It starts slowly and you think they will never really take over…you’re in absolute denial. First there’s only one or two, which you find terribly amusing and have a laugh with friends, who of course tell you that if you choose to remove any of them, three will grow back in their place. Yeah right…
Then as time passes, denial no longer works because these horrid little creatures stare back at you in the mirror every morning, finding solace in making more of the same, pretending to hide when really all they’re doing is gathering force, till one day… you have to face the music and say to yourself “I’m turning grey”!! Hair…love it or hate it, each and every one of us has to deal with it in our own way. Why are we rarely happy with what we have? That goes for both men and women, it’s our bugbear.
I was watching Jordan Spieth win the US Open Golf Championship the other day, this gorgeous 21 year old from Texas, with a mountain of talent and the world at his feet, who is clearly losing his hair. Sadly you can see the effect on him. Every time he removes his golf cap to accept a trophy and make a speech, you know he’d give the prize money back to have a full head of hair! He is 21!! Hello Prince William…
My heart goes out to the people who suffer from Alopecia, an autoimmune disease in which hair is lost from the scalp and in some severe conditions, completely. Think about our beautiful friends who have been through the worst suffering cancer, and what chemo does to destroy the last of their pride. I can’t imagine the loss I would feel as a woman.
Our hair is like our personal umbrella, our guard of armour, where everything tucks in underneath. I’d put money on the fact that if you start the day with your locks falling into place, it will be a good day. But if that ‘cowlick’ of yours is having a random moment…odds are, good day or not, you’ll feel like crap.
I appreciate this blog might read a little ‘light-headed’ this week but hey, I will fight the onslaught of grey hair like Jon Snow fought the White Walkers (sorry I’m a huge Game of Thrones fan) and that’s to the bitter end!
Don’t get me wrong, far from complaining, I am lucky to have a strong, healthy head of hair…it’s just the transitioning factor that challenges me. How does one go from ‘ash blonde’ to the inevitable? For me right now…she doesn’t!
I’m very fortunate to have the best colourist in Sydney, my dear friend Neil Moody, who every six weeks, absolutely colours my way back to the days where looking the age you feel and looking the age you are are one thing. I feel young, think young, I’m fit in mind and body and I want my hair to reflect that. Of course we can’t stop the tide of time, but we can hold the line as long as possible, and I for one intend to do that.
So as I sit with alfoil and colour on my head for hours, and then blow-dry the strong and curlys back into submission, I say to you, see me as I am … a strong 53 year old who refuses to give in!
Hugs,
At 55 I am debating the colour issue but reality says my budget doesn’t like it.
Not going back to supermarket colour but wishing we could embrace grey /silver and celebrate regardless of age I will always feel young
Hi Angela,
Yes I have to agree, its an expensive route to take (all pun intended). But at this point I feel there’s no choice. I think there are better ‘home’ hair colours than others…its just finding the right one.
At some point, they’ll have to integrate but not today! Thanks for touching base.
Cheers,
Deb x
Hi Angela,
Thanks for touching base. Acceptance and embracing change a great thing on many levels. Especially with getting older! I’m obviously struggling with my hair though 🙂
I absolutely agree about the expense of salon colour and especially having to do it as often as we do.
Sometimes it might just be a matter of a new, more modern haircut where the greys will look less significant. What ever it is….I’m with you, love who you are at any age.
Hugs x
Hi Deborah,
I like you I sit in the hairdresser’s chair every six weeks or so for a very different reason. At 67 I have a very full head of fine thick mousey brown hair. I have a few greys in the front and a patch at the crown,otherwise I have none to speak of. Am I happy , of course not, I have blonde,ash streaks put in each time. I have been colouring my hair since I was a natural blonde way back in the dark ages of time therefore I consider I am lucky not wake up with my hair lying on the pillow next to me.
I forget about my hair every time I see my much younger sister who has none at the moment due to cancer treatment. Other times I am just self absorbed with my mousey brown occasional grey hair.
Hi Stephanie,
Thanks for your note, and I’m so sorry to hear about your younger sister. We sit here and go on about our greys but your sister’s journey really puts it all in perspective. I hope it’s all positive for her.
We each handle getting older and all the bits that go with that in our own way, there is no right or wrong, its what works for us.
I like Sandy’s comment (above) about waiting to morph into Dame Judi Dench when we’re 70+
Just come out of the salon with a complete new look! Maybe thats how we do it…
Hugs x
I wholeheartedly agree. I am 46 with dark brown and have to colour my 60% grey hair every 3 weeks. It’s so frequent now that I now DIY to save $$$ and I can knock the whole thing out – processing included – in 45 minutes.
I am vain, vain, vain – but only because I want my outsides to match my insides. I allow myself this indulgent vanity, because I am also kind, altruistic, interested, clever and hilarious. Yes, really – I am very funny.
But I will not ‘go grey’ in public until I hit 70- or 80-something at which time I will adopt a gorgeous pixie cut al la Dame Judi Dench. Until then I will channel the very gorgeous and 76 year old Jane Fonda.
Here, here Sandy!! I’m with you all the way 🙂 And Dame Judi I look up to with great admiration.
If you have a good DIY ‘home colour’ for brunettes…I’d love you to share it with us.
Have had some really great feedback from the blog…obviously touched on a subject close to our heart.
Keep up smiling x
See beyond hair colour – once your gorgeous you remain gorgeous
I’m 55 and was sick of dying my hair every three weeks . So two years ago went grey . Had it all chopped off and had a pixie cut , everyone thought I had highlights . Now I have a funky Victoria Beckham bob.. I absolutely love my hair now and find it quite liberating being grey .. I get numerous positive comments on my salt and peoper colour .. I feel empowered and feel it has nothing to do with ageing .’it doesn’t make me look any older or younger ..