I'm linking up with the Five Minute Friday community, writing for five minutes on a given prompt.
This week's word is AGAIN.
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This summer I decided to go gray again.
I've been colouring my hair for the past ten years, and I just decided to quit. I was at the point where I needed to colour it almost every three weeks in order for it to look acceptable, and it was getting very tiresome.
Here's what it looked like prior to my decision to quit colouring (pic from 2018):
The last time I coloured it was April 2 of this year. Here's a picture from June 8, two months into the going-gray process:
And one from June 23:
And the latest, from July 25 (front and back):
I've gotten quite a few compliments on how it looks -- many of them from women younger than me. Some women my age have told me they're doing the same thing as I am, while others have said they're "not quite that brave" yet or "can't quite let go." I completely get that. Everybody has to make their own decision, whether it's about hair colour or anything else.
When I decided to do this, I thought I might not like the process or the outcome. I wondered if I'd look at myself in the mirror and gasp, "Oh my gosh, who is that person??!!"
But I haven't had that experience -- quite the opposite, in fact. I find I'm far more accepting of my image in the mirror: I'm not constantly checking my hair, wondering if the gray at my temples is too obvious or if the back is fading faster than the front. I feel more like myself again. It's very freeing.
Is there something you've been thinking about doing that might make you feel more like "you" again? I'd recommend you go for it. You won't know until you try.
I used to highlight my hair all the time but then looked at two older colleagues' hair - one with very obvious roots showing and the other completely natural. I'd finally reached the age of actually liking my own hair colour so decided to stop dyeing it in any form and let my own natural highlights appear instead. It's still subtle but I'm so pleased with the decision - you are so right about how freeing it is.
ReplyDeleteHere's to being more 'us' as we get older!
Your FMF Neighbour #33
Thanks for reading and commenting, Liz. Yes, solidarity in this maturing process!
DeleteIt really does look cute - and doesn't "age" you:) Since you mentioned going gray "again," I'm assuming you went gray once before. Did you change your mind? Just wondering if you are liking it better this time?? Visiting from FMF - have a great weekend!
ReplyDeleteHi Jennifer - I went quite gray by about 2005-6 and started colouring for the first time not long after that. So I knew I would be going back to very silver, or even white, hair. This is the first time I've gone back to my original un-coloured hair. Thanks for reading and commenting!
DeleteI have a friend in her late thirties/early forties who decided to go grey. Her son isn’t even two yet. People ask her if she’s his grandma. She just laughs it off because she is so secure in her decision. You all are brave and courageous for going grey. I think it looks beautiful on you!
ReplyDeleteThanks so much, Tara. I had the same experience 10+ years ago with people thinking I was my kids' grandmother. It's great that your friend is so confident about her choice!
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