silver sisters | Qglenda

30
Apr 16
2

Going Silver and Unsolicited Input

Tags : going blonde going gray going grey going silver gray hair grey hair hair color highlights no color silver hair silver sisters

Well, it was my turn to hear some not-so-flattering words from a friend. Recently, I was walking through my neighborhood and met my neighbor (who is my age) and her mother. It was a bright sunny day and I was feeling especially good. I had just returned from a trip to Hong Kong – Taiwan – Shenzhen – Dubai! They excitedly asked me about my trip and I regaled them with my tales. Out of the blue, the daughter asked, “Glenda, when are you going back to blonde?” I was puzzled and replied, “After 30 months of no color, there’s no way I’m going back to blonde highlights. I love my hair. It looks better and feels healthier–to me!” She responded with, “But, it will brighten up your face and make you look and feel younger!” I thought to myself, “Hm?! I feel good and definitely don’t think I look like I’m stepping into the GRAYve!” 😉 Take a look at the picture below … I think you’ll agree with me!

Thirty months, no color: Apr 3, 2016

I went on and expressed how embracing my silver and my age was invigorating and liberating. But my neighbor kept pushing, to the point where her mother started to agree with me. When I responded, I was mindful that they both color their hair and didn’t want to say anything that would come across as judgmental. I simply stated that I am comfortable with my age and everything that comes with it. As I walked home, I realized that my neighbor’s comments didn’t hurt or make me question my decision. I thought of my mother who has embraced her silver strands and started me on this path by setting an excellent example of living life to the fullest. And, I thought of all the beautiful souls on Facebook Forums who have encouraged me on the journey down Silver Linings Lane. I am so blessed. I am at peace and wish the same for others. So, I will continue to share my story and pictures hoping that my experience will help others break free from the social pressures of coloring their hair to “look young”!

Thirty months, no color: Apr 4, 2016

As always, I added pictures to my gallery from this month–my 30th month–of Going Silver. As you can see … I am living life to the fullest! Check out this video of me on the 124th floor of the Burj Khalifa! Oh my!

If you enjoyed this post, please sign up for more! And, please … feel free to comment. We Silver Sisters must support one another.

Thirty months, no color: Apr 1, 2016

Thirty months, no color: Apr 2, 2016

Thirty months, no color: Apr 3, 2016

Thirty months, no color: Apr 4, 2016

31
Mar 16
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Twenty-nine months, no color: Mar 17, 2016

Going Silver: A major trim and a trip to Hong Kong

Tags : going gray going grey going silver Hong Kong Millennial men natural highlights silver hair silver sisters

Many thanks to the kind women on the going gray Facebook forums who helped me decide it was time for a serious trim. My hair stylist cut off 5 inches and it looks thicker and healthier. I’m so glad I did it. Check out the featured picture to see the natural highlights coming from the crown of my head. Pretty cool!

So, back in February I posted about Millennial men dyeing their hair gray. Interestingly, I had not encountered one millennial male with gray hair in the US, but that’s not really surprising, I work in a solitary setting and do not get out much. However, in March I visited Hong Kong and walked around the city a lot. I was surprised to see so many young Asian men with obvious dye jobs. I wish I had been brave enough to ask if I could take pictures and ask them questions. Unfortunately, all I have are visual memories. In the short time I was there, approximately two weeks, I saw at least 15 guys with dye jobs. It was obvious … like the guy below.

Source: https://www.pinterest.com/pin/269441990183348685/

As usual, I added pictures to document the monthly changes … sometimes the lighting makes me look so blonde that I feel the need to prove that I’m turning silver. I find myself parting my hair down the middle to show my favorite silver spot (natural highlights). Only then, do people “see”. I guess I should be grateful that the process is taking a while … but, after seeing some of the stunning silver hair out there, I find myself getting a little anxious for more. Breathe Glenda, breathe!

I’d love to hear from those of you who are transitioning. Are you like me — noticing all the silver sisters and brothers out there and wishing that yours would fill in soon? Here’s to patience and enjoying the moment. I believe the pix below capture just how much I am enjoying this stage of my life! All thanks to the silver – I sparkle!

Twenty-nine months, no color: Mar 17, 2016

Twenty-nine months, no color: Mar 18, 2016

Twenty-nine months, no color: Mar 26, 2016 in Hong Kong

Twenty-nine months, no color: Mar 27, 2016 in Taiwan

Twenty-nine months, no color: Mar 28, 2016 in Taiwan

Twenty-nine months, no color: Mar 30, 2016 in Hong Kong

Twenty-nine months, no color: Mar 31, 2016 in Hong Kong

23
Jan 16
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Twenty-seven months, no color: Jan 22, 2016

Going Silver: And Your Friends

Tags : cycles of life going gray going grey going silver gray hair grey hair highlights lowlights no color silver hair silver sisters

Sharing my journey down Silver Linings Lane hasn’t been easy–it takes courage to stand up to social norms. Recently, a dear friend of mine confirmed that speaking out and setting an example is a good thing. Check out her Facebook post:

Wow, I inspired my friend! I’ve heard this from others–privately–but, was overjoyed to see Valerie’s post on Facebook. Our story has a unique twist. You see, Valerie inspired me–years ago. When I met Valerie we were in our 20s and she had prematurely gray hair. I thought it was cool, she carried it well, and looked great! When I considered going natural, I thought about Valerie and how good she looked with silver strands back in the day. Here are some pictures of us back in the 90s.

Glenda and Valerie in 1992 – You can’t really see the gray in this pic, but you can in the next. I just wanted to show us together!

Valerie in 1992 – Now, you can see the silver streaks!

And, here is my response to Valerie’s post and her story in her-own-words …

And, this is my beautiful friend now … on her way back down Silver Linings Lane.

My friend Valerie

We each have our own way of moving through this phase, but I have found a common theme. Once we’re on a roll, we see the stunning silver, and want a full head of it! Valerie told me, “I’m getting impatient already! My gray coming in is so pretty!! I do plan to eventually have a few lowlights periodically to break up the totalness, but it will be so much healthier and require less maintenance. I’m very excited for the journey.” And, so am I … for those of you who aren’t so sure about going silver. Just do it! There are others like me and Valerie who are happy to support you! Please subscribe to my blog and feel free to share your thoughts and emotions along the way. You will experience a lot of them – good and bad. We all have! But, it’s worth it … you will see! I’d love to hear from you! Let’s do this!

Twenty-seven months, no color: Jan 2, 2016; I really like my natural color – from the shoulders down you can see the old highlights/lowlights, but the top is all me!!