The Salt & Pepper Thread!

**mellie** · January 3rd, 2009, 01:03 PM

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** · January 3rd, 2009, 03:23 PM

Originally Posted by 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!!!!

YAY!!!

I see that as a sign that you're on the right path!!

**mellie** · January 3rd, 2009, 03:24 PM

That's true, huh? Thanks Xandergrammy!

**zen_oven** · January 3rd, 2009, 09:55 PM

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** · January 4th, 2009, 06:12 AM

Originally Posted by wintersun99

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

And another - younger woman's experiment with being gray haired
Gray Hair 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.

Originally Posted by 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???

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

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.

**mellie** · January 4th, 2009, 06:42 AM

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

**Silver Strands** · January 4th, 2009, 06:57 AM

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** · January 4th, 2009, 07:24 AM

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

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

**AutumnLeaves** · January 4th, 2009, 07:45 AM

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** · January 4th, 2009, 07:51 AM

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