To be or not to be - gray

[Catrin]

Thanks for your advice Hairfixr. Obviously you've had a lot of experience dealing with all styles and types of hair. Comforting to know your opinion on safety of the chemicals we douse our heads with in an effort to make ourselves feel good. I'm about due to do the tide-line yet again!!!!!

Indeed, thanks for your advice! I debated for the last 3 years about coloring, and finally took the plunge a few months back - and two days ago took another plunge by getting all of my long hair cut off and now have a sassy short style. I actually closed my eyes while my stylist applied the scissors! He did a fantastic job though, and it has been fun to see reactions to the "new me"

[tctrek]

I'm 58 and have been coloring my skunk stripe for at least 30 years. I have had times where I get it done professionally and times when I do it myself. I have very dark brown hair and the gray definitely won't come in gracefully. It's a very ugly salt and pepper -- heavy on the salt (. I am blessed with good skin - very little wrinkling - and I'm just not ready to give in to the gray!

My hair is also very long -- I wear it up all the time, and in a ponytail that I can weave through the back of my helmet and ball caps. At work I wear it up.

Someday, when I'm tired of coloring my hair, I will go very short and maybe start using a rinse of some sort to color the roots until the dark part is all cut off and then go totally grey. I just don't think it's going to be anytime soon.

[Hairfixr]

Yes - the hormones did it to you girl

Females go through physical hair changes often in life.

1st event is the transition from baby hair to pre-adolescence. Remember the "wet doggy hair smell" kids frequently get It didn't matter what shampoo you used on them - you still couldn't get the smell out Blame the hormones.

2nd event comes with puberty. I have seen straight hair turn into very curly while going through puberty. It's not common - but never the less it does happen occasionally.

3rd - having babies will create scary hair loss with in a year after birth. Hair frequently recovers in a different state off straight/curl.

4th - menopause changes every thing from hair texture to hair loss.

5th - any illness along life's path. Chemo will cause significant texture changes in hair. Who cares - life is more precious - put a helmet on girl and lets go riding

It is common for a healthy woman of any age to have different patterns of wave mixed with straight hair. I deal with it routinely

hair fixr ~

[shootingstar]

5th - any illness along life's path. Chemo will cause significant texture changes in hair. Who cares - life is more precious - put a helmet on girl and lets go riding

Very true. Spoke with a regular cyclist a few days ago who has had breast cancer within the last 2 years and is being treated. She said cycling keeps her going.

[TsPoet]

This is perhaps off-topic, but I have to tell a story.

A few years ago on Bike Idaho, I stopped at a rest stop and sat in the chairs with a whole bunch of people around. I ran my hands through my thick unruly, shoulder length hair and said "I've had it, does anybody have a flowbee?". Half the people laughed, half said "what's a flowbee?" and this guy (who I'd met but didn't know all that well) said - "when we get to camp find me after your shower and I'll cut your hair."
He used his mustache scissors and gave me the most incredible, flattering, easy to care for cut I've ever had. I'd always had somewhat long hair - now I try and keep it his way, but haven't been able to find anybody to cut it for me.
I didn't even see it for 24 hr, until I found a truck mirror I could look in.
So, hair fixr - can you cut my hair the weekend of PIR? I want you to do your magic again!

[GLC1968]

This is perhaps off-topic, but I have to tell a story.

A few years ago on Bike Idaho, I stopped at a rest stop and sat in the chairs with a whole bunch of people around. I ran my hands through my thick unruly, shoulder length hair and said "I've had it, does anybody have a flowbe?". Half the people laughed, half said "what's a flowb?" and this guy (who I'd met but didn't know all that well) said - "when we get to camp find me after your shower and I'll cut your hair."
He used his mustache scissors and gave me the most incredible, flattering, easy to care for cut I've ever had. I'd always had somewhat long hair - now I try and keep it his way, but haven't been able to find anybody to cut it for me.
I didn't even see it for 24 hr, until I found a truck mirror I could look in.
So, hair fixr - can you cut my hair the weekend of PIR? I want you to do your magic again!

Wait - are you saying that HairFixr is the same guy who cut your hair at Bike Idaho??

If so, I think I need to make an appointment and then the drive into Portland. I'm having hair issues.

[TsPoet]

Wait - are you saying that HairFixr is the same guy who cut your hair at Bike Idaho??

If so, I think I need to make an appointment and then the drive into Portland. I'm having hair issues.

Yep!
I honestly thought he was joking (didn't know he was a hairstylist when he made the offer). I was a little afraid when I found out he wasn't joking.
I can't tell you how wonderful the cut was! I have very very unruly hair, with a cowlick in the back and a ski slope on one side...and I sent my mom a picture of me after the next day's ride - even with sweaty helmet hair the improvement was amazing!
and it wasn't just that, it was the lifestyle/personality aspect - he got ME right.