SWC 3: Silver Hair
Welcome to the third edition of Saturday With Cindy! This week we are talking about Silver Hair (& some other fun stuff!). Please watch this week’s video, then leave me a blog comment below letting me know your thoughts on the subject!
Highlights:
01:00 – Excuses to cover up your silver hair
01:40 – Why Cindy used to dye her hair
02:20 – There’s no such thing as silver hair
03:15 – Discovering what you look like naturally
04:15 – Growing your silver hair out and wearing it with pride
05:00 – Belonging to the club of women with silver hair
05:50 – Supporting women and leading them into the continual celebration of life
Saturday with Cindy, here I am, Saturday morning in my bathrobe, in my office. This is headquarters to boom. It’s actually a parlor in a big old Dutch Victorian. So you all came through with flying colors. You have given me more subjects to talk about, I don’t know where to begin. So I thought I would keep it simple today, and continue on with the subject of Silver Hair. Yes, yes, yes, that’s what it is. Mine is a little wet right now from my morning shower, and wow, how did you do it? When did you grow it out? How do you deal with the roots? My roots look bland, and they’re just salt and pepper, pwetter, and I don’t have beautiful silver hair like you. Excuses, excuses, I was just as afraid as everybody else, and all I did was cover the sides of my hair with temporary hair color that would wash out after 10 days. Which it never really does, it always leaves a residue of yellow, green or violet.
I did that for six years. I was dating a guy 16 years younger than me, number one, who begged me to keep my hair silver, as well as my kids did, but, I was like sorry, this is something I need to do. So I kept my little white stripe I had in the front, because it had become kind of a trade mark, but when it started growing in around the sides I just wasn’t ready. I wasn’t ready to be an old woman. I wasn’t ready to look like an old woman.
My energy was still vibrant and alive, which it still is, and I didn’t realize that I could look older and still have energy, and vitality, and passion. So what I wanted to tell you is, there is no such thing as silver hair. Who knew? There is white hair, and then the multitude of colors that hair comes in. All the different shades of red, and strawberry blond, black, blond and brunette, you go from head to head.
Everybody has so many different colors within their hair. What happens is when your hair looses all color it grows out white, but when it mixes with the other colors, it comes out in all these different ways. Now the back of my hair is a little bit darker than the front. Why, I couldn’t give you the scientific answers, but it happens. So everybody’s hair grows out differently, and when you’ve go this much grown out, and that’s all you see, and the rest of it is whatever dye you’ve put in your hair. You have no clue what it’s going to look like.
I highly recommend that you go to, “Going grey looking great”, Facebook page. “Grey and Proud”, Facebook page. If you don’t belong to Facebook, Google, “Going grey looking great”. Get the book, go to, “The Grey Cafe”, when you Google it, you’re going to have to go down, because there’s some restaurants called Grey Cafe. You’ll find the spot, and women send in the photographs of their hair growing in, stage-by-stage-by-stage, and then they leave before and afters of when they dyed their hair, and after it completely grown out in it’s full glory. Cute, short, cropped hair cuts. Curly, straight, fine, coarse, every imaginable shade and they all look fantastic.
When you wear it with style and with pride, I am telling you, I have had hundreds of reports from women that finally bit the bullet, dealt with the grow out period, which we’ve all experienced with bangs, or going from short hair to long hair. Well the same thing, you have to bite the bullet and grow that hair out, and you will be completely blown away. Not only will your spirit feel free, and you’ll have all that extra money in your pocket book to spend on a cute hair cut or clothes that will match your hair and make it look more spectacular than ever.
You’re going to belong to a club. You’re going to belong to the club, of the woman with silver hair. And you’re going to recognize each other on the street, and kind of have a little giggle with each other. It’s a whole different ballgame if you’re doing it for fun, and freedom, and to keep this pro age movement alive, and thriving, and growing.
What’s going to happen is right now we’re surrounded by woman that are still cowering from looking older. Cowering from going silver, thinking it’s bad, bad, bad. So there’s a few of us, but as it continues pretty soon, they will be surrounded by all of us, and we can support them and help them and lead them into the next stage of their life, which is not about slowing down, and becoming weak and miserable.
It’s about becoming powerful, and great, and sharing our wisdom, and leading our daughters and our nieces, and our friends who are younger than us, into the celebration. The continual celebration of life, because that’s what it is. I’m going to be quite alive until the day I die, and I want you to join me, let’s all do it with style. So I hope I’ve answered your questions. This has been fun, and I’ll see you next Saturday.
I am officially inspired! I have about 3 inches of growth–maybe 4. It is HARD to be patient. The best I can do right now is a ponytail…I can’t tell you how much it means to have this wonderful support!
My Hair was down to the middle of my back and I cut it all off to get to my gray. I have about 4 inches in layers right now and I love it. I have been doing this for about 6 months now and the problem is that my white/silver is turning YELLOW
it was a very vibrant silve/white and now it look dingy and yellowish. I don’t smoke or go to places that smoke and I am not in the sun much I live in Southern Oregon. I use Wen Hair care and I have read about Violet Blue & Purple shampoos?? I just don’t know what product to use to get out this ugly yellow tint. Please tell me what shampoo you use and the color base if it’s Violet, Blue or Purple or maybe none. I just want to know what you use Cindy and how do you keep the yellow tint away from your hair?
Thank you so much
Josephine
Hi Cindy, You are my inspiration to embrace my age, (and my gray) gracefully and with confidence and honesty! I’m in my early 40′s and have already gave up the hair dye, revealing about 50% gray so far. i didn’t think I would meet so much resistance about this decision, especially from my own mom! But I want to be one of those strong women who is not afraid to set an example, and show the world that age IS beauty, not other way around. So as I go forth baring my gray to the world, I am wondering how you keep your silver hair so soft and smooth looking? Do you have any good product recommendations, conditioning ticks, or maybe even a product line of your own in the making (hint, hint)?
Hi Cindy,
Can you please recommend a shampoo & conditioner for grey hair?
thanks!
Cindy, you inspired me to cut off all of my hair and become “au naturel”…I almost died of an infection last year, and it made me realize that I have much more important things to do with my precious life, than spend 150 bucks every six weeks on high lights! I am loving the freedom and the extra money( and the silver coming in is so pretty). I cut out the last bit of color since this picture last month and my husband and friends love it. I have been coloring my hair since age 13,
(I am now 50) and I am enjoying rocking the short silver hair!Thanks so much for your videos.I look forward to them, and to trying out your Boom products!
Love the video (always do) – I tried to find the gray cafe but could not find it.
http://w11.zetaboards.com/Cafe_Gray/index/
I believe this it. ?
Thank you Cindy. I love my age – 69.Have never colored my hair. Frustrated with it right now because it is silver white in front, dark brown on right side & back, & light brown on left side. Letting it grow out so I can find an attractive haircut. It has gone from wavy & thick to thin & straight. Just do not know what to do with it. Too short to pull back. Not short enough to let hang. How about some ideas for hair styles?
Go to Gray Cafe and see hundreds of ideas for hair cuts! And check out Diana Jewell’s book, Going Gray Looking Great. fhttp://w11.zetaboards.com/Cafe_Gray/index/
Cindy do you have any tips on how to find a good photographer? I just want a good picture of myself with my silver hair. I have never had a professional picture taken but want one for my daughter and possible future granddaughter(s) that shows you can look beautiful as we age naturally.
Sorry, I actually do not have a clue. I would google photographers in your area and choose one who’s photos you really like.
Cindy was my original inspiration (her pictures at least) to stop dying my hair nearly 2 years ago and I am ‘only’ in my early 40′s. It was a long process, first to stop dying my hair and watch all those ‘wirey’ whites come through!! then I had all my hair cut off (which I don’t recommend – grey AND short in one go from Long luscious dark locks, was a bit overwhelming – you need good self esteem to do that one!). But 2 years on – using Cindy constantly as my inspiration – I don’t care anymore about the ‘grey’ (i am about 80% white on the sides and about 20% elsewhere…).. I think as long as you have a good hairstyle – one that suits your face shape and personality, and you really look after your hair / and looking healthy in the face – then ‘grey’ can look lovely… I think it makes me look older but I don’t care – it’s about looking healthy not younger (like Cindy says)…
Cindy – The odd thing is many of my friends, family and co workers have told me that my silver hair does NOT make me look older, which was my worry. I can’t imagine all those people would lie to me so please let women know that going silver does NOT automatically translate into looking older! It really does not.
For one of your Saturday talks I would love and need to learn more about what colors to wear with my new long silver.
Thanks for this video and please keep it going.
love the message cindy – i love my hair it’s natural color (salt & pepper) also. see you next week!
Brilliant! I’m just one cut away from my own natural self (tiny bits of brown on the end now but not much) and I’ve never been happier with my appearance. I just went to have a ‘mooch’ in the sales, for work clothes and there is just so much lovely stuff out there that goes with grey/white/silver/platinumn hair. Being grey and looking great not only boosts your confidence in your appearance but it pushes you on to be positively assertive about other aspects of your life, too. I agree with Cindy about being a positive role model for our daughters and nieces, too. All of the above (and daughter-in-law) like my hair and I think it will help them to make decisions about their own hair when the time comes. It’s really true that you have to wait until it all grows out to get the true effect. It’s like opening a present, all shiny, silver and glowing – a great feeling. If you are considering it, my advice is ‘Don’y hold back’. Yes, it takes a while for the dye to grow out but a good hair dresser will help you. I have the beautiful Andrea, who has helped me on this journey and made me feel great, throughout. Do’nt hestitate – just do it!
Karen
Evidently I did not need to read anything about going gray. I just got tired of being lurid auburn. I am wonderful silver, white and variable underlying black. I get compliments. If we keep making choices to be healthy, engaged and sexy, compassionate and kind and carry a sense of humor instead of baggage, the rest will follow.
I decided to grow my grey hair out several years ago and it is now a beautiful shade of silver-platinum–very similar to Cindy’s hair (white on top and sides, darker in the back). People constantly stop me to comment on my hair color. However, mine isn’t completely natural. If I use only regular shampoo my white hair gets yellow-ish tones eventually. The person who cuts my hair sold me on a shampoo that tones down the yellow and plays up the platinum. Several companies manufacture these (Clairol, Pantene, Jhirmack, etc). I love BOOM products and the pro-age movement, but sometimes we need to help mother nature. Cindy–do you use anything like this for your hair?
I have tried Clairol Shimmer a couple times. It does not seem to change anything. I understand that these shampoos take off any build up of product residue and environment “stain.” I have not studied it myself, so don’t really know if this is in fact true. With the purple color, I believe it must deposit some kind of cool color to offset any yellow. If it makes your silver hair look awesome, Im all for it!
I am a natural blonde and 58 years old. I have NEVER colored my hair. Now when I go to the salon to get a hair cut they ask me who colors my hair…at times they do not believe me that I never have.I love the aging process. I am so glad I never colored my hair. I have the ultimate natural high lights…..Love you Cindy…
I decided a long time ago when my hair started turning silver that I was not going to color my hair. I am now 60 and I receive more compliments on my silver hair than I ever received with my original hair color. I wear my hair short similar to Jamie Lee Curtis. Thank you Cindy for your anti-aging message!
Ok..I’m inspired! I’m going to try it again….no more dye and color. I was surprised to hear of your hesitation to go white in the beginning…glad I’m not alone in my emotions. Thanks for sharing and helping me break through the barrier. PS…my skin just loves BoomSilk! Best thing I ever did for my face!…along with BoomSticks, of course!
Hi Cinde.. what a great segment on gray or silver hair. I am a member of Ravelry which is a knit and crochet on line community. There I started a group called “Gray Is O.K.” I was shocked at how many women joined in no time, overnight it seemed. They are there for one another and supportive of those that are growing into their new hair color….in fact, that is where I found out about you and your makeup, which I love. Thank you so much for your inspiration…Darrell
I’ve had white/silver hair for 10+ years now and was very happy to see a video discussing it. It was a nice support video but what I found missing was “how to get the yellow out”. I struggled with yellow hair for a long time; people thought I was a blonde until I discovered the right shampoos and rinse to keep my lovely white hair white.
Now that would be a good video to do….not all of us go to hairdressers and the tips from them about product and…. how to hide scalp under thinning hair would be invaluable. Maybe you could have a “tip” section on your website?!
Thanks for your support.
Thanks for sharing, Cindy! As you know, you were my inspiration to join the silver hair club, and I’m so glad I did. Everything you’ve said is so true! I couldn’t count the number of compliments I’ve received since going au naturel, and people tell me I look younger now than I did while I was dying it. Bravo to you for your empowering message! Love you.
Cindy, you are quite an inspiration! Thank you.
You rock arlene!
Great message, love your philosophy, using Boom sticks for 2 years and love them. Gray is coming in, will be a crown to my aging and experience, I hope. Thank you!
I wish I had more grey, I’m 57 and it’s taking it’s time. age or sun spots, I see somebody addressed that issue. I also notice Im losing pigment in my eyelashes
and. eyebrows. I hate makeup, is tinting them a good idea?
Hi Cindy,
You are so inspiring! Love these Vlogs. I am 51. I stopped coloring my hair In November because I wanted to be free of the constant barrage of chemicals on my roots. It was amazing, but as soon as I stopped, my hair grew in thicker and fuller and the texture improved. I think the dye was causing a lot of breakage and plugging my hair follicles which was preventing new growth.
Just googling “hip gray haired women” images brings a ton of inspiring photos. I have a very cute bob haircut that is is growing in, but I am in that dreaded in-between stage where my pewter ( with some beautiful silver) in my bangs are mixing with my mosey brown hair right at the middle. I am about halfway grown out. During this awkward stage, it is easy to loss heart so It was so great to listen to you this morning. I am taking your advice and staying with it until I can truly see how it looks all grown in with my silver.
My husband has been extremely supportive, He thinks it will look nice when it is all grown in, It can bee tricky with the guys, and your work colleagues, but depending on how you style it gray hair can look extremely hip. There have been many friends who are also very supportive. Still, there are some friends who really have bought into the idea that they would never want to look old or their age and cannot understand where I am coming from. Youthfulness does not come from a dye-bottle it comes from your attitude to life. Buy-in is the correct expression… We all age… and it is a great thing and healthier mentally to accept it. As a breast cancer survivor, All I can say is for the years—keep ‘em coming!
We have a warped sense of youth and beauty from the fashion industry considering we are bombarded with images daily of women half our age and photoshopped to perfection as the measure of how we should look. Here’s to you Cindy, for championing the pro-age revolution-a voice from that industry- giving us support, and guidance. Thank you for being a true role “Model”.
Thank you Cindy. I as a woman of color and of a certain age (56) have had problems with my hair for quite some time. Then I decided to grow locks. I still struggle with the reactions from others but it is by far the most liberating thing I have ever done. The grey is just part of a process I am beginning to enbrace. I feel empowered by tuning in to your videos. Thank you for helping me with my transition. I am an aneurysm survivor (3 of them). I’ve dealt with a shaved head and two other non-invasive procedures and my head is dented lol. I am blessed to be alive and I want my quality of life to reflect my graciousness. Living to the fullest is all I ever wanted to do. I am on my way.
Hello! I enjoyed reading your story. After my mom had a craniotomy for removal of a tumor (at age 81) she stopped “tinting” her hair. She was beautiful before and after. I lost her in her 94th year. I am aging and my sisters “tint” their hair. I am chemically sensitive and must learn to accept myself this way. I wish you good health, joy, and self-acceptance.
Yours is an inspiring story by far! Bravo and congratulations.
I would love to know your description of “locks.” I was thinking
that you mean you are letting your hair be its natural texture but was not sure.
We all go through many stages of surrendering and loving our next stage in life. And to share our individual stories helps each of us a little more.
I think we can get past ” accepting” out age, color, shape and size and start celebrating it all. THAT is my goal. So delighted you are here and a part of this revolution!
Last night I watched the very last episode of Star Trek Voyager (the series with Kathryn Janeway as captain). With all the change and the technology and the improvements of that future, I was pleased to see that silver hair was embraced by all. A future that could very well be a reality for us as well with videos like these. Keep up the great work! By the way, I’ve been salt and pepper for years now and have never looked back. Many people compliment me on it, saying that it looks like I paid to have highlights put in my hair … but it’s all free! Freedom!!!
I love my silver hair. It began in my late 40s with what looked like “frosted” hair. There was even a co-worker who insisted I had done it professionally. Hah! She wouldn’t believe me and even asked my hairdresser. I’m 67 now and have worn it short and sassy for years. I’ve loved all the compliments I’ve received about my hair. Some women have even been inspired to let theirs go grey–and they look so much better.
Two things I have a question about: Facing eyes and age spots.
Eyes: My lashes and brows are thinner and my eyes seem to fade into my face more. What do you suggest to get the eyes to show up again. Most eyeliner is too dark–we need something for older women.
Age spots: What, if anything, really works to reduce them?
Thanks for waking all us older women up to our natural beauty!
I loved this one! I decided to quit dyeing my hair about three month ago. Each time I pay $40 for a haircut rather than $115 for the artful weave I had before, I just smile a little wider. You’re so right about not knowing what your hair will look like when you just see the silver stripe on top. I’m loving the process and I’m so excited to see it all grown out! Thanks for your inspiration! And for your Boomsticks! I love them. I bought Boom Color sticks for my daughters who are in their thirties, and they love them as well!
Loved the video today! I bit the bullet 5 years ago
Took four years to grow out the ugly dye and finally uncover my beautiful long silver hair! And it is lovely, and on purpose. I must say that seeing you in the clothing catalogs of the day was my inspiration, along with my mother who, as I was growing up, had always pulled her gray patch out from under her hairline and spayed it so it would show! She now has a mane of gorgeous silver hair, in a darling short and curly cut.
Thanks for the revolution Cindy!
HI Cindy! LOVE, LOVE, LOVE your videos. You are SO inspirational.
I am 58 with shiny black hair, till people get up close, do they see the white. It is unbelievable how many tell me to color my hair (well, you all know).
I’d like to hear thoughtsor comments from you and your fans in regards to applying for jobs with white hair.
Thanks Cindy. Have a great week!
Woo-HOO!!!!!! AMEN! RIGHT ON! Cindy, this is what the women of the world need to hear. You are who you are and you are beautiful. . . .celebrate and Rock it.
Keep shouting the message because you have the exposure and we worker bees will be backing you up in our circles on the homefront!
Love Boomsticks! You’ve given me the inspiration! to be free of hair dyes, but what to do with the dreaded THINNING ?! Surely there’s other women-of-a-certain-age experiencing this ‘phenomenon’? Thank you, Cindy!
Thanks to you Cindy, I have been a member of the silver hair club for 5 years. No regrets…I have enjoyed spending the money I would have WASTED on hair color to buy new clothes and makeup to match my real hair color. Silver hair can be a gift if you give it a fair chance. Patience is key ! Thank you Cindy. Love the Saturday morning messages.
Great way to wake up on a Saturday morning! Thanks for all the info; although I’m not there yet, I am going to share this with my mom and watch her “glow”!
Good Morning. Great Message……..you definitely got me thinking.You are an inspiration!