Life's New Page

Gray, Gray Go Away, Come Again Another Day?

Lately I have been getting a lot of comments about my gray hair.  While I am not completely gray, I do have significant patches of the silvery strands on my crown and back of my head.  I had made a regular practice of coloring my hair, first a dark auburn and then a jet black.  However, since I recently made the decision to sport a super short hairdo (practically bald), coloring isn't that effective.  When your hair is really short, it seems to grow very fast.  Coloring now would mean practically exposing my hair to chemicals on a weekly basis.

Why do we get so hung up on gray hair, anyway?  Yes, gray can make us look older but, it can also look fabulous.  A little salt and pepper hair coloring can make you look wise, bold, and individualistic.  If I have learned anything, looking older is not just a function of what's on the outside but what's in your heart and in your head.

So, if you still have any concerns or are feeling depressed about your gray hair, check out the following blog, www.goinggrayblog.com It is packed with tips and stories of beautiful women happily going gray.

Wigging Out?

I remember when I was about ten years old, going to church with my mother, and seeing one of the deacons sitting in the front row.  What stood out about her wasn't her colorful wardrobe or the way she used to chatter up the congregation.  What left a lasting impression on me was her wig.  It was a chocolate brown, short, curly thing that sort of sat perched on her head like a Sunday- best hat. 

It never looked like it could actually be her hair.  First, it was always crooked.  Second, at sixty she just didn't look like she could have hair of that color or texture. 

My next experience with wigs was with my oldest sister.  In the sixties and the seventies, she considered herself a fashionista and a trendsetter.  She used wigs as an accessory to her outfits.  If she had on an elaborate, ostentatious gown, then she wore a long, luxorious wig.  If she had on hot pants and a midriff top, she wore an ultra mod short wig.  If she had on a fire engine red dress, sometimes, she even wore a red (like a stop light)  wig.  Yikes!!

Though I never dreamed I would step into the world of wigs myself, I have worn a few. Look in any fashion magazine, or at any television show, and you will see some actress or model sporting a hair piece, wig or hair extension.    I have used them not only as an accessory but, a personal statement of my versatility.  I do have a few ground rules though:

1.    It has to be a good quality wig.  Cheap wigs tend to shed and just look fake.

2.    It has to look like it could actually be my hair.  If the texture of the wig is too straight or the color looks unnatural, it will never grace my head.

3.    It must enhance my look, not detract from it.  

Wigs are not for everyone.  But, today, wigs are becoming more mainstream.  So if you are looking to live life on the wild side, try wigging out.  

Gray Matter

You get up one morning and look in the mirror.  There it is, that first gray hair.  For some women, the sighting of a gray hair is equivalent to someone telling them they gained five pounds.  It is a sign they are a little less perfect ,a little less beautiful and alot older. 

The fact of the matter is, gray hair has very little to do with getting older.  It is generally due to the reduction of the manufacturing of melanin in the hair shaft.  This can occur due to heredity or as some suggest, a lack of Vitamin B12 in the diet. 

My mother spotted her first gray strands when she was thirteen!  For her it was a matter of heredity.  After years of dyeing her hair, she finally learned to embrace her gray mane when she turned forty.  Instead of trying to cover it up, she used products that helped to emphasize her silver strands.  Now, at age 80, people are still complimenting her on her lovely gray hair.

So what if it still bugs you that those unruly gray hairs are  showing up on your head?  Here are some suggestions:

1.    Go to a professional hair colorist on a regular basis.  They have hair color now that provides complete coverage.

2.    Wear a wig

3.    Adjust your diet.  While the studies aren't conclusive, they seem to indicate having sufficient B Vitamins in your diet may help to prevent or slow down the growth of gray hair.

Where Are The Fashion Magazines For Mature Women?

The fall fashion season is in full swing but, where are the magazines that carry fashion for women over 40?  Go to any local newstand and you will find tons of fashion magazines, Glamour; Elle; Lucky; to name a few.  But open these magazines and they are filled models and fashion for the twentysomething crowd.  Don't get me wrong some strides have been made in this area.   Mature women adorn the pages of O magazine, More, Chico's and Coldwater Creek catalogues but,  we need to see more of the same.  Publishers, if you are out there listening, women over 40 love to look chic too.  We're ready and waiting....

Where Should Your Hemline Stop?

An acquaintance of mine prides herself on looking young.  Although, well into her sixties, this lady has the figure of 30 or 40 year old and the spirit and personality of someone much younger.  As an expression of her youthful exuberance and appreciation of her youthful body, she often sports various short shorts and miniskirts.  One of her favorites is a school girl tartan plaid skirt.  My question is, as you get older, even if you have a great body, where should your hemline stop?

My personal opinion is that you should wear whateever flatters you.  I don't think a school girl skirt on a 60 year old is flattering.  Wearing clothes that don't reflect your lifestyle and accentuate your greatest features is not looking good.  A woman who wears something her granddaughter might have in her closet just looks like she is trying too hard.

In the case of this woman, I think she should go for the dresses and skirts that hit her at the knee.  She can still show off her great legs but, look like she is wearing her own clothes.  What do you think? 

To Bra or Not To Bra, That is The Question

I was in the supermarket the other day, looking for my favorite iced tea when a 60ish woman passed me in the aisle.  She didn't have an outlandish hairdo nor was she behaving strangely.  But, what made her stand out like a sore thumb was the fact that she was not wearing a bra.  Her large, age weary breasts were pendulously hanging beneath her t-shirt, like socks filled with change.

I know there was a time when bra burning and going braless was a symbol of independence.  But let's face facts, those heroines of the sixties and seventies are grandmas.  The breasts just aren't as perky as they used to be.  Besides being unsightly, this kind of display can also be a health risk, putting strain on your back due to lack of support.

So ladies, next time you are trying to decide whether you need to wear a bra, look in the mirror.  If your breasts are heading due south, suit up and keep your change in your pockets.

How To Know If You Are Going From Fabulous To Frumpy At Warped Speed

When you look in the mirror do you see that hip fashionista who turned heads everywhere she went, or do you see someone you barely recognize? As we grow older, we sometimes let ourselves go.   Usually this change is gradual but, with others it happens virtually overnight. Here are some warning signs that you are on the fast track to being frumpy.

1.       You haven’t bought any new clothes in over a year.

It’s true some clothes are timeless, but others are just OLD. Not only do clothes go out of style but, the way they fit you can also change as you gain or lose weight. The jacket you bought 10 years ago with the monster shoulder pads just isn’t going to look flattering on you today.  Make a habit of going through your closet seasonally or at least twice a year to see what doesn’t fit, needs repair or is dated. Discard or donate these items to charity. Then purchase some updated replacements to keep you and your wardrobe looking fresh.

2.       You’ve been wearing the same hairstyle for 20 years.

Are you still wearing the beehive, teased hair or the 80’s shag? Or maybe you are 50 years old and haven’t cut your hair since college. The fact is that as your body changes so should your hairstyle. Your hair should be flattering and emphasize your facial attributes. It should also reflect your current style not the style of bygone days.

3.       You wear your wear your gym clothes out to dinner.

Certain clothes are designed to be worn certain places. Gym shorts and sports bras are designed for exercising not, for enjoying dinner at your favorite restaurant.  Designate outfits in your closet for nights out, casual outings, or work. Stick to this plan to look your best.

4.       You wear too much or too little makeup

Make up has gotten a bad rap, mainly, because most women don’t know how to wear it. Some of us pile it on, making our faces look older or clownish. Other women avoid makeup altogether resulting in a plain or dull face. Makeup is designed to accentuate your natural beauty. Seek advice on how to wear it from magazines or department store makeup artists.