Hello, Henna-heads! Help? Am I a Renegrey?

[Lunarennui]

I seem to have gotten an inch-wide silver streak. Considering that I last henna'd on Oct 29th, and had henna'd a few months before that...observations? Suggestions? I didn't think that stress actually literally turned you grey THAT quickly, nor that henna could be defied by 'Holy crap I just almost died of stress'.

Said stress...well, to be honest, it started about a year earlier with my mother's announcement that I was going to be married whether I wanted to or not, through the months of vicious fight over the details, right up to the notification that she wasn't coming (a blessing) a week before the wedding, then some more really bad stuff afterward. But what I want to know is...I mean...

Okay. I know that stress can turn you grey early. I'm 31. I've seen some very lovely renegrey pics. I just thought...if I'd *just* dyed...oughtn't that keep my hair henna-red? Not henna-red, brown-with-red-highlights, and silver? I'm not *ashamed* of my silver, exactly, more a combination of fascinated and horrified. Nobody in my family has gone grey in streaks before at this age. My mother started going silver-grey when she was twenty years older. Ought I not to be going silver in single bits something later, not in streaks *NOW*, through a really good henna job?

I do have to admit that part of me wants to take everyone who ever implied that I did not live a horrendously stressful and painful life and point at my HAIR and say AND WHAT DO YOU THINK *THAT* MEANS, THEN? But I'm not actually appalled by my silver hair, just confused.

So. Help?

[mellie]

First, it's very common to have silver by age 31, many of us here got them as early as our teens! So that doesn't mean you've had any stresses or anything (although it sounds like you have :D ) but it's perfectly natural.

Also, it is fairly common for henna not to stick to silvers. When I was henndigo'ing, I had to add white vinegar to the mix so that it would adhere to the silvers better. Also I had to make sure my silvers were SUPER SQUEAKY clean, or the color wouldn't adhere.

Given all that, I just want to add that I feel sooooo much better letting my silvers shine in all their glory. I just feel so much more ME, you know? No matter what kind of color I used (henndigo, chemicals, whatever), it always looked fake and unnatural to me. And unflattering to my skin tone. And it just seems so much more pretty to have the brightness and sparkle of the silvers in there! Plus, it really is so much a part of me now, like a beauty mark. It's me!

Anyway, hope that helps! And if you're interested, come on over and join us and become a Renegray! :cheer:

[sibylla]

Hi!
I think you shoul embrace those grays!I have 30 inches of white streeks in my hair and with henna they sparkle sooo much more than the rest of my hair.Also with greys or whites you casn aspply any color with out decoloration:).I buy henna scampoos and leave them in for 2 minutes to give a red sheen to my roots, so they don´t show.Also I have jars with Directions colors (manic panic works as well) so when I want a cool color to my hair and roots I just paint it on with a small brush.You csn see the results in my album.
Embrace your sparklies!I think it´s absolutly not OK that your mother is forcing you into marriage!You´re not child and you decide over your own faith.Many kisses!!!!Talk to your man and see what the two of you want:)