grey

Written by

Jana

in

As I’m writing this E is brushing my hair (heavenly).

I love getting my hair brushed, my back rubbed, shoulders massaged, etc. E’s little fingers do them all so well.

But as she’s brushing E is pointing out all the streaks of grey (not so heavenly). I feel like I’m going to have to decide soon what to do about it. To dye or not to dye.

The odd thing about my grey is that it’s only on one side of my head–my right side. I have a theory that that side of my body is where I carry all of my stress. Perhaps it has been ‘damaged’ by the cancer, chemo, surgeries, etc???

So…what do you think–does the grey add ‘character’? Is it a badge of maturity, a sign of a long-ish life lived well? Or is it time for Miss Clairol?

Comments

7 responses to “grey”

  1. strange bird Avatar
    strange bird

    I would say it depends on whether it bothers you or not.

    My mom used to pluck her grey hairs out, until my brother told her that if she didn’t stop she would be bald soon. She dyes now.

    As for a sign of maturity or adding character… nah. I think it’s just grey hair. Some people like the look of it, and some people don’t.

    Reply
  2. Holly Avatar
    Holly

    I colored my hair for over two decades–I did the standard thing of changing my muddy brown hair into a glorious artificial blond–and decided to give it up a few years ago because: it’s a pain in the ass, it’s bad for the environment, the chemicals burn my head, etc. And wouldn’t you know, that’s when I started going seriously gray.

    I don’t know that gray hair adds character, but it certainly adds texture. I dont’ mind the color as much as the crazy wiry-ness of it.

    And by the way, my little brother has one eyebrow that is almost completely gray. Just that eyebrow–the left, I think. It’s really funky, and it takes a minute to figure out what’s different about his face.

    Reply
  3. John Avatar
    John

    I have two gray hairs above my left temple that I refuse to pluck out.

    (Maybe I’d rather have the gray hair than none at all?)

    Jana: I love the thought of you having that all-natural, distinguished yet sexy streak of gray. Add glasses and a sexy tweedy ensemble…rowr!

    Reply
  4. jana Avatar
    jana

    My worry about going grey is that someday John and I will be together and someone will mistake me for his mother rather than his wife.

    Reply
  5. Brooke Avatar
    Brooke

    Growing up, I used to think that I’d grow gray gracefully like my mom’s sister (my mom dyes) because it was genuine and natural. Now, as I notice the wrinkles forming on my face and how I feel about them, I’m not sure I’ll follow through. But I guess that depends on when I see my first gray hair…I think I don’t want to dye my gray simply because I never have dyed my hair (out of convenience–and then think of growing it out if you ever wanted to…!). I say don’t dye.

    Reply
  6. jana Avatar
    jana

    Holly:

    Do you know if grey hair retains its rather unique texture after you dye it? My grey hair is pretty wiry, too, and likes to stick up at odd angles–while the rest of my hair lies flat (completely flat–I’ve been told by hairdressers that they’ve never seens such straight hair…)

    Reply
  7. john.white Avatar
    john.white

    I love that your updates put your posts back in your site feed. I’m catching up on 65 posts!

    Grey hair is risk of becoming a Quaker. Side-effect? A sign of distinction. That being said, do what makes you feel good.

    Gray hair, on the other hand, is yucky.

    Reply

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