For the Sake of the Call

For the Sake of the Call

Jan. 19, 2008 - Pluck it? Dye it? or Embrace it?

This is a totally frivilous post, but I just have to know: pluck it, dye it, or embrace it?

Over the past several months, I've noticed more and more gray strands of hair as I gaze into the mirror. I consider myself quite fortunate that I've just begun to notice them. My mom started going gray at age 19 and I was sure I'd follow in her footsteps. Even my younger (by 2 years) sister has numerous gray hairs which have accumulated over the past several years. Now that they've started appearing on my own head, I find myself in a quandry: pluck it? dye it? or embrace it?

I used to dye my hair with regularity. I started dying my hair after my freshman year of high school yearbook picture was taken and my hair was so dark that my skin looked yellow. Various shades of red (auburn, strawberry blonde, maroon) were my preference and I even continued dyeing my own hair when I went off to college. There I met Prince Charming who practically dared me to let my hair grow out, which I did. He prefers it natural, so I have not dyed it since, but I always told him that once I started going gray, I'd begin dyeing it again. After all, that's what my mom has done and she looks years younger than her natural counterparts!

But dyeing your hair is a hassle! It's expensive too! Even if you do it yourself, but especially if you pay someone to do it for you. And it's just another thing to add to the list of things that must be done regularly. Don't I have enough of those already? Plus, I've learned that hair dye is not really safe and can actually be cancer-causing, especially when using darker dyes. Am I willing to risk my health for the sake of vanity?

So should I embrace it? Some people do and even quote Scripture verse about gray hair being a glory. I always prefered the idea that, "if the barn needs painting, paint it!" but maybe there's validity to embracing the natural beauty (?) of gray hair. Honestly, that's a tough pill for me to swallow. My eyes may be tainted by worldliness and vanity, but I don't see the beauty in salt n' pepper hair. Now there was a gorgeous woman at my old church who had stunning silver hair. But still, she was in her 50s or 60s, not her 30s!

But there's one other problem. These gray hairs which are appearing in my head do not behave like the other hairs on my head. No, they're quite rebellious buggers who like to Stick. Straight. UP. They're kinky too! For now, this has left me with only one option: pluck it! All the while, holding my breath, and daring all of the old wives to replace the one rebellious hair with two. Oh and they're not really gray, they are pure WHITE!!! My question and concern is this, will all of my (gasp) white hairs behave in such a rebellious fashion so that someday my entire head is covered with kinky hair sticking straight up?!? I'm afraid that no amount of dye can save me in such an occurance! I'm honestly quite frightened by the prospect.

So, I turn to you dear internets. What say you? Pluck it, dye it, or embrace it? Do you too have rebellious white hairs invading your head? What, pray tell, is a girl to do?

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Jan. 19, 2008 - Untitled Comment

Posted by psalms16vs2

Well, I have quite a bit of gray hair. I nice long section, my older sister likes to point out. I've had gray hair since my young 30's, I'm 39 now. I do want to dye my hair sometime, more out of fun than anything else. I really don't have the money to spend on keeping my hair dyed, so I've just never let myself think on that. It's just an expense I can't justify right now. I don't have any curly ones sticking straight up. I do like the natural look of women with long, graying hair. So right now, I'll probably leave my hair as is. If we all of sudden had more money, and I could afford to keep it colored, would I? I really don't know. And I have to much to pluck, so that's out of the question. Sorry, I know this was rambling, and probably didn't answer anything. :)
JoAnn

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Jan. 19, 2008 - I say, pluck it for now.

Posted by REInvestor

And begin to embrace it so that in your 40's it becomes not really a big deal. I think the biggest reason not to dye is the dangers of junk in the dyes that cause other problems down the road. I guess I am a big health nut but I do base many of my decisions on things like that.

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Jan. 19, 2008 - <i>Untitled Comment</i>

Posted by socalval

Ah, I got to the point that plucking just wasn't going to work - my head was too sore the next day. I had too many to pluck! Now, dying my hair was a problem because it would grow too fast and you could see the roots... so, I am only dying in patches... well, not like a quilt, but rather streaks. I dye it my natural color in streaks where most of my gray is... and it is working!!! It has been a lot less of a hassle since I've been doing it this way - will that work for YOU???

Valerie

Edited by socalval on Jan. 19, 2008 at 4:51 PM

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Jan. 19, 2008 - <i>Untitled Comment</i>

Posted by stillgrowing

I used to dye my hair too, for many years, and my husband didn't seem to mind if i didn't go too far from my natural color, which is just about as dark as yours! There's not much else you can do with really dark hair......and I always think the ones who dye their dark hair light blonde just don't look like they were born blonde.

But then one day about 5 years ago my Samantha said to me, "mama, I don't want you to dye your hair anymore. I think you look good with your normal hair color." So I never dyed it again. My husband does not seem to mind me au natural.

I think, if I may be so bold, that you ought to do what your Prince Charming wants you to do. Submitting to him in this area (not like it's a huge fight or anything) will gain you peace.

However, I have been known to pluck those ucky, prickly, unruly white or gray hairs when they pop up.....just be sure you aren't gray all over, because if you DO pluck them, do you want to pluck ALL of your hairs out????

Keep us posted on this saga!!

LOVE
Leanne in Longview WA

Edited by stillgrowing on Jan. 19, 2008 at 5:10 PM

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Jan. 19, 2008 - The big hairy deal

Posted by AHappyHome

You ought to do whatever you like with your hair, although if I personally were plucking, I'd be half bald by now! I've been graying since my mid-20's. I'm now 37 and half gray, and for reasons of health (I got sick of pouring chemicals onto my head that I knew were soaking into my scalp), time (everytime I turned around, it was time to dye AGAIN), and money, I just let it all grow out gray. I asked my hubby if he minded. He asked me if I minded that he was going bald (nope!).

Unlike you, ("I don't see the beauty in salt n' pepper hair"), I really do. It's an affirmation that yes, I am getting older, but I am ok with that. And personally, I like the look of it, the softness of my hair, and the freedom going "au natural" up there gives me.

But, you know, it's not the first time I've bucked the norm LOL You're beautiful, you know, however you wear your hair. Be good to yourself.

Blessings,
Keri

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Jan. 19, 2008 - Untitled Comment

Posted by blessedmomof10

My hair is graying.......it doesn't bother me one bit.... I figure if it doesn't bother God, why should it bother me?! :) Plus I do not have the patience to re-die it ever few weeks...... not only that died hair always looks... welll "died".... I can always tell when a woman dies her hair..... the texture looks different......

Then again I really don't think God cares one bit if we die it or not...... :)

Blessings~~
gloria

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Jan. 19, 2008 - Untitled Comment

Posted by Honeybee

I'm having a very hard time with this right now--especially in light of the health things I've been learning. I think if I were to go a la natural I'd have to cut my hair very short to start. The "stripe" is sooo bad on me! I know that my grey is not a pretty grey & I know that it does affect my mood. Hmmm. Not good. So, I can't tell ya a thing except just WAIT till you look in the mirror one day--with power 10 because you're blind as a bat from old age--and you see white!!!! eyebrow hairs! That scared me more than the grey! Ick!

Ohh...we do have a few things to talk about, don't we! heehee

Bummer about this week, but next should be good too. Just let me know. I'll be looking forward to it. Thanks for your encouraging notes! Love ya! :)
Me

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Jan. 20, 2008 - Untitled Comment

Posted by Anonymous

I'm a firm believer in plucking stray ones. Until I hit PMS or am going on a trip or am going to see people I haven't seen in ages. Then I'm a firm believer in coloring it. Until I'm feeling confident and perky and fun. Then I'm a firm believer in embracing the gray hairs. Until I need to pluck them again.

Cindy
www.stillhisgirl.blogspot.com

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Jan. 20, 2008 - Embrace 'Em, Sister!

Posted by abbersmom

Angel--
I found my first grey hair (ok, it was WHITE too...and sticking straight up!) on my 26th birthday. Not exactly what I'd asked for.

My mom has beautiful white/silver hair. It suits her perfectly. Mine, on the other hand, isn't so lovely. I plucked it for awhile. Then started with the dye. Now I just embrace it and go with the flow. It saves your sanity, and your pocketbook, in the long run.

Just wait until you find a grey EYEBROW hair!

Blessings--
Dana
www.mysimplegifts.blogspot.com

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Jan. 20, 2008 - Untitled Comment

Posted by SeekingJESUSnTeachingKIDS

I only have one gray hair right now. It is also wild at times. I have black hair naturally. I have never dyed it at all. I am not sure what to do either. I can't really do much with black. I can get highlights but they will have to be darker. If I do anything too light I could look like a skunk gone wrong ;p Well those are my fears. I will be back to see your advice. Oh and my husband thinks it's cool to have gray hair and I should just let my hair be natural:o We'll see what he says when it happens-lol
:>Michelle

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Jan. 22, 2008 - Untitled Comment

Posted by chickadee@afamiliarpath.blogspot.com

i have no idea what everyone else said since when you click on comment here you go straight to a comment box and don't get to preview all the comments first. but i say dye it. i highlight my hair and it is one of the best indulgences i do for myself. i love the time at the salon, in the chair, her washing my hair. and then i always feel like i got a face lift or something when i come home and my hair is fresh and sunkissed. (sound like a commercial yet?)
anyway, i think when we look better we feel better and feel younger. my husband likes that i get my hair done. he always comments, did you get your hair done today? and tells me i look beautiful and that makes it worth it.

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Jan. 23, 2008 - Untitled Comment

Posted by Daisy

I totally agree with chickadee. Go to the salon, get the whole experience. There are not many ways that moms pamper themselves-- the kids always get the new shoes, clothes, toys, etc. This is one way to help you feel good about yourself, and put a little spring into your step. I had to start dying my hair a couple of years ago because the grey was getting ot be too much. I go to the salon 2 times a year for a cut and color, and then do the home dye in between. Maybe when I am in my 40's I will "embrace" the grey, but right now, I am 32, dangit, and I want to look it! But I am glad you reminded me-- I need to get my hair colored again.

Also, I too have found that the grey hairs are the ones with a life of their own-- they are more coarse, kinky, crazy. But if you pull them, they will just grow back and REALLY be sticking up, because they will be shorter than the rest of your hair. So resist the urge!

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Jan. 23, 2008 - To Dye Or Not To Dye

Posted by Anonymous

No right or wrong answer here. Personally I have so many that if I plucked them I'd have bald patches. I've seen some women that are so beautiful that they can pull off the grey hairs. Me...not so much. I dye 'em up real good and love that it keeps me looking younger. Grey hair adds a good 10 years to my look and my husband is too dang delicious to be dragging around a grey haired old woman. (Although he could probably care less....I do!)

Gayle
http://grace4gayle.blogspot.com

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Feb. 1, 2008 - highlight it

Posted by Anonymous

I will be 35 in aug. I too see a few more gray hairs.
So I get a $7.00 highlight kit at Walmart. I re-do it about every 3 or 4 months.
hope this helps,
Kelly

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About Me

Philosophical musings from the heart of a home-educating mommy of four and wife of ten years. "May the words of my mouth and the meditation of my heart, be acceptable in Thy sight, O LORD, my rock and my Redeemer." Psalms 19:14