Love Your Gray Hair: Silver Is the New Blonde

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.

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.

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.

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 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!