I see Silver!

I'm making progress with some silver that's appearing! The rest of my hair looks like a calico cat but that's okay, I'm getting there.

I think I can!

That's my mantra, my hair is at an awkward stage right now.

The blond highlights are growing out,
the grays are coming in,
some dark roots are coming in,
there is some red dye left in my hair
and some natural dark brown down near the bottom.

I have some funky colors going on up there! LOL I'm determined to grow out ALL of the color though. I'm done with that, I keep telling myself that it will so freeing to not have to color every 4 weeks, not to have to worry about roots. I have no idea what it's going to look like when the process is complete, I guess that's the scary part.

August

It's been 4 weeks since the blond highlights and May was my last all over auburn color.  It's hard to see in this photo but the top of my hair is really white.  It's only been 4 weeks since my last cut, maybe this process will go faster than I thought.

Journaling my thoughts

Just some random thoughts and observations as I go through this process.

I find myself staring at women with gray hair! I've not gotten the nerve to actually approach a stranger but I keep admiring women with beautiful gray/silver hair! I love the different colors of gray.

I also find myself looking at women with hair dyed way too dark. I used to be one of those women. After almost every color I would come home and wash my hair at least 3 times a day the first week after coloring to "lighten" it up a bit. LOL

I can't wait to be free of the color! I am so glad that I found the courage to let the color go!

I called the hair salon this morning to schedule an appointment for a cut/trim next week. The salon owner answered the phone, someone else does my hair, and she remembered me! LOL She jokingly told me that they have women coming in to cover the gray, not get excited that the gray is growing in! They haven't had anyone decide to go gray and stop coloring in the salon before. LOL I'm a celebrity!

Going Gray Looking Great

goinggraylookinggreat

I spend way too much time at this site!

 It helped me confirm my decision to give up the color and be me!
I love the stories and photos of the women in their journey. It inspired me to start this blog and maybe someday I'll share my story there. I'm not quite that brave yet. LOL

My husband and kids weren't too supportive at first. My son emphatically said NO, that I could not have gray hair that it would make me look old. He has since recanted and says that it can be gray but just don't get it cut short. LOL
My husband sort of raised his eyebrows when I told him of my plan. Now he says that he is okay with gray/silver that he just doesn't like the salt and pepper look that some people have. I have assured him that I plan on getting silver highlights if my hair turns out darker. I want pretty gray/silver hair!!!!!

Even Lighter!

Outside in the sunlight it's even more blond! LOL
And I'm squinting because the sun was really bright out!
I'm getting there, it's going to take time though. Too bad I'm not a patient person.

I did learn after getting the blond highlights that I needed to change my make-up! My facial color was fading out so I needed to wear a blusher, which I hardly ever wear. Also my wardrobe has changed a bit as well. I'm finding that tans and browns look good on me which hadn't before. Being a redhead always stopped me from wearing the color red but now I'm looking forward to finding something to wear in red!

Blond Highlights

To help hide the skunk stripe and allow the gray to grow in I opted for blond highlights. Woah what a change! I had buyers remorse the next day. I've since adapted especially since I can see the gray shining through on top. This picture is right after I came home from the salon.
Next week I'm going for a haircut, nothing drastic just a good trim. I'll post pics again after.

Skunk Stripe!

Just adding some pics of the progression thus far.

6 weeks without color. Notice the skunk stripe that is forming?

I'm going gray, really I am!

I've made the decision to go gray. There I said it. I'm no longer forced to visit the hair salon every 4 weeks because I have a skunk stripe. My last all over color was in May. My hair has been auburn/red for over 20 years. My pre-dye color is dark brown.  I want to post pictures here of my progress along the way. This photo was taken at 4 weeks after my usual all over color.