Friday
Sep172010
The Great Silver Debate
September 17, 2010 * * * * * Posted by: guest blogger 
You've heard about this, right ? Maybe you've already given it some thought. Being women of our certain age, at some point we may decide to let our silver shine forth.....or not. I made that decision three years and eight months ago. After about thirty years of playing with every color possible, I just wanted to let my hair be what it would be. It was the start of a very interesting adventure. I did it right out in public, too, and I did it 'naturally"....no trips to the salon for blending things in, no low lights/highlights....also no cutting, ( gasp!), the reason it has taken more than three years.
When I started this trip I was working in a beautiful shop for children, so there were lots of moms & grandmoms coming in. It seemed most of them had thoughts about going silver. The ladies who already had beautiful silver tresses were very positive & encouraging. However, many women stated they would never think about doing it. Men were quick to talk about it, and almost all gave the idea a thumbs up. Everyone felt okay sharing their opinion, good or not, but the overall idea is that it makes you look older. My response ....I am older. Having my hair darker is not going to make the crinkles around my eyes go away or my arms less jiggly, although in my dreams they are as toned as Michelle Obamas!
I can share with you how good it feels to not have the hassle every three or four weeks when it's time to repeat the process, and how good my hair feels now and that it is pretty much wash and wear. Life is good and I 'm sure I made the right choice for me.
I'm reminded every day of the patience and kindness of the man I married because every day he gives me unconditional support and encouragement and tells me he is so happy that I'm not dumping chemicals on my head anymore. That's the most help of all and it's cool that I get a chance to repay him: he's growing his long, hippie locks again.
We are both trying to remember to vive y deja vivir — live and let live — and to let it apply to more than just each other. So wherever you are on all these many journeys, we do wish you well.
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Special guest post today by Susan Fergusun who blogs at 'Windrock Studio'. Thank you for joining us here today, Susan, and for your wonderful story and image.
Reader Comments (17)
I am still in my hair coloring years myself, but I am also not grey yet, so I am okay, just maybe when I pass forty in two years...
A big, resounding PREACH IT, SISTAH! :) I know not everyone agrees but for those of us who do, I love it when others join the band wagon. The thing is, however, men can age gracefully and be deemed DISTINGUISHED but women who do the same thing are EXtinguished. Nothing fair about it. But we don't have to go along with the system, right? Why play into it?! Let's boycott and become who we really are! The Great Silver icons of wisdom and beauty. YAAAAY. :)
There, I've said it. Guess you know where I'm coming from, too, Susan. :) Good for you for saying it out loud. And I LOVE your gorgeous image...and hair!
Hats off to you m'dear!!! I'm not there - just yet. But - I sure do think about it a lot...and how much simpler life might be without the need to 'color'.
And - what a wonderful image of your gorgeous locks!! Thank-you for joining us today!!!!
Wow, am I jealous of your hair!! Look at how thick it is!! Very beautiful!!
I am still using the chemicals. As I have only a few strands that are silvery-ish. Yet I am very inconsistent in the applications, sometimes I wait 4 or 5 months for the next one, and sometimes only 6 weeks. Anyway, I have not made up my mind yet on letting nature take over. If I could be assured I would grow silver as Lois Smith did in the block-buster 'Twister' when she played Helen Hunts auntie, I would sign up immediately.
Maybe Lady GaGa has done some trend setting work and have silver hair appreciated more by the 'fashion and lifestyle guru's. She, at 23 years of age, has dyed her hair grey.
Lovely post Susan!! Well done!
My hair started turning salt and pepper really early and, at one time, was very striking that way. Everyone advised me to let it remain natural. Now...I'm totally gray.
Yours, however, looks so long and thick and lush. Enjoy it. Celebrate it.
It sounds as if you are doing just that!
Thanks for joining us today. Love your image. I kept scrolling down...and down...and down; taking in your long glorious braid.
I am blonde, with one grey streak and I've just realized that I haven't had my hair high or low lighted in almost a year. Purely because it doesn't look like I need it. It wasn't a conscious decision, but it is now. Wonderful post!
Susan, this was very timely for me as this past winter I went through the great natural/chemical debate with myself and in the spring made the decision to go natural. I'm so glad I did as it turns out that hiding beneath the dye were two gorgeous streaks of silver that I love! What a wonderful shot of your lush and beautiful silver braid. (love the earing too!)
Like Marcie, I am not there yet and I am thinking about it. My excuse is having dark hair makes the change so big. Your hair is beautiful and I love all the shades of color in it. Lovely post!
Susan, what a beautiful plait!
From the first time i "saw" you, i had mentioned about your beautiful, long hair.
I use henna on my hair and this time i have started to think about leaving it in its natural condition. I am not gray yet, but i have a lot of white. Αnd, yes, my fear is that will make me look older...Maybe, i have to accept my age and my image as they are changing...
Your photo is wonderful, and i love your earring too.
It is a great post!
Another big thank you to each and every one of you, I feel very seen and heard! What a wonderful, fun play date ... the subject didn't hurt too much, did it?
A beautiful image and story. I have also decided to go natural. I am only 35 but the front part of my hair is over 50% grey. It is about 1/3 grown out from its last color. I am looking forward to being all natural again. My mother has beautiful waist-length silver hair and gets stopped all the time by men who tell her how beautiful her hair is. I have turned my attention to taking better care of my skin.
my sister kath called me and said, "tell me you don't want that woman's hair". duh, yes. and i have great hair. so do you. if, and i say if, i decide to go the natural route, and i fully expect i will at some point, i will truly want a husband who loved it, i would need all the support i could get. i would do it but i admit here and now, it would be tough. i always say to my sister, "it's all about the hair". lol. great great post.
your hair is beautiful, a stunning photo. i am still at the coloring stage, but i think about when/if i will give it up, my husbands asks me when I am going to do it. i haven't decided yet but it is wonderful to see how beautiful it can be. thank you for that.
Your hair is gorgeous and you wear it well. I have only colored my hair once in my life and it was because a new stylist I was trying out badgered me into it. I couldn't tell that she'd done anything, I was out $50 or so, and I never went back. I like, and am proud of, my grey hair. I think I've deserved and earned every darned one of them.
Thanks so much for joining us here for this special post!
And so it is! Gorgeous hair! I'm not quite there yet but when I start graying, I'll carry your words with me.
hi susan, firstly i have to say i love your earring, just gorgeous!!! i'm blonde, many years of living under the african sun have kept it blonde i think. so, not sure when the grey is going to start showing through but i know already that i won't mind when it does. like now, i don't mind the first wrinkles appearing...laughter lines :) - and i start to notice things like wrinkly elephant skin on my elbows (i laugh), little things like that. J is already salt and pepper haired, and i love it - i think he looks so handsome, not that he's vain or even really notices it. men are different like that aren't they.
You have beautiful hair and I envy your decision to keep the natural silvery color. I'm not there just yet :-) I use colors from a bottle still....