I guess I can call my hair long now. Maybe to be more accurate I should say mid-length. It has been fun, actually. I've been experimenting again with an updo that is appropriate for work. The top one is my favorite because it's easy, comfortable and I like the contrast of the small barette. The second one is a little more on the classic side. I use spin pins, but if you aren't careful, they can be like drilling holes in your head.
Several people have complimented me on the updo. It gives the illusion of short hair, which is a fun way to mix it up. I'm starting to wear it this way more often than not. I tell you what I would really like to try is a scrunchie. I know, I know. Stylish Young Co-worker made me promise I would never do it. But I think the right one wore low on the neck can be pretty. I bought this little braided twisty at Ulta -- it's not quite a scrunchie, but it's kind of heavy for my hair, and I haven't worn it in public yet. I like the overall effect. Who would wear scrunchies if it weren't such a fashion faux pas?
I just can't imagine why so many people find long gray hair unattractive. I've become quite vain about mine. I love looking at it and playing with it. I especially love the variations in color that you see when I wear it up. I went to an event this week and noticed all the women who dyed their hair, and they seemed rather blah to me. Who wants a wall of fake color when you get this naturally?
I'm growing my hair out and it's nowhere near the point that I an put it up but I love the look. My hair is naturally wavy and with the right product I can coax it do be downright curly. Its soft and shiny and like you I think it's really pretty. What girl doesn't love silver? That's how I think of my hair...as jewelry for my head.
Thanks for the ongoing inspiration to let it GROW!
Posted by: sara | January 14, 2012 at 12:01 PM
I'm right there with you on this post. You're updo variations are great. I also love my silver hair and am thinking about going a bit longer than the current chin length. I love the previous poster's comment about jewelry for her head.
Posted by: Marguerite | January 14, 2012 at 01:49 PM
I agree also. I see dyed hair on a woman over 50 as very harsh looking. I would not choose it--and could easily have my dyed if I thought it would look good. I like it the way it is!
Love your updos.
Posted by: Susan Daniel | January 14, 2012 at 07:01 PM
I love scrunchies, have never quit them, don't care what the ignorant youth think. They look and feel great, and I have never understood the hating on them. Why on earth are really high heels cool and scrunchies are not? Both sentiments make as much sense as a thousand years of foot binding ever did. Yes, I'm looking at you, Sex and the City.
I've been rocking long silver (curly! hence, the scrunchie love) hair for years. And I would like to know where the silver and/or gray hair accessories are?! I mean accessories that are literally silver or gray so that they will highlight and exalt the hair in question. Another proud gray boomer friend is always telling me that she and I should start a business in them before someone else thinks of it. So there, I just gave away this idea over the internet.
Posted by: Maru | January 15, 2012 at 12:21 AM
I think long grey hair looks fantastic but it has to be well-groomed. And your grey up-dos are fab.
Thank you for your lovely comment on my 'I'd rather be warm than cool post.'
Posted by: That's Not My Age | January 15, 2012 at 01:08 AM
Gorgeous!!! I SO envy you!!! Mine is taking forever to grow out from being short for so many years....AAARRRGGGHHH!! My sides have finally reached the same length as the back. I had it cut last week and she cut it a little short because now my sides are above my ear lobes...again! I doubt I'm ever going to have chin length hair!!! My hair is fine and I need to have some layers to give it body so it seems that when I get it grown out a little, I have to get it cut so it doesn't look flat as a pancake :( I've been going every 6 weeks but I'm thinking maybe I should hold out longer...what do you think???
Scrunchies??? Well, I always thought they were cute and still do. I've never been able to wear one because of short hair but always wished my hair were longer so I could. I love the one you are wearing in your hair.
I also love the updo's. Your hair is so pretty with the variations in color :)
Posted by: Colleen | January 15, 2012 at 07:18 AM
Your hair is exceptionally gorgeous! I wish mine were more like yours, rather than what it currently is...a rather blah mixture of fading dark brown with less than 10% gray, even at age 55. Those few silver streaks that rocket through my hair do remind me of shooting stars, and I love them.
Your updos are absolutely beautiful. I can only imagine the compliments you must receive.
Posted by: Elizabeth | January 15, 2012 at 07:33 AM
Sara -- you looked great with your short cut, and I can't wait to see you with longer hair.
Marguerite -- chin length usually looks fabulous, but you'll never know what it would look like a little longer unless you try.
Susan -- I agree. The dyed wall of hair looks harsh to me. I think the lighter colors of gray and silver suit our skin tone as we age.
Maru -- you are inspiring me to embrace the scrunchie! I so agree with you about the heels -- why is that cool to hobble around on stilts? Have you tried France Luxe? I've been browsing their site and saw some silver hair accessories. Here's a link:
http://www.franceluxe.com/
That's Not My Age -- Thanks for dropping by! You are right about being well-groomed. I definitely don't want what I call the "gray and crazy" look.
Colleen -- This is three year's worth of growth. I also have somewhat fine hair, and even my stylist said longer hair probably wouldn't work on me. I had trouble with flat hair when it was short, but I don't have that problem anymore. It's quite bouncy. I am very very careful about layers, which tend to make my hair look frizzy. I do not let them come near me with those texturizing scissors -- but that's just me.
I do think you have to reach a place in your head that says thick hair is not the benchmark of good hair. There is beauty in fine hair. It's so hard to get through that painful stage of growing out, but if you want to try it, you have to keep your eyes on the prize.
Elizabeth -- thank you. It's funny to hear anyone call my hair gorgeous -- enjoy your little silvers and love the hair you have.
Posted by: Donna Pekar | January 15, 2012 at 08:55 AM
Thanks for the encouragement, Donna :)
My hair is the same length as in your avatar.
Posted by: Colleen | January 15, 2012 at 12:42 PM
Beautiful! Your hair is so similar to mine...I quite often wear it up or back in each of the styles you modeled. My hair is fine too but I have lots of it since it's healthy now after years of dyeing it. I loved what you said about being a little "vain" about your hair (actually, I can relate...I am too). I love my hair, especially long..and my husband thinks long hair (any color) is sexy. Also loved Sara's comment (jewelry for the head-priceless)!
Posted by: Account Deleted | January 15, 2012 at 01:12 PM
You hair is looking great - I like the updo looks. Congratlations!
My sister (also silver) and I talked to the clerk in a thrift store the other day about going silver. We converted her on the spot to letting her dye job grow out. She wants to look "normal" by her son's wedding in October. I hope she can manage it. I told her "once it's done, you don't remember the growing out stage because it look so great in the end."
Posted by: Evalyn | January 16, 2012 at 10:52 AM
What beautiful hair! I'm over 50 and I have long hair and I like to pull it up too. I think it's easier than short hair because it doesn't need to be "fixed" every day. I do color it however - with highlights. I have little bits of gray coming in and they blend. If mine was a lovely silver like yours I'd let it be natural too.
Posted by: Barb - The Empty Nest Mom | January 17, 2012 at 04:39 AM
Love, love, love it!!
Posted by: Silver Chick | January 17, 2012 at 06:13 AM
This comment has nothing to do with up-dos specifically, but I just saw Paula Dean on TV (I live a cable-free life, so she's not a frequent visitor here), and she rocks the silver like nobody else. I love her hair. Not so much her crazy fake eyelashes, but her longer gray hair is gorgeous.
Posted by: Michelle | January 18, 2012 at 11:28 AM
I love your updo looks. My hair is about the same length and color, so I'm going to try the looks right away. Do you use anything special to maintain your pretty silver?
Posted by: makinalist | January 20, 2012 at 05:24 PM
Makinalist -- Thank you! I'm still experimenting with products. I use a blue shampoo about every two weeks. I find that I don't need to use it more often than that, plus I do find the blue shampoos drying. I've been using Matrix Essentials (Solutionist) So Silver. I've been using organic shampoo, conditioner, "hair repair" and styling gel. I like it, but I haven't been using it all that long, and I want to give it more time to make a complete evaluation. I've been using Miessence products, which I purchase online from Ely Organics. Here's the link:
http://elyorganics.com/
Posted by: Donna Pekar | January 21, 2012 at 08:59 AM
I'm in my fifties and I've never in my life gotten more compliments on my hair than I do since it turned gray. I've let it grow and it's about at the bra strap too, so it's even more striking, up or down.
Posted by: Raquel | January 28, 2012 at 11:26 AM
Donna, love your site and your gorgeous updos! I like how the natural variations in your hair are highlighted when it's pulled up and twisted. Very chic! Thanks also for the accessories link. I'm in the beginning stages of my second try at going gray and am searching for headbands to blur the lines a bit!
Posted by: monicajamesnyc@me.com | January 28, 2012 at 06:00 PM
Hi Raquel -- Thanks for visiting Rock the Silver! I'll bet some of those compliments are from men, too.
Monica -- I appreciate the feedback. The France Luxe site has some lovely accessories. I hope your transition goes better this time. It's hard, but it's so worth it.
Posted by: Donna Pekar | January 29, 2012 at 02:06 PM