Let it all Go…. Gray!
The color gray…….cool, neutral, balanced
Gray hair = healthy hair, natural beauty, low maintenance, your true colors
Coloring my hair many years ago started out as something fun and different to do. Of course as time went on it was more about covering those nasty gray hairs and attempting to hold onto the color as long as possible. There are so many issues pertaining to hair color that we all put up with to maintain that youthful look. And today young people are paying big bucks to go gray. WHAT?!
For starters I remember how hard it was to get the correct color that was appropriate for me. If I had a tan then I can go a bit darker but if not then I needed a softer brown because of my lighter skin color. And then the summer sun would fade the color out much faster and it meant a trip to the salon sooner than usual. My very fine hair didn’t need to be processed that often and I’m not really a hat person. So it’s the nonsense of having fresh, beautiful color only to hide and protect it so nobody sees it!?
Then there’s the anxiety of having to change hair stylists for whatever reason. I found that to be more stressful than giving birth! Now we start from square one all over again in picking a color and explaining how we’d like them to style our hair. Usually after four to six months they get it right and all is good again. Remember to book your appointment if you’re going out of town; you can’t leave anything to chance. And if you’re going to be outside in the sun remember your hat.
Of course I can’t possibly leave out the expense of it all. From the time I’d walk into the salon to getting back out to my car it would be anywhere from $100 (in the early years) to $250 every five weeks. God forbid if I splashed in a few highlights. Don’t forget the necessary products needed for fading, shampoo for processed or damaged hair, etc. Tipping is not an option and I believe it’s necessary but it could cost a few bucks if the salon has various people performing tasks along the way; the person shampooing hair, maybe a separate colorist and then the stylist.
This may be all well and good until you start thinking about retirement and looking at your expenses. Is the gray removal an expense you’ll be able to maintain without your current paycheck? If not you may want to explore the option of working with your gray and choosing a style that showcases your “maturity.” I haven’t colored my hair in a few years and I have no regrets. Yes, it did take a while to get it the way I like it but it’s so darn worth it. In my opinion going gray is the exact equivalent to going bra-less (for guys it would be like going commando); it’s an amazing sense of freedom. Love it. My hair has never felt this good and I know it’s better for the health of my hair.
By choice I have an extra expense for one product that brightens my gray. When I’m in the sun there is a shimmer of a pastel lavender color that is very attractive. I will use the lavender product when I’m going out or when I feel my gray needs a little boost. They have various choices of color to choose from and I purchase this about twice a year. No hat is required ever again.
I go to my stylist (the owner) about every five to six weeks and never pay more than fifty dollars. The cut and blow dry are forty-five dollars and I tip the shampoo lady five dollars (I like her) and of course I don’t tip the owner. That is definitely on my budget!
My normal gray without the lavender rinse
The color looks richer after the lavender rinse
