I hadn’t spent much time before the last few weeks thinking about going grey. I mean, like, ACTUALLY going grey. Yeah, I’d noticed the white and grey hairs that sprouted here and there, and I kind of liked the way some of the strands added a little extra sparkle to my crown.
That was until I realized that I had a clump of white on the right side of my bangs. Then, I looked closer at my crown and realized that the dullness I’d been trying to ignore all winter was really due to a generous sprinkling of color-depleted hair.
I never thought this would happen to me. My mom isn’t greying. Her mom isn’t grey. Yeah, I’ve given passing thought to the fact that I’ll probably go through other life changes, but grey…grey I didn’t think I’d be encountering at this level before my 35th year passed me by.
It really shouldn’t matter, and I really should just let it go grey and be natural, but I can’t. Since J has come home I’ve felt the youngest and happiest I’ve felt in years, and the reflection in the mirror shows such a contradition to that feeling that I’ve worked hard to achieve.
So, I had a perm appointment for today that I switched last minute to a color. My stylist (who is fun and sweet and beautifully pregnant right now) helped me pick colors, listened to my concerns (like, “please, I don’t want to have to come in every four weeks for touch ups” and “I really, really don’t want roots!”), helped me choose colors and gave me a great color and new cut. Then, she played with my hair, showing me a couple of ways to style it and giving me some good ideas.
I feel better now. I’m not saying I’ll be coloring my hair for the rest of my life, but just for a while I’ll be ignoring what’s really going on up on top of my head and concentrating on less depressing issues.
Erin says:
Here from NaComLeavMo. Your son is gorgeous! If it makes you feel better, my sister has needed to color her hair since she was in her early 20’s.
May 27th, 2008 at 9:40 pm
Emily (Apron Strings) says:
Hi! Here from NCLM (darn word is too long to type all the time!)
LOOOVE your layout design. Hubby’s an Art Director at a local ad agency and over the years, I’ve learned to appreciate good design. :-)
I may have to take your offer of asking about adoption stuff in the near future …
May 28th, 2008 at 10:35 pm
Eliza says:
Greetings via NacComLeavMo! I’m not usually a member f the Assvice Brigade, but thought I’d throw this out as a PSA–rheumatologists now suggest that anyone who STARTS going grey before 35 get worked up for autoimmune diseases. I mention this because I started going grey at nineteen and have autoimmune diseases out the yin-yang…they say the older you are when it starts the lower your risk is, so hopefully you’re okay, but autoimmune diseases are such a pain to diagnose–if you have any freaky-deaky health stuff you might want to bring that up at your next checkup.
May 28th, 2008 at 11:44 pm
Nicky says:
Here from NaComLeavMo. i’ve been trying what to do myself (I’m 31). No clumps yet, but lots and lots of individual strands, and in my curly hair, they stand out a lot. I’ve never colored yet, but every time I get a haircut, I think “maybe next time….”
May 29th, 2008 at 12:32 am
deb says:
I am so there!!! If only yelling at our hair worked cause I had to start coloring at @ 23. Oh the shame of it all. Mother of 2 and so young. But alas, it is what it is. And now I read in the comments here about the autoimmune diseases - eeekkk!! Like I need another problem.
I’m glad you had such a great day with the hairdresser - if you read my blog you will read that I myself just had a great day. Um… maybe best day in a REALLY.LONG.TIME.
May 29th, 2008 at 1:22 pm
Katt says:
I’ve been coloring my hair for several years now (just turned 40). I had a baby six months ago and damn if I was going to have that baby with grey hair!
Yes, I am vain!
May 30th, 2008 at 1:57 pm
Ginny says:
My husband claims to have pulled a gray out of my hair the other day. I swear it was a blond hair, lol. Just in case though I’m thinking about coloring again. I used to always, but I have gotten lazy & my hair is totally natural right now.
May 30th, 2008 at 10:08 pm
Kim says:
Have some gray here at 36 - and have for a few years. I have light hair, so I just get blond highlights to hide it a bit. My mom is very gray at almost 60 and has been for while. Her mom only had a few strands here and there when she passed at age 76!
May 31st, 2008 at 10:29 am
Jendeis says:
Here from NaComLeavMo. Hope that you are loving your new ‘do!
May 31st, 2008 at 9:02 pm
Jennifer says:
Hi- here via NCLM. I have been plucking the gray hairs I’ve been finding, which I know is very bad. I plan on coloring for as long as possible. I’m only 28 (sigh).
June 1st, 2008 at 5:57 pm
Julie says:
Please do ask about adoption :) Keeps me all limbered up just in case we head that route again :)
June 1st, 2008 at 7:44 pm
Julie says:
Nah, it’s not bad–at least that’s what the articles I read last week about it said. Yeah, I read articles about greying. I really need a life :)
June 1st, 2008 at 7:45 pm
Julie says:
I’m a little freaked out now about the autoimmune disease idea now, too! I had no idea!
June 1st, 2008 at 7:52 pm
Julie says:
Thank you–I had no idea! I’ll ask my doc next time I go in :)
June 1st, 2008 at 8:08 pm
Julie says:
Hey, white, blonde–what’s the difference? Don’t some people try to get their hair really, really blonde–and isn’t really, really blonde just white? You’re just lucky that it’s natural ;)
June 1st, 2008 at 8:09 pm
Julie says:
Actually, mine was a lot less noticeable when it was curly–I really noticed it when I started going straight after my perm started to grow out. You know what? I’ve gotten more compliments since I colored it than I have for years–I really didn’t want to do it, but it turned out really good…maybe it will for you, too :)
June 1st, 2008 at 8:12 pm
Julie says:
I am, I am!
June 1st, 2008 at 8:12 pm
Kristen says:
The boyfriend got in deep doo-doo this weekend with the comment that the grey hairs in my temple were pretty blowing in the breeze. Haven’t had a chance to get my hair colored since February and oh is the grey showing (and I just turned 35 and don’t have any kids to blame!).
June 2nd, 2008 at 1:37 pm