Greying and growing long hair

I actually just saw two women the other day at one of our local malls who must have been in their 60's. I noticed one of them because she had long straight hair past her shoulders and it was completely white. At first I thought that she was bleaching it, but when I took a closer look at her hair when she was walking in front of me, I noticed that it wasn't bleached, it was her natural white and it looked beautiful. I was also impressed by the fact that she didn't chop and perm it.

Thanks for the official welcome!

Just having a place where I can come and post - or just read posts -- while doing this is very helpful! I felt kind of out there and alone with this notion that it is OK to have long hair when you're over 50... now I see this is not that unusual an idea; even if it is, there's lots of support.

I am thrilled to have found you all!

Deeanne

Greetings -

(I went and signed up and am using deeanne instead of friendly spirit).

Kathy, your words are very helpful. My "root" issue is that my hair has been a light red for years. My real hair color is probably a mix of grey, dark brown and auburn tones. I picture my hair growing in with dark greying roots and inches of the light red. I do not want to cut anything off (aside from trims) and figure it will take years for the light red to grow out.

This may just have to be something I bear until it has grown out. Hard enough to have long hair at over 50, without it being that blatantly growing out coloring.

I have a somewhat public position in my place of worship, where long gray hair is seen as a good thing -- colored hair is not approved, so I think part of my dread is stepping forth in that community.

Thank you for your words of support!
**
Oh, just came back in to edit -- my hair is layered with bangs and shaping as it looks pretty awful in one length only (my head it just too small -- or my body is too big!). Length of my hair now is 17 inches (from forehead to longest in the back) -- I will look for those supportive shampoos. But, alas, I am one of those people you mention, who have been coloring their hair and now all you can see are roots!

Greetings,

This looks like the place to come to for support of long hair in general. I'm in my mid 50's and have felt the urge to just let my hair grow. It is now about an inch below my shoulders. Doesn't look at all the way one is led to believe by some hairdressers and folks who think the solution to aging is a hair cut. I wear it up most of the time and find it much easier to care for long than it was short. And it just feels right for me.

My next move is to stop coloring and allow it to show its true color(s) -- a mix of grey, auburn and brown I think. (I don't recall, its been so long).

Any ideas on how to resist temptation to cut it all off and let it grow, or to go back to coloring it. My hairdresser tells me there is no easy way to make the transition and those are my two options. I am thinking of wearing headcoverings during the winter -- but am also looking for positive ideas and feedback from others who have done this;

Thank you!!

Deeanne