Go grey and go long?
It is a daunting combination for many women and I was no exception.
I remember very clearly the decision to leave my hair be and see what eventuated without regular highlights but I don’t actually recall deciding to grow my hair past my shoulders. A continual struggle with highlights – either too Goldilocks gold or orang-utan orange – where the colour either wouldn’t take or it took too intensely made the decision for me. The longer I left it, the more I let it be and it wasn’t without doubt or challenge. Going grey is a tough thing to do, not in the scheme of real life but as a woman looking in the mirror at a significant change and facing the future head-on. It has its tough moments.
The longer length happened in time.
Growing in the grey meant many haircuts and a shoulder or above the shoulder cut. My hair still didn’t look properly silver, like it does now. Today there is no turning back or if there is it means a serious investment and back peddle. During the “growing out phase” I observed women wearing their grey hair longer and came to the conclusion length could work. I liked the contrast of grey, seen for a particular age and stage, worn in a way traditionally reserved for a much younger woman.
If you told me ten years ago I would have hair past my shoulders and without colour I would have denied the suggestion rigorously; never say never.
Long hair in my world means mostly tied up.
It is either in a bun or barrette and maybe I will find myself with a permanent up-do. It’s an old fashioned notion and one that could work. As much as I like wearing it down, when it’s styled properly, the up and back styles are pretty easy. For now, my hair is long and long enough. How long it will stay this way, who knows? It’s a learning curve and a daily dilemma. I understand grey is not for every woman, we agree to disagree on that and it is the same for length. Long hair or short – what counts is what suits and what works for us.
Would you like to go longer?
A longer length does not necessarily mean set and forget. Growing out a haircut or working towards a new style takes perseverance, time and a few tricks. Bad hair days and indecision will become part of life.
*Regular haircuts make it possible. Little and often is the way to a longer length and especially with short layers. Take one out at a time and have the hair products nearby.
*Excellent condition, when growing out and growing long, is vital. Use a hair mask regularly.
*Invest in a professional blow-dry when possible. It makes the “bad-hair” days so much better.
*When the urge to cut is strongest have a barrage of photographs to inspire. I have a stock of “grey-headed beauties” on my computer who made it possible. When I doubted, I reflected and reinforced the mindset I wanted. I still look.
*Don’t take advice from well-meaning friends. You’ve got this. Try it, you might even like it and if you don’t a shorter look is only a hairdresser away.
*Invest in some fab sunglasses to love and a vibrant red lipstick. Always works and I should have been wearing mine in this pic.
*Use hair accessories – clips and hairbands – to keep it out of the way when it is in-between and won’t do what it’s told.
*Have patience, so much patience.
Long hair or not, grey or not, a change is everything and nothing has to be forever. Not even long hair. xv
Wear With The Grey
lace midi my favourite back in stock || lace and pintuck dress || broderie anglaise dress || x oliver peoples LA sunglasses
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