Love Your Gray Hair: Silver Is the New Blonde

A freelance writer for many years, I like to explore and question everything.

Embrace Your Silver Hair—It's Unique!

Why do we resist our natural gray locks? We moan and groan about the silver hairs that peep through the glossy brunette (or red, blond, or whatever our natural hair color is) as a sign of encroaching maturity—a reminder that we all, if we're lucky, eventually succumb to old age. Most of us panic and reach for the dye. We go for streaks and tints—anything to disguise those nasty betraying greys.

Never mind all that. You need to know that gray is now THE color to have. Celebrities are even going out of their way to embrace silver. Baby boomers continue to have it all our own way. We are not prepared to fake any longer. We will celebrate middle age. We will make grey the new blonde. We will make YOU want to be gray.

Note: We Brits spell it 'grey,' and Americans spell it 'gray.' I'm going to use both. Because I can. So there.

Must Older Women Wear Their Hair Short?

No, I say, no!

When we hit our forties, I remember a good friend of mine said, "There comes a point where a woman must cut her hair short," and "Grey hair doesn't look right worn long." I have to disagree with both those statements.

If you have the courage, why not grow your hair? Let it flow. I'm going to let mine grow again. It was quite long until a couple of years ago when I became so fed up with bleaching it that I let it grow for a while, then had all the blonde cut out. It was like freedom. Never having to color again. I adored it when people ask where I get my hair done and I tell them it is just my local hairdresser who styles it for less than £20.

Scientists Discover Treatment for Gray Hair

Researchers, testing a treatment for the skin lightening condition, vitiligo, discovered a drug that restores hair to its natural color (BBC: Scientists treat grey hair with a drug for patchy skin). It seems that silver hair happens because hair follicles manufacture a natural hydrogen peroxide that bleaches the color out.

Would you take a drug to bring your hair back to its former glory? Submit your answer to the poll below.

How to Take Care of Grey Hair

I have noticed that my hair has become thicker and grows faster now that I'm older. In fact, it's now waist-length. Previously, I couldn't grow it much further than just below shoulder-length, as it would break.

Because the texture changes, a good cut is essential, especially if your hair is shorter. If it's long, you can get away with pinning it up. A messy bun looks great with grey hair— you look all bohemian and 'clever.'

For taking care of your hair, it doesn't really matter what you put on it, it's more important what you put into it, i.e. what you eat. The better quality nutrients you take into your body, the better your hair, skin and nails look. So, eat well, be happy, and enjoy your silver tresses!

The Demand for Silver-Haired Models Is Growing

The numbers of agencies specializing in 'older' models, both male and female, are increasing all the time. The demand by baby boomers for examples and role models are at an all-time high. We don't want to look at young, immature, skinny women. We want to see succulent, rounded, gorgeous, silver-haired gals... just like us!

I have read a couple of cases here in the UK where ladies started modeling in their 40s, 50s, and even older. Up and at 'em, girls!

Via Compfight by-nc-sa/2.0

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Additional Reading

• Best Gray Hair Color Ideas - Hair Tips for Going Gray
  Check out these women (no, they're not models!) and see how good you could look. Interested? Here's how to come out of hiding.
• How to Love Your Gray Hair
  It's not your granny's hair anymore! Embrace your gray hair with our tips for looking chic and modern with your silver style.
• 19 Gray Hairstyles & Haircuts - Pictures of Gray Hair on Celebrities
  The latest trend in hair color -- gray. These celebrities embrace their gorgeous gray hair.

Questions & Answers

Question: Will I look older with silver hair?

Answer: It depends on your facial structure, skin tone, and many other things. You won't know unless you try. I can tell you it's a much healthier option. I really love my silver hair.

© 2017 Bev G

Comments

Bev G (author) from Wales, UK on February 16, 2020:

I love my grey, but I went a little pink over Christmas :D I've given up on my eyebrows.

Victoria Hannah from Sydney, Australia on February 16, 2020:

I so love this article Bev, I am dark and just starting too go grey now (cannot go down the American path) and have been dying my eyebrows and wondering whether to go grey naturally or use the expensive method of highlights. I used to be blonde for three years when I was young then decided to go back to my natural black overnight and shocked the devil out of my Dale Carnegie class! So your article has made me think about going grey naturally...or maybe with some professional help. Thank you.

Bev G (author) from Wales, UK on November 28, 2018:

Hi Paula, mine was died blonde anyway, so I just let the grey 'highlights' take over. Had it cut shorter than usual and suddenly it was its natural colour.

Nowadays it's waist length but not as thick as it used to be, so probably time for me to hack some off. xx

Suzie from Carson City on November 27, 2018:

Hey Edge.....Nice article. BTW....CONGRATULATIONS on your Hubbie award! Way to go, girlfriend! Your hair is lovely. Mine is "getting there." Have been wondering lately if I should color it my dark brown natural shade until I finally become all white and then stop coloring. As I recall, that's what my mother did. Decisions, decisions.

Peace, Paula

Bev G (author) from Wales, UK on November 27, 2018:

Now there's a hub worth considering, Wes. To dye or not to dye?

Thank you :)

Wesman Todd Shaw from Kaufman, Texas on November 27, 2018:

Yours looks quite nice. There is a woman about my mother's age, and she had a daughter who I went to school with. Hers is very silver, and every time I see her I'm amazed at how attractive a woman she is at some years over 70.

Emmylou Harris is my pick for greatest silver haired woman, but I always thought she was super beautiful anyway.

Not enough hair on my head for me to even worry about it. It's not going silver, it's just falling out. Only way to make my head look decent is to shave it down to nada.

It's my chin where some changes are happening. Solid white stands out from the rest of it, which is solid black. I may very well start dying the face hair someday, and then later when it is all white, just let it be white.

Bev G (author) from Wales, UK on November 27, 2018:

I'm glad you did, Mr H xxxx

Mr. Happy from Toronto, Canada on November 27, 2018:

Hair holds Power. I for one do not colour it, or bleach it.

White/grey/silver hair is fine, in my opinon. It adds character.

Okay, no clue how I really got here. I do not usually comment on cosmetics. Haha!

All the best! : )

Umesh Chandra Bhatt from Kharghar, Navi Mumbai, India on October 11, 2017:

Basically it is your confidence and courage which decides these cosmetic things. If you are show off type person it may be difficult to adopt such brave measures otherwise being simple and rational is in itself a pride.

Anyway the article has brought out very nicely the subtleties of having grey hairs and is very motivating for those who are standing in doldrums as regards to these matters.

Tzotzos Duck on May 30, 2017:

i agree with that...young peaple even dye their hair grey, why not love the natural grey ?