Silver Bells, Silver Belles...

Ok so we are heading into the silly season and I thought I might post a quick update on my transition to grey so far. Whilst I don't resemble Mrs Claus I don't much resemble the old me either lol. I have yet to get my obligatory 2 inch quarterly trim this month, but as Summer has hit OZ, it is easy and convenient to just plait or put up my long hair which also disguises most of the regrowth now. This helps me to bide my time amongst the hectic Christmas schedule.

Our bright sunny skies help my silver scone reflect beams of light towards unsuspecting onlookers hahaha. Hey I have byo tinsel for any festive gathering no
w lol. I'm actually enjoying how light  my hair looks these days. The natural and very gradual regrowth process has not been the dramatic shock a sudden colour change would have incurred. So I am really glad I persevered with my choice to grow out naturally.

Another interesting fact for me was that as a young child I was naturally light haired for my first few years. This little bit of info has helped me during those times when those rare but inevitable questions from within occurred. It strengthened my resolved to let nature do her thing, just as she did in the beginning. Light hair was naturally mine once before right?

Christmas colours of red, green and silver, beach colours of blue hues and pastels & NYE LBDs are all going to suit me now, even with my older skin tone. I can do dark eye make up OR bright lips and not seem harsh or drawn now, as my silver, lighter hair softens that starkness.

I feel lucky as I have a lighter version of my mother's very dark olive genes which means my silver hair won't go completely white, but will retain some strands of darkness for that b & w depth of look that I am quite partial to as well as skin tone that will never be ghost white, ruddy or pasty. Yeah I think this is going to work out ok :)

Silver bells, silver belles...

Shine A Light....

I am now half way into my transition. Only another 18mths to go to reach my desired length, which is waist length locks.

I recently had another 2 inches lopped and long layered. It had been 4 months since my last cut. I am really pleased with my hair's health these days. The shine and bounce, to me, is very noticeable. My hairdresser spontaneously commented, rather surprised, that my hair is really healthy. Funny that...natural can be healthy lol.

The interesting thing I am finding now is the unsolicited negative comments are becoming balanced out by unsolicited compliments. This seems to coincide with the regrowth length ha ha... half & half now.

My only daughter was a strident naysayer until recently, when she told me "It looks good now Mum". High praise indeed! Although it was my son--in-law who made my week. Quite unexpected he came over to me in public, began playing with my hair and said "I love your hair it really suits you, it really shines." Vindication finally! lol. As another observation- it is the younger males who seem to compliment pics of my hair?? Maybe I'm on trend with my reverse colour and Earth mother statement haha. Whatever their perceptions, I am enjoying the positivity.

Another perk to flaunting my silvers is the different attention I now seem to get from shop keepers. All age groups are seemingly less guarded towards me and more open to friendliness and helpfulness. Silver signifies nothing to hide maybe? Silver signifies open and natural maybe? As I commented to an older lady who pointedly stated directly and disdainfully that she would never stop colouring her hair, " Each to their own."   Hmmm...who's really the colour blind?

Just as an aside, my tatts never rate a mention?? Thus proving societal perceptions on what constitutes acceptable individualistic appearances for older women can change...but frankly I don't give a toss (of a long shock of silver hair) lol.

Anyway here's my latest lock, I mean look :)

Silver Hair a Lightening Rod

My grey hair has been attracting comments. Unsolicited comments from both males & females. I have to admit the comments were thinly disguised criticisms for the most part & 2 sincere attempts at making me feel better. All occurring on the one night. A Full Moon night at that!

"Oh you are very brave, I wish I was brave enough to stop dyeing my hair."
"Now I don't want you to take this the wrong way but your daughter would really like to dye your hair. You should let her."
"Here comes the scary hair lady." This one not so thinly disguised.

To make it worse I had spent 2hrs and top dollar to have my hair placed in an updo for my daughter's wedding.

I am now thinking that my personal property ie. my metallic hair colour, acts as a lightening rod. It attracts flashes of cracks out of the blue, straight back to me. Logically I must prepare for the shocks. So what to do? Quit blinding people with my polarising attempt at natural hair colour by giving out free tinted sunglasses? Wear a T Shirt that says " YES I KNOW, It's On Purpose"? Silver gaffa tape across their laughing gear to match my grey locks may come across as a bit extreme. Possibly a handbook on good manners? No, just a toss of my mane & a cheeky wink is all I need. Zap right back at ya!

Curiously no one approached my elderly, white haired mother to pass comments. Nor to any of the silver haired or bearded gentlemen present.

My journey towards long silver locks has now become a personal crusade. It is my shield and banner displaying  my right to my own hair choices. Picture me holding aloft my wide tooth comb as I proclaim this. I have roughly 2 years to go to achieve my goal of waist length pewter, silver & white tresses. My rainbow (g)rays. I will not be dissuaded, cajoled or insulted into abandoning my path. Peace.

I have booked an appointment for a long layered style cut next week. My aim is to get a substantial (at least for me) amount of old colour lopped out, as well as some cool shape happening without sacrificing my length. I have sought some example pics for my stylist whose talent I trust.

My grey is growing in at seemingly distinct lengths. The top layer is the shortest, followed by a mid layer that now reaches my jaw line, then the underneath section that is to my shoulders. Ideally the style cut will blend these distinctions, leaving just the length from my shoulders carrying the old colour burden.

I've posted some pics of long hair layered styles, myself dolled up at wedding, me a la natural & regrowth undercover. I've also now added in 2 pics of my newly long layered cut.

I'll go back to the salon in 4 months to trim off 2 more inches, followed by 2 more inches 4 months hence. By my calculations that will then only leave approx. 2 inches of regrowth at the longest lengths to be chopped sometime early 2017.