Shifty Fades of Grey

Sunday, I had an epiphany.

For years, I've been dying my hair to hide the grey. Stuck in a corporate role, I've been slapping on the dye to present a corporate face, and hairline, and it's been tiring and expensive (and smelly - ammonia... ugh).

For my 40th birthday, I was given a medical menopause, something I still have (it's the gift that just keeps on giving) and since then, the grey has become more resilient than ever.

Actually, it's more white than grey, and ironically the parts of my hair that get the most dye (parting, hairline) are the baby white of an nonagenarian. Not a great look when you're not even half that age.

Since I've been working for myself, and since I rarely see anyone other than my family and the postman, the need to dye my hair has become less and I've just touched up my roots for meetings and photo opportunities.

On Sunday I was reading an article about the effect of the menopause on hair which mentioned the Facebook group Grey and Proud. I asked to join, was accepted, and on Monday I started my first conversation.

I had not expected the wonderful response - compliments, advice, encouragement, support. Strangers across the world were encouraging me to ditch the dye and embrace the grey/white, and I spent the day in a whirlwind of notifications and recommendations.

My mind was made up.

I spent most of Monday night in a state of excited anticipation not seen in this house since 5am last Christmas morning. I arrived to find my (frankly wonderful) hairdresser ready to do battle.

Long story short, more than three hours, a head of foils and a week's worth of washes and conditions and my new hair was revealed.

I won't lie - it's a big change. My hair is considerably shorter and I'm blonder than I've ever been in my life.

But I love it!

So thank you to everyone who recommended I go as short as I can handle - I've a stylish new cut that has taken years off me.

Thank you to everyone who recommended highlights to soften the edges - I've beautiful colours in my hair that celebrate the grey instead of hiding it.

Thank you to everyone who shared their pictures, their stories and their inspiration. I'm part of a big and beautiful community where our differences are secondary to our shared goal - to let our silver tresses shine.

Now, I'm a realist - some might say a pessimist - and I know this is just the first stage. I've still a long way to go, but this is a great way to start that journey. It's been liberating to accept the ageing of my hair - I can't beat it, so I'm joining it, and just making that decision has taken a weight off my shoulders.

I know there are going to be stages along the way when I feel like giving up, and reverting to safe and boring brown. That's why I'm going to keep this diary - as a way of reminding myself how great the good times are, to get me through the bad.

This is a shout-out to everyone that's Grey and Proud.

I don't know you, I don't know where you live, I don't know what you do for a living.

But to you all, thank you.


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