To be or not to be - gray

[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.

[evangundy]

and Lonnie is not only one of my favorite bike riding buddies, he also does my hair - has for years. He has totally spoiled me for going to anyone else.

Edna
PS to TSPoet: Yay!! you're coming to PIR this year - looking forward to seeing you there :-)

[SLash]

I'm 55 and color. I had my hair colored today and she used a new product that seems to have worked great. It's call Goldwell Triflective. It colors the gray but looks more natural than previous products she's used on me. It ends up where the gray hairs look like highlights. Also left my hair very shiny and soft.

If you're interested here's info about it: http://oneshan.com/?p=498

[Dogmama]

I've decided to NOT be gray. Now, I just need to find a decent stylist in Tucson who can color color-resistant gray hair. I've been to a couple of places for color (when I had only a few strands) and the gray wasn't covered. This gray is bright, silver, shiny & yells "look at me!"

Any advice is welcome.

[footloose]

I haven't had to make the decision on whether to have any gray or not....haven't seen any gray hair yet. I'm 48 and have very long dark blond/brown hair. It had red highlights when I was young but they became blond as I got older.
I've always worked outdoors and have always loved the blond highlights I get in the summer. But as jobs changed, I began always having to wear a hard hat or a company ball cap and on my own time I still am always wearing a cap, a motorcycle helmet or a bike helmet. So I began to not have so many natural highlights and also hated the mousy brown it would go in the winter.
So this winter for the first time, I got highlights at the hairdresser. I really like them but now of course I have to keep it up. They are natural looking enough that there isn't a huge root difference when it's growing out.

I really think the blond highlights brighten my face in the winter and they do make me look younger. People often mention I don't look my age.

My age is not something I personally spend a lot of time thinking about but I am realistic about how some people perceive age and how capable they think you are because of it.
I did NOT let anyone know my age at the utility company I work for until I had been there for over a year. Management knew of course as soon as I filled out the papers to sign on for the job but the men I work with didn't know at first. I was already a small sized woman starting in a "non traditional" position as a gasfitter where there had never been one before...they didn't need to know I was middle aged too!

[shootingstar]

I did NOT let anyone know my age at the utility company I work for until I had been there for over a year. Management knew of course as soon as I filled out the papers to sign on for the job but the men I work with didn't know at first. I was already a small sized woman starting in a "non traditional" position as a gasfitter where there had never been one before...they didn't need to know I was middle aged too!

I worked at for an engineering firm at a construction site for a few years. I noticed that in fact at least among the men I worked with and saw often, if a woman was small, but "mature" in age, or not too young/teenage looking, she would get more respect.

This assumes that the woman carries herself well, speaks firmly, etc.
Of course, a number of these women wore hardhats for safety reasons, so the whole coloured hair thing just was not as big of a deal. It becomes meaningless when wind blows around, sand flying around and then it rains. Everyone else is tired, ....who really notices?? Everyone tends to notice a tough worker slogging outdoors in terrible weather, not the hair colour.

[Selkie]

I've decided to NOT be gray. Now, I just need to find a decent stylist in Tucson who can color color-resistant gray hair. I've been to a couple of places for color (when I had only a few strands) and the gray wasn't covered. This gray is bright, silver, shiny & yells "look at me!"

Any advice is welcome.

Dogmama -- your silver sounds exactly the same as mine. It's white, sparkly and bright. :-) My stylist uses Goldwell color on mine and it covers the silver. Doesn't fade between appts, either, and she usually does only the roots because the color stays true (eventually, the pool chlorine necessitates her having to pull the color through to the ends for ~5-10 mins, but it's maybe every third appt). I have a single-process color, and the Goldwell must be good because I have red hair, which apparently is a hard keeper. Make sure you use a shampoo for color treated hair (I like the Frederick Fekkai color shampoo).

[Selkie]

I just want to celebrate the fact that I have found myself a local version of Hairfixr! Not only is this new stylist excellent at cutting hair, she gave me a gorgeous color (a more vivid red that looks natural). She actually cut my hair to make the most of my hair's assets---i.e., wavy curls---while keeping in mind the fact that I am a wash-and-go kinda gal. The salon is very professional---all the stylists and the owner work, don't gossip---and the place is clean/pleasant. In addition, it's located within walking distance of my house.

My final appointment at my old salon was very disturbing. I won't get into the details but it's been a long time since I've been treated like crap by a service provider (particularly someone whom I've been patronizing for more than a year and whom I tip very generously).

[Bike Chick]

Good for you, MickChick! I'm tired of the local shop experience too and the fact that I have no "style." I want something that is attractive and flattering no matter if it is styled or not (ie after removing the bike helmet or running 5 miles). I have an appointment Wednesday and hope I have the same experience.

An old buddy from high school has become a very successful stylist with 2 upscale salons a couple hours from me. He has begged me to come see him and let him cut my hair. (BTW, my gray drives him nuts.) I took the day off this Wednesday and am going to spend the afternoon at his salon. I'm excited about getting a new style but I have told him the gray stays. I'll keep you posted on the outcome.