To be or not to be - gray

[lph]

Reviving this thread! 'cos I am about to Go Grey.

No, I don't "feel" grey, at 41 (and I am grey, maybe 60-70%), but I'm ready to try not caring. I hate the yellow colour my dyed hair goes in summer. I don't like even thinking about that I should wear something over my hair in the sun. I'm pissed that men get to go grey and still look cool and sexy while women who are grey look "old". Sure, many women in their forties (and thirties) don't have grey hair, but then again, many women DO.
etcetcetc.

Anyway, I sort of have to try a new hairstyle since I'm cutting a fair bit off. Does anyone have any tips? Any good sites to browse through?

I have a longish face and dry curly hair that goes frizzy easily. So I'm a bit wary of cutting it too short. Any ideas or pointers? Haven't had a "hairstyle" since I was a teenager so I'm a bit out of it.

[GLC1968]

I'll be very curious to see what you think of being grey at 41!

As I think I posted, I tried it but ended up coloring again. I was grey for about 5 months I think. At the time, my self image was in the toilet, so being grey just made it worse. I often wonder how I'd feel about it now that I'm in a better place. I may try it again before my personal target at 50.

Anyway, when I did it, I let it grow out as much as I could (which might be easier for you being blonde) and then basically buzzed it off. I think it was an inch long or so and I had my stylist at the time try to make it look a little edgy with pieces around my face instead of just getting a buzz cut like my husband wears! I'm lucky that I have very thick hair so that I could wear a cut *that* short and still look polished. The photo I posted earlier in the thread was about 3 cuts after the initial one.

Searching for short, grey hairstyles online mostly got me images of Jamie Lee Curtis...but you might find one or two that would work for you.

Definitely post pics after you do it!!

[shootingstar]

I don't have your type of hair, lph so really I shouldn't give any suggestions on cut/style. Except whatever you choose, may the cut look elegant under whatever weather conditions and even after taking off your helmet.

I'm getting abit more grey strands but it's not obvious or much...considering the fact there has been some significant life-changing stresses in past 5 months. I think there's other aging factors I have to remember: it's more the fact the air in Alberta/the prairies is much drier so people might wrinkle...faster.. We get alot more sunny days than Vancouver. Way more than Toronto.

I'm more concerned about my skin vs. my hair colour..which the latter is still natural.

[SheFly]

Still gray here! Once I stopped coloring, I've never looked back. I'll be 43 this year and wear my hair VERY short (not buzz, but definitely about the same length as the Jamie Lee Curtis style to which GLC referred).

And for me, it's more about the not caring. This is who I am. I did, however, think it was funny when I saw my mom this winter after a couple of months of not seeing her and she commented on how gray my hair was Of course, she's gray and still colors hers!

Go for it. Embrace it. Enjoy it. And think about the savings .

SheFly

[shootingstar]

Enjoy it. And think about the savings .

SheFly

Yea, it amazes me on the additional costs when I hear some women who go to salon to have the hair colour job..vs. the store-bought DIY home efforts.

I honestly believe any woman with the right hair cut for her face shape, lifestyle, looks fabulous. That's the foundation for hair looking good plus the health of the hair.

[lph]

Go for it. Embrace it. Enjoy it. And think about the savings .

SheFly

Oh, that is indeed part of it all. I can afford it, but I wasn't happy about my haircut until I started cutting it cut and coloured at a pretty swank salon. It's close to work so I'll probably still go there, but it really isn't me to want to pay a whole lot of money to look smashing. I'm probably their only customer who on purpose lets her hair grow out in between seldom visits, to see "what it really looks like" And I'm coming in to some serious dental bills for both me and my son soon, so I could do with saving some money.

I don't feel quite up to a buzz cut... and I have thin hair. I wouldn't mind looking like Jamie Lee Curtis (who would? ) but I have no idea how my curls would behave at that length... And the last thing I want is a head full of top-heavy loopy curls that take an age to grow out. But I do like the way I look with my hair up, so maybe I should just go for the buzz...

[GLC1968]

Yeah, my hair is curly too - you should see it now that it's almost to my shoulders! The only way I can look good with short hair is if it's short enough to basically cut off the curls. Otherwise, it just gets BIG and unflattering.

Honestly though, now that I color it myself and only cut it about every 6 months or so, my costs are WAY down. I use L'Oreal's 10 minute color so it barely takes any time at all, too.

Editing to add: Just to clarify, I do NOT think you should color it. In fact, you are inspiring me to think about trying the grey again myself!

[Biciclista]

I have been grey for 2 years now. I survived the Italian relatives last year, only 1 asked me "what's wrong with you?" As I will be 60 at the end of this year... I knew I didn't want the hassle but most of all I like the way my hair FEELS.