The Salt & Pepper Thread!

[mellie]

OK - I've decided!!

I'm going to let my grays go natural! :cheese:

I'm a little worried because I've done this once before a few years ago, and I got treated differently, I noticed. I like to wear fun, youthful styles likes anime buns and double braids, and I noticed sometimes I would get snickering from teenagers at the mall, etc...It was so discouraging. But I don't act old, or dress old, so I should be able to do what I want with my hair as long as it looks nice, right?

I know we have some wonderful threads showing lovely white hair, but I couldn't find anything showing salt & pepper and gray streaks. I need some inspiration and confidence building in knowing that I can have some gray but still be hot & youthful! :-) So let's share some pics of beautiful salt & pepper and gray streaks!

Here's some to start us off, the wonderful gray streak that Stacy London has (I know, some folks can't stand her - but the hair is cool, you have to admit!):

http://www.celebrity-hair-styles-magazine.com/images/celebrity-hair-styles-and-colors-09.jpg

Then there's the lovely Bonnie Raitt - she is a great model for me, because I work in music and still need to portray cool - she certainly does!

http://www.vh1.com/sitewide/flipbooks/img/shows/hof/2004_pastinductees/bonnie_raitt_2000_240x320.jpg

I found this in a Google images search, she's totally got the look I want - hip, youthful and fun:

http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3022/2575317251_ae35c29c6c.jpg?v=0

Then there's the fictional Rogue from X-Men, so of course this isn't natural, but it sure looks hot!

http://img.search.com/thumb/b/bb/Anna_Paquin_Rogue_2.jpg/200px-Anna_Paquin_Rogue_2.jpg


Of course, gray hair doesn't always come in as a cool streak...I'd love to see pics of nice all-over sexy salt and pepper too! The guys can do it (i.e. George Clooney, etc.)...why can't we ladies?

Here's a sexy all-over salt and pepper pic:

http://static.oprah.com/images/beauty/hair_gray_106_350x263.jpg


********************************************
Join the Renegray Gang!!
A group of resistance fighters leading the Silver revolution, sworn to proudly and beautifully wear their natural grays for the whole world to see that gray is a color, and a gorgeous one! Viva la revolution!!!
The Renegray Gang - in alphabetical order:
Addy, AJoifulNoise, Akiko, Akka Naeda, Akrasia, Andwife, Angela Rose, Angelhr, AngelInDisguise, Angelthadiva, Anniekins, Arctic, ArcticMama, Aries, Ashera, Auntdaisy, AutumnLeaves, Bellawave, BikerNana, Blackhound, BlkPraiseAngel, Bonny, BonnyJ, Boomtownrat, Botticelli Gold, Bouton99, Canarygirl, Cassi, Cassie123, Catlover, Charlotte Meve, Chibbylick, Chopandchange, Cimorene, Cindi Eponabri, Clairenewcastle, Cmnt831, Constantki, Crewsemarg, CrowningGlory, Cupofmilk, Curlstogrow, CurlyGirlCa, Curly-q, Danacc, DarkMartian, Dayonea, Demetrue, DMartinez, Dulce, Easterjoy, EdG, Elenna, ElenTikvah, Elvi, Eolan, Faerielady, Feralnature, Friskybiznus, FrizzFighter, Gabbie, Garnet66, Georgia Peach, GreyTraveler, Gnomentum, Grenwich, Greygardens, HairyCarrie, Hanne Jensen, Homeeduk8tor, Honestwitness, Hootietoot, IanB, In2wishin, Intransigentia, Ipickee, Islesgirl, Itsnikki, Jack's Sparrow, Jahof45, Jchinique, Jeanniet, Jing, Joette, Johanna, Joyfulmom4, JKRBeloved, Juanita, JuliaDancer, Karmi, KarpatiiSiv, KBG, Khan, Kimberlee, Kitschy, Kmouse43, Kya, LadieRyrie, LadyDi, LadyG, LaurelSpring, Linda_g, Lilla My, LilyMunster, Linda K, Long_gone, LoveMyLongHair, Loviatar, Luluj, LutraLutra, Lynnala, Madora, Mellie, MemSahib, MerryKat, Merseaone, Michiko, Mimi1153, Missmaggieeliza, MissySue, Mitzy, Molls, MonaLisa65, Ms. Murph, Nae, Nastasia, Ncgirl25, Neen, Nenasylvia, NevadaRose, Nyxe, Ole Gray Mare, Orange, OrangeTree, Organic, Pamela1212, Paper, Patienceneeded, Peggy E, Pilgrim, Pittsburgpam, Pixna, QueenMadge, Rachelily, Radiofreejenn, Raederle, Rags, Ratgirldjh, Ravenne, Restourceful, Rhea, Rho1640, Rimi, Rini, RitaPG, Rose.grace, RuLueashk, Saldana, Saman, Seaj, Selene Argenta, Shay0969, Shyone, Sia, Siava, Sidani, Sigzephyr, Silmarwen, Silver & Gold, Silver Grace, Silverhalo, SilverLocks, Silversnow, SilvraShadows, SKerri13, Slinks, Sneakybea, Snow White, Sorraia, Stacy E, Sugar&nutmeg, Sunshineliz, Superfine, Sweeetestpoison, TammySue, Tangerine, Teazel, Teela1978, Theobroma, Tigerlily896, Tigr, Toadstool, Tovah, Treecrown, Trilobite, TudorRose, Turtlelover, Vanity_acefake, Victorious, Vintage88, VintageBrooklyn, Violetmermaid, Vorvolaka, Wahmof9, WavyGirl, WindDragon, Xandergrammy, SSerendipityX


Want to join? Just post here and say you'd like to be a Renegray too, and we'll add you to the growing worldwide membership of Renegrays!


http://home.comcast.net/%7Ettudek/pwpimages/RENEGRAYSsmall%281%29.jpg
Renegray logo by Lynnala (thank you Lynnala!!). Here's the link to use it as your siggy!
http://home.comcast.net/~ttudek/pwpimages/RENEGRAYSsmall(1).jpg (http://home.comcast.net/%7Ettudek/pwpimages/RENEGRAYSsmall%281%29.jpg) Here's another one with the Live Free or Dye motto included:
http://home.comcast.net/~ttudek/pwpimages/RENEGRAYSdyesmall(1).jpg (http://home.comcast.net/%7Ettudek/pwpimages/RENEGRAYSdyesmall%281%29.jpg)
If one person walks in ... they might think you're a little weird... If a whole group of people walk in ... they'll know it's a revolution.
paraphrased from Arlo Guthrie, Alice's Restaurant
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[LutraLutra]

Yay mellie! Embrace your greys, wear your hair the way you want too. Whoever we are, whatever we wear, and whatever we look like, there will always be someone who doesn't like it. Big deal. :p And anyway, for every person who doesn't like your look there will be someone who loves it.

[mellie]

Whoever we are, whatever we wear, and whatever we look like, there will always be someone who doesn't like it. Big deal.

Haha, that's awesome (and so true!!) - thanks so much for the encouragement!! :-)

[mellie]

I just found this lady's flicker image, totally hot hair!!

http://media-files.gather.com/images/d102/d638/d744/d224/d96/f3/full.jpg

[Nes]

Go for it!

Don't pay attention to anyone who has the time to stand around in malls judging total strangers! How pathetic are they?!

I love salt and pepper hair. Post pics once you're there!

Nes x

[mellie]

Thanks Nes! You are totally right, of course! And yes, I will post pics - maybe that will help me actually look forward to it!!

BTW, your siggy pic is beautiful!!

[sambrini]

Brilliant pics, I too have decided to let my hair do it's natural thing and have a lot more silver hairs than I realised.

[intothemist1999]

I am, too!

S&P has always been my favourite "colour". I'm mostly pepper with a bit 'o salt at the moment. The hairs (sideburns?) just below my temples are mostly white. If I wear my hair down, you don't see them, but now I'm usually in a pony or half-up. The rest of my head has some grays scattered throughout.

I've been hoping for a colour that makes NO claim to cover grey! :D Not sure I'll ever find one, so for the moment I've been doing tea rinses in the hopes of adding a bit if red or purple to the dark hairs.

[lawyermom]

wow, Mellie, that's awesome and inspiring of you :)
I'm trying to get in the right mindset to go there; I haven't quite got it down yet...but maybe one day I'll join you!

[mellie]

Sambrini and Intothemist, I'm so happy that you are doing it too!! Yay!!

Lawyermom, thanks for nice comment!

Here's a cool video review of the book "Going Gray":

http://goinggrayblog.com/?p=186

The reviewer has a lovely "Rogue" streak!

[wintersun99]

...........

[ole gray mare]

A pic of me at age 36...more salt than pepper. Just because you've got some salt doesn't mean you're old and need to change your look!
http://i64.photobucket.com/albums/h180/katrinabee/1999-1.jpg

[mellie]

OleGrayMare, what a stunningly gorgeous pic!!! I need to show that to my DH right away so he can see that silver is sexy!!! :-)


So, happy growing to you (and to me) and to all who are joining us and I'll help encourage you to stay away from the henna, if you do the same...
You got it, Wintersun99!!! I can't wait to have some silver pics to post!

[mellie]

Although this young lady has short hair, her salt and pepper is hella gorgeous and somehow punk! I love it!!

http://flickr.com/photos/iselknits/2072129816/

[sneakybea]

Yay, thanks for starting this thread and posting so many gorgeous pictures! I'm beginning to gray myself (have been "beginning to gray" for the past ten years, LOL) and could use more role models in the salt and pepper stage. These women all look lovely!

[mellie]

Here's another pic of Rogue from X-Men - DH says she's "hot!" - so maybe there's hope for him liking the gray after all! :-) I just have to wear it with cleavage-showing tight black leather, that's all...

http://cache.io9.com/assets/images/io9/2008/06/anna-paquin-xmen3-rogue1.jpg

[paper]

Good for you Mellie! Good luck!

You may be an inspiration for me. Those pics are all gorgeous. I agree we could use some more role models with salt and pepper hair.

[wintersun99]

...........

[Anne~]

Great Thread!

I love gray. I drove dump truck for 5 years, going in and out of rock quarry's I found there are so many different shades of gray I fell in love with it.

I love my grays they are thicker than my colored hairs!

[lynnala]

Yay mellie! Good for you! I just completed my transition last year. Might I suggest, if at some point you get discouraged with the way your transitional hair is looking, adding some streaks of a light color into your hair so that the grays blend in. That's how I got through. I had much lighter hair than you have, but for a few years there I added some light streaks to my hair, and that way the white hair coming in blended in more. Plus, light streaks would look awesome and hip in your beautiful dark hair.

[AutumnSky]

I'm jealous of women with dark hair and beautiful gray streaks & pieces! Go you!
(Besides...do you really care what teenagers think? Hello.....)

[mellie]

(Besides...do you really care what teenagers think? Hello.....)

Haha, yes, I know - you are totally right! :-)

I am so eager to see how it will look, I just purchased online some gray clip-in extensions! Aren't I crazy? If they look decent at all, I'll post pics when I get 'em!! :-) I might later want white ones, but we'll see!

http://ny-image0.etsy.com/il_430xN.46931724.jpg

[Kuchen]

I posted this lady (taken from a French magazine) on the old board:

(Photo has been removed because of possible copyright violations. Please place link instead. ~ harpgal)
[It's an interesting legal question, but if it's a photo that I took of a magazine page, how does that stand, copyrightwise? I can't link to it because it's not on another site. It's in my photo file on my computer.]

I'm growing in silver streaks at the temples - seemingly on both sides.

[mellie]

Wow!! What a gorgeous braid!!

I have been doing some research to find pics (it's hard!!!). I came upon this other forum discussing "Why do some women refuse to color their hair?" (argh!!)

http://www.city-data.com/forum/fashion-beauty/260430-why-do-some-women-refuse-color.html

Be warned, it is rather aggravating...

I keep coming across the idea that people stop dyeing because they can't afford it - I hope that's not the message I'm sending to people when I let my hair go natural. I want people to say "Wow - what totally hot hair!!!" Not "Guess she stopped caring about her looks" or "Guess times are too tough for her to keep it up!"....y'know?

I think what might help is to continue henndigo'ing just in certain areas (I guess they call that "Lowlighting"?) to make the gray/white look intentional and hip. So maybe I should continue dyeing right in front of each ear? That white spot always looks funny to me since the top of my hair is still almost totally dark. Also I noticed that in the pics I posted of gray streaks, they all start from the top, not at the ears.

Isn't it ridiculous that women have to be so concerned about letting ourselves be natural????

[Fireweed]

Millie, you might like the web site, Going Gray and looking Great. It has been the best support for me in growing out my henna and letting my gray grown in.

[mellie]

Thanks Fireweed! Is that this one?

http://goinggrayblog.com/

Check out this cute look - a white streak with some blue added - smokin'!! I think I could definitely work with something like this, especially considering I work in a rock & roll music store!

http://www.threadless.com/profile/282323/HiiHills/blog/295739/black_and_silver_hair_UPDATE

P.S. Here's another white streak dyed blue (not natural of course but cool!!):

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v87/Nissan350zdrvr/Random/hair2.jpg

[Fireweed]

No, just go to google and type in, Going Gray And Looking Great.

[mellie]

Got it, thanks!!

[Fireweed]

You are welcome, I hope it well be of help.

[CestMadeleine]

If I was older I'd be proud of my grays. But as it stands, I'm only 20 years old and have been going gray since I was 14. I get so embarrassed when the grays are not dyed over because I always get odd and mean looks from everyone. They all think there's something wrong with me.

I hope to have your courage one day :D I love silver hair.

[Katze]

When I was a goth I tried everything to get silver hair, but no salon could do it for me. I always ended up with platinum-ish that went yellow-ish.

BUT...now I have a beautiful SILVER streak coming in at my left forehead. I've had silver hairs here and there since living through 9/11, but pregnancy is making a serious stripe come in, like those Rogue pics. On me, it's not salt and pepper, but more of silver highlights on bronze, since my hair is not very dark, but I love the unexpected highlight look. "Look, I'm blonde again!"

Lately I've been into reading stories about witches and have hauled out my witchy jewelry for the dark season, and my silver hair goes with this feeling all the more. Silver hair, black clothes, and pregnant - how's that for powerful! :D

[harpgal]

Folks, as a gentle reminder, please see this post (http://forums.longhaircommunity.com/showpost.php?p=380751&postcount=145). Thank you!

[mellie]

Oh, sorry, I was not aware of any photo issues. Didn't mean to cause any problems!

I have placed a link to the very first posting, is that the correct way to do it?

[harpgal]

Oh, sorry, I was not aware of any photo issues. Didn't mean to cause any problems!

I have placed a link to the very first posting, is that the correct way to do it?That's perfect, mellie! Thank you! :flower:

[mellie]

Thanks, Harpgal, didn't mean to make all that work for you! Sorry!

[Speckla]

I'm a member of the salt and pepper club. :cheese: The under layer of my bangs are brown and the grey streaks start to grow a little higher up my crown. They don't show if I wear my bangs twisted back.

http://images48.fotki.com/v1407/photos/1/1199357/7025643/000_0934-vi.jpg

This is my 34 year old self. They're silver and not white or grey.

I think my bangs are going to be solid grey before the rest of my hair turns. I have streaks all throughout my head but they don't show up as much because I'm growing out old color.
________
OG KUSH (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vWdazX4KGzw)

[mellie]

Thanks Speckla!

Here's a sexy salt & pepper look:

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v335/moonstruck_fairy/BLONDE.jpg

[mellie]

CestMadeleine said:


I'm only 20 years old and have been going gray since I was 14. I get so embarrassed when the grays are not dyed over because I always get odd and mean looks from everyone. They all think there's something wrong with me.


I understand for sure. I've been going gray since senior year of high school too. It's amazing the weird and mean looks you get, isn't it? That's the worst part, sigh....But, I'm hopeful! I'm going to see if I can make something cool out of 'em!

[Finoriel]

I´m not exactly growing salt & pepper hair :lol: guess it´s more like salt & paprika.
One here and one there and some more around the hairline. It´s not yet obvious, but the overall appearance is slowly becoming lighter. It almost seems like every single hair would slowly stop producing colour and fade.
I´m just curious about how it will look and how fast it will go for me. I´m not fashionable anyways :wink: so no need to worry about that. I would not mind a cool white streak though :D.

[lynnala]

Mellie, those clip-on extensions are brilliant! Who woulda thunk?

You mentioned continuing to henna in streaks around your temples, also consider (I mentioned this earlier) adding light streaks too. That way the gray can sneak in and the other streaks will already be there.

Check out this hair! It's more salt than pepper, but man, how gorgeous is this! And she looks very young!
http://images.google.com/imgres?imgurl=http://www.umbc.edu/blogs/changingaging/YoungGray.jpg&imgrefurl=http://www.umbc.edu/blogs/changingaging/2008/01/to_gray_or_not_to_gray.html&usg=__hADFlm8h6uQrya9Y_3HuvSvi098=&h=500&w=333&sz=165&hl=en&start=1&sig2=Zn_ZSDbUxymnpWhciIrAQw&tbnid=MzUE_8xfW6WhMM:&tbnh=130&tbnw=87&ei=KINFSbedIoy6sAOikOyhBA&prev=/images%3Fq%3Dwomen%2Bwith%2Bgray%2Bhair%26gbv%3D2% 26hl%3Den%26client%3Dfirefox-a%26rls%3Dorg.mozilla:en-US:official%26sa%3DG

[mellie]

Finoriel, "salt & paprika" is awesome! That's great!

Lynnala, when you say to try lighter streaks, do you mean to bleach out some of my darker hair? I thought of that, but I am worried about damaging my hair. Since it's sooo dark, it would take a LOT of bleaching to make it light (especially since there's henndigo on it too). That's why I thought of the clip in gray or white extensions, to put in light streaks without damaging my hair. And yes, that lady is sure lovely, isn't she? :-)

[serious]

When I got a lot of grays,few years ago,I went to a hairdresser and made some light streaks,bleach included. It looked completely unnatural and my hair was totally ruined.I could not stand it and I cut it all off.
So,I believe, clip- in extensions are much better idea.

[Speckla]

I like salt'n'pepper on my eggs...
LOVE it on my hair! ;)

I had people tell me in the beginning that I was too young to let it go grey. How am I too young if my hair started getting greys when I was 21 years old? Now I get more compliments on how pretty it is and doesn't make me look older.
________
Starcraft 2 replays (http://screplays.com/replays)

[mellie]

I had people tell me in the beginning that I was too young to let it go grey. How am I too young if my hair startied getting greys when I was 21 years old? Now I get more compliments on how pretty it is and doesn't make me look older.

That's very cool Speckla, and very encouraging for me! Thank you!

P.S. Thanks for the input, Serious on bleaching light streaks!

[lynnala]

That's very cool Speckla, and very encouraging for me! Thank you!

P.S. Thanks for the input, Serious on bleaching light streaks!Yes, I guess if your hair is very dark it would take lot to make it light, but perhaps just light brown streaks? I'm not being a pusher here, I just know what helped me through the transition. But the clip-ons are probably the best idea.

[jojo]

I love my greys which are in my right hand side fringe and looking like they could develope into a streak, that would be cool. I asked my husband the other week what he thought of this lady's hair who was sat in front of us on the train, hers was shoulder length and very silver his reply ' its foxy when are you going to be my foxy lady?' i thought this was cute!

[susiemw]

Just the thread I needed today!

I've been growing out my white for a couple months now.
The last few days i've been really hating it.
I'm at a conference in Las Vegas and maybe it's the different lighting or the fatigue (classes for 14 hours a day: 7 am to 9 pm) or the fact that i've been away from my computer and my LHC fix but I was really hating it. If I had been home I'm sure I would have colored it.
Today is better, not sure if the color is really better but my hair in general feels much thicker and better to me today so maybe that's helping the overall feeling of icky hair.

I've loved seeing all the pics of silver haired ladies and I think I am up to continue the growing out stage.

I also loved the grey hair extensions. I'd love to find white cause I'd love to have a white streak!

My favorite teacher in high school (or ever) was Greek and had lovely thick black hair with a white streak going back from her widows peak. It was very cool... and so was she. :)

Susan

[mellie]

Jojo, that quote is wonderful! Thanks for sharing it!

Lynnala, I will definitely keep your suggestion in mind, thank you!

Susiemw, you can find white hair extensions too - try Etsy.com, that's where I found the gray ones! :-)

[spidermom]

Wow!! What a gorgeous braid!!

I have been doing some research to find pics (it's hard!!!). I came upon this other forum discussing "Why do some women refuse to color their hair?" (argh!!)

http://www.city-data.com/forum/fashion-beauty/260430-why-do-some-women-refuse-color.html

Be warned, it is rather aggravating...

OMG! I had to quit reading at the comment that "mom" probably has no female friends because people write her off because of the way that she looks with undyed hair. If you have to dye your hair to "earn" friends, alone is best.

[Demetrue]

OMG! I had to quit reading at the comment that "mom" probably has no female friends because people write her off because of the way that she looks with undyed hair. If you have to dye your hair to "earn" friends, alone is best.
I know!!! It was awful, but I guess it just shows how our culture still treats women as objects that have to look a certain way or conform to certain incredibly superficial standards to be considered valuable. I suspect, though, that the mother had a critical nature and that this trait was passed on to the daughters, so it was more indicative of a desire to criticize than about going gray. What I found disturbing was the number of people who said that most women don't look good with gray hair. So what does that mean - that every woman over age 30-40 needs to put chemicals on her head to look acceptable by society? That women always need to alter or augment their natural bodies in order to "look good"? That "looking good" is a prerequisite for being allowed to remain on the planet? That what "looks good" on a woman is decided by societal consensus and if you're not the flavor of the month, then you 1. don't look good, and therefore 2. don't deserve love?

Okay - end of rant.

[Neen]

I also stopped colouring my hair at the start of this year and I have to say that the first few inches are definately the hardest, they're the ones where everyone can tell that you usually colour your hair but haven't done it for a while and assume you have issues; your clip-in's should be good to get you through this stage. Once the salt gets to around ear length it does start blending in, those who were horrified at first at my unkempt hair now say that it looks nice and most people don't really even notice it. I have noticed the trend of girls with dark hair putting grey and blonde streaks through it which I think is interesting but it doesn't hold a candle to natural silver streaks and it trashes the hair. Personally I'm growing quite fond of my face framing silver streaks, although they do look much cooler when my hair is down (Rogue style) rather than pulled back in a bun.

[Neen]

Just wanted to add that there have been some absolutely stunning pictures of both silver and salt & pepper hair linked in this thread that I couldn't possibly compete with, but my album shows the degree of salt & pepper I'm talking about. The pictures linked here make me look forward to growing the rest of my colour out whereas previously I had been a little aprehensive about it.

[mellie]

Thanks Neen! I will check out your album!

I think I will have an easier time of growing out than some folks, since my grays are all underneath and not on top, and there's not a demarcation line. But, we'll see! I'm still not 100% sure I'll like it...

[paper]

I was wondering if anyones used a semi or demi to help blend the grow out of dyed hair? Or maybe high lights or low lights?

[Xandergrammy]

I don't think "hotness" applies to me and my hair, but here are a couple of pictures where I especially love my silvers/whites/grays. :inlove:

http://i52.photobucket.com/albums/g6/Xandergrammy/The%20Next%20One%20Thousand/DSCN2260.jpg

http://i52.photobucket.com/albums/g6/Xandergrammy/The%20Next%20One%20Thousand/DSCN2483.jpg

[wolf girl]

Joining this tread!!!!OGM, you are my inspiration. I just love your color!

[wintersun99]

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

[mellie]

That's a wonderful story Wintersun!!

Thanks Xandergrammy for sharing your pics! My grays are in the same spots as yours! Right at my ears, and a little streak at my part, just like you - when I wear my hair down, you can't really see them - but when I wear it up, there they are! :-)

[ole gray mare]

Thank you, Wolf Girl.

And Xandergrammy -- tsk tsk. If you look up "hotness" in the dictionary, there is a pic of you next to it. ;) I happen to love graying patterns like yours and Teazel's. Mine is gray on canopy, some dark still remains underneath.

[Xandergrammy]

Thanks Xandergrammy for sharing your pics! My grays are in the same spots as yours! Right at my ears, and a little streak at my part, just like you - when I wear my hair down, you can't really see them - but when I wear it up, there they are! :-)


You're welcome! Isn't that funny that we have the same pattern. It's so strange because like you said, if my hair is down, you can hardly see any gray, but as soon as I pull it off my face, there it is!!! I rather like the look of it around my face.

[Xandergrammy]

And Xandergrammy -- tsk tsk. If you look up "hotness" in the dictionary, there is a pic of you next to it. ;) I happen to love graying patterns like yours and Teazel's. Mine is gray on canopy, some dark still remains underneath.


:rollin: OGM, you're hilarious. I want a copy of the dictionary that YOU have! :gabigrin:

And I can't wait until my hair is the color of yours! :cloud9:

[skay]

Thanks Neen! I will check out your album!

I think I will have an easier time of growing out than some folks, since my grays are all underneath and not on top, and there's not a demarcation line. But, we'll see! I'm still not 100% sure I'll like it...

Hi Mellie, I can relate.

The big thing I think is pretty much being comfortable in your skin and owning your look. This can happen at different times in people's lives.

Bear with me a moment, but I'm going to be make a little general and personal observation here:

Did you ever notice some European women who dress stylish and maybe even wear something "youngish" by our American standards -- look fantastic -- but look their age at the same time?

And some American women of the same age, may wear a similar style - but look like they're "trying" to look younger?

(American gals, dont' shoot me, I'm American, too! ;) )

Just food for thought.

I think it's a confidence, style, and "know how to work it" thing. *wink*. Or as the French say: Je ne sais quoi.

Whatever you do, I think you'll look just fine. :)

Skay

[Elphie]

I was wondering if anyones used a semi or demi to help blend the grow out of dyed hair? Or maybe high lights or low lights?


I use a demi (you can see pics in my album). I don't have enough gray to even consider growing them out yet, but I do have hair that has less of a hue than it used to. I can tell you it blended very well with the semi color I had been using and there isn't a harsh line of demarcation. It fades gradually over about six weeks.

[serious]

Hi Mellie, I can relate.

The big thing I think is pretty much being comfortable in your skin and owning your look. This can happen at different times in people's lives.

Bear with me a moment, but I'm going to be make a little general and personal observation here:

Did you ever notice some European women who dress stylish and maybe even wear something "youngish" by our American standards -- look fantastic -- but look their age at the same time?

And some American women of the same age, may wear a similar style - but look like they're "trying" to look younger?

(American gals, dont' shoot me, I'm American, too! ;) )

Just food for thought.

I think it's a confidence, style, and "know how to work it" thing. *wink*. Or as the French say: Je ne sais quoi.

Whatever you do, I think you'll look just fine. :)

Skay

It is not related with nationality,IMO.
I have seen a lot of Americans who look great,on LHC! (And Mellie is one of them,for sure!)

[biggeorge]

Did someone request photo's of gray streaks?

http://i95.photobucket.com/albums/l127/kajunkingkong/Dec%2008/Dec08027CR.jpg http://i95.photobucket.com/albums/l127/kajunkingkong/Dec%2008/Dec08029CR.jpg

And harpgal, this big time celebrity has given his OK to let his photo's remain!

[paper]

Did someone request photo's of gray streaks?

http://i95.photobucket.com/albums/l127/kajunkingkong/Dec%2008/Dec08027CR.jpg http://i95.photobucket.com/albums/l127/kajunkingkong/Dec%2008/Dec08029CR.jpg

And harpgal, this big time celebrity has given his OK to let his photo's remain!


I love the grey streak! It's natural highlights. It looks great.

[paper]

I use a demi (you can see pics in my album). I don't have enough gray to even consider growing them out yet, but I do have hair that has less of a hue than it used to. I can tell you it blended very well with the semi color I had been using and there isn't a harsh line of demarcation. It fades gradually over about six weeks.


I love your hair color. It's very pretty and shiny. What color demi do you use?

[Kuchen]

BigGeorge - I have streak envy. I'm hoping my scattering of whites will do the same.

[mellie]

BigGeorge, those streaks are awesome! Thanks for posting them!

Thanks for the nice encouragement, Serious!! :-)

[harpgal]

And harpgal, this big time celebrity has given his OK to let his photo's remain!
OK George, I hear ya....LOL! :D

(But you notice that I'm back in this thread just checkin'. :))

[Henitsirk]

I've always loved gray hair (my dad was already mostly gray in his 30's), so I've never colored mine -- and the gray hairs are coming in fast these days. I think you'll look great! Let the teens in the mall snicker...they do that to anyone older than them no matter what :-)

[mellie]

Thanks Henitsirk for the nice words of encouragement!

They are just starting to peep through - and they are very pretty actually, quite silver/white amongst the black. I think it just might look OK!

[LutraLutra]

Just in case she's not been mentioned on this thread - ladies and gentlemen, living proof that grey hair can be as cool as heck- Daphne Guinness! http://merkovsky.blogspot.com/2008/07/current-obsession-daphne-guinness.html

[mellie]

Wow, what a look!!!

ETA: she reminds of the girl in the movie "Hogfather":

http://bowjamesbow.ca/images/snipshot-a415o3n62x3n.jpg

[intothemist1999]

Did someone request photo's of gray streaks?

http://i95.photobucket.com/albums/l127/kajunkingkong/Dec%2008/Dec08027CR.jpg http://i95.photobucket.com/albums/l127/kajunkingkong/Dec%2008/Dec08029CR.jpg





Oooooooh! That's gorgeous!!! :thumbsup:

[boomygrrl]

My roots are salt and pepper, that's for sure. I am trying to get my hair color back to medium ash brown...there's too much red in it now, and it looks funny with the roots growing in. Once it's medium ash brown all over, I plan to let my roots grow out more, and see if I like the salt and pepper look. My goal is to eventually stop dying my hair and let the brown and silver shine through! Maybe get highlights to even it out.

[wintersun99]

...........

[Elistariel]

I love this thread.
I'd LOVE to sport a Rogue-esque streak or a head of white hair like Amalthea in The Last Unicorn.

Right now?
Right now I just have one, ONE, white hair about the length of my finger in my part, not quite to the middle of the top of my head... closer to my forehead than the back...

that likes to stick up like an antenna. :rolleyes:

Thank goodness it's white and therefore practically unnoticeable when it does do that. I have to make sure it's lying down on the side of my part that it wants to for that day. Otherwise it looks like I'm trying to contact the mothership. :cheese:

[mellie]

Hehe, I used to have a few that did that. Since hennaing they have calmed down, though!

[mellie]

Wintersun, thanks for the articles! I especially liked the last one. I liked what the one woman said about "respecting Mother Nature" - that's a wonderful concept!

I love this thread because now I am actually really excited about seeing my silver hairs peep through the dark hair! I am actually eagerly anticipating what it will look like when all grown out! Isn't that amazing? Before I felt like they were something I had to hide!

[wintersun99]

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

[mellie]

Haha! Yes, I'm sure someone has said that! :-)

I'm a little worried because I work with two guys whose wives are stylists. The only other woman I work with is a perpetual salon goer with foil highlights. So, I hope they will be supportive!!

[MemSahib]

Congratulations on your decision to grow out your greys! May they be a source of pride, strength and acceptance of life for you, Mellie.


http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v389/homekeepinggran/Hair/LHCwintersig2.jpg

[mellie]

Thanks MemSahib! Your silver in your updo is very beautiful!!

[wintersun99]

...........

[mellie]

I'm not very good at journaling, but I'll blog a little on it. I'll definitely post some pics once I have anything to post, haha! Right now they are just little silver glints here and there in the black - kinda cool!!

I liked the articles, thanks!!

[Elistariel]

I found another one.
Two white hairs. :D (leave it to me to be happy about that.)

I might have some on the back of my head, but how would I know? lol.

[Tangles]

I'm excited for you, Mellie!

[mellie]

Thanks Tangles! Maybe this weekend I'll try to take some pics as a starting point!

[MimiKeki]

Awesome, I'm totally in support of your decision. I always wondered (especially when it came the time for my mother to dye her hair) why most women are so adamant to cover their greys?
I think it's beautiful. I am an admirer of the streak-types.
I also love the all-over look. It can look elegant if the hair is well-kept and in good condition. Go for it, and don't you dare let any silly rude people discourage you.

[mellie]

Thanks MimiKeki! I can't speak for everyone, but I dyed because my grays aren't really in a streak, nor all over. They are just hither and thither, and they stick out in a very wiry crazy way, so it kinda looked bad to me...

However, we'll see if I can tame them and make it look hot!!

[mellie]

OK, it's been just about 3 weeks since my last henndigo, and I'm starting to have some silver peeking through! However, it's hard to tell, since all the gray is underneath!

I had to take the photos in my bathroom since the lighting is much harsher and it's the only way to get the grays to show up. You can see the indigo has started to fade out, leaving the reddish henna tint on my natural brown:

Here's my hair down - where's the silver???

http://home.comcast.net/~ttudek/pwpimages/DSCN1807.jpg

But when it's up - Hi Ho Silver!!!

http://home.comcast.net/~ttudek/pwpimages/DSCN1808.jpghttp://home.comcast.net/~ttudek/pwpimages/DSCN1809.jpg

It will definitely be interesting to see how it looks as it gets longer and the henna fades out (if it ever does, haha!).

[wintersun99]

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

[mellie]

Aha, I will try that! I've been using shea butter and that has been helping too!

[neon-dream]

I've always loved gray hair (my dad was already mostly gray in his 30's), so I've never colored mine -- and the gray hairs are coming in fast these days. I think you'll look great! Let the teens in the mall snicker...they do that to anyone older than them no matter what :-)

Not all teens!! Haha, I'm lovely ^_^!
i love salt n pepper hair, my Dad's is an equal mix these days of both salt and pepper, even though it's short it looks nice!
I love the look, the red heads in my family have never gone gray, so I don't think it's something I'm guna have to deal with!

[Elenna]

Been growing out silvers for a year and a half. As time went on, I started liking the silver more.

My brother dyes his hair dark blond, but he has more silvers than I. It is kind of odd.

My hair looks like Xandergrammy, except I have more silver in front.

[katiana]

OK, it's been just about 3 weeks since my last henndigo, and I'm starting to have some silver peeking through! However, it's hard to tell, since all the gray is underneath!

I had to take the photos in my bathroom since the lighting is much harsher and it's the only way to get the grays to show up. You can see the indigo has started to fade out, leaving the reddish henna tint on my natural brown:

Here's my hair down - where's the silver???

http://home.comcast.net/%7Ettudek/pwpimages/DSCN1807.jpg

But when it's up - Hi Ho Silver!!!

http://home.comcast.net/%7Ettudek/pwpimages/DSCN1808.jpghttp://home.comcast.net/%7Ettudek/pwpimages/DSCN1809.jpg

It will definitely be interesting to see how it looks as it gets longer and the henna fades out (if it ever does, haha!).


Mellie,
Wow..I really like how your hair looks! I think letting the silvers in will look so beautiful..like someone mentioned..natural highlights :)
so pretty!

[mellie]

Thanks Katiana!! :-)

[paper]

Mellie, I think your natural color is going to be really pretty.

There was a saleslady that waited on me at the store the other day. I couldn't stop staring at her hair. It was little past shoulder length, she had it in a half up with bangs. She had black hair with white streaks. It was so pretty!

You have inspired me to stop dyeing my hair also. I am excited to see what my natural hair looks like too!

[mellie]

That's so nice Paper!

Unfortunately I'm already starting to waffle on this....someone mentioned how much "younger" I look without the silvers. Does that mean I look "old" with them??? Sigh....

I don't want to look old...I want to look striking, sexy and hot!! :-)

[Finoriel]

:wink: Most times a statement like this says more about the person who makes it, than about the person it´s addressed to.

Don´t worry mellie. Just put that comment into the same drawer with statements about striped tops. "Oh, those stripes accentuate your curves." Can be anything from a nice compliment to suggesting a boob job or a diet :pumpkin:.
There will be always people who will talk more than they should :p, just ignore it.

[biggeorge]

I don't want to look old...I want to look striking, sexy and hot!! :-)

I've never known hair color to negate that, and I consider myself an expert in this area! http://www.cosgan.de/images/more/bigs/c005.gif

[mellie]

Haha, thanks BigGeorge!

Thanks for the support, Finoriel!!

[paper]

I read somewheres that you shouldn't think of grey hair as old, but just as another color of hair. Thats what I've been thinking watching my roots come in :D. Also, I think most look better with their natural color hair, and if thats salt and pepper, then thats probably what looks best.

[Xandergrammy]

That's so nice Paper!

Unfortunately I'm already starting to waffle on this....someone mentioned how much "younger" I look without the silvers. Does that mean I look "old" with them??? Sigh....

I don't want to look old...I want to look striking, sexy and hot!! :-)



You WILL look striking, sexy and hot!! And you won't look like any other woman in the room. Just plug up your ears :lala:

[mellie]

Haha, thanks Xandergrammy!

And Paper, that makes a lot of sense!! :-)

[Calista]

....someone mentioned how much "younger" I look without the silvers....
I don´t want to look younger than I am. What for? I don´t intend to lie about my age. I´m proud of it. :twocents:

[mellie]

That's true - why is it so wrong for us to actually look our age? Why is youth considered better than wisdom?

[Calista]

Why is youth considered better than wisdom?
I read somewhere that society appreciates most what is hard to get. Like, back in the times when many people didn´t have enough to eat a full figure was considered beautiful (think the stone ages and the Venus of Willendorf (http://academics.smcvt.edu/awerbel/Survey%201%20Exam%20Study/Venus%20of%20Willendorf.png) figurine). Likewise it is possible that while back when old age was rarer than it is today it was considered a feat to have made it to a certain age, these days it is easy to be old and fat but hard to be young and thin, so those are the things today´s society covets. Does that make sense?

[mellie]

Hm, interesting idea!

[mellie]

OK - I'm back on the wagon!

We just went to the department store, and I saw a lady with totally gorgeous streaks of white at her temples, (just like I have, but solid white!), and a streak near her part on her forehead. She had it up in a ponytail, and had a cute little blue jean jacket on, and she looked totally youthful and sexy! Yeah!!!!

[Xandergrammy]

OK - I'm back on the wagon!

We just went to the department store, and I saw a lady with totally gorgeous streaks of white at her temples, (just like I have, but solid white!), and a streak near her part on her forehead. She had it up in a ponytail, and had a cute little blue jean jacket on, and she looked totally youthful and sexy! Yeah!!!!


YAY!!! :cheer: I see that as a sign that you're on the right path!! :gabigrin:

[mellie]

That's true, huh? Thanks Xandergrammy!

[zen_oven]

I'm just starting to find a few gray hairs, but when they really start showing up I plan to leave them alone. I love salt and pepper hair on both men and women. I have a friend in her early 40s who has the most beautiful silver hair--I only hope mine looks like hers when I get to that point!

[WavyGirl]

Mellie - are you journaling this transition? I'm thinking I will do so, but probably on my home computer, for now.

And just for fun, another journal to read...
Anne Kreamer (http://www.more.com/style/hair/gray-hair/?page=1)

And another - younger woman's experiment with being gray haired
Gray Hair for 48 hours (http://www.more.com/style/hair/going-gray-for-48-hours/)

Thanks for linking those articles. I liked the second one although I think that her attitude had more to do with the results than her apperance.


OK, it's been just about 3 weeks since my last henndigo, and I'm starting to have some silver peeking through! However, it's hard to tell, since all the gray is underneath!

I had to take the photos in my bathroom since the lighting is much harsher and it's the only way to get the grays to show up. You can see the indigo has started to fade out, leaving the reddish henna tint on my natural brown:

Here's my hair down - where's the silver???

http://home.comcast.net/~ttudek/pwpimages/DSCN1807.jpg

But when it's up - Hi Ho Silver!!!

http://home.comcast.net/~ttudek/pwpimages/DSCN1808.jpghttp://home.comcast.net/~ttudek/pwpimages/DSCN1809.jpg

It will definitely be interesting to see how it looks as it gets longer and the henna fades out (if it ever does, haha!).

This post made me laugh because you seem just like me. Snapping photos in the best possible light with weird and wonderful partings just to capture those elusive greys. I love it. It's so exiting to spot new ones and think "Yes. I'm wearing the colour that suits me best and making a statement about my non-compliance with the fads of fashion." Don't you feel lucky to be so happy about going grey? I know I do. :D

[mellie]

Haha, that's true WavyGirl! It's like discovering hidden treasure!! Silver treasure! :-)

[Silver Strands]

Hi Mellie!
When I started growing out my henna I thought I had more gray hairs than I actually do.
The first few inches tend to be a bit shocking.

Once I got to 3-4 inches I realized most of my grays were on my canopy.
The opposite of yours.
So, if I pull mine back (which is my usual way of wearing my hair), I see less of it.

You have the benefit of wearing your hair down on days you're uncomfortable with the grays.

It's a long transition but i'm so glad I did it.
I also cut at 3-4". That was hard but I couldn't take the Irish Setter red next to my natural lt., med. brown mixed with silver.
The contrast was making my natural color look lavender next to it.
So, the red had to go.

I spent the following year trimming out layers and now i'm about 3-4" from APL and i'm loving it.
It really looks pretty and compliments my skintone as i'm sure yours will also.

So, hang in there.
It IS worth it!

[mellie]

Thanks SilverStrands!!! It is so inspiring to have your support!!

You mentioned having to cut off red; was that from dye/henna?

[AutumnLeaves]

I was surprised to read that your grays are underneath, WavyGirl. Mine are mostly on the canopy! Rear shots of my head show little gray whatsoever but the canopy is pretty darned close to 100% silver. Isn't it interesting the patterns we silvers grow in?

[mellie]

It is interesting to see the different patterns that salt and pepper comes in! It would be fun to name them!

So far we've seen:

-Racing stripes (on both sides)
-Rogue stripes (right at the part)
-Hidden underneath (this one needs a cool name)
-Canopy

[Calista]

-Hidden underneath (this one needs a cool name)
Didn´t you suggest "hidden treasure"? I liked that one!

[mellie]

Oooh - cool! Love it!!

[Silver Strands]

Thanks SilverStrands!!! It is so inspiring to have your support!!

You mentioned having to cut off red; was that from dye/henna?

It was from 2 yrs of using henna.
I had used the Rainbow in lt. and med. brown and didn't know not to put it on the entire length everytime.
So, I ended up with burgundy hair which I came here looking for ways to remove it.

I was only able to bring it down to an Irish Setter red before I had enough and cut it off.

I will have to upload some pics in my album of the whole journey sometime in the next few days.

[mellie]

Oh - so I might have that same problem! I do notice in certain lighting my hair looks kind of red from the henndigo fading out now...but so far it's OK since my hair is generally so dark.

I wonder if I will notice it more though as the fresh silvers come in!

[paper]

I know I wish I never dyed my hair! My new white hairs are so shiny! It makes my dyed hair look dull.

[mellie]

Paper, I'd love to see your shiny new silvers if you have any pics!

[paper]

Mellie, I started an album for growing out my hair dye. But, I don't have any good pictures yet. I just dyed my hair before the holidays. I'm going to take a picture of my roots in couple weeks. I'll post a pic here!

[mellie]

OK - great! Can't wait to see! :-)

[aprilmay]

I have a few? gray hairs at my crown and I am proud of them. I realized as soon as I was out of college that I seem old to teenagers so I no longer care. One of my best friends has an inch wide streak of gray on the right side of her forehead. It looks grown up. Regardless of what you decide about your gray hairs, go with what makes you feel good about yourself and your age.

[mellie]

I realized as soon as I was out of college that I seem old to teenagers so I no longer care.

Haha, that's true!

[WavyGirl]

I was surprised to read that your grays are underneath, WavyGirl. Mine are mostly on the canopy! Rear shots of my head show little gray whatsoever but the canopy is pretty darned close to 100% silver. Isn't it interesting the patterns we silvers grow in?

Yes, part of the fun is seeing how different everyone's silvers come in. Mine aren't really underneath - they follow my hairline in front, but the majority so far are at my temples. With the curls you can't see them too well when it's down, but if I pull it back I have a stripe starting to show on one side. The truth is I'll have to be just as patient waiting on the greys as I will waiting on the length because I still only have a few. I just don't want to have to grow out a dye job later - that seems much harder than letting them come in gradually.

It's entirely possible I have more elsewhere - my sisters always seem to find them in back but I can see the ones at the front so I get more excited about them.

I vote for hidden treasure too - that sounds so great. :p

[paper]

I saw a girl in the store today, she had the perfect mix of Salt and Pepper. I would be happy if mine looked that good! I wish I could of took a pic to show you hehe.

[mellie]

I know, I totally wanted to snap a pic of the woman I saw the other day with the cute ponytail and blue jean jacket and silver streaks!

[WavyGirl]

It's just so unusual to see the transitioning colours isn't it? I still remember a woman I saw 2 summers ago who had BSL salt & pepper. I was like :bigeyes:

[wintersun99]

..........

[WavyGirl]

wintersun99 If mine looks that good in the future I'll be a very happy camper.

[mellie]

Salt and pepper is so gorgeous when it's really long!!! I am so looking forward to it!!!

I can't wait to see how shiny and lustrous it will be with soapnuts too, yay!!!

[aprilmay]

It is kind of exciting to have your hair change color and it is out of your control. What a hair adventure!

[Soniasonia]

Salt & pepper hair, grey hair, white hair, are all SO HOT!

[Xandergrammy]

It is kind of exciting to have your hair change color and it is out of your control. What a hair adventure!



And that's one of the reason's I decided to stop coloring when I did. It's FUN to watch my colors coming in!

[rags]

It's just so unusual to see the transitioning colours isn't it? I still remember a woman I saw 2 summers ago who had BSL salt & pepper. I was like :bigeyes:


I'm still more pepper than salt, and yet I get these looks from people, or even unsolicited advice about how much younger I would look if only I would dye my hair. I'm sure part of it is because the back of my head is mostly brown still, and the front is mostly silver. I've had these two 1" wide streaks framing my face since I was in my late twenties/early thirties (I used to dye them, though). I adore my hair now, and don't think I would ever cover it up again.

But it does seem to somewhat shock people that you won't even consider dying it!

[mellie]

It's so true, I am sure to get those comments soon as my co-workers both have wives who are stylists!

[AutumnLeaves]

I've also had similar comments and in fact, began coloring my hair because of it after my first attempt to go au naturale. This time I've kept at it; I've earned every one of those silvers!

[rags]

I've also had similar comments and in fact, began coloring my hair because of it after my first attempt to go au naturale. This time I've kept at it; I've earned every one of those silvers!


I agree! I most certainly have earned every one of them!

Mellie, I'll bet you are in for a lot of comments, with that situation. Good luck!

[lynnala]

Speaking of salt & pepper, I just did a fringe trim:
http://i234.photobucket.com/albums/ee20/legendhouse/fringeclip.jpg

[paper]

And that's one of the reason's I decided to stop coloring when I did. It's FUN to watch my colors coming in!


I am excited to see just what my natural hair looks like!

[mellie]

Very pretty Lynnala! Thanks for the pic!

I think I've got a Rogue streak starting! It seems to be coming in around my part, it's very exciting for me! I was worried though, because my one co-worker's stylist wife was hanging around today and I was just waiting for her to say something....she didn't though, thank goodness. I don't think it's noticeable yet to others in indoor lighting. I think by this weekend though I may have a pic to post!

[lynnala]

Now that I've been washing with Indian herbs, my hair is looking a bit darker, and I have a very definite "Bride of Frankenstein" streak happening, it's very cool!

[WavyGirl]

Now that I've been washing with Indian herbs, my hair is looking a bit darker, and I have a very definite "Bride of Frankenstein" streak happening, it's very cool!

I was surprised to see so much pepper in that photo, in your siggy your hair looks almost completely white. I'm glad you explained. Both are very pretty though.

[Elenna]

I have silver bangs. Hair at temples is going silver too. When I pull all of my hair back, it looks very silver in front. The rest is brown mixed with silver strands.

[HairyCarrie]

Last night I asked DH what color my hair was whilst wearing an updo. He looked at my face and said gray. Then I tipped my head down and he said red. Then I turned around and he said brown.

So, mishmash it is... :?

[mellie]

So, you've got salt and pepper and paprika! :-)

[DelynofRhondda]

I love the term "hidden treasure" since my white hairs hide in all of the curls. Then they sparkle like diamond-dust in the sunlight.

Don't give up on your natural hair colour. It may surprise you with sparklies of its own.

[AutumnLeaves]

Ooh, sparkles like diamond dust? I like that idea. My grays are looking like old yucky metal pipe color! LOL

[Elenna]

Last night I asked DH what color my hair was whilst wearing an updo. He looked at my face and said gray. Then I tipped my head down and he said red. Then I turned around and he said brown.So, mishmash it is... :?

We could call this kind of hair: medley or potpourri.

[DelynofRhondda]

AutumnLeaves, no, no, no... Think of fine marble with the deep grey veins that glitter. Or, the blue-grey coral that glows.

HairyCarrie, "Parti-coloured" could be more pleasing to the ear. My daughter paid good money to have her champaign-blonde hair died tri-colour.

Elenna, those are great suggestions. Potpourri of hand-dried rose petals tossed with rose attar.

(I try to think of positive & pretty things *grin*.)

[paper]

So, you've got salt and pepper and paprika! :-)


Thats cute!

My DH starting going grey a long time ago! Our youngest son used to say "Dad you have sparkles!"

[mellie]

I love "sparkles"!!

[Elenna]

Cat fur color has names like mackerel, spotted, ticked, tabby, solid, smoke, or shaded, etc. :-D

[Xandergrammy]

My grays are looking like old yucky metal pipe color! LOL



No, no, no, Sherry!!! MommaSmurf, Biggeorge and I like to use the term "gun-metal". :D

[mellie]

It's been over 4 weeks now since my last henndigo and my decision to let it go natural!

Since my silvers are all mostly underneath, I don't think really anyone has noticed anything yet. There are just a very few on the top of my head at my part, that are affecting the straightness of my part a bit, since they don't lay as flat at the brown hairs do. However, I think the soapnuts (and occasional Dairy Whip shampooings) are helping, because the silvers used to be much wirier and would stick straight up in the air with commercial shampoo!

Underneath, the silvers look beautiful! They are stark white in amongst the dark brown/black and look very pretty! So I am really looking forward to how this will look once it's a lot longer and there are some more silvers for people to see!

I am using a bit of shea butter on them to help them lay flat, they seem to like that! :-)

The silvers are still not showing up very well in photos, however, I'll keep trying and post some when I have some nice pics!

[BlackfootHair]

I'm letting my natural color come in, and I know that I have some whites in there too. I don't know how many, and I'm kind of scared to find out! :D

[mellie]

Haha - it can be shocking sometimes!! :-)

[Alia]

I just discovered two white hairs this month in my canopy. Partly, it's like, whoa, already? :rolleyes:But, I can't help but notice how brilliantly white and lovely they are. There was a gardening show, The Perennial Gardener, and the host had mostly white APL hair in pretty half-ups and french braids, and it was gorgeous on her. I don't see coloring in my near future. :)

[mellie]

Haha, if you are 32 and only finding two silver hairs now, that's pretty amazing! I had gray hairs coming in my freshman year in college (age 18!), believe it or not! :-)

[paper]

It's been over 4 weeks now since my last henndigo and my decision to let it go natural!

Since my silvers are all mostly underneath, I don't think really anyone has noticed anything yet. There are just a very few on the top of my head at my part, that are affecting the straightness of my part a bit, since they don't lay as flat at the brown hairs do. However, I think the soapnuts (and occasional Dairy Whip shampooings) are helping, because the silvers used to be much wirier and would stick straight up in the air with commercial shampoo!

Underneath, the silvers look beautiful! They are stark white in amongst the dark brown/black and look very pretty! So I am really looking forward to how this will look once it's a lot longer and there are some more silvers for people to see!

I am using a bit of shea butter on them to help them lay flat, they seem to like that! :-)

The silvers are still not showing up very well in photos, however, I'll keep trying and post some when I have some nice pics!

Yeah, as long has there underneath, your probably the only one to notice. Unless you wear your hair up. I'm sure those white hairs will look stunning against your dark hair.

Jan. 20th will be 2 months since dyeing my hair. I will take a pic of my roots then. I took a pic of my hair yesterday, after experimenting with Cream of Coconut. I can see already my dark hair coming through. It is exciting to see what my natural hair is going to look like! :cheese:

[wintersun99]

...........

[mellie]

Oh - you slipped, huh? :-) Well we're glad you're back on the wagon!!

[mellie]

OK - I finally got them to show up in a pic! Kind of!!

If you look on either side of my part, you can kind of see the little Rogue stripes starting! Yay!! They are very pretty and shiny in real life!

http://forums.longhaircommunity.com/picture.php?albumid=1886&pictureid=29112

[paper]

They are very pretty and shiny against your dark hair!

[Xandergrammy]

I can see them!!! :joy: They're beautiful!!!!

[skay]

OK - I finally got them to show up in a pic! Kind of!!

If you look on either side of my part, you can kind of see the little Rogue stripes starting! Yay!! They are very pretty and shiny in real life!



Looks great! Nice pattern you have going.

[lynnala]

Those are going to look totally awesome, mellie!

[mellie]

Thanks everyone!! :-)

[knittinks]

Hi everyone. I am new on here and was excited to find this thread. I decided a couple of months ago to stop coloring my hair. I am a natural redhead so I won't have any pepper but I have alot of salt. I just have about an inch of new growth right now. I am finally ready to see what mother nature has in store and embrace my grays.

[Akiko]

O! I see Rogue stripes! Those are nice.

[wintersun99]

...........

[mellie]

Yes, Salt & Paprika - that is so pretty!!!

[Xandergrammy]

Hi everyone. I am new on here and was excited to find this thread. I decided a couple of months ago to stop coloring my hair. I am a natural redhead so I won't have any pepper but I have alot of salt. I just have about an inch of new growth right now. I am finally ready to see what mother nature has in store and embrace my grays.



Hi knittinks and welcome! I look forward to watching your new colors come in!!

[paper]

Hi everyone. I am new on here and was excited to find this thread. I decided a couple of months ago to stop coloring my hair. I am a natural redhead so I won't have any pepper but I have alot of salt. I just have about an inch of new growth right now. I am finally ready to see what mother nature has in store and embrace my grays.

Good luck! I'd love to see your Salt & Paprika hair, I bet it's pretty!

[mellie]

And I guess for blondes we'd call it Silver & Gold - if that's OK with our member here Silver & Gold! :-)

[susiemw]

Cat fur color has names like mackerel, spotted, ticked, tabby, solid, smoke, or shaded, etc. :-D


I read the above as tickLed instead of ticked. I was thinking tickled hair would be pretty darn good!:eyebrows:

Susan

[rags]

OK - I finally got them to show up in a pic! Kind of!!

If you look on either side of my part, you can kind of see the little Rogue stripes starting! Yay!! They are very pretty and shiny in real life!

http://forums.longhaircommunity.com/picture.php?albumid=1886&pictureid=29112



Mellie, your baby Rouge stripes look gorgeous against your dark hair. I have stripes in the exact same place! Total silver about an inch wide that frames my face - then the rest is salt and pepper. It's a really pretty pattern - I think you'll like it if you let it grow in.

[mellie]

Thanks Rags! I'm looking forward to seeing how it comes in! :-)

[wintersun99]

...........

[Demetrue]

Wow - Mellie - your hair is gorgeous and the little streaks look great! I caved in after one month when the hair in back was coming in very dark blonde and the front was coming in snow white - after trying some cassia/henna glosses, it was looking brassy and red in a way that clashed with my cooler skin tone. I found a dark ashe blonde color and went over the whole thing to come up with more uniform coloration and more flattering tone. Now I'm hoping that the there will be less of a demarcation line in back and the dark roots will match the darker dyed portion. I am thinking to use a washout color on the incoming gray that matches the dark blonde for a while. Maybe get 6 inches of white/gray and then let the dye fade and see what I think.

[mellie]

Thanks Wintersun!!

I really can't see them much in real life, just some pretty shiny sparkles amidst the black - hopefully in more time the stripes will make themselves more noticeable! :-)

Oh - thanks Demetrue! We were posting at the same time!

Demetrue, maybe you could try some cassia to blend the new whites with the blonde? I think that cassia will wash out over time (unlike henna) and help the growout process perhaps?

P.S. You know what is most cool? I don't have any demarcation lines at all!! Yay for henndigo!!

[funnybunny668]

Count me in! I have 2 grey steaks at the temples and salt & pepper everywhere else. I love the salt & pepper look. My mom had it for years before turning completely silver. Now her hair is a pure white/silver, and what I aspire to in future years.

[mellie]

Awesome funnybunny!! Please post pics if you'd like! I'd love to see more pics - it really helps to motivate me to keep with it!

[knittinks]

I love Salt and Paprika so that works. I really am getting excited to see just how much I really have. I have been coloring for years and years. It is so nice to see people embracing their gray hair and not afraid of it.

[mellie]

I think it is exciting too to see how much is actually there - and how pretty and sexy it can actually be!! :-)

[paper]

P.S. You know what is most cool? I don't have any demarcation lines at all!! Yay for henndigo!!


Mellie, you are so lucky there! I'm am dreading the dye line. I guess I'll be wearing alot of updos, to help hide it.

[Rimi]

Hello there. Haven't posted here in ages, just read the threads. I've been thinking of growing the grays out but also dread the skunk look. Has any one considered only partly dying hair? Like, if the grays are on top and temples, just tough up an inch or two of the top so it covers the sides that are growing out. Then, when enough has grown out, part the hair so that the grays of either side can cover the growth of the top? Does that make sense?

[mellie]

Yes, I believe that could be considered "lowlighting" - sounds like a good plan!

[Rimi]

Thank, Mellie. I'm not sure what low lighting is. I think it's adding darker colors (tho darker than what, I'm not sure), but that would still be all over. I was thinking just that top strip. I'll have to look up low lighting now! Ack!

[Demetrue]

Has any one considered only partly dying hair? Like, if the grays are on top and temples, just tough up an inch or two of the top so it covers the sides that are growing out. Then, when enough has grown out, part the hair so that the grays of either side can cover the growth of the top? Does that make sense?
Yes - I am thinking of doing that - my temples are almost snow white, so they would be white anyway, and I could keep doing the top, maybe with a semi-permanant, because I dread the demarcation line I am getting at the top along the part.

[Rimi]

Demetrue, are you planning on using semi-permanent color?

[wintersun99]

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

[mellie]

You know, another option would be henndigo glosses (then you'd get the nice dark brown color of henndigo but it would wash out!).

[Rimi]

Never heard (or read) about hennigo glosses. Where do you buy?

[Demetrue]

Demetrue, are you planning on using semi-permanent color?
Yes - I'm looking at Natural Instincts in Linen or Moisture Actif Colorspa in Wheat ...

[mellie]

Henndigo glosses means henndigo applications which are mixed with conditioner rather than water or tea. So you still get color, but it's not as long-lasting. So, just take whatever henndigo mix you usually use, but add conditioner to it. I personally haven't tried them but folks here have had wonderful results with them!

[paper]

I'll probably use semi, or something that washes out. I saw something in Walmart. It said you can use it to go longer between root touch ups. It just washed out and had no peroxide. I can't rememer what it was called. I might buy that.

[susiemw]

Hello there. Haven't posted here in ages, just read the threads. I've been thinking of growing the grays out but also dread the skunk look. Has any one considered only partly dying hair? Like, if the grays are on top and temples, just tough up an inch or two of the top so it covers the sides that are growing out. Then, when enough has grown out, part the hair so that the grays of either side can cover the growth of the top? Does that make sense?

I just did this a week and a 1/2 ago.
I didn't want to cover the white that frames my face but
couldn't stand the ugly grey etc that was coming in everywhere else so I used the
"temporary" hair dye in brown and it's making
the growing out process a little easier.

I'm still not thrilled with the look I have now...
it's still obviously a transitional phase but it's more
tolerable now. I didn't want to give up on growing
in the white but just felt that I had to do something
to make the transition easier.

I hope this helps.

Susan

[HairyCarrie]

I too have the transitional issues though no "skunk line" :grin:. I like my silvers but it is a bit odd when I put my hair up on the sides as the rest of my hair is brown or reddish.

http://pic16.picturetrail.com/VOL655/2418900/21339242/351301276.jpg

[mellie]

Oh that's a pretty pic!!

[paper]

Very pretty silvers! :D

[Rimi]

I just did this a week and a 1/2 ago.
I didn't want to cover the white that frames my face but
couldn't stand the ugly grey etc that was coming in everywhere else so I used the
"temporary" hair dye in brown and it's making
the growing out process a little easier.

I'm still not thrilled with the look I have now...
it's still obviously a transitional phase but it's more
tolerable now. I didn't want to give up on growing
in the white but just felt that I had to do something
to make the transition easier.

I hope this helps.

Susan

Thanks, Susan, that does help. Just have to work my courage up!

[knittinks]

I felt more confident about growing out my grays last week. It really isn't the gray hair it is that demarkation line that is scary. I wish it was a bit softer but I really don't want to cover the gray. I guess I just need to disquise it as best as I can. My hair is about APL so I don't have alot of updo options.

[paper]

It's been 2 months since my last root touch up......


http://i221.photobucket.com/albums/dd17/paper1962/saltandpepper.jpg

[MemSahib]

I too have the transitional issues though no "skunk line" :grin:. I like my silvers but it is a bit odd when I put my hair up on the sides as the rest of my hair is brown or reddish.

http://pic16.picturetrail.com/VOL655/2418900/21339242/351301276.jpgMine is all natural but it is silvering from the top down. This means all my updos show silver on the top but brown on the sides and underneath. Shrug. It's the nature of the beast and I don't mind it at all. That's life.

[mellie]

MemSahib, your hair is sooo beautiful! I am really excited about the possibility of gorgeous hair like yours!

Anyway, think of all the poor folks out there who only have one color all over! So boring!!!!:D

[rags]

It's been 2 months since my last root touch up......


http://i221.photobucket.com/albums/dd17/paper1962/saltandpepper.jpg



What lovely silvers coming in! I think your hair is beautiful!

[mellie]

I agree!! Very pretty!

[mellie]

Here's a pic from this morning! I can start to see some whites coming in at the back and underneath at the front too!

http://forums.longhaircommunity.com/picture.php?albumid=2381&pictureid=29446

[MemSahib]

Look at all the pretty silver coming in, ladies! Congratulations on your lovely new highlights!

[Linda K]

Hi! I'm new - I just wanted to mention having a very light but fine color weave just across the crown really helps during the grow out phase. I'd tried Moroccan henna when home coloring left me with a burning/weeping scalp. (The henna gave me an Orangutang look.)

My hairdresser did a color removal treatment - then we messed with color over next 4-6 months before doing the light foils.

I was happy I didn't have to cut my shoulder length hair off to get rid of the ugly orangey stuff. I was using coconut oil - light swipe after 'oiling' my body in the shower - to keep it soft so it wouldn't break. Also the Ojon Ultra Hydrating 'poo and condish.

Like some of you, mine started in a small patch (30 years ago) and slowly grew to to mostly salt in a light pepper front - mostly light pepper in the back.

The only thing I really hate about it - the 'red' thin scalp showing thru in the white areas. I feel bald. If I keep it 'fluffed' to hide it I forget it. My hairdresser said if you were to shave your head, the scalp would be to toned - like a birthmark.

I'm still transitioning a little - Nov the gal that did the foil wasn't my regular stylist - she left it it a 'clumpy' looking - just when I thought it might be the last one. oh well ...

[paper]

Thanks ladies! :D


MemSahib, Your silver is stunning, just gorgeous!

Mellie, Looking good! :thumbsup: The whites are like natural highlights, very pretty. I can't believe we've been covering them up!

[lynnala]

Have you all noticed the Pantene commercials that are airing right now? The woman on camera has a beautiful silver streak in her dark hair. Not sure if it's real or not.

[MemSahib]

Thank you, mellie, and thank you, paper, for the sweet compliments. You two ladies are going to look so splendid with your wonderful silver amongst the dark. Very special!

[Demetrue]

Have you all noticed the Pantene commercials that are airing right now? The woman on camera has a beautiful silver streak in her dark hair. Not sure if it's real or not.
If it's Stacey from "What not to wear", then the silver streak is real.

[Demetrue]

[quote=Linda K;424882]

The only thing I really hate about it - the 'red' thin scalp showing thru in the white areas. I feel bald. If I keep it 'fluffed' to hide it I forget it. My hairdresser said if you were to shave your head, the scalp would be to toned - like a birthmark.

quote]
That's the one thing that is bugging me everytime I start to let the white grow in - you see this pink scalp showing through and I look bald (since I have a high forehead and light colored hair anyway)

[Hairtada]

Me too! I hate that red scalp through the white! I have really dark hair and when my roots grow in I look bald where the white is. I hate it. I try to grow it out ,I'd like my hair to be natural,but I get to where there is an inch on either side of my part and color it again every time because I look bald!!

Doesn't help that my hair is thinner than it used to be.

It is thickening up again thanks to the Mn/Mt treatments.:) Still it looks bald in those white hair areas.

I feel invisible when I let my white show too. As soon as I color my hair its like people notice me again. My imagination?? Dunno..but I hate that too.

Wish I could get past those things and just grow out the white and gray. My daughter is getting some grays and wants to know when I am going to let mine go so it will at least be as gray as hers!!What's a mother to do?? :)

[MemSahib]

If it's Stacey from "What not to wear", then the silver streak is real.
How did Stacy get to keep her silver streak when they color everyone else's hair? Harrumph!

[mellie]

Yes, it is amazing, huh? I heard she's had it since she was very young. Maybe it rejects color?

[LutraLutra]

Great to see all these slivers, I'm sprouting more each day. :D

[Xandergrammy]

I wanted to share this hair picture from yesterday. I like the way my streak showed at this angle. I think I might have to try and find some clear or white bobby pins! :gabigrin:

http://i52.photobucket.com/albums/g6/Xandergrammy/The%20Next%20One%20Thousand/And%20Another%20Thousand/DSCN0026-4.jpg


ETA: I'm having so much fun following this thread! Congratulations ladies for making the decision to let your silvers shine. :flowers:

[mellie]

That streak is beautiful!!!

Mine are really starting to show - I'll try to do another pic today!

[Lilla My]

Another salt and pepper (and growing out henna/indigo) person here ... Once you get used to it going grey is really quite exciting. You do get silly comments sometimes because people seem to be afraid of it - but it's fun trying to work out what exactly is so scary to them about the hairs on someone else's head!
I am mostly white throughout the canopy but very dark underneath and have the last few inches dyed with henna/indigo - quite a mixture! Thanks for all the inspiring pictures - I really need to update mine. Great thread, mellie! :)

[mellie]

Oh wow! Lilla My, your hair is soooo cool! I love it!!

You are right, what is so scary about the hairs on someone else's head, haha? That is very odd of people, isn't it?

[Xandergrammy]

Somewhere in my blog, I have some words of wisdom from another LHC member who started to transition. I'll have to see if I can find it. I'll add the link when I do...

ETA: Here's the link.... it's geared more to women of a certain age, but I think women of all ages can take something from these words.

http://forums.longhaircommunity.com/blog.php?u=6186&blogcategoryid=722&blogtype=recent&page=12

[mellie]

That's a great post - she's an excellent writer!

[Rimi]

Drats, can't read it. Can you tell the gist of it?

[Xandergrammy]

Drats, can't read it. Can you tell the gist of it?



Rimi, I just sent you a Friend Request. :flower:

[mellie]

Here's an interesting blog on going gray:

http://grayhairstories.blogspot.com/
I loved this quote:

"Power Gray: It’s not your mother’s soft, silvery tresses. It’s a fashion statement with a purpose. It takes the ultimate symbol of aging — gray hair — and literally stands it on its head, declaring it an asset rather than something to be colored away. It allows the wearer, when walking into the room, to subliminally convey the notion: 'You think growing older is a bad thing? Think again.' "

From the article, "The Silver Tsunami: Is Gray the New Power Hair Color for Women?" By The Staff at wowOwow.com

[mellie]

This blog too is fun to read:

http://everydaygoddess.typepad.com/everyday_goddess/shades_of_gray/

I love this fun, youthful pic too! I think the silver really draws attention to the gorgeous green of her eyes! It's entrancing and lovely!

http://everydaygoddess.typepad.com/everyday_goddess/shades_of_gray/

[paper]

I wanted to share this hair picture from yesterday. I like the way my streak showed at this angle. I think I might have to try and find some clear or white bobby pins! :gabigrin:

http://i52.photobucket.com/albums/g6/Xandergrammy/The%20Next%20One%20Thousand/And%20Another%20Thousand/DSCN0026-4.jpg


ETA: I'm having so much fun following this thread! Congratulations ladies for making the decision to let your silvers shine. :flowers:

Your silver is very pretty. I like the contrast too, of the different colors. You are an inspiration to us all Xandergrammy! :flowers:

[paper]

Another salt and pepper (and growing out henna/indigo) person here ... Once you get used to it going grey is really quite exciting. You do get silly comments sometimes because people seem to be afraid of it - but it's fun trying to work out what exactly is so scary to them about the hairs on someone else's head!
I am mostly white throughout the canopy but very dark underneath and have the last few inches dyed with henna/indigo - quite a mixture! Thanks for all the inspiring pictures - I really need to update mine. Great thread, mellie! :)


What a gorgeous color!

[paper]

This blog too is fun to read:

http://everydaygoddess.typepad.com/everyday_goddess/shades_of_gray/

I love this fun, youthful pic too! I think the silver really draws attention to the gorgeous green of her eyes! It's entrancing and lovely!

http://everydaygoddess.typepad.com/everyday_goddess/shades_of_gray/


Mellie, I think thats what my natural hair will look like. :D

[mellie]

Oh sorry that second link is the same one - it should be this:
http://everydaygoddess.typepad.com/.shared/image.html?/photos/uncategorized/2008/05/11/1yeargrayhair.jpg

[paper]

Somewhere in my blog, I have some words of wisdom from another LHC member who started to transition. I'll have to see if I can find it. I'll add the link when I do...

ETA: Here's the link.... it's geared more to women of a certain age, but I think women of all ages can take something from these words.

http://forums.longhaircommunity.com/blog.php?u=6186&blogcategoryid=722&blogtype=recent&page=12

Thanks for sharing. That was beautiful, it made me cry. Definitely words to live by.

[Rimi]

Thank you for letting me see that. That was just lovely.

[Linda K]

Xandergrammy - Perhaps it's stated somewhere (I've been reading all over the past 24 hours) but - from your pic - is your braid colored or natural color? It's very pretty!

Do you notice any (more) 'fly-aways' in the silver areas? I've read it's because the texture is different once it silver's up.

[ancilla]

my mom really wants to grow out her grey. But she's afraid of the 'line' of hair dye that will show. She's been coloring her hair for years, and she has almost a perfect line of black brown and then almost all white roots before she touches up. She's really self conscious about it and doesn't know how she's going to achieve what she wants.

Would color fix take the color out and then leave the grey? (I have to do this all myself by the way! I'm her 'colorist :rolleyes:)

Also, I am trying to convince her about Henndigo, but she's skeptical.

[Xandergrammy]

Thank you for letting me see that. That was just lovely.


You're very welcome. Come visit my blog any time you like! :flowers:

[Xandergrammy]

Xandergrammy - Perhaps it's stated somewhere (I've been reading all over the past 24 hours) but - from your pic - is your braid colored or natural color? It's very pretty!

Do you notice any (more) 'fly-aways' in the silver areas? I've read it's because the texture is different once it silver's up.




Hi Linda... Thanks. My braid is mostly the dyed color. As my natural colors are growing, it's starting to trickle into my braid, but most of my length is the old colored hair. And I do notice more flyaways. It seems I constantly have a white halo around my head!

[Xandergrammy]

Your silver is very pretty. I like the contrast too, of the different colors. You are an inspiration to us all Xandergrammy! :flowers:


Thank you so much, paper! I'm very pleased with my decision to stop coloring and I love that other women might decide to let their natural colors fly with encouragement from people like myself and others who have already started the journey. :sun:

[Xandergrammy]

Oh sorry that second link is the same one - it should be this:
http://everydaygoddess.typepad.com/.shared/image.html?/photos/uncategorized/2008/05/11/1yeargrayhair.jpg



Beautiful! You're right- it does make her eye color pop!!

[Demetrue]

Would color fix take the color out and then leave the grey? (I have to do this all myself by the way! I'm her 'colorist :rolleyes:)
Chances are that the Color Fix or Color Oops will take out the brown pigment BUT the hair underneath may be orange, not gray. Any hair that was not gray to begin with, probably had some of the natural pigment lifted from the peroxide that is in most hair dyes, so when you remove the dye, you are left with orange or lemon yellow hair. The hair that was originally gray or white may end up being white once you lift the dye molecules. If you use the Color Oops and there is a lot of orange left, you will need to tone it with a neutral toner, like a violet-based toner. After I used Color Oops, I used a light neutral, ash-blonde color to cover over the orange/yellow areas and it worked well.

[Linda K]

Demetrue: Would your mom be open to a few salon visits? Foil weaves can be done quite fine and really do help tone the overall appearance. I first went med/dk blonde - then less and less was actually colored. It was an adjustment to go THAT light at first. It might make the transition for your mom a whole lot easier than the shock of dark to white. I happen to be rather dark underneath yet - though I noticed it's starting to get a little salty in there too! (I can hardly wait to be all silver white(!) like my mom / granny & great granny!)

I've gone every 2 months over 2 years. I thought I was getting my last one (Nov 08).
However, my regular stylist was booked and I had a time crunch. Next time I'll wait! The gal that foiled it really foiled it (pun intended). I found an orangy piece yesterday when I did a 1/2 up. She gave me 'chunky' color which isn't blending at all. Now there's just enough yellowing to make it (me) feel like a used up dishrag ready for the garbage can, especially if I skip a couple 'poos. I can't emphasize the 'fineness' of the weave enough.