The empowerment (and discrimination) I faced when I let my hair go grey

[@mmercer93]

Yes to all of this! I stopped coloring my hair 2 years ago and it is the best decision I ever made for all of the reasons these ladies talked about.

[@fishing_amy]

I am in my 40's and I have let my hair go natural and I'm embrassing my gray hairs. I've earned everyone. My best friend died last year and I know she would be doing the same thing with me.

[@monikaazariah9237]

So sorry that you lost your best friend...and I'm sure you rock those silver strands with your confidence

[@cathi3228]

I didn't start coloring my hair till I was in my late 50's. You know why I started, family peer pressure!!! My mom and sister were always on me about it so I let my sister do it for me. I am a bit lazy about it so it would go weeks longer before we'd do it again. I'm 66 now and haven't bothered the past few yrs and don't plan to. We are exposed to enough chemicals without adding more. My mom still makes comments about how I would look 10yrs younger if I colored it. *rolls eyes*

[@meilinchiang6951]

All you ladies look fantastic.

[@paula3280]

Love the grey! Each person has to do what they're feeling? I feel as long as we take care of our hair,style it with a modern style and cut we should be good to go !

[@conniemurphyover70stillgla47]

ITS NOT A FAD ANY MORE :) ITS A MOVEMENT :) hug connie murphy

[@newnana9070]

I’m wondering what dye she used?? After she said she was allergic, that explained why her hair and skin reacted that way. When I was dying my hair ( 20’s, 30’s), I used what ever brand ( usually 1 of 2). I started going gray at 43, genetics, and I haven’t dyed my gray hair. I’m loving my hair. I have always loved any shade of gray hair . It’s beautiful.

[@lsusanna3]

To those younguns it may seem "we've had hair color shoved down our throats...as far back" but no, we haven't. In the 50's, less than 10% women colored. My grandmothers' generation? No. Annnd there's still a good deal of ageism aming the "Millenials" & younger.

[@madeleineking3221]

Life is about growing old period. Impossible to stay young forever.

[@tippytoe1250]

I’m Asian and I started graying in middle school. But I didn’t start covering my grays until my 30’s. Now 44 I’ve been dye free for 18 months. I feel so free and happy. I don’t feel my gray age me. Family and friends around my age doesn’t understand my decision. But I’ve never cared what they thought. My husband finds it attractive.

[@margaretek5350]

Went natural 3 years ago after dying for 55 years! So yeah to us 🙌🙌🙌👏👏👏

[@tiredapplestar]

I found my first grey hair when I was a teenager, and have been coloring my hair ever since. The last few years coloring my hair has become such a chore, so a few months ago I decided to grow out my silver. I’m still at that awkward stage with my roots, and can’t wait until it grows out completely!

[@sj4645]

I think grey hair looks so graceful. I don't colour my hair because I am too lazy, lol.

[@moniqueasselin651]

I never coloured my hair. I did so because I felt that I could invest my time and money on more important aspects of my life. More importantly, I felt that all those chemicals could affect my health.p negativity. Never regretted my decision. Proud mature and empowered women.

[@rachelklein2989]

Such a great conversation. I have been playing with going silver for years. Every time it comes in more fully I get terrified and put color in. I have wonderful role models who have natural hair silver hair but the personal fear persists. Someday soon. These women look beautiful.

[@chesterfieldsl44]

I can't even believe we are having a discussion about this.

[@ritakent7844]

It’s what the “world” does to us. I am now embracing my silver hair but it took YEARS!!

[@lorraine8962]

Authenticity is beautiful. The culture is stuck in high school. But life is short and we ALL cross that bridge. Loved this discussion. I’ve been debating on how I would transition to my authentic, and graying, hair. First of all, I finally went natural, no more blow dryers and flat irons. I’m loving it. My hair is getting healthier and the waves and curls are amazing!!! My main reason for wanting to stop coloring is, my hair grows fast, so that means more exposure to chemicals, which means it’s sort of false self-care. I may have some gray highlights added so I can cope with the transition a little better. All of you look amazing. I’m loving the gray!!’ Thank you 🙏

[@Foss567]

I’ve been gray for about 4-5 years. I have women come up to me and tell me they wished they were brave like me. I love my gray hair .. I feel free! I’m 61 years old and I’ve embraced this next phase of my life. I feel empowered!

[@straightnochaser239]

Gray hair looks sharp on some women. I'll never know how it looks on me!

[@marywhite8517]

Its true, you are treated differently. I cut my hair short and my front grew out silver white. I didn't know how grey I was because i always had color in my hair since way way back. Its beautiful and people comment all of the time how much they like it. I dont come close to looking 71. But when people interact with me at first they act like I might drop before their eyes. Then once my mouth opens up they relax. I have to say I am still in doubt about letting it stay grey. On the other hand, you cant object to people coming out of their way to say how beautiful my gray is. It's really a blinding silver White around my hairline.

[@GI-uw6tw]

I consider silver hair “highlights of wisdom”.