I had to be about 17 years old when I told my mom she should stop dying her hair. I mean, what was the big deal? I felt since she’s an “older lady”, she should just let her gray hair grow. In reponse, she said, “Let’s have this discussion again when you get to be my age”. Fast forward many years later, I think that time has arrived mom. 
See those stray gray hairs in my hairline? I’m officially an “older lady”. To dye or not to dye? That is the issue.
What started all of this? I have an older sister who let go of the color and is sporting the most gorgeous salt and pepper twa you’ve ever seen. Gray hair looks great on her, but I feel it ages me. On the other hand, if I cut my hair down to a twa, it just might work or am I feeding into the “older ladies should cut their hair short” stereotype?
Just as a I’ve learned to accept my “natural hair” over the last six years, now I have to learn to accept my “naturally gray hair”. Sigh. Mom, now I understand. The decision to stop dying your hair is not as easy as I thought it would be and just like you, I don’t think I’m ready yet. Lol!
Sharon said,
July 21, 2008 at 3:53 pm
LI’m 56 ans always like my aunt’s gray hair. I sort of planned to go gray at “the right time”. Well as it turned out, the only reason I have natural color now that I went bald with chemo 5 years ago. Have not paid for a hair do since then. It did come back darker and curlier, but now the gray is coming in more and more. I like other people’s gray but my own seems to age me too much. Still I feel I have been freed from the panic I used to feel when the gray roots started to peek out.
Every now and then I still have to fight the feeling I need to go back to dye like my friends. The only thing that stops me is wondering at what point I would grow up and “really” stop dying my hair. I’m 56.
maturenatural said,
July 21, 2008 at 5:04 pm
Sharon, thanks for sharing. I’m tired of the coloring process. It’s the in-between stage of growing out the color that gets so frustrating. I’m seriously contemplating cutting it off.