going gray

I started going gray in high school.

It wasn't a big deal to me - I was constantly trying to color my dark hair different shades of red...remember Chunking?

During my college years in Florida, my hair turned a lovely shade of orange - which camouflaged the grays somewhat. (I was ADDICTED to Chunking!)


I finally realized in my mid-twenties that the whole hair-coloring thing was actually becoming a necessity. I was no longer interested in highlight caps and bleach - I just wanted dark (CHEAP) color to cover up my silvery roots.

[ Hello Revlon Colorsilk for $2.97 a box! ]

Month after month, I'd strap on those flat, powdery Colorsilk gloves (that were 2 sizes too small) and attack my gray roots like it was my job.

Every now and then, a curious friend would ask in amazement, "You color your hair all by yourself?!" 

"Why yes I do - and it's only $2.97 a box." [pat on the back]

Around my 31st birthday, however, I was over it. My Revlon Colorsilk routine was straight up ANNOYING.

I spent WAY too much time and money on something that seemed so silly (and slightly conceited)...but what was I supposed to do?

"I can't have gray hair yet - I'm too young."

"What will people say if I grow it out?"

...

Mom's advice: "Just stop coloring it."

.................................................

...I did. I finally gave up my awful hair-coloring addiction and embraced the silver vixen I'd been hiding for 10+ years.

Here's the slow (but worthwhile!) process...

2 months in...

Not feeling it.

6 months...

Feeling better...

Hubby's on board...on beard?

1 year.

1 1/2 years (at the beach!)

2 years (ready to chop it off)...

Cutting off ALL the box color (thanks, Em!)...

100% ME

It was a LONG 2 years, but I did it! And boy, does it feel good.

Mom, thanks for getting things started back in 2013...you created a monster!

Lauren, thanks for being a super-GORGEOUS gray-haired gal. Seeing your pictures and reading your blog inspired me to keep going and growing! You are amazing.

Ben, you never even considered Just For Men Brush-In Color Gel but that's because you're awesome. Thanks for going gray with me - your beard and mustache are GLORIOUS.

...

I'm 33 years old. I have natural gray highlights. I LOVE IT.