Wednesday, October 19, 2016

50 & Fab....Silver and lovin' it...


I've been silver, or at least silver-ish for about 4 years now. I've had days when I looked in the mirror and thought I might be making a terrible mistake, but overall, I'm pretty happy with my decision. Contrary to popular opinion, it hasn't made me look older, and in fact, I think compliments my natural skin tone better than my previous blonde did.

When I started my journey to Silver hair, I imagined something along the lines of this woman's hair above. I was still striving for this look until very recently, when somebody rightly pointed out that her long sleek ponytail is in fact a hairpiece, wrapped in her own hair at the top. Boom went that idea! I'd been idolising this look for four whole years...hahaha! Now I realise I can have it with some gel, a hairbrush, and a good faux ponytail! Dang. I've been arguing with the hair straightener all this time for nothing!

I also had my eye on this gorgeous look below. I finally found this stunning comb today. The week AFTER I'd cut my hair back to shoulder length. Gotta laugh! I guess I'll wear it tiara style for Christmas.


Over the time I've transitioned from light blonde to dark blonde/light brown...


....to Ash Blonde with chocolate layers underneath...


....and finally to silver...


....I've struggled with how to make the Silver look, youthful rather than ageing. I've blogged a few times about this and you can see those posts linked here. Mostly, I've focused on trying always to dress well, looking after myself by eating healthfully and exercising, and of course, making grooming absolutely vital in my daily routine.

Until last Saturday, this meant long, sleek hair (hello to hair straightener for up to 30 minutes).


I did try to do the tousled ponytail look sported by this lovely lady below (I think it's Daphne Guinness), but again, found that there is clearly some trick involved in not having this look like you've climbed out of bed and just scraped hair up into a ponytail because you lack the time, motivation or wherewithal to do anything else. It's not a skill I currently possess.

I've tried for this cute style below too, and managed it with some success. I even quite liked it for a while. But in the end, it felt a bit too girly on me, and the ends of my hair looked a bit straggly. Come to think of it, so do hers!

Pulling the front of my hair back and securing it with bands and bows has been a good solution for me often when nothing else was. Strangely, although the long curls felt a bit 'girly', the ribbons felt rather more sophisticated to me.


Ultimately, I imagined my hair would look like this photograph below. And it did. Sort of. But again, I think this is the result of a long standing relationship with a hairdresser, toner, straightener and gloss, that I am not willing to maintain for now. That's just exchanging one madness for another.


While my hair was very long over the last two years, and the messy up-do has prevailed, I have enjoyed swirling it into a topknot and embellishing it with tiaras and clips of all kinds...


But with Summer and a Cruise just around the corner, (and a certain feeling of needing a change!), I've taken the plunge, armed my 16 year old daughter with a CreaClip and a sharp pair of scissors, and asked her to cut me a bob. I think I like it. It's liberating not to have to straighten each day, in the same way it's liberating not to have to colour and dye. By the way, that Creaclip is the best money I've ever spent. Once you overcome your fear of putting scissors to your own hair, it's utterly brilliant!

Mind you, I think I'm helped by the fact that these sorts of loose curls and casual bob hairstyle, are very 'in' at the moment, and I guess that is the key to being successfully Silver. You have to make your best effort to keep your look current in some way. This cut also gives me the opportunity to be rid of the chocolate brown underneath my hair from a few years ago, and to say Sayonara to the last of the blonde highlights from June 2015. Very soon, I will truly be completely Silver, and I think I'll be very content.

What do you think?


Do you toy with the idea of going grey?

If you have, are you happy with it?

Five Star Frou-Frou is now a neverending linkup, with a featured blogger each and every time I post.

Todays featured blogger is...

 Rheta at Vintage Eves, who shared this stunning collection of Georges Briard serving dishes. I particularly loved the gold trim on this one...

https://vintageeves.wordpress.com/2016/09/25/gorgeous-georges/


 Thanks for sharing Rheta! And thankyou to everyone who continues to link and share!

...Mimi...

46 comments:

  1. Mimi - you look fabulous. It was reading your previous post that persuaded me to embrace the Gray. Do I regret it? No I've had loads of positive feedback. Your blog has given me loads of ideas and inspiration please continue. Ronnie (England) x

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    1. Ronnie, I'm so flattered that I helped you transition to Silver! And isn't it funny how many compliments come your way when you finally make that transition. I'm thrilled for you! Love, Mimi xxx

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  2. You do look wonderful, Mimi! Funnily enough, a few weeks ago I coloured my hair for the first time ever - at the age of 47! The lonely greys that had been popping up over the past few years were inviting friends and having a party that I hadn't given permission for! And I feel really good with my home dye job. So I'll be rocking the ungrey me for a bit longer, until I get tired of my new skill lol
    But when I do, I hope to look at stylish as you xx Fiona

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    1. Hahahaha Fiona, you make me laugh! A party of greys, indeed! I think everyone chooses their moment to go au naturel. You'll know when it's right for you. You're not a Grandma yet! Mimi xxx

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  3. Just love your new do Mimi. I used to colour my hair but stopped about 2 years ago. My natural colour is ash blonde similar to your earlier photo but with silver 'wings' at the temples. I'm happy to let nature take its course.

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    1. Barb, silver 'wings' sounds lovely. And isn't it funny that this is something to be admired on men! Grey is the new blonde these days, so why not embrace it. Love, Mimi xxx

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  4. I was grey last year. And then later in the year a blended grey with some ash streaks and some brown, and copper streaks. Now I have a rinse plus some foils so the grey is covered. But I could decide to change that later on, depending on how I feel. I too wear a curly bob. I don't think I could stand going back to blow drying my hair straight every day. I really like your new style.

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    1. Thankyou Sherri. I'm slowly getting used to my new curly bob. It's not that I haven't worn it this way before. It's just that combination of curly and grey that bothers me. But as I've mentioned, if I can find other ways of keeping my look current, I think that will help. I hear you on the blow drying and straightening! It's just time I'd rather spend on something else. You too, huh? Mimi xxx

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  5. Mimi, thanks for the feature this week!

    It's funny that this post is here because I've been thinking about letting my hair finally turn. The dyes just aren't sticking anymore so I end up with light roots and dark ends after a few weeks. I like your look and I think you are right about keeping the style youthful to keep it from aging you. Seriously, teens are dying their hair gray.

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    1. Rheta, I'm pleased to meet you and happy to feature your gorgeous china. And yes, perhaps fortuitous! You are so right. People are DYEING their hair grey these days, so it's right on trend! Isn't it funny how things go? Mimi xxx

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  6. I started going gray at 50 and decided to embrace my natural look. I for myself was done trying to look more youth full when again for me I decided God gave me my seasons and I wanted to know them all. Love your hair looks wonderful. Thank you for your blog, I love it.

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    1. Sherry I love what you say about God giving you seasons. I believe this too. I cannot see the sense in pretending to be 35, when 55 is just fine, thanks. Mind you, I have no intention of behaving like an 'old' person any time soon...lol! Thankyou for the lovely compliment on the blog. I really appreciate it. Love, Mimi xxx

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  7. Mimi,
    LOVE your hair!! I embraced gray a few years ago because I was so tired of paying a fortune to have it frosted blonde. If I went with my natural color of brown, it would have cost me even more!! It was the best thing I did and I get more compliments on my hair and the style of it than I ever did before.
    Here is a post that i did when I made this decision:
    http://debbie-dabbleblog.blogspot.com/2015/02/57-shades-of-gray-aging-gracefully.html
    Of course, since my old blog was hacked and i had to transfer over all my posts, I did lose the comments to those posts. There were some really great comments on this post.
    You look fabulous!!
    Hugs
    Debbie

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    1. Thankyou Debbie. You are such a wonderfully ardent fan! I know what you mean about the expense, but for me it's the sitting in a chair for three hours reading a magazine and drinking bad coffee that put me off the hairdresser...lol! Go you! I'm off to check out that post. Love, Mimi xxx

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  8. Mimi, I think your hairstyle looks great. I stopped colouring mine when I retired from work but it is very, very thick so I keep it short but I really love the look of the style you now have.

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    1. Thankyou Chel. You always say something lovely. Mimi xxx

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  9. Oh Mimi,every time I think I'll stop dying my hair and go grey I change my mind because my hair is shoulder length and curly but seeing your hair is making me reconsider! I'll be sixty next month and usually dye my own hair so it might be time to stop. Rather thought provoking blog...thanks. Deborah.

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    1. Dear Deborah, you can do it! I hope I've persuaded you a little. The secret is lots of moisturising products on your hair, and a bit more thought in wardrobe and makeup. You'll look fab, I promise. Mimi xxx

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  10. Love your new "do". Talk about freedom from hair products, YEA.

    Because of your previous posts embracing the silver, I made an attempt at it earlier this year but caved in June I think it was beginning of summer, and recolored it. But now I'm trying again. I wasn't too happy with the feel of the hair when it was grey so this time my hairdresser has put a clear cellophane on it to help with softness and body. Like a color but no color just shiny. So onward!

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    1. Laurie, I attempted my greying period several times before really embracing it. Hang in there. You'll know when the time is right. This cellophane treatment sounds great. I'll be looking into that! Mimi xxx

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  11. Love the new 'do! You look fabulous!

    I contemplated going grey (my roots are grey!) until I had a conversation with a shop clerk and they thought I was 10 years older than I am! Went out and colored my hair that day (at home)!

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    1. Jenn, it's true that it can age you. But with attention to good grooming, a youthful wardrobe (without being silly....no mini skirts!), and good makeup, those shop clerks and their silly judgements will be a thing of the past! I feel your pain though. I've been there too. It's not an easy path, this grey hair thing. Mimi xxx

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  12. I love the way your hair looks. If mine curled like yours, I would cut mine too. I have had a white streak in the front of my hair since my early 30's. My hubby used to call me skunk lady -sweetly. I turned 66 last month and it is now salt and pepper and everyone thinks I dyed it this way but it is natural. I wish it would all turn white but I would never dye it - too much work and too much money. Keep your hair like that you look beautiful.

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    1. I'd LOVE a white streak at the front. That's such an elegant look! Lucky you! Your hair sounds stunning! And thankyou for your lovely compliments. I really appreciate them. Mimi xxx

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  13. I love it, love it love it!
    I've had a shoulder-length, long-layered, mousse & scrunch hair style for several months (very similar to yours, but lacking your natural curl, hence the scrunching...a lot of it) and every time I go to the stylist we notice more "tinsel and glitter" sprouting from my head. My grandmother had the most beautiful silver-white hair, so I have high hopes as my blonde fades. I am embracing the gray and thinking of going back to an unlayered, shoulder-length bob that I can dry smooth. I hope my "new do" suits me as well as yours suits you!
    Blessings, Leigh

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    1. Thanks Leigh. You are lovely! Yep, scrunching is the key to the curls! I'm sure your hair will live up to expectations. It sounds as though you are on the right path. Can't wait to see a pic! Mimi xxx

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  14. A very pretty style for you and love the silver! I have been thinking of it, too. I have dark brown hair and not all the way silver, so it would take a few months and a very short cut......My cut off date is age 65 - a few more years to go. xx Karen

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    1. Thankyou Karen. You are so sweet. Yes, we each have our own timeline. Yours will look stunning. I just know it! Mimi xxx

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  15. I love your cut. You're really lucky to have such a pretty *grey* that goes so well with your features. I'm a natural redhead and the color under my "Golden Red" dye is the most ugly shade of Brillo Pad steel grey that you've ever seen. The dye also mellows the barbed wire texture. It absolutely clashes with my gold toned skin, muddy green eyes, and freckles! I'm pretty sure I'm going to be one of those 80 yr. old ladies with screaming orange dyed hair!!!!

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    1. Thankyou Debby. You did make me laugh with your Brillo Pad comment! I know what you mean about skintone. I tend to love my grey hair more in Summer when I have a tan. And I know a whole family of redheads, who are in their 60s, 70s, and 90s, and yep...it's the dye for them! The great thing is though, it really suits them. You go for the orange dyed hair. You'll look fabulous! Mimi xxx

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  16. I like it! I think more of us are heading in that direction; I have a gray stripe at my scalp beside my part. I jokingly refer to it as my "Bonnie Raitt" look, although it's getting wider than hers. Like you, I was done with coloring and can live with brown and gray.

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    1. Denise, I think we all sort of reach that point of going...that's enough for now, and embrace the season of life that blesses us with silver in our hair. Yours looks stunning! Mimi xxx

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  17. I'm visiting from Bluebirds are Nesting. I think your hair is cute! Why you ever wanted to straighten it is beyond me. I hope you are happy with it as it really suits your face shape.
    Also wanted to comment on your daughter's costume. You did a terrific job!
    Blessings,
    Leslie

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    1. Thankyou Leslie! I think the straightening came from a lifelong desire to have the straight hair I was never naturally blessed with. I'm over it for now. I've been there, done that, and ready to move on! I really appreciate the compliments...both on the haircut and the costume. You are lovely. Mimi xxx

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  18. I think your curls look fantastic! I've always loved silver hair. My Mum's hair is a very beautiful light silver, and I really hope mine turns out to be the same colour when I go grey. I haven't found any greys yet, but as I'm in my mid-30s I'm sure they're not far off. My maternal Nana and Pa both had pure white hair - that's another hair colour I would be very happy with!

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    1. Thankyou Grace. You are so sweet! I bet your silvers and whites are there waiting for the right season of life to appear. I think you'll love them too. Mimi xxx

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  19. Beautiful hair, Mimi! Gorgeous!

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  20. Oh wow! I love the last shot of you with your curls! So cute!! Thanks for sharing at Home Sweet Home!

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  21. Befitting, comely and what a gorgeous doll you are. The Creator had a beauty in mind when He made you!

    *hugs*
    Kelley~

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    1. Dearest Kelley! I've missed you so much! You always say the loveliest things. I hope you'll visit again soon. Love, Mimi xxx

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  22. Your hair looks so nice Mimi and I love the cute and curls! Thanks for sharing at C&C with J&J.
    Enjoy the week.
    Julie xo

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    1. Dear Julie, you are always supportive. It's my pleasure. Mimi xxx

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  23. LOVE this post. :) You rock it!

    I would love for you to share this with my Facebook Group for recipes, crafts, tips, and tricks: https://www.facebook.com/groups/pluckyrecipescraftstips/

    Thanks for joining Cooking and Crafting with J & J!

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I love hearing from you! I always respond to comments, so don't be shy! Mimi xxx