Big steps during this, my 8th, almost 9th week of going gray. There’s no hiding it now with a full inch of gray hair shining like a ring around my face. Yes, it means two full inches exposed at the part line across the top of my head. Some people call that the skunk line? Yikes!
While I love the color of gray coming in, the contrast of colored hair against it is…well…let’s just say, not as appealing as I’d want.
Since my outgrowth is now so noticeable, I finally broke my secret silence and shared my mission of going gray with a dear friend. A new relief to finally share it with someone other than family. If I was her, I can imagine how I would’ve been thinking, “Oh good graycious, so that’s why you’ve not colored your hair. Whew, at least there’s a reason behind it.” She didn’t say that. She was as supportive as she always is. It is so awesome to have a great friend like her!
I wasn’t quite as brave telling people I work with though. I’m going to keep them wondering a bit longer. Maybe another inch and they’ll just ask me? It took some major self-pep talks this week to go to the meetings and public speaking engagements with the inch in full exposure. No one asked me or said anything, but I’m pretty sure if it was me, looking at me, I would’ve been thinking, “Jeez…why haven’t you made an appointment yet, especially since you had a presentation in public to do?” or “Wow, that’s really a lot of gray coming in, I would never let my hair go that long before coloring.”
At 8-9 weeks, this is the longest I’ve ever gone without coloring. Honestly, it is freaking me out a bit. Several times as I got ready to go out in public, I thought, “What in the world have I gotten myself into?”
If at some point you don’t ask yourself, ‘What have I gotten myself into?’ then you aren’t doing it right. – Roland Gau
Getting a grip to rock the next stage
Good graycious, it is time to remind me, this is my choice. I’m excited about it! Other than when I’m not going out in public, I love seeing the gray growing. I’m thrilled it is going to be a salt and pepper look. Maybe the grip I need is to figure out how to style it during this new stage? How to rock the reverse ombre look is my new quest. If you’ve got any ideas to share, please do, I’d love to hear from you!
You are brave, you are beautiful, you are you, and I love you friend! You will rock this new look!
🙂 Kris
Awww, thanks for your support Kris G! Right back at you, you are brave, beautiful and not afraid of new adventures in life! Thanks for being brave to accompany me while I grow into this new look. Love you too dear friend!!
I know this is an old blog, but how about a small white gardenia? 😉 I think your hair looks fine — I’m a fan of natural wherever possible, though I’m now at 78 wearing make-up whenever I go out, for the first time. I use the Luminess system – takes me about 3 minutes. (if they see this, maybe a small refund?). Back to your hair, it was very brave of you. So after all these weeks, how are you feeling about your hair situation?
Ellen, thanks for reading back to my gray hair beginning! A small white gardenia sounds pretty! I prefer just a bit of make-up when venturing out. I haven’t given that up yet! About the hair now? I love it, especially all the different shades I have, it isn’t a solid color. I love not being tied to an every 5-6 week trip to the salon to cover, and my hair is softer and healthier. There remain moments when I feel the stigma in an odd way, especially when I’m in a group of people who all color their hair, but I quickly remind myself that I’m happy not doing so. Thanks for asking! Let me know if Luminess gives you a refund ;-)!