Sunday, January 13, 2008

Color My World



Okay, ignore the fact that I need a haircut, and the wind has blown, it. I posted this pic as an illustration for my post. I'm getting older (every day) and my hair is quickly graying. Up to now I have never dyed my hair. Sometimes I watch makeover shows and I see how much gray hair ages a person, and it makes me think that maybe I should dye mine too. But here are my reasons for not doing it up to now.
1. Cost. If I go to a beautician to color it, it will be very expensive. I have one child in college, and one headed there soon, I can't afford those kind of luxuries.
2. Color. If I try to dye it myself with over the counter products, I'm worried I will get a color that will make me look like a corpse.
3. Continuation. Once you start, you can't stop without looking weird for a few months. I'm not sure I'm ready for that long term committment.
4. Courage. I knew a woman once who didn't dye her hair. It gave me courage that I didn't have to either. I felt like "Yes! This is the way nature intended! We can go gray and it's okay!". Then suddenly I saw her one day and she had dyed her hair. I have to admit, that made me feel more alone. Maybe I can be that support group for someone else.
5. Accomplishment. I have played an online pirate game. In the game if your ship gets sunk in a blockade, you can actually get a wound and wind up with a peg leg or hook for an arm, or an eye patch. Some people might think that ghastly, but most people who get an injury on the game look at it as a trophy. In some weird way, I feel kind of like my gray is a trophy. I earned every gray hair on my head.

Well, those are my reasons for not doing it, but it still doesn't make me look any better. I don't know that there is a reason to do it that would persuade me to overcome the reasons why I don't. I guess I will have to feel pretty ugly before I can ignore the all of these reasons.

8 comments:

Nene said...

I've always felt that having gray hair - which now is white - is my way of rebelling against the world of "dyers". Why dye your hair and look like everyone else? When your hair turns white it will set you apart from everyone else. I've never had anyone really tell me I'm beautiful, but they have told me I'm "striking". I've also noticed that people look twice at me...and they remember me. People stop me on the street and tell me I have beautiful hair. And my stake president makes it part of my temple recommend interview to promise him I will never dye it. :0)

Inklings said...

I like my hair better since it has gone gray, but if you decide to dye it, go two shades lighter or it won't look good. That's what professionals advize, anyway. You can do Lady Clairol, it washes out after so many washings, or so I hear.

~Kris said...

You can even go one shade lighter than your natural hair color, but don't go darker.
You can get semi-permanent hair color.
I have colored my hair since I was about 15, and can't imagine not coloring it.

Amber said...

I admit I dye my hair (and have since I was 20)- and if you don't believe I need it just ask K - cause I showed her the proof one time when she didn't believe that I have ALOT - and I REFUSE REFUSE REFUSE to let my hair go gray before sometime in my 50's. I dye my hair myself it probably only costs me $10-15 every 2 months or so (i dye more than i should). I do mine a shade lighter with red highlights and no one can tell it's not my natural hair color. I'm not saying you should or should not dye - just adding my thoughts on the whole dye issue LOL. Once it does go all the way white it is very beautiful!

Lindsay Logic said...

I have colored my hair since I was 16. My Mom always tried to get us not to color our hair due to the upkeep, but I look at pictures of my natural hair color and I am happy I chose to highlight. I need to go get it highlighted again sometime this week, but have been putting it off because of the time commitment and also because I don't want to spend the money. I like the way your hair has gone gray, because it just looks like it's been highlighted. It's very pretty. *L*

Native Minnow said...

If it helps you feel any better, I'm pretty sure I'm as gray as you. It's not noticeable to most people b/c I use gel, and that darkens everything, but trust me.

Max Coutinho said...

Hello D,

I saw your picture and I would suggest you to cut your hair differently. There is no need to dye your hair: just make it more stylish (that way you will look avant-garde)!

The reasons you presented are all valid (but I must tell you that if you dye at home you would look as good as if you were to go to a hairdresser - as long as you would thoroughly follow the instructions)!

Cheers

Unknown said...

I think you look like you which is great! no need to look like someone that is not you.
But if you must dye it i suggest violet or deep purple and maybe a mohawk! You would be the talk of the TOWN. :)
I really cant give a good respounce to this since i have no grey hair at all yet, even though most of friends are all grey are close to it, it doesnt run in my family.