To Go Gray or Not to Go Gray

A year or two back, I remember sharing with a very frank friend that when my hair was full-on salt and pepper, I would consider coloring it. She exclaimed, “You are salt and pepper!”

Yikes. Not sure if was my bathroom lighting or what, but I just didn’t see all the gray.

But the full reality of my gray hit me after seeing a picture of myself from the Oyster Festival a few weeks back. (See above.)

Yikes again! That photo confirmed I was officially (way) more salty than pepper.

I’ve never fussed much with my hair. I’m more of a wash-and-wear kind of gal, although I confess, I did dabble with hot rollers until I was in my 40s and started getting shorter cuts.

I never used hair products like mousse or gel until I started trying out my teenage daughter’s products and realized how much I liked them.

So, my dilemma now is: to color or not to color—to cover up the gray.

Honestly, it’s less about vanity and more about chemistry.

I think I might have a little PTHD (post-traumatic hair disorder) from the summer I mixed too much Sun-In with too much chlorine and ended up as blonde as Barbie. I started high school half blonde, half brown—it didn’t go well with my Farrah Fawcett hairdo.

I tried highlights a couple of times over the years, but they never looked natural, and I always found myself just waiting to grow them out because I didn’t like them.

Coloring is a commitment.

Most of my friends are not gray (anymore). I’m pretty sure most of them color it—and they look great.

My husband was salt and pepper in his 30s and now has a full mane of white hair (thick hair is his consolation prize for going gray so early).

If I’m being honest, it’s not so much the gray, it’s about looking older.

I remember one winter while living in D.C., my husband and I were renting skates at the skating pavilion when the young gal checking us out (barely looking up) asked my husband if he wanted the senior citizen rate! I thought it was funny at the time, and luckily, my husband didn’t give a hoot—but let’s face it: when people see gray, they see “older.”

So, as I get more salty than pepper, I need to face the season(ing) that I’m in.

I guess I’ll stick with salty for now. Salty has flavor. Grit. Texture. Weathered. Seasoned.

But I’m leaving all my options open.

Because really, we’re as young (or as old) as we feel, right?

I don’t feel “old” at 61, so it doesn’t matter if I look it. And even if I do, it’s part of the becoming of age. I’m earning my stripes as I graduate to this next chapter of life.

Would love to hear from you...

What makes you feel saltier and sassier—gray or no gray?

Any suggestions if I decide to color in the future? I could use some advice!