miraculously remedy a bad hair job by a botched "home job". The bottom line for me is that I simply do not like to pay that much for hair maintenance. I don't mind spending money, but my hair is not an area that I want to shell out much toward.
Fast forward to present day. . . I'm an almost 45 years old and am taking the bold step to stop coloring my hair. . . Cold turkey.
Reader Comments (7)
You're in your 40's Lorri! There's a big difference between aging gracefully and throwing in the towel. Me, I think laugh lines add character... I have a lot of character. My curves have taken a few detours in recent years and gravity seems to be my worst enemy. I'm not a Botox girl, have never had anything lifted or tucked or implanted, but I do have a husband who is seven years my junior... I admittedly hit the bottle, L'Oreal #6A - "Light Ash Brown".
Looking good Lorri, go get 'em!
Brown, black or grey you will always be sexy to me!
Hey Lorri!!! Love your site. My hair is graying nicely too. :) Keep up the good work :)
Funny you should mention this as I too have stopped dyeing my hair, and it is gray, mine has grown out a little bit more than yours but looks the same otherwise. I always said I would let it go gray when I was a grandma and well I am now, although he is a year old now. So I waited a little bit.
Hey...not much happening on here! How's the gray coming? :)
let's join our hands together to stop this kind of wrong doings. It may risk lives in the future if we just let them continue. ykgljz ykgljz - Moncler Jakke Dame.