July/August More Magazine quoted Emmylou Harris, (age 66)
I’m just too busy living every day to really spend a lot of time thinking, ‘Am I old?’
I’m this age, I am in this moment and in this life” ~ Emmylou Harris
Grey hair is a controversial topic to say the least. More and more women who come to me for a color consultation have either made the decision to “Go Grey”, or are contemplating taking the leap. My clients are looking to explore the best ways to look and feel beautiful, and with more and more celebrities like Emmylou Harris looking like Silver Foxes, going grey no longer means looking old and drab. The questions that come with greying hair are no longer “Do I want to look my age?,” or, “Should I go grey gracefully?,” but “How can I go grey and still look vibrant, sexy, and alive?” Today, going grey is not about “giving-up” it’s simply another avenue for self-exploration and self-expression.
When weighing the pros and cons of “going back to your roots” — or not,
here are some considerations:
To stay with colored hair:
It takes discipline and a substantial budget to go to your hair colorist regularly, to maintain colored hair. The older and greyer you get, the higher the cost in both money and time for maintenance. Some clients of mine had vowed to “dye their hair till the day they died”, but gave up because it was killing them. They learned that the scalp is one of the most absorbent patches of skin on their body, and they realized that every time they dye their hair they are essentially ingesting hair dye chemicals through the skin ~ a sobering thought. Some of my clients developed a sensitivity to the chemicals and dyes, while others didn’t want to subject their bodies to toxic exposure any more. Still, others just grew tired of needing touch-ups every few weeks. Ask yourself if coloring your hair makes you look younger or better. If the answer isn’t a resounding yes.…you may want to re-consider your options.
But truly, if you are always going to color your hair, don’t get lazy and let the not-so-stylish grey show through. Showing the grey should be on purpose. Decide which roots are going to show and create an edgy white streak like Bonnie Raitt. And if you’re not feeling that bold, a possible product to help cover the grey might be a root camouflager. “Color Wow Root Cover up ($35; ulta.com) More magazine says it will help you ride the (roots). It comes in four water-resistent shades.
(* IN YOUR 60’s? Three quarters of you are fighting gray growth, making this miracle powder a must –have. “ MORE MAGAZINE).
To go grey:
It takes time, and there is a process…don’t just go cold-turkey and let everything wear out.
- Start with low-lighting your hair to ease through the transition. There are even grey hair dyes so don’t ditch your hair colorist just yet! Or try putting less haircolor on your hair to let the greys come through. Ask your hair stylist to work with you throughout the transition. Going grey is a time to be vigilant about keeping your hair appointments.
- Sporting a sassy cut is the best way to show off your silver locks. The long, untrimmed “natural look” will make you look older. Emmylou Harris keeps her hair layered and styled to beautifully frame her face. Her cut keeps her look contemporary.
- Grey hair has a porous texture and is more sensitive to sun damage. Be sure to use the products that keep your hair UV protected. Also try adding glosses for shine.
- Use shampoos specially formulated for grey hair. They will brighten the dull greys and highlight the silver, remove the yellow, and get rid of brassiness. There are a lot of great products out there such as: Biosilk Silver Lights shampoo, Clairol Shimmer Lights shampoo, or Jhirmack Silver brightening shampoo to name a few. Again, work with your hair stylist to find the right products for your hair and lifestyle.
Having silver hair will highlight your face, so be sure you are ready to be looked at! Be sure your skin, eyes and lips are shining and bright as well. Looking like a Silver Fox requires skill and a certain level of cunning. If you are ready to make the transition to grey, I would love to help you choose the best colors, cuts and styles to look and feel fabulous wherever you go!
I encourage you to listen to what Emmylou said “I’m just too busy living every day to…” And fill in your blank. Do what you love because you love it. If hanging out at the beauty shop fills a social need. Have fun and enjoy the social interactions. If you would rather be somewhere else, give yourself permission be where you want to be. Creating style is about celebrating your inherent beauty. If you feel there’s a silver fox that needs a little coaxing.…I can help!