Going Gray...or Steel, Pewter, Silver, Platinum, Sterling?

Gray is beautiful, and gray hair is in!  There is even a few super heroes to represent the strength of a grey streaked women both are in X-Men, "Storm and Rogue".  Gray left to its own device can be blah.  Sometimes it just needs a little nudge.  A bit of creamy blonde can pull the tone out of a dull gray category and transform it into a color I like to call "Swedish Blonde".  A better option for some is a bit of depth replaced with a lowlight to increase contrast with your skin tone.  Apart from whether it looks good is the perception that it ages you.

Sherry Maysonave elaborates in her book Casual Power, "Gray hair can be empowering or it can totally disempower an individual.  If gray hair suits your coloring and if it has a bright sheen to it, rather than a dull, tired tone, it can work well for you.  However, for this to be true, the cut and style of gray hair must reflect an updated look.  If the style is freeze-dried somewhere in the past, gray hair contributes even more to a not-living-in-present-time statement.  The problem with that, especially in the workplace, is that your hair can send the message that 'you' are tired or that your ideas and work methods are not up to date either.  On the other hand, stylish gray hair (in good condition) can convey that you have years of experience and possibly, wisdom, which can contribute to an authoritative air."

I want to see you in the salon when you want a lift or a treat instead of because your a slave to your roots! Check out the images below as well as some of the literature and websites I have found to be inspiring.  I hope the visuals will help you start thinking of the many options available to you.



Diane Sawyer "Swedish Blonde" using highlights to bridge a gray to a blonde.
















Embrace the white and add a silver hue with a cool toned gloss.



Add a bit of steel lowlights to create a pewter tone.



Diane Keaton has a beautiful example of highlights and lowlights.  This will add a touch of depth but will be easy to maintain.



A great way to transition out of high maintainance all over color is to leave a bit out in the areas that show first.  This is a softer version of what Anne Bancroft sported in "The Graduate".





I highly recommend:
BOOK:  Anne Kreamer's book "Going Gray, What I Learned about Beauty, Sex, Work, Motherhood, Authenticity, and Everything Else That Matters"
BLOG:  Want to Go Gray All the Way?  How to Go Gray Gracefully                                             
WEBSITE:  Going Gray Looking Great! Make every stage of going gray absolutely fabulous!
The official website of the first and only beauty bible for women of all ages who want to know how to make every stage of going gray absolutely gorgeous.